Anyone use a Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler?

[bliss7373]

There have been a few posts lately on the heat and preventing over-exertion. I thought this might tie in nicely...

As a few of you may have read in Chit Chat, my young dog Pieka was recently diagnosed with mega-E. Pieka is dark, coated, and a ball of energy, she overheats easily. The mega-E makes hydration difficult, as she regurgitates liquids frequently.

My husband bought her a Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler, thinking it would help keep her from getting so hot, thus would also help her understandable desire to drink large quantities of water. We're especially concerned with herding, which we hope to start training in frequently. It's a very mega-E friendly sport, you don't need a ton of treats and the dog's head is up.

I will use other methods of keeping her cool, such as frequent breaks, cool water on her underside, etc. And no, I do not prevent my dog from drinking any water. I am diligent in ensuring that she gets enough liquid, I just have to structure it carefully.

I would never let her get so hot that she risks heat stroke, with or without the swamp cooler. I just wonder if someone has used this product and liked it as way to keep dogs a little cooler while working.

[Llcouttien]

I have not personally used this one, but have definitely considered it. My only problem is I felt I wanted it to cover more of the belly rather than the chest. I have different types of cooling vests, but I don't have a brand for them. There is a hooded variety as well just so you know. My friend has one for when she finishes getting the dogs ready to show and it is hot out. In all though, just think of a blanket that wraps around your dog like a burrito. It wraps more so like the ruff wear back packs if you know what I mean. It has a strap for in front of the legs as well as for the belly. It covers more of the belly than this ruff wear one. Also, unlike this ruff wear one, it can be stuck in a fridge, or cooler. Im sure you can stick them in a freezer too, but I wouldn't want to forget it and it freezes. With this alone, it would make it a lot colder, and in a sense, cooler in the long run. The only draw back is it will not fit as snug as the ruff wear vest. Your dog can move freely with it, but when it comes to sharp turns, runs hard, or any over exertion, it will slide up or down. Let me know how this one works out for you, and if I find a name of the ones I have or find a better fitting one, I will definitely post about it.

Edit: Ok, So I just did a quick google search and apparently more companies have cought on to the craze. Makes sense though as I was reading one site, and they are trying to supply vest like these to military dogs over seas in the war at the moment. If you notice through google images though, there are some that don't cover the belly and others that do. The military ones do. The prices aren't too drastic as I found some to be around $70 that I would buy up to about $120. The are others that are above or below this spectrum, but this is around the median and look like they would last more than a few times of use. Either way good luck.

-Lamarr

[hennie400]

Yes I have just bought a swamp cooler for my two dogs but as yet havent used it as we are in winter currently. Clean Run also has a couple of different models on their site.

Quite a lot of agility and obedience competitors are starting to use them in our hot summers and swear by them.

[rottcrazed]

I have 4 of them and LOVE them .... they do really work well too! Dogs loved them last summer and I am sure they will love them again this year .....

Kristi

[bliss7373]

Thanks for the responses! I am going to give this a try, I think it may be very beneficial to us. It may get filthy when she herds but it says it's washable.....who cares if it smells a little sheepy.

[moondog]

I ordered one of the swamp coolers - now that it'll be here on Thursday, the temps will probably drop into the 60's, LOL. Chili gets hot easily, so I'll feel better having one on hand. I'll report back after we give it a test drive.

Jaime, I'm sorry to hear about the mega-e for Pieka. I've no doubt she's worth whatever needs to be dealt with, but still...a disappointment for sure.

[bliss7373]

Thank you, Moondog. It's been absolutely gut-wrenching, to tell you the truth. Serious health issues at 10 months of age was not part of my plan...but then, there are so many dog owners who can say the same. We will get through.

We have a herding lesson this weekend, I will also report in on the Swamp Cooler.

[jlaack]

Yes with both my dogs. I used to work for Ruff Wear and my dogs were product testers for many of their products including the swamp cooler. It did keep my dogs much cooler.

[moondog]

OK, it's 95 here today so we took the Swamp Cooler for a test drive. Chili trotted the entire walk, keeping me working , and barely a pant out of her. She must have felt a bit insecure at first, because she had this overwhelming desire to mark every 1/2 block or so...but got over it, LOL!

It gets a thumbs up from me......although I do think it should be paired with one for the owner, too.....Chili was all fresh and I was dying in the heat!

[bliss7373]

Update on our end too. Last weekend, it was only 68 degrees, so we did not use it at herding. This weekend it was much warmer.

I am very pleased with the Swamp Cooler. It did not slide around on Pieka or seem to interfere with her movement. She was skeptical at first...but soon forgot all about the swamp cooler when she realized it was "sheep time."

She stayed MUCH cooler. Several folks where we take lessons were also impressed and are planning to buy one.

[OnyxGold1]

We have one as well, bought it last fall so this has been our first summer testing it out. I find that it stays in place and fits better, less sliding around than with traditional wet coats.

Also even tho mine is an adult size it was quite easily made tighter to fit a puppy as well.

Seems to work well....from our perspective

[moondog]

Chili is at the high end of the medium and low end of the large, so I sized it up to a large for better coverage as they recommended. It's plenty big on her and didn't slip out of position at all.....I'm happy with it all around!

[Ayoka]

Kristi & Onyx...did you get yours anyplace in Canada or did you order directly from the website?