Even long haired breeds, such as this show poodle, appreciate the protection these items provide their coat.  It keeps the animal clean and keeps the show coat from suffering damage and breakage while the animal is just hanging out being a dog. 

Then, there are dogs who do things they would never naturally do in the wild, (like fork over a freshly grabbed duck), and they aren’t exactly careful with their bodies if you have seen a lab play in the water lately.  These vests protect the dog from sticks and other unseen debris in the field and in the water that might otherwise cut the dog’s skin or cause it injury.  It is also an excellent emergency grab point should the dog go under the water and not come up, or suffer fatigue and not be able to get into the boat or onto the shore on it’s own.

Sometimes, like when out on the water boating, they may not appreciate it, but safety says it’s  a must if they want to go.  That’s just life, like it or not, and I have never seen a wolf or hyena of any kind in the wild out for a day of fun in the sun and margaritas on a Bay-liner.  Not to mention old ma nature doesn’t really care how many of her canines drown in the water every year, and most of us get pretty touchy about simply the thought of such a loss. 

Seeing Eye dogs wear clothing to identify them as required by law, police dogs wear protective gear to do their jobs as safely as possible.  And some dogs just love to feel fabulous, and will dance if you hold their dog collar above their heads, barking and throwing a fit until they can have their special necklace back.  There are many reasons to sit back and give in to the fact that these animals are no longer wild at all and are officially a permanent part of our human world.  We are just going to have to get used to it, and once we do it can be a whole lot of fun for everyone involved.