I have three swamp cooler jackets that I use on my three tracking dogs. We track lost pets throughout Northern California. Many times we are on the road for several hours at a time, and we work in all types of temperatures and terrains. These jackets keep my dogs cool and able to keep working. I couldn't do my business to help find lost pets without these jackets!

Indiana has been very hot this summer and with the Swamp Coolers we still can take our beagles on hikes.
With beagles they have to be on a leash at all times so they have to wear a harness over their Swamp Coolers. Louise's vest is red from her red harness and Daisy's vest is just dirty. I have washed them but they aren't as bright as they were when they were new. It means that they wear them all of the time. Our beagles and their Swamp Coolers were a hit in Niagara Falls this summer. They are easy to put on and take off. I have to admit that Daisy always has a funny look on her face when I first put her wet vest on her. Gotta love a beagle.

It seems my Boxer cannot tolerate heat above 65 degrees. During walks, she'd lag behind and do what I call the "stop, drop and roll" whenever we came to a patch of shady grass. (Stop, slowly lay down, then roll, roll, roll on her back.) I think this was her way of getting out of the sun. Now when she wears the coat, she walks in front of me and there are far fewer stops to dawdle in the shade.

Does what it says and says what it does. Doesn't get much simpler than that. I'm thinking about sewing pouches along the inside panels to insert some of the freezable gel packs to get more time with the vest, but haven't been out in the heat long enough to need that yet. So far I've been happy with the results after hour-long hikes in 100+ degree temps. Very satisfied with this vest!

Thank you to whoever invented this!I only wish we had it a few years ago. Scooter likes being "cool." The first trial was great because she didn't fight it. Now when we walk in the heat her tongue is not dragging! Happy woofs from Scooter.

On really hot days the city is a sweltering, steaming, nasty place for all of us, but especially for our furred friends. They are so much happier and comfortable with their swamp cooler vests. When the temps go above 90, these vests make walks bearable for them.

My dog is 12 years old and this summer she was really panting with the heat and humidity. After checking to make sure nothing else was wrong, the vet suggested a number of things but one was walking less. My dog loves and lives to walk but it broke my heart to see her struggling so. This vest arrived just before the 4th of July and a string of 90+ days with high humidity. After putting it on, the change was immediate. While we still have to be careful and she does have bad days, our walking distance has doubled since getting the vest. She loved sitting outside while I gardened and now she can again. I just slip on the vest and out we go. By the way, she doesn't like being wet, but I got around that by wetting the vest and just letting it hang on the faucet for about 5 minutes. Enough water drips off so she doesn't think it's wet but it's still wet enough to do its job. (saves having to always squeeze it out)

My Swissie was floating out on his raft in the lake and actually got a CHILL while wearing his cooling vest. Now we just save it for walks. I joke that it works too good, but then again, my dog is a sissy. When we walk out in the 80+ degree weather it keeps the hot sun off his back and keeps him nice and cool. This vest is meant to make your dog more comfortable in the hot weather - not to make your dog "heat-proof" - so just be careful and have fun!

i've used this product almost every day this summer since june and i absolutely love it. i run every day with my dog and last summer i couldn't run 3 miles without her overheating and me feeling guilty for bringing her in the first place. this year it's even hotter (we've had record breaking heat) and i've been running 8-10 miles a day with her and she's stayed cool in her swamp cooler. in response to other reviews, i find it very durable and i wash it in my washing machine about once a week and it's fine. to the people complaining it dries too quickly...why are you wringing it out?? i put the coat on first, then dump about 4 water bottles worth of water on it so that it's dripping and just leave it. the whole purpose is that it works like SWEAT for PEOPLE so the hotter it is obviously the quicker it will dry. the extra water evaporating off your dog will help keep them cool. i also bring her to horse shows and everyone comments that she's the only dog not panting!! i love bringing my dog with me so thanks for a great product that allows her to have fun with me in the summer!!

