The first time I put Candy, my Shih Tzu-mix, in the swimming pool, she was surprisingly unafraid and began swimming calmly along, but there was one problem – her top-heavy build caused her head to be pulled down to one side and then the other as she swam. Essentially, she had a difficult time staying upright and keeping her face and ears dry. What would happen if we went kayaking or paddleboarding and she fell or jumped into rougher water? With Florida’s multitude of summer water activities ahead of us, I immediately began searching for the perfect doggie life jacket…something with excellent all-around buoyancy and a comfortable design.

Northwest River Supplies, more commonly known as NRS, has been supplying people with a variety of water gear for over 50 years, and even has a Canine Flotation Device (CFD) – basically a life jacket for dogs. Just as humans spending time on the water should wear life jackets as a precaution against the unexpected, our furry family members should, too. The Dog Life Jacket from NRS is a quality harness-style CFD designed to be effective, comfortable, and practical while also being highly durable, as is all NRS gear. Anyone wanting their dog to accompany them on water-based adventures should consider trying this CFD.

About NRS

NRS was founded in 1972 by a college educator named Bill Parks. As a long-time teacher of finance and economics, Bill’s motivation to start NRS was simply to test the principles he was teaching. But his decision to pursue a business selling water gear was rooted in his own passion for whitewater rafting, which he had taken up just a few years earlier. Bill also wanted his company to be a force for good, enriching the lives of both his employees and the customers they served. He did this not only by providing quality products and following a customer-focused way of doing business, but he also transformed NRS into a 100% employee-owned company.

Bill Parks, who passed away in 2023, started NRS with just $2,000 to purchase his initial inventory which he stored in his garage, and laboriously typed the very first catalog. Today, NRS supplies outdoor enthusiasts all over the world with a variety of water-related gear such as life jackets, dry bags, wet suits, and paddles. Basically, if it helps enhance your time on the river, lake, or ocean, NRS has it. And that includes a life jacket for dogs. Whether your dog is an energetic Vizsla that loves swimming in circles, or an affectionate Cocker Spaniel that just wants to be on the boat with you, it should be wearing a quality CFD to ensure its safety. The NRS Dog Life Jacket is a sturdy yet comfortable CFD that can provide just the right level of buoyancy for your canine companion.

CFD Dog Life Jacket Overview

Below is my overview of the Dog Life Jacket from NRS. This is a well-made and easy-to-use CFD with a great warranty at a great price.

Design

The Dog Life Jacket from NRS is designed not only to be an effective buoyancy aid for the pet, but also to be easy to put on and comfortable for the dog to wear. Each life jacket features an adjustable neck loop that slips over the dog’s head, and two adjustable buckled straps that close the flotation panels along the torso. The back panel features a convenient handle attached with heavy-duty stitching, which the dog’s owner can grab to haul the dog out of the water, assist them with entering the water, or guide their swimming direction. There is also a sturdy D-ring on the back for leash attachment, perfect for keeping your pet tethered to you when out and about on the water. And with an exterior made of ripstop nylon, a durable fabric that resists tearing, this is a CFD that is sure to last your dog for years.

Variety

The NRS Dog Life Jacket currently comes in five sizes, ranging from XS to XL. A dog wearing the XS would need to have a chest circumference of at least 14”, according to the sizing chart on their website, so it probably wouldn’t work for toy breeds like Chihuahuas or Yorkies. And the largest size XL only accommodates dogs with a 41” chest, making it unlikely to fit giant breeds like Great Danes or Mastiffs. For the dogs that this life jacket does fit, the buckle straps are adjustable, so you can achieve a nice snug fit on your dog.

This CFD comes in two colors, teal and orange, which are both bright and easy to see in most environments. As an added safety feature for low light environments, there are some thin reflective accents on the sides and handle.

Price & Warranty

The current price of the NRS Dog Life Jacket, regardless of size or color, is just under $60 with free shipping from the NRS website or Amazon. This is average pricing for a CFD of this caliber, but what sets NRS apart from their competition is their warranty. Visit their website and click on the Rock Solid Guarantee link, and you will see a promise that “if at any time you’re not satisfied with the performance of an NRS product, please return it to the dealer where it was purchased or contact NRS directly for an evaluation. If we find that an NRS product is defective, we will at our option repair it, replace it, or refund the purchase price.” Though there is no specific time frame mentioned, this certainly sounds like a lifetime guarantee. And even if the issue is determined by NRS not to fall under their warranty, the company states they may be able to perform a repair at their headquarters for an additional fee.

Specs

In Summary

Key Features

Quality

The Dog Life Jacket from NRS is made with lightweight, quick-drying, and tear-resistant materials. Meticulous heavy-duty stitching holds everything together and ensures this CFD will last. It is also designed to be comfortable for the dog, with no bare straps to rub on any area of the dog’s body. And a well-placed grab handle and D-ring for leash attachment make this life jacket owner-friendly, too.

