'SMALL' DOG LIFE JACKET buoyancy aid UP-BUOY lifejacket

And 'Up Buoy' jackets look fabulous too!

Features

Buoyancy is provided by three high-density expanded polyethelene (EPE) panels fitted along the jacket's length. Two additional EPE panels are located under the dog's head, raising it above the body and keeping it clear of the water level.

The jackets are designed to float your dog in a horizontal swimming position. Whilst the dog's own body shape, with the rear heavier than the front, allows the body to tilt, further raising the head above the level of the body and clear of the water level the jacket is slightly tapered in manufacture - being a little broader at the rear than at the front - enabling the dog to float in the water in a comfortable swimming position. Unlike many other kinds of buoyancy aids on the market these jackets provide an even degree of flotation along the dog's back, offering enhanced comfort and support.

The high luminosity orange fabric offers high visibility whilst additional reflective strips enable identification in poor visibility conditions.

The jackets combine three different deniers of fabric with velcro panels and plastic snap-click fastenings to offer the optimum combination of security and comfort.

Chest and neck straps are fully adjustable and feature tough self-fastening velcro panels.

Every opening uses a double fixing of velcro fastenings and plastic snap-click fastenings. Located over the velcro panels, the quick-release snap-click fastenings create an extra layer of security. Please note: Our 'Up Buoy' jackets have a snap-click fastening at the front of the dog's chest - this critical safety factor is not always present on similar jackets.You can have peace of mind knowing your dog is safely secured with every opening having a double-closure for double safety.

The grab-handle can be used for lifting smaller dogs directly out of the water. Larger dogs may prove too heavy to lift completely (remember how much heavier a dog may become when its coat is wet through!); use the grab handle to retain contact with your dog (maybe using a boat hook or length of rope) while you manoeuvre it into a position where is can be safely returned to dry land.

The front D-ring, conveniently and unobtrusively fitted just in front of the grab handle, can be used to attach a leading leash or other tether.

The rear D-ring, located towards the back of the grab handle, can be used to attach a trailling tether, enabling you to stay in contact with your dog however far he ventures!

To make sure a poo-bag is always to hand, the jacket incorporates a flapped pocket - big enough for a small stock of emergency bags!

The life jacket can be worn with a collar or over a harness (if you plan to use it over a harness, remember to allow for the harness when you're measuring your dog's chest).

What you don't see won't hurt you - but it could hurt your dog

Most dog life jackets contain one slab of buoyancy material in each panel. The photo above shows a section through one of our jackets, showing the three layers of buoyancy material contained in each of our jacket panels. One of these three layers is stitched into the seams of the panels, ensuring that the buoyancy material remains spread over the entire jacket. The remaining two layers 'float' within the panel, not only creating naturally champhered, comfortable, panel edges but also, by use, increasingly taking on the shape of the dog. In this way our jackets will offer your dog both effective long-term buoyancy and comfort. You'll probably never see this sophisticated panelling system - but you'll be very comfortable knowing it's there!

Spares pack!

Every jacket is supplied with two replacement fasteners! One two-part fastener is conveniently attached as a permanent docking station on the jacket - so where the jacket goes, a spare fastener goes with it! And we supply a second replacement fastener too! You'll probably never need to use either one of your spare fasteners - but it'll be worth its weight in gold if your do! Relax knowing that you've got a spare readily to hand. (No need to go hunting for a DIY store!) If you want to remember where you put the second spare, why not pop it in the jacket pocket!

After-care: These resilient life jackets can be either hand rinsed in cool tap water or machine washed in a normal 40 degree wash. Tumble or hang dry.

Storage: Each life jacket is supplied in a rope-handled, zip-closed, clear pvc bag - ideal for storing the jacket, and any associated bits and pieces, when not in use.

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Choosing the best size of life jacket for your dog

The shape and size of every dog varies. You're very welcome to email details of your dog's breed/s, chest measurement, length and weight to us at dogs@feats.com and we'll help you identify the best size of our life jackets.

To give you a general impression, here's a selection of the breeds which we know suit our 'Small' size life jacket (but please remember, some of these breeds may also be suited to other sizes):

• Bichon Frise
• Pekingese
• Shih Tzu
• French Bulldog
• Hungarian Puli
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Cairn Terrier
• Scottish Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier
• Italian Greyhound
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Pug
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Patterdale Terrier
• Welsh Terrier
• Fox Terrier
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Irish Terrier
• Border Terrier
• Mastiff

To see photos of a range of dogs in our 'Small' size life jackets click here. (The page will open in a new browser window.)

To confirm that this is the correct auction for you, use the table below to check the minimum and maximum size and weight limits.

But before viewing the table, measure around your dog's chest. This is the most important measurement - if the jacket doesn't fit around your dog, it's not going to fit! As shown in the illustration above, from behind the front legs measure all the way around the widest part of its rib cage and over its back. Remember to add an inch or two if you're planning to use a harness under the life jacket; also, bear in mind if your dog has a heavy seasonal coat, or whether its size may increase.

Whilst you've got your dog and a tape measure to hand, also measure the length of its back - from the shoulder blades to the base of the tail.

If your dog's chest is smaller than the range indicated in the table then you'll be able to fit the jacket on the dog but you won't be able to secure the jacket firmly around your dog's body. In addition there will be excessive room at the front where the jacket fastens around the dog's neck. Also, the jacket may protrude unnecessarily at the rear, making sitting uncomfortable. You should probably be considering the next size down.

If your dog's chest size is bigger than the range indicated in the table then the two ends of the snap-click fastening clips won't reach each other - the jacket just won't fit on the dog. You most definitely need to be considering the next size up.

Now look at the 'Essential' part of the table below, and you'll see that your dog's chest measurement will have either determined the appropriate size of life jacket or, possibly, left you with a choice of two sizes. If, for example, your dog's chest measured 32" you'll see from the table that the suitable life jacket is a 'Large' size. If the chest measured 30", then both 'Medium' and 'Large' are suitable sizes. Where there are two suitable sizes, the better size will become evident when you look at the 'Essential' (neck), 'Desirable' (maximum weight) and 'Preferable' (minimum length) parts of the table.