Dog Lifejackets & Custom Wetsuits
Dog Custom Wetsuits
We custom make Wetsuits in a small workshop that makes human wet suits. Sometimes we have to wait in the queue to get them made but we usually despatch within 15 business days
Dog Lifejacket
The Dog Lifejackets in our collection are the real deal, not for decoration of dress up. No sparkles or shark fins. Designed by experienced Kayakers and SUP boarders, considering floatation and motion, and the best material for dogs that are active in the water on SUP's Surfboards or that swim off boats.
These are the only 2 lifejackets available with full chest and rib cage support and strong lifting handles. They are both designed to support chests and heads, and concentrate floatation around the heavy front part of the body to balance with the lighter rear end, to prevent heads dipping in the water.
The main difference in the Stunt Puppy and the Red SUP Lifejacket is that the SUP Lifejacket has an adjustable neck.
The only dog Lifejackets that....
- support the head with a built in chest panel Which also stops your dog slipping out of his jacket when pulled from the water and helps you keep him steady whilst on your SUP or Kayak. This also helps support your dogs head without interfering with his vision
- have multiple body panels to curve the jacket around the body, giving floatation in all the right placed, removing flap and improving movement in water with less stress against the swimming motion, and less chance of any tissue damage from a sliding jacket
- super strong lifting handles, attached independently and not simply stitched to decorative fabric which will stretch and soon tear. A strong lifting handle is essential as the main purpose of a dog life jacket is to help you to pull him from the water or up on your SUP, Kayak or boat.
Dog LifeJackets
The Float Puppy Dog Lifejackets.
No shark fins, no glitter, no thin ‘pretty’ fabric, no gaping hole under the chest, no flapping, no tummy cutting straps.
This unique design is a fully enclosed, with a panel between the front legs. Based on experience in designing whitewater gear with the aim of making a human grade life jacket for dogs.no velcro; just ergonomic fit, (that means they are dog shaped not box shaped!) balanced buoyancy and a secure lifting harness which is not stitched to the fabric but its own independent harness for safe lifting.
3 main Issues with Dog Lifejackets solved
Enclosed The Harness Between The Front Legs
- Conventional lifejackets are open between the front legs, which can cause the heavy head and chest area to sink and fall through that gap - so we closed it with a continuous articulated chest and belly panel
- The enclosed design is better for buoyancy, security and comfort, particularly when being lifted
- Flotation in the under-chest panel supports the heavier shoulder area and helps keep the head higher in the water
- Attaching the handle to the full harness supports the dog fully, secures them firmly and eases pressure on soft issue
If you are still unsure, please get in touch with us at info@surfdogaustralia.com and provide us with the measurements and if possible a photo of your dog so we can see what we're aiming for. The best photos are taken side on to the camera, standing, so we can get a clear view of the torso
Dog Lifejackets
A Dog Lifejacket Designed by SUP Boarders to help them stay afloat with their dogs.
No shark fins, no glitter, no thin ‘pretty’ fabric, no gaping hole under the chest, no velcro; just ergonomic fit, (that means they are dog shaped not box shaped!)
Dog Lifejacket Sizing
Other dog Lifejackets have issues
Open chests for dogs to slip forward when lifted
No consideration to the shape of the dog. Ours have multiples body shaped panels
Most handles are stitched to the fabric which soon tears.
Lack of understanding to a dogs swimming position same floatation at back and front can cause heads s
Designed with adventure in mind this Dog Lifejacket is built to last.
- Adjustable neck strap for a more comfortable secure fit
- 4 grab handles to effectively and safely lift dog out of water whilst minimising back strain for owner and soft tissue damage to dog.
- Maximum flotation with added chest buoyancy which supports swimming and keeps heads above water
- Tailored design featuring extra wide front leg space for unrestricted movement, reducing friction on joints
- Unique body fastening system to reduce stress on the body whilst fitting and removing - neck and body open up to allow stress fitting.
