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Author Topic: Vest for rough curs  (Read 3590 times)
jstankus
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« on: September 11, 2018, 03:02:43 pm »

The catalyst for this conversation was losing my best cracker cur this past Saturday, he was cut below the cut collar and no amount of quick clot would help. I caught well over a 100 hogs with him in the past 6+ years and will be hard not having him around. This was the first hunting buddy I've lost in 7+ years and consider myself fortunate thus far. I do take pride in my stock and they're family. I have thought about this everyday since that day, what could I have done differently to change the outcome. I know it's chance we take every time that tailgate drops. But I like to see what others with rough curs think about vest for rough curs. Vest you can run in summer months not your full bull dog vest.

Hog dog vest, I've probably spent over 1K in trying different brands of vest, sizes, and shapes. Wildboar USA, hard core, southern cross, summer vest, bay vest, strike vest, etc..... What I have ran into that they are generally hot, overheat dogs, cause near drowning experiences, and just slow a damn dog down. So, I eventually gave up and just ran cut collars only. But then you look at Aussie pig hunters, they use chest plates. So, I did some research and  I went ahead and order a texas boar bib from wild boar usa just to try it out and see if they could actually hunt in it. I see hard core sell a couple but I like the wild boar brand better after reviewing them.

Does anyone else struggle with this issue? What are some other companies out there to consider. I've even considered switching from rough curs to bay dogs with a catch dog but that really isn't my style of preferred hunting method. Figured I throw it there.
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Mike
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« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2018, 06:48:17 pm »

I run this Mason’s Way vest from WildBoarUSA on my white dog... I bet it would work good on a rough cur dog. Has the built in collar and chin flap.







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make-em-squeel
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« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2018, 09:24:54 pm »

I like loose curs, but run aussie style collar / breastplate combo on rough ones if i have to...
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jsh
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« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2018, 04:37:52 am »

Jstankus,

Similar to you, I’ve got vests from just about every maker.  About 13 years ago I bought a cut collar from Hoot Gibson that was made out of 4” sling strap. I still use it every time I go. It has been through hell and has held up well.   I have a friend that has an industrial sewing machine and made me a short running vest out of the same material. It allowed me to lay each piece over the dog’s body as we sewed it so that it formed perfectly and did not rub anywhere. Stitched on some dog collars for straps and was good to go.  Wasn’t the prettiest thing, but worked like a charm.
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Cajun
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« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2018, 07:06:53 am »

We protect them the best way we can with vests & collars but sometimes the hog just gets in a lucky shot. sorry for your loss.
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jstankus
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« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2018, 07:34:07 am »

Mike,

I have tried that vest, that one I actually ran a dog hot it. I guess the struggle is real. I'm gonna try this new boar bib for wild boar usa and see how it works.


Make-em-squeel,

Which company did you use and what style? I thought about ordering one from Australia if this doesn't work, just sucks I keep throwing money at it and it's probably was just a lucky shot. These swamps in Florida around Mallory Swamp are rough to navigate with too much material. Appreciate the support.
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TheRednose
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« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2018, 08:57:11 am »

We run vests on our bay dogs and a wet running vest has always worked fine, but just a few weeks back I did see one of those new ss bikini suits from hardcore and they looked good, so I went to their site to check it out and I saw a ss speed suit that looked good too. Never used either but looks to be light weight with an attached collar which is what would have saved the one dog you spoke about. We always wet the vests down in the summer before we start but even if we didn't they are small light vests with open backs so I think that is the best that can be done.

I could be wrong on this but I think starting them in a little bit cooler weather with those vests and letting them acclimate a little to them first before putting it on them in the middle of the summer heat might help too, but that is just a thought. Good luck and let us know what you find.
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Sambo5500
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« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2018, 09:13:48 am »

I am actually about to order 2 of the hard core speed suits. I have 2 Aussie style dogs that just turned 1 and are about to start hitting the woods hard. I'll let you know how they do after I get to use and evaluate them some.
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Sambo5500
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« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2018, 09:16:45 am »

I had a RCD for years that I ran a short vest from tejas outdoors that I had great luck with. He never ran hot or got bogged down in water. 254-541-0068. Shoot me a text and I'll send you some pics of it. Not sure if tejas is even a company anymore but I think you can get the vests still.
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TheRednose
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« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2018, 11:02:50 am »

I am actually about to order 2 of the hard core speed suits. I have 2 Aussie style dogs that just turned 1 and are about to start hitting the woods hard. I'll let you know how they do after I get to use and evaluate them some.