I have had the gel bead coats where you soak them in water, they stay cool for several days. But they are heavy and do not wear as well. Last year we had 100 degree days and I tried both jackets on my dog to keep her cool, and the swamp cooler worked the best, she stayed cooler with the swamp cooler. Most the time you can be by water to rewet it, if a creek or any water source. If you are looking for a coat to keep your dog coolest over all others out there this is the one in my own expereince.

I use the Swamp Cooler on hot afternoon walks and morning hunt training sessions working with pigeons. It fits well. The Cooler dries quickly, however. To keep the Cooler wet longer, I am putting a Frog Togg towel on the dog's back under the Cooler. Frog Togg material absorbs a lot of water without dripping. I wish the Cooler had Frog Togg fabric on the inside.

We bought this for our solid black Great Dane to use on our backpacking trips. It certainly could have been made with a sturdier harness, I think something along the lines of what they use for the dog packs would be great. The cooler did seem to keep him cool at the lower elevations. We were pretty much hiking near water the entire trip, so lack of moisture wasn't a problem that we noticed. Once again, having the ability to lift the animal and/or attach a leash like on the pack would be extremely beneficial to our hiking adventures.

My dog Buddy is a little poodle whose legs are only 7 inches long. This means he picks up the heat of the pavement or beach sand regardless of what time of day we go out. This cooling vest really helps to keep him comfortable and it's so easy to use. Wet it, wring it out, put it on the dog. Simple. Easy. Stylish. Look for Buddy wearing his vest at: www.facebook.com/pugatthebeach or www.pugsnewsfromthebeach.com

My yorkie gets hot in the sun due to his dark coloring and sporty ways. This baby fits well, goes on easy and seems like it will last a while.

I bought one of these for each of my labs as here in Cali it can get pretty warm. This is a great way to cool off your dog after working them and it seems at times to really mellow him out. I have recommended this product to a number of members on our K9 SAR Team.

I bought this coat for my Newf for a cross country road trip. To get it to fit her neck it is a bit large, but it still helps keep her cool on these long hot days. I stop often and rewet it and feel good that the light color is reflecing the sun's rays. I could have sold a dozen of them on the trip to other travelers!

The Swamp Cooler doesn't work as decribed. Disappointed at it's durability. It dries out quickly needing to be rewetted frequently. My dog is a very dark brown double coated Lab and this may attribute to the problem. My solution to the fast drying was learning the exact amount of water to sqeeze out of it before placing it on my dog. I've found that carrying a small round cooler filled with ice water to rewet the cooler works great. But this isn't practical in some activities. And lugging the water cooler around is a hassle. But with my solution the Swamp Cooler keeps my dog nice and cool while all the other dogs are in the shade panting. And he's able to participate in activities even in the hottest part of the day. However the Cooler has another problem. The mesh outer cover picks and gets holes easily. I would recommend the mesh outer cover be made of a product that is much more durable.

I was thrilled with this product when I first tried it on my dog. He is a little pug and has a thick coat. He was still cool at the end of the day and I was thrilled. However on day two he developed hot spots on both shoulders where the material had rubbed him and stayed wet against the skin. He is not a hot spot prone dog. I was so disappointed as with a heat sensitive dog this seemed like a great solution. I am returning it for the pug. My other dog is about 50lbs and seems to dry much faster and easier but I am still worried about creating more of an issue. I think if you are working them and it will dry quickly this might work but if wanting a longer lasting slow cool this is not the product. Just a warning I think people should know.

A must have for summer.

My labradors are show dogs and this summer the weather is so hot they melt in the show ring...THe Swamp Cooler works wonderful. It really keeps my labs cool in the heat.

Happy I bought this product especially in utah summers get fairly warm here. We use it when we go on bike rides and walkes. She is defiantly glad she has somthing to keep her cooler in the summer. I would recommend this product to anyone who lives in states with hot climates. Very easy to use and also to put on and love having this product in general. Only thing wish it would keep cooler a little longer than two hours.

I used mine recently on a search and rescue mission. Terrain very rugged lots of berry vines, downed vegation and burrs. The weather was very warm. It kept Dixie cool but like others have stated a magnet for burrs etc. I also got a small tear in it. I could see it being used better to cool Dixie down after we were through searching.

