The Best Dog Vests for Hunting (High Visibility and Safety)

Key Points

• Our choice for the #1 Best Overall hunting vest for dogs is the CUGA Vest Serious Protection for the Active Dog.
• Hunting vests are designed to protect your dog from being injured by underbrush.
• Many of these vests are designed to be highly visible so you can find your dog easily and so other hunters don’t mistake your dog for game, while some dog hunting vests feature a camouflage print so the dog won’t be spotted by game as easily.
• Handles on the back of some vests allow you to assist your animal over rocks and other obstacles easily.
• When shopping for a dog hunting vest, consider the following criterion: adjustability, price, visibility, and durability.

When you’re hunting, not just any dog vest will do. Instead, you need a dog vest that was designed specifically for hunting. Typically, these vest are designed to handle the wear-and-tear of the underbrush. Usually, they also feature a high-visibility appearance so that you can actually find your canine out in the woods. A high-visibility vest can also protect your dog from being mistaken for game and being shot by another hunter.

Of course, some hunters prefer to dress their dog in a camouflaged vest so game can’t spot them as easily.

We’ve reviewed only the best dog vests for hunting below so that you can choose the one that’s right for your canine hunting partner.

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Dog Vests for Hunting

#1 Best Overall: CUGA Vest Serious Protection for the Active Dog

Our choice for the #1 Best Overall hunting vest for dogs is the CUGA Vest Serious Protection for the Active Dog. This vest is made in the US with 1,000 denier Cordura plus a double-layered 1,000 Cordura breastplate. These features will help protect your dog from barbed wire, briers, thorns, and other pointy objects that could injure your dog in the woods.

This dog vest has 6 inches of loop Velcro and 2 inches of hook Velcro that you can use to adjust it for a custom fit. The legs are designed to allow freedom of movement without chaffing.

Most reviewers said that this dog vest is well made, but several said that it didn’t fit their dogs well. It’s impossible to know whether this is a design issue or if the reviewers didn’t measure their dogs correctly before placing their orders.

Pros and Cons of the CUGA Vest Serious Protection for the Active Dog

Best Protection

CUGA Vest Serious Protection for the Active Dog

• This vest features 1,000 denier Cordura plus a double-layered 1,000 Cordura breastplate for maximum protection.
• It's designed to protect your dog from sharp objects such as barbed wire, briers, and thorns.
• The vest is adjustable with 6 inches of loop Velcro and 2 inches of hook Velcro to create a secure fit.
• The leg holes are designed to prevent chaffing.
• Machine wash, line dry.

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2. Best Camouflaged: Momarsh Adjustable Dog Vest for Waterfowl Hunting

The Momarsh Adjustable Dog Vest for Waterfowl Hunting features a unique “one size fits most” design. Six points of directional adjustment allow you to create a custom fit for most dogs with a 35″ chest that weighs 35 to 100+ pounds, regardless of their breed and size.

It features ultra-strong, premium hook and loop adjustments. A tough, rubberized chest panel provides protection where your dog needs it most. You can stow away the vest’s built-in premium paracord handle and mesh leash loop until you need them.

This hunting vest is made of high-quality 5mm rubberized Neoprene and water-repellent coated 600D poly fabric cover panels. These materials were selected to protect your dog and keep it warm in any environment.

You can purchase interchangeable Versa-Vest Cover Panels in a variety of colors for different hunting environments. These panels are removable, replaceable, and machine washable. (Sold separately.)

Several reviewers reported that this vest didn’t fit their dogs. And one said, “The vest is way too restrictive and is heavy when it is waterlogged.”

Pros and Cons of the Momarsh Adjustable Dog Vest for Waterfowl Hunting

Best for Waterfowl Hunting

Momarsh Adjustable Dog Vest for Waterfowl Hunting

• This vest features six points of multi-direction adjustment for an accurate fit.
• The premium hook and loop adjustments are ultra strong.
• Made with high-quality 5mm rubberized Neoprene and water-repellent coated 600D poly fabric cover panels to provide protection and warmth
• Features a tough, rubberized chest panel for protection from sharp objects
• A built-in paracord handle and metal leash loop can stow away when not needed.

