Cut vests / plates

I run Wild Boar USA Guardian & Devastator vests on my CDs. Both set ups offer adequate protection and mobility when fitted properly. Great value & durability. The Devastator is a touch lighter without the attached collar & chin flap so you typically run a cut collar/2 piece set up with it. JSH is right about running them a little big/loose to help with mobility and heat management. I keep 3”, 4”, and 5” cut collars on hand to pair with the devastator depending on the dog. I run Garmin tracking collars in front of the cut collar on the Devastator and turn it to the side on the guardian. Love the leg flaps. Don’t care for the chin flaps.
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Tried Hardcore, P&P, Southern Cross and had a plate set up that hung on a nail and never got used. Couldn’t bring myself to trust it. Always come back to the Wildboar vests.
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I agree with TDog about heat management being very important to us here in Texas. I started taking a different approach to managing heat after hunting with some cowboy buddies in OK. These guys didn’t vest their CDs until they got to the bay. They carried the vests on their horse, got off and vested the dog right before sending it. Removed the vest immediately after the hog was under control. They also had excellent recall on their CDs on a busted bay. They taught me a lesson and I went to work applying it immediately.
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NOTHING works all the time or in every situation but my CD damage has been significantly reduced by using two properly vested catch dogs with obedience type handle…….and I dam sure don’t miss getting jerked around by a cd on a lead!