Swamp Cooler Dog Jacket
4.8
5
36
36
Works like a charm!
Our Boxer overheats at the drop of a hat, so we needed something to cool him down on the occasional warm PNW summer day, and on hikes and other outings where he might not be able to cool himself as quickly or effectively as necessary. Ruff Wear's Swamp Cooler is just the thing! It's awesome. Cools him down in mere seconds, and mostly we're on top of it, so it prevents him from getting too hot in the first place. Soak it in water, wring it out, put it on, and you're good-to-go. Works well being doused with some water too, to re-fresh it after it's already in use. The front panel has proven a little drippy for us... so we don't wet that tiny area, and that solves the problem of excess water trying to escape the vest. Love this, our dog is a happy camper, and I can't recommend it enough! (Although I will say, be prepared for some odd looks or quizzical glances when people see your dog in a "coat" on a hot day. ;o))
August 13, 2011
Great for Working Dogs
I have used the swamp cooler in the past for my Alaskan Husky who gets very hot when I'm camping with her. The Swamp Cooler allows her to be outside in humid temperatures while still keeping her reasonably cool and active. Recently I have used the Swamp Cooler for a working guide dog. He is a black lab and during the hot afternoon sun gets very warm, panting excessively, and walks very slow. With the Swamp Cooler he walks close to his normal pace, exhibits very minimal panting and seems happier in general. The Swamp Cooler fits easily under the guide harness and does not cause any interference with the work. I had to get one size bigger than recommended to allow more room in the neck area. The evaporation helps the dog to sweat while the reflective top keeps the sun off of them (espeically those black coated dogs!). This product runs a little expensive but worth the money. I'm recommending this to other guide dog users and to my clients.
July 26, 2011
Great Product, but Too Small Despite Measurements
I can't wait to actually use this product. It seems very well constructed, and the reviews are impressive. I measured my pup carefully, and he was well within the range of XS. However, when I received it, it was clear that if I forced the cooler over his neck, it would constrict his neck and breathing. So I will exchange for the Small and hope it goes well. We can really use this this summer! Overall, though impressed by the quality and the service. Just order a size up if you have a dog with a big head or neck.
July 4, 2011
Keeps my boxer cool
Second swamp cooler we bought after my 2 year old boxer outgrew the first one. These work really well at keeping their body temps cooler during hot, humid summer days out here on the east coast. Taken it with us on hikes through local parks, strolls on the boardwalk and regular walks around the neighborhood. While my dog still pants like crazy on really hot/humid days, the areas the swamp cooler covers remain relatively cool when I put my hand under it and we seem to be able to stay out in the sun for longer than we do without one. Two things to note: 1) I've always had to take some extra frozen bottles of water with us to douse the cooler mid adventure since it can dry out if not soaked properly prior to leaving 2) be sure to rinse it out and hang dry after you return, I failed to do that once and it stunk horribly for weeks. All in all, if you have a dog with a short snout or a big hairy coat, these are a must have for the warmer months
June 13, 2011
Helps
My chocolate lab would typically get overheated during a 3 mile run in the summer heat; this was very scary. I put this on him and he doesn't get overheated :) The water seems to evaporate very quickly or it drips down the front of his chest. I wish there was some sort of strap to secure the back portion of the vest; it doesn't stay centered when the leash moves across it. I love the fact that I can put the vest in the laundry.
May 27, 2011
Keeps him cool
We live in Las Vegas, NV and it gets HOT here. We use this cooling vest with our mostly black, male GSD. It works really well, but dries out after about 1/2 hour in the sunshine - so we have to carry extra water to pour over the vest. He can walk and play for much longer when he is wearing the vest, and we don't have to stop and wait in the shade for long periods of time for him to cool down and be able to start walking again.
I also really like the way it fits. It has elastic bands to keep the vest secure and it fits easily under his harness.
April 24, 2011
Great for black colored dogs
I have a husky who overheats at 60 degrees. Although we do live in a northern climate, it does get hot here in the summer. She is able to go for longer walks with the vest and is not as restless during the hot days. The vest does dry out quick so make sure to bring extra water to wet it down. The sewing around the collar also is a bit weak so I am not sure how long it will last, but great product overall.
April 13, 2011
Keep Cool
I bought this 1.5 years ago and I will be buying another one this spring for the new pup! We are in the mountains a lot in the summer and activities are limited because it can be way too hot in Idaho for Berners to be outdoors. This vest made a world of difference! If I put my hand under the vest on her fur, she feels MUCH cooler under the vest. In fact, she loves to wear it - no complaints because it feels good to her. It is getting somewhat worn because the outside net gets a little snagged when she goes in the underbrush (helping me pick huckleberries!), but it is holding up under a lot of summer use. It does get smelly but cleans up well in a gentle wash cycle.
December 5, 2010
Keeps the dog running.