When I first put it on Lucy in the house she hated it. Went to her room and laid on her bed and would not move. Today we got to test it outside at an event where she wasn't behaving very well because she was too hot (she is black). I had taken it hoping to get a chance to try it out. Put it on her and she was happy as anything! Immediate relief from the heat for her! My only complaint is that it drips a little bit underneath in the beginning.

Problem with it is I live in a dry climate. After 15 minutes in the sun and dry air, the swamp coolers are just about dry and the dogs are hot again. I have to carry water to resoak, which is why i purchased them in the first place. Upside, good color for black dogs!

Our dogs love their swamp coolers in the hot Colorado sun! Both our dogs have dark coats and hate getting wet (with the exception of when they make the choice to swim), but they don't mind the swamp cooler. Even on the hottest, driest days, I can stick my hand under the swamp cooler after they have already been wearing them for over an hour and find their backs cool to the touch! It's great camping, on hikes, or just hanging out in the back yard on those hot days!

I read all the reviews before purchasing the Swamp Cooler and found them to be accurate and helpful. I have a 5- year-old, sable GSD who becomes hot to the touch after only a short time in the NC summer sun. Before the Swamp Cooler, I could only take him for very short walks, and we could not play frisbee or catch at all. He gained at least five pounds every summer and he was bored and miserable. With the Swamp Cooler, I have been able to increase his daily exercise significantly. The coat fits him perfectly, XL for a 90- pound GSD. Obviously, the fit will vary from breed to breed. A caveat: I don't think wearing the Swamp Cooler translates into "unlimited" exercise in extreme heat and humidity. I limit intense exertion to no more than 15-20 minutes at a time, but it was zero before the Swamp Cooler. Based on information in the other reviews, I will wash the Swamp Cooler by hand, as needed. I tried to think of some way to describe the effect of the coat in "human" terms: It would be like sitting on a hot pool deck in a fur hat with a damp beach towel wrapped around your body. The materials are high-quality and the coat is well-made. I don't mind the adjustable, elastic straps; they permit maximum movement for jumping, etc. I am so grateful for this product. It has changed five months of the year from unbearable to tolerable, and sometimes even fun. Thank you, Ruffwear.

He is a black dog and heats up so quickly in the sun. This vest works wonderfully to cool him down.

If you have a dark brown or black dog (or an older dog) and live anywhere the sun shines warmly, this is the gadget for you. It really works as advertised. Slide your hand under it on a hot sunny day and your dogs back will be cool to the touch. Even in a fairly humid climate this coat works well. We tested it doing search and rescue in swampy Lousiana one August and my Pacific Northwest born and raised GSP stayed cool. It is a bit hard to get clean if it gets muddy or is submerged in mucky water. It's washable but itnever regained its shiny ice blue newness. Also a burr and thorn magnet. Definitely size up if in question. The neck whole is a little small. But still working great after several years.

Our GSP get hot after a hunt or training and this really helps her cool down quickly. She can't wear it during hunts because it is a burr magnet, but it is great for the long car rides home.

This cooler vest it perfect. It saved my 10 mos old GSD. We came from CO where it was snowing to hot East Coast and this kept her cool Highly recommend.

Positives: The heat can be pretty tough on our black brindle Bull Terrier. The Swamp Cooler keeps him cooler, more comfortable, and improves endurance. Recovery time after activity also improved.
Negatives: The straps can be a little bit of a pain to adjust specially when wet since they used elastic rather than straight nylon webbing. Sizing recommendations were also a bit confusing with all the overlap. Would definitely recommend going with a smaller size if you're in doubt. $50 seems a little expensive for the construction and materials.

Our dog is the envy of the neighborhood when he's out an about in his new Swamp Cooler vest.

Our Dane is extremely active except when the temp rises. The heat hits him really hard, except when he's wearing his Swamp Cooler! Then, even in high heat & humidity, he's still ready to play hard.

We're especially pleased that Ruffwear makes a vest large enough for a male Dane with a deep chest--we often have to special order products so they're large enough, not just to fit around him, but to cover most of the length of his back.

