Some dogs take to water like a fish, while others take a little bit of coaxing before they earn their water wings. That being said, when dogs are in the water for too long, they can quickly tire and be at risk of drowning.
Pet life vests are an important tool for any dog, whether they’ve been swimming all their lives or they’re still just learning. This is especially true of French Bulldogs, whose body shape can make swimming rather difficult.
This article will go over everything you need to know about your Frenchie’s life jacket needs, including why the Frenchie isn’t a great swimmer, tips to keeping your pet safe in the water, and the best life jacket for a French Bulldog.
Why The Frenchie Isn’t The Best Swimmer
It’s widely accepted that French Bulldogs are some of the cutest dogs around. Sorry to all the other dog breeds, I don’t make these decisions.
That said, they aren’t the best swimmers, especially compared to other dog breeds that love to swim, like Labrador Retrievers or Border Collies. This is simply because of the Frenchie’s build; they don’t have broad paws or the right body shape to easily slice through the water.
Anatomically speaking, Frenchies have a top-heavy body paired with short legs. But, as no one has told them that they’re not good swimmers, they often love the water!
Therefore, whenever your French Bulldog is near a pool, pond, lake, or even the ocean, they should be wearing a life jacket for protection. However, as there are a wide variety of life jacket options for your pooch, it can be hard to determine which is the right pick for you!
Have no fear, as we have everything you need to know to purchase the best dog life jacket for French Bulldog.
Considerations For Choosing Your Frenchie’s Life Jacket
Choosing the right life jacket for your Frenchie is much like choosing a lifejacket for any other breed of dog, with a few minor exceptions.
The number one consideration you should keep in mind is the jacket’s buoyancy. Since you’ll be relying on this piece of equipment to keep your dog from drowning, you’ll want to make sure it’s actually capable of keeping your pet’s head above water.
In general, look for a life jacket that uses a liberal amount of flotation material! The best products will also feature side and belly panels to keep your Frenchie’s head well above the surface of the water.
Next, you’ll want to consider the jacket’s durability. As it’s being soaked in water and snagged against bushes and branches, your pet will need a life jacket that can stand up to some wear and tear. For the most part, materials like neoprene and Cordura will be the ones you want to look out for.
It’s also imperative that your Frenchie is comfortable in the life jacket you choose. Swimming is supposed to be fun for both pets and humans, but your canine won’t be enjoying themselves very much if they’re uncomfortable in their jacket.
The amount of comfort your Frenchie experiences will depend mostly on size and fit, but there are a few products that emphasize comfort. In general, these products will come with underarm padding to keep the lifejacket from rubbing or chaffing.
You will also want to make sure that the lifejacket you purchase for your dog features an adjustable design. You’ll want the jacket to fit snugly without causing chafing; adjustable straps on the jacket will make it easier to match your dog’s unique body shape.
Finally, you’ll need to make sure that you’re purchasing the right size life jacket. Often times, these products will come with sizing charts, or you can find them on the product’s website.
If you end up purchasing a life jacket that doesn’t fit your Frenchie, you will most likely be able to exchange it for one of the correct size.
Can I Use A Human Life Vest For My Dog?
In short, the answer is no, it is not recommended for you to use a human life jacket to help a dog stay afloat.
While it might be tempting, and a little cute, to see your dog in a human-sized life jacket, the reality is that dog life jackets are made for a reason. Human life jackets will do very little to protect your pooch in the water, as they’re not the right size or buoyancy to keep your dog floating, especially a small dog like a Frenchie.
If your Frenchie absolutely detests every canine life jacket you’ve put them in, there are not many other options to keeping your pet safe in the water. For the most part, as long as you limit your dog’s access to water without a life jacket, and never leave them unsupervised when they’re near water, they should be fine.
Best Life Jacket For A French Bulldog
Now that you have all that information, you’ll probably want to start searching for a life vest for your pet. If you’re wondering what the best dog life jacket for french bulldog is, we’ve included the top five life vests available for Frenchies right now, as well as some pros and cons about each product.
Ruffwear K9 Float Coat
As far as a French Bulldog life jacket, this product is great because of the excellent floatation that counteracts the Frenchie’s neck weight. It also features heavy-duty fabric, sturdy buckles, and a reflective trim.
Overall, the pros of this product are:
- Excels in the flotation department
- Adjustable neck size
- Strong and thick exterior fabric
- Heavy-duty buckles
- Reflective trim and a wide variety of color options
On the other hand, the cons of this product include:
- Premium quality product that will run you a good bit of money
Click Here To Learn More About This Dog Vest
Outward Hound Granby
The Outward Hound Granby is another great pick, particularly for Frenchies because of the three adjustable straps it features. Once again, it is also made of high-quality neoprene and Cordura and also includes a neck float.
The pros of this product include:
- A lower-price option
- High-quality, durable materials
- Proprietary neck float
Contrarily, the cons include:
- No D-ring leash attachment
- Not a wide variety of color options
Click Here To Learn More About This Dog Life Jacket
EzyDog Doggy Flotation Device
This product features 50% more flotation material than many competitor’s jackets. It is also, once again, made of heavy-duty neoprene and features a tough polyester exterior.
The pros of this product include:
- An abundance of flotation material
- Adjustable straps
- Padded Neck
The cons, on the other hand, include:
- On the higher end of price
- Small handle that makes grabbing your pet difficult
- No belly padding
Click Here To Learn More About This French Bulldog Life Jacket
HAOCOO Dog Life Jacket
This product has been ranked as one of the most stylish options for your pet when it comes to life jackets. With a wide variety of color options and high-quality materials, it’s a great purchase for any owners looking to improve their dog’s look.
Overall, the pros are:
- High quality materials
- Relatively low price
- Heavy-duty D-ring Hook
Otherwise, the cons of this product are:
- Some consumers report sizing issues
- Not as much buoyancy as competitors
Click Here To Learn More About This Dog Life Jacket
Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket
Finally, this product is made of quality material and features a breathable mesh underbelly that helps with chafing and heat exhaustion.
The pros of this product are:
- Wide variety of color options
- Mesh underbelly
- High-quality neoprene material
The cons, however, include:
- Some reviews indicate the D-ring webbing ripping
- Sizing isn’t exact
Click Here To Learn More About This Dog Life Jacket
In Conclusion on The Best French Bulldog Life Jacket
In the end, the best product on this list is the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat. That being said, you’re going to pay high-end prices for such a great product.
If you’re not looking to spend that much, any of the options of this list are great for French Bulldog life jacket, and will keep your pet happy, healthy, and afloat for years to come!