Really an excellent purchase to keep my whippet running hard and walking comfortably in New York City heat. Sure, the cooler gets weird looks from people on the street but it goes a long way having the only dog not panting uncomfortably.
One note: If your dog gets into any dirt or mud (and the wet cooler will make any dirt very muddy), the cooler gets filthy. And the dirt gets trapped in the little grooves and it's very difficult to clean. Be aware of that!
October 17, 2010
Good quality-but slightly weird fit.
I have tons of Ruff Wear stuff for my two dogs and the quality and design is great. However, my French bulldog did have a difficult time with sizing. Small was too long, but the XS is a little tight to get over the head and not quite long enough. However, it works and my Frenchie is cooler.
August 5, 2010
Well made, buckles much better than velcro.
The gentleman I spoke to on the phone helped me immensely. Be sure to measure dog around the neck. This jacket works and I can continue exercising my dog throughout the hot summer. It's a life saver.
August 4, 2010
Worth the investment
Pricey worth the investment. Only color is a light one which can be stained by dirt. Small size perfectly fits a standard dachshund.
July 18, 2010
Swamp Coat
We have found that this coat is a godsend. It fits our Min Pin perfectly at the XS size. He weighs 14 #s. We used this on a trip to El Morro in New Mexico and it kept him cool and made our hike a lot more fun. He loves wearing it and he will be using it a lot more in Texas and Louisiana.
July 15, 2010
Amazing!
We recently bought this vest in XXS for our 16lb Shih Tzu Lhasa Apso cross, and we thought it would be good, but it far exceeded our expectations. It is worth mentioning that our dog has a fairly short summer haircut (might not work as well otherwise) and that despite his breed, he is a little adventurer. We went camping this weekend, and hiked for 5 hours in 95 degree weather (with a big break halfway through). We had creek access to cool him off if we needed it, but we didn't need it. We actually thought there was something wrong with him and got really worried because he wasn't panting at all. When I later took off the vest to pick it clean of burrs and such, he was panting with-in minutes. We wouldn't have been able to bring our dog out in 95 degree weather at all without this swamp cooler, and with it, our dog seemed completely oblivious to the heat. Refreshing the water with a squirt from a Camelback works very well! It's possible that these vests actually work better on small dogs since their surface area to body mass ratio is higher, but I would recommend it for any dog, and particularly snub-nosed dogs that are prone to trouble in the heat. Of course always be responsible and don't use the swamp cooler as an excuse to over-expose your dog to the sun, but this item is invaluable if you like to be outdoors. The price is a bit much, but it is machine-washable and well-made, and I expect mine to last a very long time.
June 21, 2010
Works well, but a little expensive
I've been very pleased with the way it keeps our dog much cooler, allows him to stay out longer, and recover more quickly. This product is a little overpriced and could easily sell for 30% less. Construction and materials are nothing to rave about especially at $50. There is a lot of overlap in the sizing measurements. Our dog was close to a medium, but we decided to get a small instead. Turns out a medium would have been much too big.
June 7, 2010
Great relieve for an active dog.
We purchased this for our 7 month German Shorthair pointer. As she still a pup she requires exercise, but does not do well in temperatures over 70*F. This cooling jacket is a life saver, we can continue to give her moderate exercise during the summer. Do highly recommend it.
June 5, 2010
Haven't used it yet, but looks great!
I have yet to use this but I have used similar products for myself before and love the idea! I have two black labs, one of which suffers from heat intolerance, so this is a great thing! The only complaint, it seems to run small, the medium fits my smaller lab, but I will have to buy a larger size for my heat intolerant lab who is larger.
May 24, 2010
Great buy!
I have an 8 month old Boston Terrier who gets overheated very easily. The cooler jacket has been a god-send. It fits perfectly and eases her owners mind that she will enjoy her walks without overheating.
April 21, 2010
This is the best cooling support for our dog!!!
we recommend this product to everyone, everywhere we go!! our dog Sadie with her black coat, gets so hot in the summer and we love to go to the park, this allows us to go and Sadie is cool and conformable!!! thank you!!!
April 3, 2010
Dawg is chillin!
Finally got warm enough to try out the Swamp Cooler and as far as I can tell it works. Fits great with the adjustable buckles and doesn't impede walking or running. It fairly thick and stays damp for over an hour on hot days. Dog was panting as usual when hiking, but seemed to cool down much quicker once we were finished. Since it's wet it does pick up a lot of dirt when hiking on dirt trails. A quick rinse gets most of the dirt off, but it's looking a little dingy after only a few walks. Dog doesn't seem to care what it looks like, so since he's happy I'm happy!
