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This dog protection vest offers safety from wildlife – from coyotes to hawks – as well as aggressive dogs on hikes and even neighborhood walks.
Earlier this year, I was walking my dog Tux, a Yorkshire terrier mix, around a lake in a park near our home in Denver, Colorado, when a stranger stopped me. He pointed above our heads and said, “There’s an oversized hawk circling above us. You should be careful with your dog.”
At that moment, I wished Tux was wearing a hawk vest. But he wasn’t, so I scooped him up and carried him at least half a mile to my car. That bird of prey wasn’t going to sink his talons into my little boy!
A few months later, Tux and I hit a hiking trail in Boulder with some friends. We saw a Chihuahua trot by wearing a coyote vest for dogs with bright orange spikes, which got everyone chuckling – and asking whether Tux has ever worn a bite-proof dog vest. It seemed like everyone had stories of dogs having close calls with coyotes and snakes or seeing scuffles in dog parks, so it makes sense that physical armor is increasingly popular to protect adventurous and potentially vulnerable pets.
Since hiking with dogs is one of my favorite activities – and my current 8-lb. dog is a lot smaller than his 87-lb. predecessor – it seemed like an ideal time to give a dog protection vest a try. My husband, Bryan, had zero interest in Tux wearing a vest with spikes, since those just look too ridiculous to him. So we opted for a Dog Armour PRO K2 anti-bite protection vest.
To learn about the Dog Armour PRO vest’s protection, comfort, durability and ease of use, read on.
As the word “PRO” in the name implies, Dog Armour PRO products are designed for police and military professionals who work with K-9s. The company makes protective gear for handlers as well as the dogs themselves.
With their expansion into bite-proof dog vests for pets, Dog Armour PRO uses the same technology, which certainly instills confidence when prioritizing protection for a precious pup.
The Dog Armour PRO K2 anti-bite protection vests are designed to shield dogs from bites, scratches and punctures. The cut- and bite-resistant fabric has reinforced panels and adjustable straps to secure the fit across breeds and sizes. To that end, the vests come in six sizes ranging from XXS to XL. The idea is to provide lightweight yet durable construction for active dogs.
Key Benefits And Features Of Dog Armour PRO
When Tux’s Dog Armour PRO vest arrived, I was immediately impressed with the stylish functionality. It’s primarily black – like Tux – so the bright orange trim really popped. Usually I tie an orange bandana around my dog’s neck on hikes so that people can see him, so I appreciated that the vest helps his entire body become more visible. There’s also a reflective strip on one side to help keep him safe from cars and cyclists on low-light walks.
The bite and scratch-resistant material, which vaguely reminds me of a denser Neoprene wetsuit for SCUBA diving, covers the dog’s neck, torso and back from teeth and claws. The sturdy vests are designed to be weather-resistant for year-round use. Though we tried the vest in summertime, it occurred to me that it would provide some warmth and protection from snow in winter, when little Tux has to wear several layers of clothes for outings in such cold weather.
The Dog Armour PRO K2 anti-bite protection vest is easy to put on, with quality Velcro bands around the neck and belly that are then reinforced by straps with quick-release buckles. The adjustable straps and fairly lightweight material help avoid restricting a dog’s movement for added comfort.
How To Use Dog Armour PRO Effectively
There are common sense things to do to use the Dog Armour PRO anti-bite vest effectively. For instance, you should consider introducing the vest gradually, so your dog feels comfortable wearing it. We tried putting it on for a few minutes several times – coaxing Tux to walk in it by offering tasty treats – before hitting a hiking trail.
You’ll also want to always supervise your dog when wearing the Dog Armour PRO vest instead of, say, letting him roam wild on acres of property and hoping for the best. Naturally, you should inspect the vest regularly for any damage after rough use.
Probably the most obvious way to use Dog Armour PRO effectively is something I did not do when I first ordered: measure your dog’s back, chest and neck to ensure you get the right size. There’s even a size chart and measurement instructions on the company’s website. A size “small” vest turned out to be way too big for Tux, even though that’s his usual size. (Yes, he has an extensive winter wardrobe.)
Once I measured him, I realized an XS was the correct size, and when the new vest came, it fit like a glove. So I implore you to learn from the error of my ways – save yourself time and aggravation by measuring your dog to get the best fit.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Easy to put on and take off.
- Durable, bite-resistant fabric for peace of mind in areas with wildlife or aggressive dogs.
- Lightweight to keep dogs comfortable during longer hikes and walks.
- Reflective side strip and bright pops of color offer additional safety through visibility.
- Adjustable fit and a range of sizes for tiny dogs all the way to the big guys.
Cons:
- There’s still a chance of injury from very strong bites as it is not completely puncture-proof.
- Would likely be overkill in a low-risk, urban environment.
- Some dogs might take time to adjust to wearing the vest, particularly if they’ve done a lot of hiking without any constraints.
- Not ideal in hot sun (though of course, we should walk our dogs early or late to avoid the heat of the day).
- Higher price point ($83-$129 depending on size) compared to regular dog harnesses – though Dog Armour PRO offers free shipping and recently announced on social media that prices will remain the same despite the 15% tariffs on European products. (The company is headquartered in Spain but has a warehouse in the US, from which they can ship directly to the US market.)
How Things Went With Tux
The XS Dog Armour PRO vest has a fairly snug fit. When putting it on, I made sure to close the Velcro around Tux’s neck first to make sure that part was comfortable (I never want to inadvertently choke my dog, of course!). Then I adjusted the belly straps to fit tightly around the Velcro flap on his stomach.
This turned out to be a mistake. When Tux and I hit a trailhead in Beaver Creek, Colorado, he sat down instead of running up the trail. It was fairly steep, so I carried him for a little while and then set him back down. Still, he refused to walk – even when I walked to the end of his 20-foot leash, held out treats and said the magic word: “Come!” I worried that maybe he’d hurt his knee – he has a luxating patella we’re supposed to keep an eye on – and returned to him.
I took him out of his dog protection vest and put on his regular harness (pro tip: don’t forget to bring your dog’s harness in your backpack on your first hike with a new vest just in case) and suddenly he was his usual animated self, ready to explore the trail.
Fortunately, when he was unprotected, the biggest danger was a mountain biker who came whizzing around a turn. We did see a dollop of bear scat that was bigger than Tux’s head, but my biggest fear is always birds of prey – and then I saw one circling in the distance.
I sat Tux on my lap and put the bite-proof dog vest back on, and loosened the belly strap. It’s like I flipped a switch when I set him back on the trail. Suddenly, Tux was frolicking in the woods, even peeing on a tree for good measure.
He wore the vest for about two miles in a beautiful aspen grove. When we had a little rain and I pulled out my own wet weather gear, it made me grin that the bite-proof dog vest kept my dog’s back and torso dry.
As we headed downhill toward the end of our hike, Tux even got the zoomies – sprinting in exuberant delight in his Dog Armour Pro vest – and I knew we’d found a winner.
An added bonus: when the vest gets dirty, it washes right off and dries quickly.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Ultimately, Dog Armour PRO offers a quality dog protection vest that could be a potential lifesaver when it fits properly. It’s a durable product that also looks cool.
This bite-proof dog vest is best for dogs in high-risk environments and dog lovers looking for peace of mind outdoors, particularly with small dogs. It’s not ideal for people who live in low-risk areas or who have budget concerns.
Still, it’s worth noting that a hundred dollars on a vest is a lot cheaper than potentially spending thousands of dollars on veterinary bills if a dog is injured, and it’s a small price to pay to save your dog’s life.
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