Dog cooling vest for Pointers — best fit

So your Pointer has grown out of the previous vest — that's actually a common issue with this breed because they have such a deep chest and lean waist, which makes standard sizing tricky. Before I point you to the right next size, a quick note: heatstroke is a genuine risk in hot weather, and Pointers are working dogs who often push themselves even when they're hot. Cooling vests use evaporative cooling, so they need to be wetted before use and work best in drier conditions — high humidity reduces their effectiveness. Can you tell me roughly how much your dog weighs now, what climate or situation you're dealing with, and how active he or she is in the heat?

That's a really important detail — a dog who won't self-regulate in the heat needs a vest that actually stays put during movement, not just one that looks right at rest. At 28kg with a Pointer's build, fit is the main challenge. What vest was she in before, and where was it failing — slipping, gaping at the chest, or just too short in the body?

That's a fit problem as much as a size problem. A vest that migrates backwards isn't cooling the right areas — you want coverage over the shoulders, back, and flanks where the big blood vessels run close to the surface. For a 28kg active Pointer, I'd go with the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler in size Large. It's specifically designed for deep-chested dogs, has a proper harness-style fit with a chest strap that stops it riding back, and the evaporative material is genuinely effective — not just a thin layer of fabric. It's more expensive than pet shop options but built for exactly the scenario you're describing: a dog doing real work in the heat. Wet it thoroughly before you go out, re-wet every 30–40 minutes in the field, and watch for panting that doesn't ease after a few minutes of rest regardless of the vest.

Always measure before ordering — don't rely on weight alone. For the Swamp Cooler you need her girth measurement, which is the widest point around her rib cage. Ruffwear publishes their size chart on the product page and it's reliable. At 28kg a Pointer will often sit right on the Large/XL boundary depending on how broad her chest is, so that measurement will tell you definitively. If she's borderline, go up — a slightly roomier vest can be cinched in; one that's too tight won't evaporate properly and will restrict her movement.

Good plan. One last thing worth knowing: on days above about 25°C, try to do the heavy field work before 10am or after 6pm regardless of the vest. The cooling vest buys you margin, it doesn't eliminate the risk. Enjoy the season with her.