Stohlquist Pup Float Review 2024: An Expert’s Breakdown

Living in Florida, I’ve all the time loved spending time on the water. Between our springs, rivers, and seashores, there are many alternatives for swimming and boating, but it surely’s essential to take action safely. If you’ve a canine that additionally enjoys these actions, you should take into account their security as properly. Just as we are able to profit from utilizing Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), our pups can typically use some additional buoyancy as properly. And what higher firm to supply PFDs for our canine pals than one which has been holding folks secure on the water for almost 50 years.

Colorado-based Stohlquist Waterware was based in 1977 by Jim Stohlquist, an skilled water-lover and entrepreneur who got down to assist folks get pleasure from their time on the water safely. For nearly 5 many years, this progressive model has been offering high quality PFDs for a wide range of water-based actions, together with whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing. But they didn’t omit our furry household – Stohlquist additionally gives the “Pup Float,” a extremely adjustable life jacket accessible in a variety of sizes to suit nearly any canine. If your canine accompanies you on outings in or close to water, you must take into account certainly one of these sturdy buoyancy aids to maintain your pup secure and completely satisfied all through your adventures.

About Stohlquist

When Jim Stohlquist based his firm to provide outside lovers with water-safety gear, he was in a position to make use of his lifetime of expertise as a Colorado whitewater kayaker. Stohlquist Waterware proved itself for many years by offering high quality, sturdy, progressive PFDs impressed by in style actions in Stohlquist’s house base of Buena Vista, CO. This trusted model was not too long ago acquired by California-based Sport Dimension Inc., a time-tested big within the watersports business that owns such well-known manufacturers as Body Glove and Nautica. Today, Stohlquist model merchandise, which embody PFDs for each folks and their canine, might be discovered for buy on the model’s web site, Amazon, and varied retail areas.

No matter what waterway you select to discover, in case you’re somebody that likes to convey your canine alongside, you must undoubtedly spend money on a top quality life jacket to your pup. Even canine that desire to remain on prime of a watercraft might be vulnerable to falling overboard, and it’s essential to be ready for the sudden. The Stohlquist Pup Float, which has now been accessible for about the final 5 years, is an efficient buoyancy help manufactured from light-weight foam and sturdy nylon to maintain your pup’s head above water, whether or not their foray into the water is intentional or not.

Pup Float Overview

Here is my overview of the Stohlquist Pup Float. This is a sturdy and efficient canine life jacket that’s fairly priced and comes with an incredible guarantee.

Design

The Pup Float was designed to supply flotation not solely across the canine’s chest, however below their neck as properly, which goals to maintain your canine’s head above water and the airway clear. The supplies used embody light-weight foam for buoyancy and a sturdy nylon exterior that’s each quick-drying and simple to scrub. Careful stitching with heavy-duty thread retains the Pup Float intact, making this doggie life jacket positive to face the check of time. But Stohlquist added some additional helpful options – an easy-to-grab deal with on the again, a sturdy plastic D-ring for leash attachment, and reflective accents on each the perimeters and the deal with. And two adjustable straps preserve your pup mounted in – one below the neck and one below the chest.

Variety

Currently, the Stohlquist web site reveals the Pup Float in solely two colours – blue and mango – however a 3rd choice of scorching pink is offered within the Stohlquist Amazon retailer. It additionally is available in SEVEN sizes, which ought to accommodate canine starting from lower than 10 lbs to over 90 lbs. These seven sizes are listed with advised chest circumferences and weights, however in case you have any doubt which dimension would work greatest to your canine, you possibly can attain out to their customer support for recommendation. Also, every Pup Float is supplied with two adjustable straps, so in case you comply with the sizing chart listed on their web site, you must be capable of choose the suitable match to your canine.

Warranty

Stohlquist gives a 1-year guarantee on all PFDs, together with the Pup Float, which covers flaws in craftsmanship or supplies. The web site does observe, nevertheless, that if their merchandise are used improperly or cared for in a way apart from the producer suggestions, the guarantee declare won’t be honored. One instance of a state of affairs not lined by the guarantee is that if the consumer routinely leaves the PFD out in direct solar to dry and the material colour fades consequently. So, in case you are contemplating making a guaranty declare, you must test the checklist of exclusions on their web site first, and you should have proof of unique buy. For authorised claims, Stohlquist will both restore or exchange the merchandise, however the buyer is chargeable for return transport fees.

In Summary

Key Features

Quality

The Stohlquist Pup Float is a sturdy product made with high-quality nylon that’s superb for long-term use. All supplies are joined with heavy-duty stitching – not glue or flimsy thread – making this a rugged canine life jacket that ought to maintain up it doesn’t matter what the river or ocean throws your canine’s method.

Variety

Although availability will rely upon what supply you might be buying from, there are at the moment seven sizes starting from 3XS to XL. There are additionally three colour selections – blue, mango yellow, and scorching pink. All colour and dimension choices function the identical design of two buckle factors, a chest panel, D-ring, and an easy-to-grab deal with.

Price

The value will fluctuate relying what dimension and colour you might be buying and whether or not you might be shopping for from a retail retailer, Amazon, or the model’s web site, however presently it seems you should buy a Pup Float for between $30 and $50, not together with doable transport charges. If you buy on the model web site or Amazon, you might be able to benefit from free transport.

