Tough, Versatile Swimming Safety: NRS Canine Flotation Device Review

It’s a rare sunny day in the Pacific Northwest, perfect for a long dog walk. Suddenly, Leo, my new husky-malamute mix, takes off at a full sprint. His leash slips taut in my hand as he darts straight toward the Columbia River.

Before I can react, the bungee leash snaps with a sharp twang. I stumble forward, struggling to keep my footing. Unfazed, Leo charges ahead, diving headfirst into the water with a triumphant splash.

Flash forward 3 years, and Leo is still crazy about water. It’s easy to get him to go for a swim. But, finding a life jacket that fits his large, muscular build is another story. Most are not long enough to cover his back and restrict his shoulder movement, which makes swimming awkward.

But recently, I discovered the NRS Canine Flotation Device (CFD). With its long back panel, open shoulder design, and durable construction, the NRS CFD offers unmatched comfort and security. I’ve tested it on paddleboarding adventures and long river fetch sessions. It lasted through all of Leo’s high-energy antics. For a dog like him, who never does anything halfway, the NRS CFD is a perfect match.

In short: The NRS Canine Flotation Device is an ideal life jacket for dogs of all sizes, especially large breeds. It provides a comfortable swimming experience, does not restrict movement, and is durable enough for outback adventures. Whether you have a dock-diving pup, a paddle companion, or a boat-dweller, the NRS CFD delivers safety and comfort on the water.

Compare the NRS Canine Flotation Device to the rest in our Best Dog Life Jackets buyer’s guide.

NRS Canine Flotation Device Review

First Impressions

What stood out to me about the NRS Canine Flotation Device is how its design accommodates a dog’s natural shape and movement. Unlike some jackets that completely cover the front shoulders or sit too high on the back, the NRS CFD leaves the shoulders free for complete mobility and extends far enough down the back to avoid limiting motion in or out of the water.

This design makes it a better fit for dogs who are active swimmers or need the freedom to move comfortably on land and in water.

Construction & Features

The NRS CFD offers essential buoyancy for dogs enjoying water activities, ensuring they stay safe without hindering their natural movements. 

Constructed from ripstop nylon, it withstands rough play and outdoor adventures, from paddling along a river to romping through a canyon. Its seven-panel design provides a secure fit, featuring two buckled side straps and a ladder lock adjustment at the neck for customization. 

The additional foam under the neck and belly enhances buoyancy during challenging swims.

Equally functional on land, the CFD doubles as a walking harness with a D-ring for leash attachment. Reflective accents throughout the jacket improve visibility in low-light conditions, promoting safety during dusk or dawn outings.

An integrated grab handle is another excellent feature that simplifies lifting your dog back into the boat after a swim. Located on the center back of the vest, it helps me pull him back up onto the board. The construction is suitable even for pulling dogs upward of 80 pounds back onboard with minimal issues. 

Available in sizes XS to XL, the jacket’s weight varies accordingly, ensuring comfort and proper flotation based on your dog’s size. While not Coast Guard-approved, the NRS Canine Flotation Device keeps your canine companion above water and minimizes the work they need to do while on a swim.  

Sizing & Fit

My top priorities for a dog life jacket are mobility, fit, and adjustability. With the NRS CFD, size extra-large (XL) fits my largest dog, a husky/malamute mix. While Leo was my primary test subject, I tried the vest on my other two slightly smaller dogs and one of my friends’ large Labrador retrievers to test adjustability and accuracy of fit.

We spent time using the life vest while stand-up paddleboarding on lakes and rivers in Central Washington, but it also made an appearance on a few river trips in Arizona. 

When fitting the dogs, I found it well-made and easy to adjust, even for Leo, who has a slim waist and deep chest. The XL size fit him well, but in the future, I will account for the impact that water has on his body size. As a husky mix, his fluffy hair throws off sizing, and I always need to readjust his life vest once he gets wet.

There is a little wiggle room in the vest when he is wet, but it doesn’t impede his movements. It isn’t a safety issue, but pay extra close attention to the sizing guide on these jackets so you get the right fit.

Room for Improvement

I encountered some pain points with the neck straps, reflective taping, and the D-ring attachment.

Neck Adjustment Is Awkward

Putting the vest onto Leo isn’t difficult since he is a very relaxed dog and typically easily approachable. However, the under-the-neck adjustment does not have a buckle, which can make it more difficult to take on and off.

For Leo, it typically gets caught up on his collar, and I need to take his collar off or loosen the neck portion to fit it over his head. One easy fix for this issue would be to have a buckle here instead of a fixed adjustment strap. 

I like that the neck strap adjustment has a guard, so it is less likely to loosen while the dog is swimming and playing. This cover can get in the way while adjusting it, but I found the safety feature to outweigh any additional time I spent adjusting the collar.

Reflective Parts Lack Durability

Additionally, after just a few uses, I noticed the reflective parts starting to peel off, which is disappointing for a product at this price point. Hopefully, future versions will carry more durable reflective fabric.

The peeling isn’t super noticeable or drastic, but it is worth pointing out as having reflective markings on life vests is handy, especially when boating or camping near water at night. Typically, I attach a light beacon to the back of the life jacket to improve the dogs’ visibility as the sun sets, but I rely on the reflective strips as well. 

D-Ring Weakness

The D-ring is listed as being made from durable metal. This is seemingly true, but it somehow feels flimsier than I want it to. Whatever coating is on the metal makes it feel more like cheap plastic than metal, but if you ding it against another piece of metal, it does make a distinct metallic sound, so I believe it is indeed metal.

The attachment to the vest of this D-ring could also be improved, especially for dogs that are more prone to pulling when on a leash.

Conclusion

The NRS Canine Flotation Device (CFD) is an excellent choice for dog owners seeking a reliable life jacket that balances safety, comfort, and durability — although improvements could be made to the durability of the reflective material and leash attachment.

Designed for dogs of all sizes, particularly larger breeds or dogs with unique body shapes, it offers a secure fit without restricting movement. The ripstop nylon construction withstands rough play and outdoor adventures, making it suitable for various water activities, from paddleboarding to swimming and boating.

While I can’t ask Leo for his opinion, he has shown me a high level of comfort and ease when wearing this life jacket. When watching his body movements, like jumping off the paddleboard, playing fetch, and swimming, he appears exceptionally comfortable with the fit and mobility of the jacket.

It holds his body up in a streamlined position while swimming, and he uses noticeably less effort while wearing it than when swimming without a vest.