Gun Dog Attire

By Gary Adair

Whether you are sitting along the edge of a manicured crop field awaiting doves, walking the endless grasslands for prairie grouse and pheasants or busting through impenetrable cover searching for woodcock, grouse and quail, if there is one thing that bird dog owners frequently overlook it is their dogs comfort while in the field. Considering the rugged terrain, temperature variations and possible hazards a dog might encounter during a days hunt, it should become second nature to equip our dogs for their safety and protection when afield. Some important field attire to consider includes collars, boots and brush or floatation vests, all of which are necessary at some point over a gun dog’s career.

Even though most bird hunters readily outfit their companions with some type of collar, it is the one they choose which may not be in the best interest of the dog. I prefer the Conway (or safety collar), due to its inventive design to rollover whenever it snags on something thereby sparing the dog from possible strangulation. This is of vital importance considering the number of fences and other obstacles a dog will encounter during a days hunt! Available in leather (my personal choice), nylon and plastic-coated nylon, they give the hunter a little piece of mind knowing that their dog is safer when out in the field.
Without a doubt, the most susceptible part of a bird dog are their feet and pads. With the miles of rough terrain that a dog must cover in a days hunt, their feet are prone to injury without some preventative measures. Sharp rocks, snow (ice), cactus and thorns are things one should consider before unleashing their bootless companions!

When it comes to dog boots, the list is long and varied based on the many styles and materials available. Cordura, leather, rubber and neoprene are available alone or in any combination of the others. Depending on the type of hunting, time of year and the cover hunted, considerable thought should be in order to choose the proper type. My personal favorite are those made of Cordura with rubber bottoms. In addition to boots, there are conditioners on the market that toughen the feet and aid in healing. Remember, by protecting your dog’s feet, not only will he/she hunt harder and be more focused, they won’t be laid-up for days at a time (or even longer) due to injury!

If you have ever taken a cold shower or been stuck with a thorn on bare skin then you should have an idea of what a dog endures when diving into icy cold water or barreling through prickly vegetation. Knowing this, shouldn’t your dog be equipped with a vest to protect them from the elements?
There are three basic types of dog vest from which to choose: Cordura chest and body protectors, 5 mm neoprene and 6.5 mm neoprene with side-panel floatation devices. Cordura chest and body protectors, which come in blaze orange, are made of tough Denier Cordura nylon and are geared for the upland bird dog. However, depending on how often you hunt your dog/s, the longevity of such a vest may be limited to just one season. Neoprene vest (my favorite), which come in blaze orange and a variety of camo patterns (also available in Cordura chest protector models) are primarily used for warmth, but also aid in chest, back and abdomen protection. In addition, rips and tears can be sewn quite easily therefore extending the life of the vest.

The third type of vest — and this one is for the waterfowling aficionado only — are those made of neoprene with side-panel floatation devices. Available in camo-patterns only (no blaze orange here!), this vest is designed to not only protect the dog from the cold (in and out of the water), but also aid in keeping them afloat.
The benefits of outfitting our dog’s means more time in the field or on the water and fewer visits to the veterinarian. Our dogs lay it on the line for us withy each outing, so their comfort and safety should be our utmost concern.