Upland hunting, or bird hunting, is a great way to spend time with your best friend.
Because upland birds (such as grey partridge, pheasant, grouse, and quail) tend to shelter themselves and hide in tall grass areas, hunters often use dogs to assist in the process.
These dogs not only help to flush the birds out from their hiding spots, but they also are highly valued for their ability to retrieve the birds’ bodies without causing harm to the flesh.
Certain breeds, like spaniels, pointers, and retrievers, are naturally adept at upland hunting. While they do undergo a lot of training, it’s ultimately your responsibility to ensure your dog’s safety if you choose to take him hunting with you.
That’s why it’s extremely important to follow safety precautions anytime your dog is anywhere around guns, and that means being sure he’s properly fitting with an upland hunting vest.
| Editor’s Pick | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | SafetyPUP XD Reflective Dog Vest | Check Here |
| Best Budget | Hiado Dog Reflective Safety Vest | Check Here |
| Best Splurge | Ruffwear High Visibility Track Jacket for Dogs | Check Here |
Benefits of an Upland Hunting Vest for Dogs
Increases Visibility: As any responsible hunter knows, one of the most important rules is to only shoot at something once you’re absolutely sure what it is.
And yet, a dog’s coat can easily blend into the grasses and mimic the feathers of a bird, so even the most careful eye can make a mistake, with disastrous results.
The majority of hunting vests for dogs come in a variety of colors, so you can elect for a color that will blend into the background if you so choose.
That said, it’s recommended that you go for a brighter color, like hunter orange. This stands out against the greens and browns of the grasses and makes your dog highly visible, which greatly reduces the chance of any accidents.
Provides Protection: Not only does wearing a hunting vest help to protect against your dog being accidentally shot, but it provides a barrier against the environment as well.
This can help keep him warm and dry and also guard against punctures, wounds, or scrapes from branches, thorns, and other hazards that might exist.
Below are our top dog vest picks for upland hunting.
What’s the Best Dog Vest for Upland Hunting?
1. Carhartt Chore Coat/Dog Vest
Perfect for upland and waterfowl hunting dogs, this vest is available in blaze orange and even includes two pockets. It’s made from lightweight ring-spun cotton and a water-resistant coating (a huge advantage if your dog is getting near or in the water.)
The nylon lining also helps with repelling the wind, as well as helping to provide insulation, so your dog stays warm in colder conditions. Plus, it slips off and on with ease, and you can adjust the neck and chest tabs to ensure the best fit for your dog.
Sold in sizes ranging from small to extra-large, the corduroy collar allows you fast access to your dog’s collar, so you can quickly get a grip on him if needed.
While the jacket can be washed with warm water, it’s probably best to use a cold wash to avoid shrinkage.
PROS
- Blaze orange color
- Water-resistant
- Nylon insulation
- Easily slips off and on
- Wide range of sizes
- Fast access to the collar
CONS
- Velcro may not last long
2. Funtone Colors Dog Safety Reflective Vest
A good vest for any upland hunting dog, it comes in two brightly vivid colors (yellow and orange) to ensure maximum visibility. The material is also reflective for added safety or simply for walking at night.
It’s made from 300D Oxford weave fabric, so it’s incredibly cozy and won’t snag or tangle your dog’s fur. In addition, the tight weave means that it traps body heat in, which will help keep Fido warm (and since it’s waterproof, it even doubles as a raincoat!)
Easy to use, you can simply take it off and put it back on as needed. Since the straps in the waist and shoulders are adjustable, you can get the most comfortable, secure fit possible, regardless of your canine’s size.
As a bonus, the jacket folds small for easy storage and transport and can be either washed on a gentle cycle or hand-washed.
PROS
- Two bright colors
- Reflective material
- Traps body heat in
- Waterproof
- Wide range of sizes
- Adjustable straps
- Folds small
CONS
- Not the most durable dog vest
3. Hiado Dog Reflective Safety Vest
This is not only an excellent vest for hunting, but it’s also great for keeping your dog safe from cars during walks, or simply to keep him from disappearing while out at night.
Designed for larger sized dogs, it can accommodate anywhere from a 25 to 41-inch chest. More importantly, its bright orange color is impossible to miss, so your pup won’t blend into the background.
In fact, due to the reflective paw print and stripes, he will be visible to you and others for up to five hundred feet!
Made from polyester, it’s lightweight and comfortable, yet still provides a buffer between your dog and the wind, as well as thorns and other sharp objects.
