Very Cold Rig Dogs...our answer

[Dads dogboy]

Hello Folks!

From reading other Bobcat Hunters posts it looks like Winter is upon us all!

Last year we noticed our Rig Dogs getting very cold on top after having run a race in the water. Most Hunters would go home after one good Race but Dad and Glen Rybard are prone to water the Hounds and keep on Hunting. This is tough on the Hounds that were Hot running, and then cold and wet up on top!

Glen found some cheap dog blankets @ Wal-mart but the did not hold up. I saw where this lady in NC was making Field Trial Blankets and figure that if they could hold up for that maybe she could make some to keep the Rig Dogs comfortable on top.

This is what she came up with and they appear to be working great. They are easy to get on and off…this can be difficult when the Hounds want to get after the Cat rather than hold still. All you do is pull the strap on the back up, then tug the Blanket and the Hound can be off.

The black strap has Velcro down the length of it to accommodate the different size hounds.


The Velcro in front stays together well, yet comes apart easily when pulled firmly!


If you need some or want to talk about the things she can do with them, contact Mitzi Marlowe @ the address below.

http://www.ccbmarlowe.com/custom_dog_blankets

Prices are reasonable (they would have to be for my Dad to have them) and she can make them for any size Hound. The Standard seems to fit our 22” to 26” Hounds fine!

We water proofed ours after we got them with some Camp Dry. Mitzi can do this before you get them for an additional fee.

Hope this helps some one, Merry Christmas to All!

C. John Clay
Dads Dogboy

[Mr.pacojack]

That is funny , I have been using those for years. Everyone made fun of my dogs though. I got mine on Ebay for sheep and goats, anywhere from $4.00 to $17.00. And another way to water proof them cheaper than camp dry is use Thompsons Water seal, you can get it in a gallon can for cheaper than camp dry, works better. I use it on coats, boots, gloves, maps anything you would or could use camp dry on.
Great post, well at least I don't feel like such a idiot

[Dan Edwards]

Your daddy's dogs have the look sir. I aint ever owned a good one but I know what they look like.

Ask your daddy sometime where he thinks the liver colored nose came from on these July dogs and some of them Walker dogs. Actually, the July's is more of a butterfly liver deal usually.

[walkersrule]

i have a budd y that uses them on his dogs. seem to work good. he had his wife make them.
jimmy

[Tim Pittman]

Weathabeeta makes waterproof dog blankets just like the horse kind.Tough and durable last forever $14-26 dollars depending on size.We got 5 or 6 of them they work great.
Tim

[Dads dogboy]

Folks,

We have seen the Sheep blankets as well as some of the other Dog Blankets out there. They all either were or looked to be a pain in the butt to get off the Hound when he is standing still much less when it is dancing and pulling trying to get down and after a Cat.

These are the best we have found to go on and come off with minimum fuss!

Pacojack thanks for the hint about Thompsons Waterseal. My wife has been using it for years to keep alll our gear dry, but I had forgotten about it.

Merry Christmas to All!

CJC

[Liz ODell]

I have been using blankets on the rig dogs for years also. I still get funny looks sometimes but hell, how would you feel riding around in the cold air up there, I'd sure want a jacket!
The best ones of found and the cheapest place to buy them is here;

www.chicksaddlery.com

"Waterproof Polarshield Dog Blanket!
From TOUGH-1 - named the number one horse blanket by The Horse Journal - September, 2008. Read their complete 2008 blanket review here.
Keep your canine pal warm and comfy with our dog warmer. Constructed with a water repellent outer shell, warm insulation and lining. Designed with a seamless spine to prevent leaking. Constructed with 600 denier, ripstop waterproof poly, a 200 denier breathable lining and 200 gram polyfill insulation. Features an adjustable belly wrap with quick grip closures, shoulder gussets to allow freedom of movement, a double buckle front and a cut out for the tail.

Measure your dog from the middle of the chest, around the side to the center of the tail.

Extra Small (12"-14")
Small (14"-19")
Medium (19"-25")
Large (25"- 31")
Extra Large (31" - 37")
2X Large (37" - 43")
3X Large (43" - 49")"

They are on sale right now for 15.99, you can even get a pink camo one (denied by my hubby!).

I snap the dogs on the rig then put the 'binkie' on over the top, that way when they strike I just rip the velcro, pull over their head and unsnap. It says just water repellant but I've never had one leak yet and if its raining that hard you might as well load up and go home anyway.

[catdog360]

They make real stylish one for our labs out of neoprem. they hug the dogs tight and are water proof.