My dog is a 70lb lab mutt. Real smart and trainable, has some killer instinct and loves to small game hunt with me. Not that he's any good or that I know how to train a hunting dog, but I take him along anyway because he's a dog and should do manly shit between the wife spoiling him at the house.

Being some form of mutt, he has ZERO undercoat. The lab in him makes him dry in about 5 minutes after he shakes in the summer, but he's just not cut out for the winter here in Ohio. Last year we found a horse blanket style coat at rura king that worked well enough for city or open country use. It velcrod around the neck and velcro strapped right in front of his penis. Blaze orange with reflective pinstripes. Half decent nylon shell with a fleece lining (orange camo inside). Was waterproof with some silicone spray.

He finally got it lost in the brush yesterday... it was bound to happen. Between the loose fit and being breakaway.

What I'm looking for now is something designed for lab body styles, insulated, that provides protection in desnse brush (lots of thorns around here). Preferably waterproof so the snow doesn't melt on his back or we can strap it on real quick to keep him dry in the rain. And in a hiviz for orange camo pattern. Something that fits snug would be great.

I see stuff designed for water dogs, the neoprene vests, but question how well they hold up in brush and how warm they are. I see lots of city dog stuff, that looks like it would keep him warm/dry, but offer no protection and be shredded after our first day in the field (not to mention city colors).

I'm willing to sacrifice hiviz for a regular camo pattern if it's tough and warm/dry. Obviously hunting upland small game on public land orange would be great though.

What do you guys use for your dogs? Am I the only one in a situation like this?

Obligatory pics of dag. Please do not forward to ATF.
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mods let me know if the cross post isn't kosher and I'll take it down, we know both forums are pretty slow.

It may not be exactly what you're after but this provides good protection.

LCS Vest

They have a few others to choose from as well.

Nice pooch BTW!

Do you have one of the LCS vests?

Looks nice, but not too warm.

I could see that easily going over a neoprene vest to keep warm, and protect the neoprene. Although I speculate the waterfowl stuff should be pretty robust since those dogs are getting into arguably the worst possible conditions.

Does anyone have commentary on the neoprene stuff? Mostly what thickness is good for temperature ranges? I have no experience with neoprene garments.

Notice duality of dog. Killer in the streets, slouch on the couch.
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That right there is a happy dog...

I don't remember for sure where I got the vest I had.  It would have been from either Lion Country Supply or Cabelas.  I was mostly a cordura chest protector, not really for warmth.  It helped keep the thorns out of the dog and made him a lot easier to see.  The vest outlasted the dog .

I never used a neoprene vest on a dog.  I don't have experience with them.