Is the Stohlquist Pup Float a Good Value?

The value of the Stohlquist Pup Float is barely greater than most canine flotation gadgets available on the market, however roughly half the worth of the costliest manufacturers accessible. The barely larger value level of the Pup Float is probably going a results of the high-quality supplies utilized in its development, in addition to the detailed craftsmanship that it displays. Its 1-year guarantee can be beneficiant for any such canine gear. For what you get with the Stohlquist Pup Float, its pricing may be very cheap.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the Stohlquist Pup Float include a guaranty?

Pup Floats include a 1-year guarantee on supplies and workmanship. The guarantee doesn’t, nevertheless, apply to objects which have been improperly cared for, so you’ll want to test the exclusions on their web site earlier than submitting a declare. Some examples of issues not lined by this guarantee are injury attributable to a garments dryer or leaving the merchandise in direct daylight for extended intervals.

Is the Pup Float sturdy?

Yes, when taken care of correctly. The Stohlquist Pup Float is constituted of quick-drying, sturdy nylon, and options safe, detailed stitching. However, if left soaked in chlorinated water, dried within the solar or a garments dryer, or if cleaned in a washer with harsh detergents, the supplies used within the development of this life jacket will break down sooner than if cared for based on the producer’s suggestions.

Will it actually preserve my canine afloat?

That relies upon largely on the canine. For most canine, the Pup Float will show an efficient buoyancy help. But in case you have a canine with an atypical physique form, akin to an English Bulldog, Pekingese, or Dachshund, this flotation gadget could be inadequate to maintain them upright and their head above water.

Can I return this product for a refund if I don’t prefer it?

Stohlquist solely accepts returns on objects which have not been used and are nonetheless of their unique packaging with their unique tags. Unfortunately, this implies you can’t check the product and later return it to the producer. However, in case you bought your Pup Float from Amazon or an impartial retailer, you could have different choices.

Since the Pup Float has a D-ring, can my canine put on it like a harness throughout walks?

Although the Pup Float can double as a harness in some conditions, it’s not designed for true strolling security. If your canine is anxious, panics in unusual conditions, or has a historical past of attempting to slide out of conventional harnesses, you shouldn’t depend on this life jacket for a leashed stroll, even on a path on the way in which to the water. The D-ring is best suited to behave as a tether attachment to you whereas within the water or on a watercraft.

Our Experience With Stohlquist’s Pup Float

When I adopted a uncared for and unsocialized Shih Tzu-mix from the county shelter this previous spring, I by no means envisioned she would develop into an journey canine. And whereas I can’t actually say that Candy has an adventurous spirit, I can say that she has develop into so glued to me that she’s going to tolerate any escapade I could pursue! That’s why I not too long ago determined she wanted a doggie life jacket, not solely so she may be part of me within the swimming pool safely, but additionally so I could take her on my kayaking and paddleboarding journeys.

The first time I put the Stohlquist Pup Float on Candy, it was slightly tough determining the place her head and entrance legs had been presupposed to go in relation to the entrance panel. Once I received it on, nevertheless, it was straightforward to regulate to her physique – I obtained the dimensions XS, which labored properly for her at 14 lbs and with a chest circumference of 16”. It appeared a cosy match whereas nonetheless being snug to Candy, and she or he had no drawback working round whereas carrying it. I additionally actually appreciated that it has a pleasant lengthy deal with on the again which was straightforward for me to seize to drag her out of the water or to information her swimming route. And a sturdy plastic D-ring simply behind the neck was excellent for tethering her to me whereas we had been out on the water.

Overall, the Pup Float did help Candy to swim a bit simpler than she does with no flotation, however I nonetheless observed just a few instances that her blocky head was itemizing to 1 facet or the opposite like an unbalanced ship. I can’t say whether or not that is as a result of Pup Float’s design, or if that is simply an unbeatable drawback ensuing from her massive head, lengthy slender physique, and brief legs. Compared to different canine, Candy is a bit “top-heavy,” so I think different canine with related builds would possibly expertise this concern when utilizing the Pup Float.

One design function I really feel Stohlquist can enhance upon is the torso flotation attachment. The part down the again has no attachment on the very rear – the only torso strap solely goes across the widest a part of the chest – so once you pull up on the deal with, the again flotation is being pulled properly away from the canine’s physique. This makes it really feel just like the canine would possibly slip out the again of the jacket and could possibly be a difficulty with heavier canine. Stohlquist may eradicate this concern by including a second strap on the very rear that wraps across the “tuck-up” of the canine’s stomach. Not solely would the addition of a second strap make this life jacket safer and inescapable, however it will additionally help to maximise buoyancy.

Overall, Candy and I had a good time on the water utilizing this life jacket, and it undoubtedly helped her get pleasure from her swims extra. I cherished how straightforward to seize the deal with was, and the D-ring on again was undoubtedly an appreciated security function permitting me to maintain her leashed to me always.

Conclusion

The Stohlquist Pup Float is an efficient fundamental canine buoyancy help that’s each sturdy and simple to scrub. It successfully helps canine of a wide range of sizes keep afloat in deep water and may help a canine that may be a little uncertain of the water to realize the arrogance wanted to embark on any watery adventure. With an easy-to-grab deal with, a 1-year guarantee, and an affordable value level, the Pup Float could be a nice piece of security gear for a lot of canine and their homeowners.