Bend, OR - Summer is almost here and that means lots of time spent in and around the water with our canine companions. Ruff Wear, the leading producer of high performance dog gear, makes canine water safety a priority with two new life jackets designed specifically for dogs, the Big Eddy Float Coat™ and the Portage Float Coat™. These Ruff Wear Float Coats are available through specialty pet and outdoor retailers as well as through www.ruffwear.com.

According to the most recent edition of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report, Q1 09 recreation kayak sales increased seven percent in dollars. With the growing popularity of water sport vacations, canine water safety and canine life jackets are top of mind for water enthusiasts.

Two High-Quality Canine Life Jacket Options From Ruff Wear
Ruff Wear’s new Float Coats offer a level of safety and confidence for all four-legged friends:

Big Eddy Float Coat™
The ultimate in canine flotation and water safety – you and your water-loving canine companion will stay safely in the action when wearing the Ruff Wear Big Eddy Float Coat. MSRP: $74.95

Portage Float Coat™
The Portage Float Coat is ideal for dogs who need a high-quality flotation jacket for recreational use at an excellent value. MSRP: $49.95

Canine Water Safety Tips:

Aren't all dogs natural swimmers? How do you decide when a dog needs a flotation device?

While most dogs are excellent swimmers, there are a few breeds whose body structure or weight distribution make swimming difficult. Bulldogs, Boxers, and Greyhounds, for example, have a body weight density and coat that challenge their ability to swim. For dogs with these body types, a canine life jacket functions as a swimming aid as well as a     safety device. Even dogs with natural swimming ability, such as Labrador Retrievers or Golden Retrievers, may appreciate the extra support and security of a flotation device.

Many of us take our canine companions along on adventures that go beyond the dog's comfort level, swimming ability, and stamina. Our desire to share the experience with our four-legged friends places them in conditions with moving water, distances from shore, or water temperatures that test their ability to survive. A canine life jacket gives dogs of all breeds and their humans confidence and peace-of-mind in and around the water.

Is hypothermia an issue for a dog? How do you know when the dog has exceeded this point?

Very young and very old dogs are more susceptible to hypothermia. Keep a close eye on your dog throughout the duration of exposure. Shivering, decreased heart rate, dilated pupils, pale or blue mucous membranes, stupor, unconsciousness, or coma are all signs of hypothermia. A life jacket can assist your dog in floating so instead of utilizing energy spent on staying afloat, he or she can use that energy to stay warm. Also, watch for signs of fatigue. A drooping, dragging tail, which is not held high and utilized as a rudder, is one of the first signs of fatigue and a stressed dog.

How do you safely rescue a struggling dog from the water? And how do you know if your dog is struggling?
   
Use the handle placed along the back of the canine life jacket to assist the dog to safety. In the event the dog is not wearing a flotation device, gently lift the dog by his or her body. Do not pull on the legs, head, or tail. If the dog has suffered some sort of trauma (broken bones, for example), place the dog on a board and lift him or her out of the water gently. A good indication your dog is struggling is to watch for the tail-as-a-rudder indicator.

Click to read more about Canine Water Safety and the importance of canine lifejackets.

Ruff Wear Contact: christyc@sundropmedia.com