🦴 Updated on July 8th, 2023
Water safety is essential for French Bulldog owners because of the brachycephalic breed’s flat face and short legs, so investing in a Frenchie life jacket is a great way to help them swim.
As a recent owner of a Frenchie, I started searching for life jackets for my pup, and I’m now sharing my best finds with you.
If you’re short on time, my top pick for the best life jacket for a French Bulldog is the Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket because of its thick padding, dual safety handles, and reflective surface.
But because you might have other preferences, check out my list below.
The Best Life Jackets for a French Bulldog Reviewed
I compiled this list to help you simplify your search for the best life jacket for a French Bulldog. So, let’s break down each one’s top qualities!
Outward Hound – Best Overall
First, I’ll go over the best overall pick for the best life jacket for a French Bulldog, the Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket. Their flotation model comes in five sizes, but the medium-sized one is ideal for breeds like Frenchies.
Outward Hound life vest is available in four color options: orange, pink, yellow, or camo. Its design incorporates dual safety handles to restrain your dog or remove them from the water during an emergency.
This Frenchie vest has thick foam incorporated into its design to keep your dog afloat in deeper bodies of water. In addition, its design isn’t too bulky and has a convenient neoprene belly band that keeps it secure, giving your dog more comfort whenever they wear it.
This canine life jacket model has reflective accents for enhanced visibility, making it a great safety feature for spotting your dog while swimming.
Although this dog life jacket can keep your dog afloat and support its body, its foam chin panel’s design might not keep your Frenchie’s head above the water. The life jacket’s buckles might be hard to adjust.
Despite being made with durable materials, this life jacket might become prone to tearing at the seams.
Pros:
- Thick foam for enhanced buoyancy
- Dual safety handles
- Reflective piping
- It isn’t too bulky
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Prone to ripping at the seams
- Subpar foam chin panel
- Hard to adjust
RUFFWEAR – Most Flexible Fit
Our next option for anyone seeking the best life jacket for their French Bulldog is the RUFFWEAR Float Coat Dog Life Jacket.
I consider this one of the coziest French Bulldog life jacket options because of its signature GAIA foam material. This flexible material moves with your dog and won’t feel stiff against sensitive areas. Additionally, this material is PVC-free.
RUFFWEAR's design incorporates sheltered buckles that are easy to adjust, making it easier to stay secure on your dog's body. Another ideal feature is its telescoping neck area, which can adjust to match your dog's size.
This list vest has durable, water-compatible webbing that won’t stretch and loosen when submerged in water, making it ideal for French Bulldogs owners worried about the vest tearing at the seams after a few uses. It’s available in three colors and has reflective accents.
This model has one durable, low-profile safety handle on top, so it might not be a convenient life jacket for French Bulldog owners who prefer one with dual handles to make it easier to lift a heavier dog.
Although the RUFFWEAR Float Coat has some of the most comfortable features, it might be slightly pricey for dog owners with limited budgets.
Pros:
- Soft PVC-free GAIA foam
- Adjustable neck area
- Available in several sizes
Cons:
- Expensive
Paws Aboard – Best Sporty Design
The Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket is an excellent option for French Bulldog owners looking for a Frenchie life vest with a more sporty, sleek look.
Although it might be a little short on your dog’s topline, it provides plenty of comfort for your dog and is available in several sizes, from extra-small to extra-large. It’s available in several dynamic, bright colors and patterns.
The premium material has quick-dry and fade-resistant properties that keep it in top condition after continuous use in the water.
It has durable, flexible neoprene fabric that won’t chafe your dog’s body in water and help them stay afloat without exhausting them. This feature is ideal for dog owners looking for a French Bulldog life jacket without a bulky design.
Design-wise, it’s one of the most secure options on my list. It has adjustable straps, quick-release buckles, breathable mesh underside, and ventilated chest velcros to ensure easy setup and removal while staying secure on your pup’s body.
Although it fits well on most dogs, the Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket can run a bit large on some dogs, so you might need to adjust it accordingly to fit without making your pup feel uncomfortable.
Pros:
- Quick-dry, fade-resistant surface
- Ventilated chest velcros
- Sporty design
Cons:
- Buoyancy quality may vary
- It might run a bit large
EzyDog – Best Buoyant Materials
If you’re interested in a French Bulldog life vest with enhanced floating capabilities, look no further than the EzyDog Premium Doggy Flotation Device.
This DFD’s foam has 50% more flotation material than most standard life jackets for Frenchies. Its padding is durable and has reflective piping, making it ideal when swimming or boating by nightfall.
The EzyDog DFD incorporates a contoured neck area that helps keep your dog's head above the water, making it a great solution for any owner with a brachycephalic dog breed.
Other enhanced safety features include neoprene belly straps to keep the vest secure and attached to your dog’s torso, an ergonomic top handle for efficient grabbing, and a durable D-ring for latching onto your dog’s leash.
Although it has limited color options, it’s available in five sizes: small, medium, large, extra-small, and extra-large. The medium-sized option is ideal for French Bulldogs and other breeds weighing between 40 and 60 pounds.
However, this life vest’s sizing can be slightly off, so measuring your pup is essential if you want it to fit properly. Its design is bulky, given its padding for enhanced flotation.
Due to its enhanced buoyancy properties, it’s a bit expensive on some budgets.
Pros:
- Enhanced flotation materials
- Contoured neck support
- Convenient D-ring for leashes
Cons:
- Limited color options
- Bulky
- Expensive
Vivaglory Ripstop – Best Budget Option
Can’t find a life vest for your French Bulldog that’s affordable for your budget? If so, the Vivaglory Ripstop Dog Life Vest might be your best option.