My saints need a way to keep cool when out and about and this product does a great job.

It is easy to use and easy to put on/take off.

With a black dog it is very important to think about heat and the sun. Goliath is my first black dog and he gets hot pretty quickly in the hot sun. On the first day i tried this coat every dog at the dog was hiding under the benches and had tongues out that seemed about 50 feet long. i soaked the coat and put it on him and he sprang to life! He was taunting the other dogs to play while they looked at him like he was crazy. Ruffwear i went from a dubious buyer to a believer. Also my dog gets the coat pretty muddy whenever he wears it. After a quick trip in the washer it comes out like it is brand new every time. Thank you for black dog owners everywhere.

I did not know with a great black dog comes great heat responsibility. Black dogs get hot so fast and this coat could not be better. I was dubious at first but after the first wearing i saw the light. At the dog park it was over 100 degrees and every dog including mine was hiding under the table. I soaked the coat in ice cold water and put it on him and he was running around like a normal day! The other dogs were looking at him like he was crazy or a super canine! The only other thing i will say is how it comes out in the wash. My dog plays tough and always gets this coat pretty dirty. Even though the coat it white it comes out looking brand new every time! I cannot see one grass stain or dirt spot! Thank you again ruffwear!

Being made for cold weather doesn't stop my Labs from wanting to go and do during our hot Oklahoma summers. Between agility practice and daily walks, they want to remain active year-around (or rather they drive me nuts if I don't keep them active). Yet when the temperature gets above about 65, they become uncomfortable. Since most of the year is above 65 in Oklahoma, I had to find something to help keep them cool. So I ordered two swamp coolers. I am so happy with them. I'd say there is about a 20 degree difference if I touch their fur under the vest versus the hair not covered by the vest - I'm sure less of a difference would occur if they were yellow, but as a chocolate and a black dog, summer is ruff! But now, they stay cooler, pant less, and recover much more quickly when we return home post-activity. I have already recommended this product to tons of our friends.

I'm a dog handler for Conservation Canines where I work alongside specially trained dogs that search out scat from endangered species. During my time as a handler I've worked in a number of hot environments, including the volcanic foothills of Mount Shasta in Calfornia and the humid plains of Eastern Cambodia. In these extreme environments the dogs simply could not work without the added cooling properties of Ruffwear's Swamp Cooler cooling vest. Our dogs are crazy and love being in the field and often won't bother to pay attention to the temperature; it is up to us to ensure their safety. The Swamp Cooler provides us the peace of mind that allows the dogs to work longer, more efficiently and in some of the most extreme environments without fear of succumbing to heat exhaustion. Like all Ruffwear gear it has bomb proof construction that will hold up to the most challenging of brush. For an added treat we often soak the cooler the night before and freeze it to provide the dogs a little extra relief when we pull it out the next day. :) It takes a few minutes for them to get use to it the first time but the effects are quickly noticeable as they maintain their energy day after day. Thanks Ruffwear for another awesome product!

Tried lots of things to help my dogs beat the heat-my boxers don't do well when it gets 80+. This does the job whether it is wet or dry and my dogs can run beat the heat & go for that mid-day walk without being at risk or miserable.

We usually have our dog wear the Swamp Cooler during long walks/hikes in the summer. It does a great job in keeping her cool and allows her to go longer distances than without it. Also does a great job in keeping the sun off her back.

Things are going well out here in Cambodia. The weather is really hot and we are having a hard time keeping the dogs cool.  I really can not stress how amazing it is to have the swamp coolers. We are going to be running out of waterholes as the season progresses and it is amazing how much more energy the dogs have after putting on the swamp cooler.  Check out our adventures via our facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conservation-Canines/171836484559

Pippin is my service dog and is with me 24 hours a day. He wears this for trail walks in the summer. With humidity in single digits and our high altitude sunlight, the side facing out dries out within 45-60 minutes, although it stays cool next to his skin longer. The Swamp Cooler also reflects sun which is an improvement from the black fur on his back that absorbs heat! When wearing the Swamp Cooler, he is able to stay on the trail instead of running from tree to tree and doesn't pant as much.