The breathable material makes it ideal for your dog to run around without getting overheated or chafed, and the jacket features simple straps that adjust around your dog’s chest, so you can get it off and back on again in a flash.
Best of all, it’s easy to care for and clean, but keep in mind that while it does provide some degree of protection against water, it won’t repel them completely.
PROS
- Bright orange color
- Reflective paw and stripes
- Lightweight
- Breathable material
- Adjustable straps
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Not water-resistant
- Only large sizes
4. Ruffwear High Visibility Track Jacket for Dogs
This highly visible, bright orange-colored vest is equipped with reflective stripes that keep your dog from blending into the background during hunting or even just a nighttime walk.
Available in every size, it can easily and safely accommodate very, very small dogs all the way up to large and extra-large breeds.
It’s made from a lightweight, incredibly durable polyester, which helps to protect against the wind and light rain, although, unfortunately, it won’t do much in a heavy downpour.
It does, however, help hold in body heat, and the loop attachment points can be quickly adjusted to fit securely to your dog’s individual size, so you don’t have to worry about it accidentally slipping off of him.
It’s also built to withstand heavy use and can be easily cleaned. Simply ensure that the loops are securely fastened, toss it in the washing machine, and use cold water and mild detergent.
Afterward, you can hang it up to quickly dry, just be sure not to use an iron or bleach on the jacket.
PROS
- Bright orange color
- Reflective stripes
- Wide range of sizes
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Hold in body heat
- Adjustable straps
- Built for heavy use
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Not as reflective as other vests
5. SafetyPUP XD Reflective Dog Vest
Here, you can have your pick of a number of different colors to maximize your dog’s visibility, including bright yellow, neon pink, blue, or a vivid red, with or without additional reflective horizontal stripes.
The combination of color and reflective material means your dog can’t easily get out of your line of sight, and that the vest keeps him visible to other hunters as well.
Available in sizes for dogs ranging from extra small to extra-large, it’s made from 300D Oxford weave, complete with double-stitched straps — a perfect combination of lightweight, comfort, and durability.
The utility strap on the side is very convenient, and the adjustable strap secures tightly around the dog’s chest.
The jacket also washes easily and does a fine job of blocking the wind and trapping in body heat, while providing a small amount of protection from the water and rain as well.
If you aren’t totally satisfied with the purchase, you can contact the seller and send it back for a refund.
PROS
- Different colors
- Reflective stripes
- Wide range of sizes
- Lightweight
- Adjustable chest strap
- Washes easily
- Traps body heat in
- Water-resistant
- Money-back guarantee
CONS
- Sizing chart can be a little off
6. SPOT THE DOG! High Visibility Dog Vest
This fluorescent orange-colored vest isn’t only incredibly bright and highly visible, but it also has strips and dots of reflective material that adds another dimension of safety.
It can accommodate dogs of all sizes, from extra small to extra-extra-large, and the comfortable material is lightweight, while still providing protection from the elements.
Also, the Velcro straps make it incredibly easy to get it on and off of your dog, and you can quickly tighten it to make sure it fits snugly against his chest.
On top of that, the jacket is tough and durable and is suitable for active dogs, though the only drawback is that you’ll get the best results out of washing it by hand.
It’s worth mentioning that this company donates 10% of its sales towards rescuing dogs in need, which is pretty awesome.
PROS
- Orange color
- Reflective stripes and dots
- Wide range of sizes
- Strong Velcro straps
- Lightweight
- Easy to get on and off
CONS
- Need to be washed by hand
What to Look for in a Dog Hunting Vest?
Bright Colors: It’s very important to be able to keep track of your dog at all times. You want him to stand out rather than being camouflaged.
The best option is to seek out a vest in blaze orange, Day-Glo green, bright red, or some other vivid color, preferably with some kind of reflective trim.
Perfect Fit: You also want something that fits your dog appropriately – too big, and he might slip out of it, while too small can be constricting and irritating.
Additionally, you should look for adjustable straps so you can adjust the length as needed. Some vests even use Velcro straps for added strength or flexibility.
Extra Durability: Since your dog is going to be running around possible rugged terrain in this vest, you’ll need a product that’s built to last.
Try to opt for cotton, polyester, canvas, and nylon, and avoid materials that are thin/weak.
Water Resistance: Hunting vests aren’t meant to be used in extreme water anyway, so you don’t necessarily need them to be 100% waterproof.
However, they should be at least somewhat water-resistant in case they get slightly wet for any reason.
