Quote Originally Posted by emily_in_nc View Post
The swamp cooler jacket has been on my "to buy" list for Paisley for moving to Belize since I first saw one last year in a swanky doggie shop. I think it will help a lot with the heat and the sun. So glad I found out about it in time!
Just wanted to say I run/walk my dogs in the dessert nearly every day, summer and winter. So, I've tried numerous dog cooling devices, and this one is the best for one of my dogs, and the second best for other dogs I've tried it on. In other words, I'm recommending it.
Other's I've tried
1) ones with ribs in them filled with beads - rather like these cool ties
http://www.rei.com/product/691097/kafkas-kool-tie
these used to be all the rage, now I can't find an example to post - good thing, they were awful. If you do find one, stay away. They break, the flop around on the dog, they get everything wet.
2) Chamois cloths -
http://www.pettemp.com/05koolkoatmai...atmain6-06.htm
These are great for dog events (conformation, agility...) but I find them less so for exercising with the dogs - in the dog events you take the cool coat off while the dog is performing. These are nice, simple, can be homemade, but they just aren't secure enough to run your dog in
3) the cool vest
http://www.mightymitedoggear.com/coolvest.html
This is my favorite for my doxie-x mutt - it stays dry on the outside and keeps my car clean. It stays sturdily on him. My only complaint is the velcro - running in the dessert the velcro lasts maybe a year before I have to have a belt put on it to keep it on. I don't bother with keeping 1 side nice and dry the way they advertise, that's for show dogs to avoid dampening their fur so they look pretty, Mutt Murphy doesn't care what he looks like and neither do I.
4) the Ruff Wear cool coat from above
http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...D=GSHOP_438752

I really like this. It covers my Shiba-x mutt nicely, it's easy to put on, she can move in it, it has buckles instead of velco.

For my IG, I have to use the chamois style because of her deep chest. But, heat bothers greyhounds less.