EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

i got a pm today from another member about the kinds of chest plates we use on our dogs in oz. so i thought id start a thread to show everyone. i have seen them made from many different materials, i think aussies will try just about anything once. i have seen leather, shade cloth, seat belt and the most common imo canvas firehose. i got the following websites from an aussie mag if you want to check them out further  www.pigdogsupplies.com   www.bloombrothers.com www.tomstarps.com.au  and www.tuskproof.com.au just to name a few. please note materials may have different names in the US.
below are some pics of the plates me and a mate used last year.(http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/slickhound/chest%20plates/cp7.jpg)   (http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/slickhound/chest%20plates/cp4.jpg)  (http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/slickhound/chest%20plates/cp5.jpg) this is jet the super dog. he is wearing a canvas firehose. its great and tough but can get heavy when wet.   (http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/slickhound/chest%20plates/cp6.jpg) rush a boxerXwolfhound is wearing a shadecloth plate. they are light and let the water drain easily when wet. they are good but this particular one was a poor design. (http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/slickhound/chest%20plates/cp1.jpg) (http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/slickhound/chest%20plates/cp2.jpg) this is goose wearing a plate made from a type of conveyer canvas. it was tough and was a great plate that lasted ages and was good in the heat but did take a while to break in. the last photo he took on an awesome boar one out and head on and walked away without a scratch.
cheers
jarrad

Nice dogs and plates

Man cool looking plates and dogs.I had one made for one of my Dogos by L3 outdoors and it is awesome!Will post pics shortly.It just lets him move so much more than a conventional vest.

I was interested in plates for a while & wondered why we don't see more of them in use here. My only concern is they dont seem to cover enough of the dog. If you dogs are catchy bay dogs or what I would call rcd's there probably good and that's what there used on more or less correct??, what about straight catch dogs do you have many rear end injuries with them say from the rib's back to the flank? I would try one if I knew it would protect a catch dog as well as a vest does and I think there is room for improvment in them and hope to see some made from the better stuff out there now, kevlar works but there have been major improvments in the last 10 years but the hog dog vest seem's to be a little behind the times. Not sure if it's cost or what.


I love to see them dog's from down under there always brutes and you guy's get some nice hogs as well, is goose a catahoula?

just about everyone here uses rcd's or a finding lugger as we call them. gooses collar was shreaded up the front and he did get one rip back along his ribs but that was once across many years and alot of pigs. some collars do go further along the ribs,it gets very hot here so its all a balance of protecting them and not cooking them with too much protective gear. i dont personally know of anyone that uses a straight out catch dog just about everyone expects that all dogs can find a pig too.

i have had that question, about goose before too but he is actually a harlequin dane X bullterrier/staghound

Well he is a fine looking dog, thanks for the reply

thanks mate, losing him has left a big hole in the team.

I sent the PM. I was thinking about the bay dogs. Mine are kinda gritty and get up close and personal with them pigs. I know some guys ditch the vest because it gets too hot. But I know I would loose a dog fast because she gets real close. I do not want to only hunt at night. Those plates may be good but my catch dog does not need to running around so I will use a full vest on the catch dogs and pour water on em when its hot. But the bay dogs need to worry about heat and tusks.

Dub, I had one specially made for my strike dog. He is very catchy and anything that does not fight him off he is caught on and we have to listen for the fight/catch. It is very light and just goes behind the shoulders. The chest and right along the sides close to the chest have corura and kevlar. The rest is two layers of cordura. The lady that makes them for me calls them the super short bay vest, and they have to be asked for. Here are some pics of him in his vest. I run it all night on him with no worries most nights. If it is real hot I just soak him and the vest with water and let him keep running with it on.

(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa282/S_J_KENNELS/CIMG0008-2.jpg)

(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa282/S_J_KENNELS/CIMG0006-5.jpg)

I think one factor in the Aussie's running the shorter vest is that alot of their dogs are BIG. A big dog that catches well is less likely to get cut in the rib area cause with their longer body, the vitals are farther away from the hogs teeth. My dane cross has yet to get cut in the legs or body. He takes alot of cuts to the mouth and upper throat area. I run a "smaller" vest on him without any problems from the heat. The vest makes me feel better.

SLICK, whats the breeding on your "JET" dog ? Dane cross ?

ole jet is a legend and unfortunately doesnt belong to me. he was found at a property by a mate. now these properties can range from 500,000 acres upto a million acres so he didnt just wander in from the house up the road. anyway no one claimed him (probably cause they were poaching to start with and didnt want to deal with the consequences so just left him be) and my mate kept him ever since. he finds from the ute, has a nose like a bloodhound and i havent seen a pig that he couldnt hold. we dont know what his breeding is. i tend to think its bandogXdane but we will never know.

Are those bandogs open or closed when tracking?

do you mean as in trail barking? jet is dead quiet until you hear the thump of him hitting a pig. i dont know about bandogs in general but i would imagine they are silent too.  but like i said we dont know exactly what he is, except for being a champion.

Dub,  if you want a breastplate made for your strike dog i would try and contact Josh with L3outdoors.  I don't think he markets his anymore, but he is making me some right now.  He now uses Turtleskin Kevlar.  That stuff is awesome, and supper light.  He just finished one for his great dane which it is a big plate for a big dog, and it weighs nothing.  PM if you want some info or pictures.   

I had come across L3 when searching for plates. They just seems kind of pricey. But it may be worth it.

I like the one Jet is wearing. It looks like it gives him good protection on his shoulder.

they may be pricey but surely worth it.  I keep telling he is way underpriced when he shows you what he pays for that turtleskin and the time he puts in them.  I figure my dogs don't have a price on keeping them a alive.  beleive me i was skeptic before i saw them in action. 

L3 is a good fellow. He will make whatever you need. What costs more, buying, feeding, raising and training a good dog and loosing it or buying a good quality vest ???

Here's one we got from Josh. He got it from "Scrub Dog" in Oz.

(http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/ac118/MachinesOldLady/Vest004copy.jpg)

Here is my new plate made by Joshua White @ L3outdoors


side view:
(http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/mex_0317/cutcollar2.jpg)


front view:
(http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/mex_0317/cutcollar1.jpg)


(http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/mex_0317/cutcollar.jpg)

Nice plate Mex! Is that the same dog you sent me the picture of? He sure has grown if that is! Nice!

Thats one of'em bro.He has broke in the vest I got from you but summer called for this and a whole lot cooler.It also allows him to move so much better.

Options are always nice!  :laugh:

hey mex, its good to see them with a little bib on them. the bib has saved my dogs jaw a stack of times.

Ya bro that is a piece of boithane as well as garmin holder on bottom.

my breastplate is finished.  This one was built by Josh White.  i love everything about it.  It fits my Ike dog very well.  He has struck 20plus pigs now and is getting hit more and more, so i am glad to see this. it needs some breacking in but it will get there.  

(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/martinsu25/dscf2024.jpg)

(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/martinsu25/dscf2023.jpg)

Like that bull.  He looks solid

lol.  Funny how you notice that.  he decided to be in every picture i took.... yes he is 17 years old, but his semen is all over the world.  Mostly in Hondures. 

I am sending josh measurements this wknd i think they are the best summer option, and turtle skin is the best material, worth the $ plus Josh offers lifetime warranty. MY QUESTION IS HAVE YALL HAD HOGS GET UNDERNEATH THE PLATE BETWEEN THE LEGS AND CUT THE DOGS??

I know it all depends on catching style ETC. just curious to know the outcome.

I haven't had hogs get under my dogs, I have the old one with the thin brisket strap also.