Kurgo Surf n’ Turf Dog Life Jacket

The Kurgo Surf n’ Turf is a dog life jacket with two lift handles, two metal D-rings for a leash and reflective accents. Kurgo sizes it by chest and neck.

Who it suits

Owners who want a leash point on the jacket itself and two handles for lifting. Treeline Review found it less buoyant than the bulkier Non-stop Protector.

Key facts

• Chest sizes from XS 14 to 20 inches up to XL 35 to 45 inches, with a neck measurement too; the fit should be snug but not restrictive (Kurgo)
• 400D and ripstop shell with inside flotation material and a neoprene liner (Kurgo)
• Two transverse handles to help lift your dog out (Kurgo)
• Two metal D-rings for leash attachment, one doubling as a bottle opener (Kurgo)
• Three adjustment points with quick release buckles; high contrast color and reflective accents (Kurgo)

What reviewers say

Treeline Review named it the best affordable life jacket after ocean testing and found it “Easy to spot in the water and on land”, but with “Less buoyancy than the Protector” and straps that “have no padding”.

In the BoatUS Foundation beach swim test (2021) it “Floated the dogs well and high” and was picked for most features. Whole Dog Journal (2021) noted its belly panels are “not designed to meet or overlap”. We did not test it ourselves.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Two handles and two metal D-rings, per the maker
• Pro: BoatUS found it “Floated the dogs well and high”
• Pro: Treeline found it easy to spot in the water and on land
• Con: Treeline found it less buoyant than the Non-stop Protector
• Con: Treeline notes the straps have no padding
• Con: Belly panels do not meet or overlap (Whole Dog Journal)

Cautions

• Never leave your dog unsupervised in or near water, even in a life jacket; the AKC and VCA both say so.
• Check the fit before every outing: snug, with room for about two fingers under the straps (AKC), and make sure you can lift your dog by the handle.
• Let your dog get used to the jacket on land first, as the ASPCA suggests, before the first swim.
• Dog life jackets are not Coast Guard certified and there is no design standard for them (BoatUS Foundation).
• If your dog shivers, vomits or seems unwell after swimming, contact your vet.