Efficacy

The sturdy design of the NRS Dog Life Jacket makes this a snug-fitting yet comfortable CFD for your dog. Some competitor’s CFDs are designed to look cute, but don’t effectively keep a dog’s head above water or are too easy for the dog to slip out of during critical moments. Not this CFD! With its secure fit and flotation panels both under the neck and around the torso, this life jacket was made for more than photo ops – the NRS Dog Life Jacket can actually keep your dog safe on the water, which is exactly what a CFD should do!

Warranty

NRS feels so strongly about their products and is so dedicated to customer satisfaction that they offer a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. If an issue arises, you can return the CFD to NRS and if they determine the problem falls under their warranty, they will repair, replace, or refund. It’s that simple.

Is the NRS CFD Dog Life Jacket a Good Value?

NRS currently sells their Dog Life Jacket for just under $60 regardless of size or color. This price point is comparable to other CFDs of similar design and quality and is well worth it considering its durable construction and efficacy in the water. Add a lifetime warranty on top of that and the decision to choose NRS is a no-brainer!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How durable is this dog life jacket?

Very durable, thanks to its quality materials and craftsmanship. The CFD Dog Life Jacket from NRS also features a very sturdy design, which is comfortable for the dog while still offering the right amount of buoyancy and a secure fit.

What is the smallest size available?

The smallest size currently offered by NRS is XS, which is recommended for dogs under 12 lbs but with a chest circumference of at least 14”. Unfortunately, this size would still be too large to accommodate the tiniest dogs.

Does NRS offer a warranty?

Yes, NRS states that if a customer is “not satisfied with the performance” of their gear, they can return it to NRS or the original purchase location to have it evaluated. NRS also promises to pay the return shipping, as well as shipping for an exchange item in certain cases. And if the product has suffered damage that is NOT covered under the warranty, NRS may still be able to offer repair services for an hourly fee.

Where can I buy an NRS Dog Life Jacket?

Currently there are several sources for purchasing NRS products, including their flagship store in Moscow, Idaho, the NRS website, Amazon, and retail locations like REI. If you want to shop NRS products in person, there is a Dealer Locator link on their website at the bottom of every page.

Our Experience With the CFD Dog Life Jacket From NRS

I recently started shopping for dog life jackets after noticing my newest rescue dog, Candy, hanging over the edge of the pool watching me swim. When I lifted her into the pool to see if she could swim, she succeeded without fear or flailing, much different than my other two dogs! Who would have thought a Shih Tzu-Pekingese mix would like the water?

Although unafraid, Candy did have trouble staying upright due to her short legs, and would topple to one side or the other, dunking an ear and getting water in it before righting herself. This is where I suspected a dog life jacket would help. I also thought she might enjoy accompanying me on the paddleboard or kayak, and just as I wear a life jacket, I felt Candy should, too. When I came across the Dog Life Jacket from NRS, a brand with over 50 years of experience designing water gear, I was excited to give it a try!

Candy is 14 lbs with a chest circumference of 16”, so I chose the XS option, which turned out to be perfect. I found it incredibly easy to put on – I just slipped the neck loop over her head and with the grab handle positioned over her shoulder blades, wrapped the torso panels under her chest before buckling. I was then able to adjust the built-in strap in the neck loop as well as the buckle straps on her side to achieve a snug fit. The harness-style jacket felt very secure, and Candy seemed comfortable.

We first tested it in our swimming pool. I still noticed her head listing to one side or the other, but only when trying to change directions (without the life jacket, this happened even when trying to swim a straight line). Satisfied this CFD was effective, we hit the river! I used the handle on the back to lift Candy into the kayak and place her between my legs. I felt assured that even if a manatee knocked us out of our boat (yes, that can happen in Florida) Candy would be able to keep her head above water and potentially swim to shore if I were unable to get to her right away.

I really like the NRS Dog Life Jacket and am anxious to test it at the beach or on a paddleboarding adventure! The only feature that I don’t like is how small the grab handle is. On the larger sizes, the handle may be longer since there is more material to work with, therefore offering more space underneath for your hand, but on our XS, the handle is very short, and I found I could really only fit a couple fingers under it comfortably. I can imagine this becoming a serious problem during an emergency situation. Hopefully, we never run into that issue, and this jacket does also have a D-ring next to the handle, so you could keep your dog tethered to you at all times if need be.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an effective and durable life jacket for your dog, look no further than the CFD Dog Life Jacket from NRS. This is a quality product from a time-tested company and is not only reasonably priced but also comes with a lifetime warranty. For outdoor enthusiasts looking to take their dogs with them on the water, the NRS Dog Life Jacket is effective at keeping our canine companions safe so they can go on to enjoy one adventure after another!