Avery Floating Tuff Hunting Dog Parka

Product Review by Teresa Patterson , PSP Field Staff

Drake sporting the Avery vest

Cost: Usually retails for about $30.00

Product Features:

1. Available in 3mm or 5mm neoprene


2. Dura Stretch is the toughest outer fabric available


3. 16 cubic inches foam floatation


4. Heavy-duty molded nylon zipper


5. Easy-grip cold weather pull tab


6. Velcro Torso Adjuster & zipper protector


7. Tapered design for maximum coverage


8. Double tacked seams for customization


9. Glued & stitched just like waders


10. 5 time-tested sizes to fit any dog

When the weather gets cold and you take your hunting partner with you in pursuit of waterfowl, they need protection from the cold water, ice and chilling winds.

Avery’s Floating TUFF Dog Parka is designed to offer your dog the ultimate protection from the cold. It is constructed from incredibly strong yet flexible 3mm or 5mm DuraStretchTM neoprene. The Parka covers your dog's most vital areas and offers protection from sharp ice, sticks and other underwater debris. Two closed-cell foam floatations help maintain your dog's buoyancy on long retrieves. The heavy-duty zipper and neoprene zipper protector keep the TUFF Parka firmly in place. The vest can be made to a more customizable fit for your dog with the various double tacked seams. The camouflage pattern breaks up the dog’s outline and helps to hide it from the wary waterfowl’s view.

Hypothermia in dogs is not uncommon. The first signs are of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness and apathy, a rectal temperature below 97 degrees F (which is diagnostic) and, finally, collapse and coma. It will most likely occur when a dog is wet.  It can also be caused by extreme lengths of time in cold wind or shock. Including “shock of cold” to the vital areas. Thus another benefit of this vest…protects the vitals. Being cold for dogs can be as painful as it is for us humans. We owe it to our hunting companions to keep them protected and warm.

I found this vest to be great on Drake. Not only does it fit him well. I like the tapered design where it fits more snug than some other brands. The zipper stays in place and the seams are all smooth. After water retrieves I can literally remove the vest off Drake and he will feel almost completely dry underneath. This made me feel good knowing that it was keeping him dry and warm.  Thus allowing him to stay out longer doing what he loves to do.

I would recommend the Avery Floating Tuff Hunting Dog Parka to anyone who will have their hunting dog out in the late season elements. Drake doesn’t leave home without it!