January 25, 2010
Quality design and construction, variable fit
In my experience, Ruff Wear dog gear has always been of highest quality construction and the Swamp Cooler is no exception - smooth, reinforced seams, intelligent design to allow freedom of movement and easy on-off without having to lift up dogs legs, fully adjustable fasteners for individualized fit, also lists for a lower price than many of the cooling-type dog coats from other manufacturers even though the Swamp Cooler is of far superior construction - Only downside is you need to be careful about fit-my dogs that wear Medium in other RuffWear products like the Climate Changer and K-9 Overcoat need a Large in the Swamp Cooler (Medium is WAY too small...)
January 22, 2010
Ruff Wear: Swamp Cooler Dog Jacket
Works Great!!! Took my dog out hiking and he wasn't exhausted this time from the heat. I wanted full back coverage but 2/3 is better than nothing. Different color jackets would be awesome!!!
January 19, 2010
The Real Way to Cool a Dog
Perfect for Florida's hot weather. Before using it on my dog, I wrapped the jacket around my arm and went out during the hottest part of the day. The difference was amazing. The arm I covered with the vest was totally cool, while the other one was burning hot. I then used it on my dog and went for a nice walk. The Swamp Cooler Dog Jacket kept him perfectly cool. Best of all was the sale price at Altrec. One drawback if you like to have a perfectly groomed poodle though. The jacket leaves the hair damp, which causes it to curl up.
September 24, 2009
Definitely for Pups that Heat Up Quick!
This is a product must have for our furry four leggers in hot weather. Had product for approx. a week and has worked awesome for our Female Pug. She is so much happier and active. She can keep up on our short hikes and she cools quickly. Overheating was a huge concern, but now we are totally confident that she will be okay from sun and heat exposure here in sunny So. Cal. Just wished they had more color options...Pink :) for our girl.
September 22, 2009
Glad we got it!
I looked at this once before and decided against it when someone said it left their dog wet. The second time I looked at it, all the reviews I read were good, so decided to try it. I stand on the deck and fling the jacket to get excess moisture out and the jacket works fantastic! We are able to use her harness under the jacket and attach the leash just above the neck of the jacket. It keeps her much cooler than no jacket: sun beating down on her long black fur. I wish it were a little bit tougher. The netting on the outside snags on brush and logs along the way. We've used it three times now and it's heading into our shoe repair guy to repair the seams between the jacket and under connecting piece.
August 31, 2009
Worth the money
My Golden Retriever stays cool when I walk her in the Texas heat (90 degrees at 0700) with this vest on. I can go for a 3+ mile walk without her tongue dragging on the concrete! Another quality product from Ruff Wear.
June 27, 2009
nice but....
Works good, but if you use a harness you will need to cut a hole in the jacket for the leash connection. Fits our stocky little french bulldog pretty good!
June 13, 2009
HERD EWE want to be cooler?
The swamp cooler jacket has been keeping our border collies cool as they work livestock. Dogs stay cool without feeling wet. The fit is accurate in the shoulders, but a little short for long, skinny dogs. All four of our dogs have their own jackets.
May 25, 2009
Makes the difference
We've got a big black greyhound named Mojo that loves to be outside, but the summer heat gets to him very quickly. The Swamp Cooler has made a huge difference. In 104 degree heat his fur was 119, but the Swamp Cooler kept the covered area at 79! Great design and coverage. I would definitely buy again.
May 18, 2009
Works great
Our black lab usually runs for the shade on a hot sunny day, not with this jacket. He loves it!
May 14, 2009
Perfect for my little poodle mix
My dog gets hot very easily even she just has smooth coat. Vet recommends putting tower over her. When we went hiking, that would be really difficult. Finally this is an excellent product for her. She is really happy to go with me now.
May 6, 2009
Great Product!
I have a Saint Bernard who loves to run 4 miles with me everyday. He is nine now and has begun to overheat, even in winter months. The swamp cooler vest has made his running with me more comfortable for him. Since our run is the highlight of his day, I am glad the vest has helped. Otherwise, he was going to have to start staying home. He is still very active for his age so the vest is going to get lots of use! Thank you!
April 20, 2009
This is a great vest
and has worked really well on my dogs. It fits really well and is easy to "activate". It really does seem to draw out the heat and keep them a lot cooler than they would have been without it A couple of cons about the coat though is that it really wets your dog and for some long hair dogs that is not ideal (especially if you are showing them e.t.c), and also it needs activating a lot because it dries out very quickly.
November 26, 2008
Great item
The jacket is a real benefit for taking out my black dog for a walk. He used to get hot immedialtely, no longer.
July 26, 2008
Outdoor airconditioning for pups
This vest works great to keep my Rat Terrier cool during these hot humid days. She is much more comfy while on rat patrol around the farm now. She's given it a pretty tough road test too and its holding up quite nicely.
July 14, 2008
Works great!
It works great! I have a big black mutt and live in TX - can you say HOT! He loves it 'cause now walks are longer than 5 mins. Do they make them for people?
July 4, 2008
