Not every dog is a natural swimmer. Deep chests, short legs, heavy muscle and flat faces all make it harder to stay level in the water, and a dog that is perfectly fine wading in a shallow lake can get into trouble quickly off the back of a boat or in a current.

This life jacket adds buoyancy across the chest and belly, so your dog floats level instead of paddling vertically and wearing themselves out. It is polyester, so it sheds water rather than soaking it up and turning heavy halfway through the afternoon, and it dries fast once you are back on shore.

It is also, unapologetically, a shark. A stand-up dorsal fin runs along the back and a matching tail flap sits at the rear, which is the reason most people end up buying this one over a plain vest. Six sizes from XS to 2XL, in four colourways. The bright colours are doing a job, not just looking good: a dog in open water is far easier to keep track of in a bright jacket than in wet, dark fur.

• Adds buoyancy across the chest and belly to keep your dog level in the water
• Stand-up shark dorsal fin and matching tail flap
• Quick-drying polyester that does not soak up and hold water
• Padded neck float and adjustable webbing straps with side-release buckles
• Six sizes from XS to 2XL, in four bright colourways

Size guide

How to measure: back length runs along your dog's spine from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Neck is measured where a collar sits. Take both measurements before ordering rather than guessing from your dog's weight.

This jacket runs small. Even the 2XL is cut for a small to medium dog rather than a large breed, so go by the measurements above and not by the size letter you would normally buy. If your dog measures between two sizes, take the larger one.

A life jacket is not a substitute for supervision. Keep your dog in sight any time they are in or near water, and check that the fit is still snug before every outing.

A day on the water usually ends with a soaked dog in your back seat. The waterproof car seat cover keeps that off your upholstery, and the portable dog water bottle matters more than people expect, since dogs swimming in lake or sea water still need fresh water to drink.

Not sure which size? Email support@wagbase.ca with your pet's weight and measurements and we will tell you which to order.

Shipping is free across Canada and the United States, with no minimum order. Orders usually enter fulfillment within about 24 hours and ship within 1 to 3 business days. Once shipped, delivery takes 4 to 10 business days, with most orders arriving within 4 to 7. You get a tracking number by email the moment it ships.

You have 30 days from delivery to return anything, for any reason, with no explanation needed and no restocking fee. Email support@wagbase.ca with your order number and we will send the return address. On change-of-mind returns the return postage is yours to cover.

If it arrives damaged, defective or wrong, send a photo within 30 days. We replace it or refund it and you ship nothing back.

Cancellations are free any time before the order ships.

Tell us the breed, the size and what has not worked before. We will tell you whether this is the right one, or point you at something else. Email support@wagbase.ca.