I would love to hear about them because that is what I was thinking about using as well.
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Judge peel
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« Reply #10 on: September 12, 2018, 12:40:25 pm »

I have had or tried most all of them I think it comes down to the dog on what works best. A short stocky dog needs to be wrapped o good if he is rough. But if he don’t swim good it’s a risk. One thing I look at is if they keep getting cut try to see if the cuts are in the same spots. One dog I have kept getting cut on his hind end I stopped vesting him no more cuts another kept getting hit on the chest and chin. Got a heavier vest with a bib no more cuts. But I don’t deal with the water like you. I got some big creeks and river or two that’s it.


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l.h.cracker
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« Reply #11 on: September 12, 2018, 06:17:03 pm »

I have a whole shed full of every lightweight to heavy vest known to man.Every single one hinders performance and makes the dogs overheat.I can't even run cut collars most of the year on my dogs due to the heat and humidity down here.I vest my bulldog but have him trained that if a hog breaks he comes right back with one beep of the tone button and never gets out of pocket.
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« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2018, 12:13:25 pm »

The guy that mentored me doesn’t believe in running vests at all, his reasoning is this... His thinking is that a dog that can feel the pain will learn to move so that he doesn’t get hit where as a dog that can’t feel it as much will take more abuse that could wind up being fatal. He also always says that if someone grabs you and you’re wearing a hoodie it’s a lot easier to hold on to you compared to if you weren’t wearing a shirt and they were trying to grab skin.

With that being said, my bull dog usually wears a vests, but he always runs hot. I haven’t been taking him lately but I think I’m gonna get the half vest from southern cross and see if that helps with the heat. Right now he has a full bay vest from hardcore.

Keep in mind we don’t use a designated catch dog or any lead ins. We run rough dogs and usually have 2-3 pits on the ground. Usually have one to two dogs that are longer range dogs and a handful of RCD’s. Every dog we use will find their own pig if it’s close. Even the pits will wind them or hunt close.

Also if you’re around water, hardcore gives the option to have flotation added to vests. I have it on my pits and you can’t really tell it’s there. It helps him a lot with swimming through the swamp and river.


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Reuben
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« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2018, 05:59:41 pm »

On rough dogs I run a cheap and lightweight vest and the dogs do alright with them...I have lost one to the heat while wearing a vest but I thought he was tied up...turned out he was showing trees two different times and the second pig he was trying to kill caused him to over heat...having said that I have lost a few to heat on account they wouldn’t stop running and gunning without vests...too much hunt in a dog can cause heat stroke as well...
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jstankus
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« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2018, 12:34:02 pm »



Here are some I have ran. Work good in winter months but like something better for hot days. Working with wild boar to see what we can come up with.


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jstankus
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« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2018, 01:26:19 pm »



Gonna try a modified version of this and see how it works. I’ll let every know how it works out.


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chipolariverman
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« Reply #16 on: September 25, 2018, 03:28:52 pm »

jstankus I have this same boarbib from wildboar USA.  I like it but honestly I have used it on a 80Lb RCD Cur and it rubs his front legs bad.  Bad to the point that I don't use it anymore.  I may be too big therefore causing it to hang down too low and rub his legs.

I also struggle with this and have a toolbox full of all kinds of vest.  I agree with The Rednose 100% with regards to starting the dog in cooler weather and let them acclimate to the vest as summer comes on.  My bulldog runs a SouthernStyle Bikini Suit that was actually bought from SouthernStyle before HardCore bought them out but I love this vest.  To the point that I ordered a 2nd one from HardCore.  It looks like it has been in a blender but is still holding up.  It is light and very flexible but honestly I do believe it limits their movement to a point. 

There is a guy in Texas that makes the Ausie style and is good to work with.  I tried several different ones but I didn't end up with one that would fit.  He ran wolfhounds if I remember correct.  They ain't built like a FL Cur if you follow me.  His vest are like the breastplates the Ausie guys use.  Very open. 

When you find one that works let me know, LOL.  I am in North FL and we deal with alot of water also and humidity and heat.  And we hunt right on through the summer.  It is brutal to be honest with you. 
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Cajun
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« Reply #17 on: September 26, 2018, 09:00:57 am »

I got this running vest from Hard core for my Clyde dog and John. I got Clyde hot this summer without the vest so I am going to wait for cooler weather before I run him in it.

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Sambo5500
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« Reply #18 on: September 26, 2018, 12:12:06 pm »

Chipola river man, if you are talking about Josh (hairy holders) he no longer makes vests. He can still order them from Australia but I think you have to want at least 5.
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chipolariverman
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« Reply #19 on: September 27, 2018, 09:38:23 pm »

Chipola river man, if you are talking about Josh (hairy holders) he no longer makes vests. He can still order them from Australia but I think you have to want at least 5.

Sambo5500, yep that is him.  Didn't know he had gotten out of it.  Haven't talked with him in a couple of years.
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