RC Pet Products Skyline Puffy Vest

I ordered this in a 22-inch for my Vizsla-Staffy mix who is thin but has a deep chest. I'd read good reviews about this jacket by bully breed owners saying they fit pit bulls well, so I gave it a shot. Unfortunately the belly straps barely fit her. Again, she's a thin dog. She has a deep chest but is built like a hunting dog. I think I'm going to have to make sort of velcro extension strap. Otherwise, the belly strap has come loose during walks. It is the perfect length for her though, and fits her neck, so going up a size would most likely be a mistake. On really cold days, I layer it with a dog sweater. I also walk her on a harness, so have to put the harness over the top of the jacket (which helps to hold the belly strap together) rather than under it since the jacket only offers a hole at the base of the neck for the leash coming from a collar and not from a harness. (Regarding sizing, the 22-inch size also perfectly fits my slightly larger shepherd mix which the size chart indicates should be a 24. I ordered a different RC jacket in a 24 for her, and it was too large). My one huge critique for RC Pet Products jackets (and all pet apparel products really): TOO MUCH STATIC CLING. It absolutely drives my dogs up the walls!! These jackets attract so much static that the dogs are now hesitant to put them on when we're getting ready to go out. Once outside, the dogs don't seem to mind wearing them (of course they are distracted by the walk). But the second we return home, they go nuts trying to slide across the floor to get these jackets off. As I unhook the velcro, I have to peel it off the dog's fur and you can just hear the static ripping as the jacket comes off. I've been shocked a few times, as have the dogs. And I've seen sparks. I guess during walks, the friction from the coat rubbing against the dog fur combined with leaving/entering an ionic imbalanced furnace heated house causes the static to just build up to crazy levels. I really wish the manufacturers would use more natural fabrics instead of polyester. At least ditch the double sided puffy material for a cotton lined interior. I may have to alter these jackets to line them with cotton to help cut down on the static. It's obvious the dogs are not comfortable. But I'd rather have them itching from static rather than freezing in the snow.

OK, maybe not thousands. But a lot.I'd never thought about dog clothes until this year. I've always had large, furry, hot-bodied dogs who laughed in the face of cold weather ... Then we rescued a small mixed-breed puppy. He has fine soft fur and not much of it, and he shivers and shakes in the frosty morning, and does not want to go outside to play or pee. He needed some dog clothes!After much trial and error I can confidently report - this vest rocks. Yes, it's a little pricey for a dog vest. But it's worth every cent, and not just because it's warm (and it is very warm).Here's what makes this vest different from all others.1. EASY ON & OFF.The whole thing opens up so you can get it on without having to struggle to get head and legs through awkward openings in the jacket. It closes with velcro at the chest and side, so once you get the fit correct you can leave the head opening velcroed shut and slide it on over the dog's head. But if your dog doesn't like having things slid over his head, you can get this vest on without going through all that.2. COMFORTABLE AROUND THE ARMS.It has no sleeves, so there's no pinching, binding, or twisting around the dog's front legs, or bunching up of fabric at the chest if the sleeves are too far apart. Sleeves can be great if they are an exact fit for your dog's exact body. But how often does that happen with a ready-to-wear dog coat? Not often enough. This has plenty of room around the arms, so the dog has full range of motion.3. FULL CHEST COVERAGE.I needed something to keep my dog warm, not just keep the rain off his back. This design covers his entire upper belly and chest, all the way up to his neck. The side closure makes it adjustable around the chest, so you can get a nice snug fit to keep out the drafts.4. IT'S REVERSIBLE.This wasn't a huge selling point for me but it's actually pretty cool. It's like getting two vests for the price of one!5. SIZING MAKES SENSE.You order by length of the back and there are a lot of different sizes, not just S-M-L. In my exploration of the dog vest universe I found vests with the same back and chest dimensions, labeled XS through Large! The labeling was totally inconsistent with the actual sizing. When you order by inches, you can measure your dog's back and know for sure what size you're going to need. Simple.In closing - thank you, RC Pet Products, for making a dog vest that is not only warm but also smartly designed with real dogs and humans in mind. We love it!