Heat Reflective Coats For Summer Shows

[jok]

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Just wondering if there would be any interest if we made some coats out of Heat Reflective material. It was absolutely roasting at some of the shows this year and difficult to keep the dogs cool whilst waiting in the ring.

If it seems like people would be interested we'll get some material. There doesn't seem many places that do this type of coat, particularly in Whippet size!

Thanks for any feedback :thumbsup:

 

[whippynit]

yep i'b be interested Jo :thumbsup:

 

[Boffy01]

I will need one next year if that helps.

Michelle

 

[dawn]

Got two reflective coats from Peggy Cross earlier this year.

It was just before Summer ended

Still we ARE ready for 2007 (if there is a Summer)

 

[Juley]

What about towelling ones that you can wet?

 

[jok]

What about towelling ones that you can wet?

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A big no, no. They can actually make dogs hotter (w00t) Once the towelling starts to heat up and the water becomes warm (which doesn't take long). I read something about them being dangerous. Although i saw a lot of people doing it!

 

[Avalonia]

A big no, no. They can actually make dogs hotter (w00t) Once the towelling starts to heat up and the water becomes warm (which doesn't take long). I read something about them being dangerous. Although i saw a lot of people doing it!

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I have never seen a reflective coat in use over here in North America where summer dog shows may have temperatures in the high 80's to 100 degree (F) range and I don't think I would like to have a reflective coat, but I use, and certainly have seen lots of towelling coats or the newer lightweight synthetic coats (like a soft smooth foam that seems to hold the coolness very well) in use which have replaced towelling which is heavy and can chill as the principal cooling wear for dogs. Most owners keep a cooler with iced water to dunk the coats in. Then when it warms up they take another coat out of the cooler, squeeze the water out and place that on the dog.

As there are virtually no benched shows over here (there are a couple of exceptions), a lot of exhibitors keep their dogs out of the heat in air-conditioned cars/vans/camper vans that are also shielded against heat with highly effectve shade cloth which is widely available and sold at every show over here.

Lanny

 

[chelynnah]

The reflective coats are FANTASTIC. Venture coats did them for a while, but I think I have one of the only sets they did. They decided it was too much work.

Based on the comments I receive (after people finish laughing and actually ask if they work) I bet there would be a lot of interest.

2 years ago at Paignton it was one of the hottest days of the summer. It was the first day that I used them and my two were two of the very FEW who weren't panting up a storm. They really do work, they keep the heat away from the dog - MUCH better than towelling. If you use towelling you MUST keep refreshing the water or as Jo says it's actually worse for the dog.

2 thumbs up for me (though I already have mine but it's good to know where I can get more).

Wendy

 

[Boffy01]

A big no, no. They can actually make dogs hotter (w00t)

I have to say that I found the towelling to be better providing you keep refreshing it. The silver one I purchased last summer is great if there is a breeze. However there was one show (Windsor I think) with very little breeze at all & I found it didn't work. So I guess it depends on the situation & personal preference.

Michelle

 

[JAX]

A big no, no.  They can actually make dogs hotter (w00t)  
I have to say that I found the towelling to be better providing you keep refreshing it. The silver one I purchased last summer is great if there is a breeze. However there was one show (Windsor I think) with very little breeze at all & I found it didn't work. So I guess it depends on the situation & personal preference.

Michelle

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As dogs sweat through their paws and tonques ( unlike horses and humans who sweat through their skin ) putting wet towels or even just water will have the reverse effect you are wanting (w00t) If you put somethiing cold on a dog its body will try to warm it up thus reverting the action you were wanting , So cold , wet towels is a def NO NO , I too used to do it and also used to wet my Greyhounds when they had run , but it was pointed out to me by one of the top trainers in the country the error of my ways .

I bought a reflective coat at Paington 2005 which has yet to be used :- " I did however use it my self on the way home from said Paignton show as the sun was blazing throu the window , I put it on my shoulder and it did a great job of reflecting the sun and made my journey home much more pleasureble

 

[bashful]

Mmmm that does make sense . :cheers: