Dog Life Jacket for German Shepherd — Size XL, 26 lb Lift
Dog life jacket for German Shepherds
German Shepherds wear size XL. That is based on a chest of 33-42 in, which falls inside our XL range of 33-42 in. The XL vest carries a tested lift of 26 lb.
Can a German Shepherd swim?
German Shepherds swim capably but are heavy, and a soaked adult is very hard to lift unaided. The spine handle is the reason to own one.
How to size a German Shepherd
Fit is decided by chest, not by breed. Run a tape around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs, and pull it snug without compressing. That number picks the size. A German Shepherd usually measures 33-42 in, which is why size XL is the starting point, but measure the dog in front of you rather than trusting a breed average.
| Size | Chest | Weight | Tested lift |
|---|---|---|---|
| XL | 33-42 in | 70 lb + | 26 lb |
What the vest does for a German Shepherd
- Chin float. A pad under the jaw holds the muzzle clear of the water instead of letting it drop. On flat-faced and short-legged breeds this is the difference between swimming and struggling.
- Spine handle. Stitched along the back, built to lift a soaked dog out of a pool or back into a boat one-handed.
- Reflective flanks. So the dog reads at distance in low light.
- Closed-cell foam. Does not absorb water, so the lift on the label is the lift in the water.
Six colourways, XS to XL. See the vest.
Other breeds that wear size XL
A buoyancy aid, not a substitute for you. Always supervise your dog in and around water.