- Hard wearing fabric that won’t tear or puncture
- No pinch clip system
- Dogs will always remain visible in low light conditions or tough rain with the high reflective detailing
- Additional features include metal integrated dog lead attachment for extra control around water
Dog Wet Suits
Design a custom dog wetsuit and choose your own colours. With measurements, color selection and the addition of a custom name. Our dog wetsuits are tailored with the highest-quality neoprene by an experienced human wetsuit designer and cut by hand. Seams are sealed, and ‘overlocking’ is added along each seam. Surfdog logo and custom names are heat printed. Production of a single wetsuit requires approximately 2-3 weeks.
Our Basic price for a wetsuit in 3mm neoprene is $185. You can choose 5MM and custom name at additional charge.
Do I need a Dog Wetsuit?
Yes dogs do sometimes need a wetsuit... spending long times in water, swimming, kayaking or surfing. Short haired dogs in particular feel the cold. Dog Wetsuits also provide extra buoyancy in the water. So if your dog refuses to wear a lifejacket this might give some extra protection.
Features of our Custom Dog Wetsuit
Shaped to fit your dog
Sealed and stitched seams
All seams smooth on inside to prevent rubbing
3cm full body length Velcro fastening
Optional Name printing - We use a simple font if you have any special requests let us know and we will see what we can do. Enter name in box provided our just get in touch
When a dog wetsuit is needed.
Sometimes, dogs don’t know when to stop, even in very cold temperatures! It’s up to us to make sure that dogs are staying safe while swimming in water. Dogs are great sprint swimmers.. in and out of the water. But prolonged swimming or exposure to cold water for any length of time can be dangerous.
Your dog’s breed, age, and health
Some dogs are better suited to cold water swimming than others. Dogs with thick fur or double coats (like huskies, retrievers, and great pyrenees) will be able to stay warmer in the water than dogs with thin coats (like greyhounds, dobermans, and boxers).
Small dog breeds, puppies, and older dogs will also be more sensitive to cold water. Dogs with health conditions that may inhibit their body’s ability to regulate temperature should get a vet’s clearance before swimming in cold water.
Amount of time spent in the water
With so much fun to be had in the water, dogs may not realise how cold they are until they are already at risk of hypothermia. The colder the water is, the more quickly these two conditions can set in. A quicker swim of five to ten minutes or less may be safest. When you dog is cold it will tire very easily and tired dogs do not make good swimmers.
YES YOU HAVE TO DO SOME WORK to make your dog wetsuit! (but any problems then just get in touch)
1. Measure your dog using the guide below, and write down!
2. Enter measurements into the relevant boxes
2. Select colour of main body
3. Select 3m or 5mm (add extra $12) depending on the water conditions
4. Select colour of feature stripe
5. Select YES or NO for name and let have name if you would like to add. Additional charge $15 applies. We print the letters of the name in the same colour as the body of the wetsuit body onto the colour of stripe selected. If you would like a different colour then please leave a note at checkout
We normally turn around custom wetsuits in about business 15 business days depending on how busy we are! We will work as quickly as we can.
To make a dog wetsuit to fit we have to get the measurement of your dog. We will make the wetsuit to the measurements you provide for an exact fit so if you want a little looser add extra cm's to allow for more room.
Don't stress your dog. Take a measurement a day if needed. Print of the image below and scribble measurements on this if it is easier then just email this to us at info@surfdogaustralia.com enter '1 'in each measurement we ask for, or you cannot add to cart
We need to know
1. Neck just below collar (or where you would like the wetsuit to fit on the neck?)
2. Chest length from collar down to just in front of front legs.
3. Shoulder width - front of front leg to behind front leg - so we can make holes for the legs
4. Chest circumference at widest part of rib cage. Just behind front legs
5. Position of waist (narrowest part of body) - measure collar to above this point
6. Belly circumference at narrowest part - waist.
7. Rib Cage widest part goes down from here - measure collar to back of front legs
8. Waist to bum - measure on back above narrowest part of body to end of the back
9. Total back length - this should be measurement 8 + 5
10. Underbelly -from just behind front legs to where you want the suit to end on the belly.. consider boys bits!
11. Space between front legs - under the chest between one leg and the other. Imagine this is where the neoprene will sit so make little narrower than the actual width so legs can move
Please be accurate as we cannot accept returns on custom wetsuits (unless there is a major difference between your measurements and the final garment)