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3. Best for Visibility: SPOT THE DOG! Reflective Safety Vest

The SPOT THE DOG! Reflective Safety Vest is our top choice for visibility. And it’s the most affordable choice, too.

This high-visibility dog safety vest is fluorescent orange with reflective dots and stripes. These features will help you find your dog if it’s in heavy brush. And the neon orange will alert other hunters to the fact that your canine isn’t a deer or other game.

It’s made from tough, durable, lightweight polyester that’s easy to clean. And it’s easy to put on and take off thanks to its adjustable hook and loop closure. It’s available in five sizes, one of which is sure to fit your hunting buddy perfectly.

Several reviewers said that they were disappointed in the quality of the fabric and expected something more substantial and durable.

Pros and Cons of the SPOT THE DOG! Reflective Safety Vest

Best for Visibility

SPOT THE DOG! Reflective Vest Safety Apparel Dogs

• This high-visibility dog safety vest is fluorescent orange with reflective dots and stripes.
• Made from tough, durable, lightweight polyester that's easy to clean
• Easy to put on and take off with an adjustable hook and loop closure

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4. Best Tactical: Goat Trail Tactical Dog Harness for Large Dogs

While it’s not technically a dog hunting vest, we included the Goat Trail Tactical Dog Harness for Large Dogs because it’s rugged, durable, and practical. This no-pull harness features a leash anchor on the front plate. This gradually conditions your dog to stop pulling because they get tired of pivoting to the side when they apply any pulling force.

This tactical harness features Bartack X stitching to prevent seams from snapping or tearing. This style of stitching extends the life of the vest.

The harness consists of a front panel and a back panel with four adjustability points for a perfect fit. It features a large, durable handle that’s sewn onto the harness so you can restrain your dog or lift it over rocks, roots, and other debris.

Metal alloy buckles are positioned around the dog’s shoulders. These buckles have been load tested up to 1,000 pounds. These buckles make this a great escape-proof harness. Two back buckles are made from high-strength composite. They’re light-weight and provide secure, day-long fit.

Finally, molle straps are sewn onto both sides so you can add modular attachments such as treat pouches (sold separately).

One reviewer didn’t appreciate that there’s no way to keep the straps from dangling, though the company’s instructions clearly say to trim excess straps with sharp scissors.

Pros and Cons of the Goat Trail Tactical Dog Harness for Large Dogs

Best Tactical

Goat Trail Tactical Dog Harness for Large Dogs

• Available in tan or black in four sizes
• This no-pull dog harness features a leash anchor on the front plate
• Bartack X stitching on joints and load-bearing points prevent seams from snapping or tearing.
• Features four adjustable points for a perfect fit
• A large handle on the back allows you to restrain your dog or assist it over rocks, roots, and other debris.

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

We highly recommend taking your time when choosing a dog harness for hunting. They are not all designed or made the same, and there are various factors you should keep in mind. For instance, adjustability, price, visibility, and durability are all quite important in a hunting dog harness.

Adjustability

If you want your dog to be comfortable, the correct fit is essential. However, you are never going to be able to find a dog harness that fits your dog perfectly right off of the shelf. Instead, you’ll need to find a harness that is almost the right size and can be adjusted the rest of the way to fit your dog perfectly.

Without a perfect fit, your dog may chafe or not have a full range of motion. Therefore, this feature is extremely essential for a hunting dog harness.

Price

We would all like not to have to worry about price when shopping. However, this is sadly not the case in most situations. You can find decent dog harnesses for hunting at a wide range of prices, and we tried to include different harnesses at various price points in our review.

However, only you know your budget, so be sure to keep it in mind when shopping.

Visibility

When you’re hunting, you need to be able to find your dog again while on the trail. Out in the middle of the woods, this can be difficult. Plus, in some situations, you’ll need other hunters to be able to spot your dog as well. In fact, a high-visibility vest could save your canine’s life by helping hunters quickly identify it as a dog, not game.

Durability

Your dog is going to be running through the underbrush with this harness on. Therefore, it is vital that it be durable and well-constructed so it can withstand the rough environment.

We recommend choosing an option that is water-proof and able to withstand other elements as well.

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• Best Puppy Harnesses
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