This life jacket contains extra padding to help your Frenchie stay above the water while keeping them comfortable without restricting their movement on land and in the water.
The Vivaglory vest has a durable handle to help you grab your dog in dire emergencies. The life jacket incorporates a D-ring for your dog's leash if you want to use it as a harness near the water.
The Vivaglory incorporates velcro fastening technology to keep it secure around your dog’s neck and belly. However, the quality of the velcro may vary, so it would be wise to observe your dog’s comfort and ensure that the velcro won’t become detached while in the water.
This life jacket comes in a wide selection of vibrant colors, giving it enhanced visibility to help you spot your pup easier if you lose track of them in or out of the water. It has reflective trims to help you spot your dog easier when it gets darker.
If your dog’s measurements are between two sizes, I recommend sizing up.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable handle
- Enhanced padding
Cons:
- Velcro quality varies
Queenmore Ripstop – Best Lightweight Option
The Queenmore Ripstop Dog Life Vest is your best option if you’re looking for a more lightweight Frenchie vest when taking them by the water.
It has durable polyester fabric that helps your Frenchie float while swimming. The Queenmore has a mesh underbelly with great drainage and drying properties.
This waterproof swimming vest has reflective stripes and comes in several bold colors to increase your dog's visibility at any time of the day. Its design incorporates a small, stylish shark fin.
The Queenmore is available in several sizes, but I recommend their medium model for your French Bulldog. Occasionally, this life jacket can be prone to being slightly stiff and bulky, so it would be wise to measure your dog before choosing an ideal size for them.
Owners who prioritize their dog’s safety when taking them for a swim or ride on a boat will enjoy this life jacket’s other safety features. It has a sturdy nylon handle to lift your dog out of the water or restrain them quickly and a D-ring for your dog’s leash.
Despite the life vest’s buoyant properties, the Queenmore’s foam might be too thin to support some French Bulldogs’ weights.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Thin fabric
Petglad – Best Option with a Neck Float
Finding a French Bulldog swim vest that matches your breed’s needs can be challenging. Thankfully, the Petglad French Bulldog Life Jacket has a cozy and convenient removable neck float to keep their head and snout above the water.
If you’re teaching your Frenchie how to swim, this life jacket’s durable back handle is ideal for moving your pup through the water to encourage them to use their legs to maneuver. It’s a great tool for grabbing your dog if you need to quickly remove them from the water.
The life jacket’s bright color options are stylish and functional, making your dog stand out on land and in the water.
This Petglad life jacket is made with quality EPE pearl cotton and ripstop oxford fabrics to ensure enhanced buoyancy. Therefore, your French Bulldog can stay afloat with the vest without tiring out too quickly. You can clean it easily with a damp cloth.
It’s available in two chest girth ranges: 16.5 to 29.5 inches and 22.5 to 34.6 inches. However, this life jacket is only suitable for adult French Bulldogs due to these girth measurements, so you’ll need to consider other options if you have a younger, smaller dog.
Pros:
- Removable neck float
- Made with durable EPE pearl cotton and oxford fabrics
- Durable rescue handle and D-ring
Cons:
- Only suitable for adult French Bulldogs
ASENKU – Best for Stylish Design Options
ASENKU offers the best life jacket for French Bulldog owners interested in giving their dogs a little more style while enjoying their swim. Their life jackets are available in several sizes and colors and incorporate a shark fin or mermaid tail to give their designs a bold look.
Besides having a stylish design, the ASENKU incorporates several practical features that enhance your dog’s safety while keeping the vest sleek.
The waterproof materials provide extra warmth and comfort for your dog, making it an ideal coat when the weather gets slightly colder.
For instance, it has an adjustable belt for your dog’s belly, several quick-release buckles, and a heavy-duty D-ring for walking with a leash. Its safety handle on top is thick and durable.
The ASENKU Dog Life Jacket has decent flotation capability. The life vest’s waterproof properties make it a great option for dog owners looking for something with excellent drainage. It dries within minutes because of its efficient inner fabric.
Unfortunately, it’s prone to tearing at the seams when placed in the water for extended periods. The sizing can feel slightly off, specifically near the chest area if your French Bulldog has a stockier build.
Pros:
- Easy to adjust
- Dries quickly
- Stylish shark and mermaid designs
Cons:
- Durability may vary
Buying Guide for Choosing the Best Life Jacket for a French Bulldog
Before narrowing down your top options for the best life jacket for your French Bulldog, there are several things you must consider when choosing one that matches your needs.
Features to Consider
When selecting a French Bulldog life vest, you’ll need to consider several factors to ensure your dog’s comfort and safety in the water.
For instance, it should match your dog’s size and weight. Be sure to take proper measurements of your dog’s neck and chest girth before choosing a life vest.
You should consider finding one with bright colors and reflective strips to increase your Frenchie’s visibility in the water, especially at dusk.
Additionally, French Bulldog life jackets with safety handles and foam neck floats are excellent additions for preventing emergencies while swimming.
Why Does My Frenchie Need a Life Jacket?
Frenchies have trouble swimming because of their short faces, breathing issues, and compact bodies. A life jacket is an essential tool for dog owners to invest in that helps them keep their heads above the water and prevent this brachycephalic breed from drowning.
How Do I Get My Frenchie Used to Their Life Jacket?
Some French Bulldogs might have trouble getting accustomed to a life jacket, so I recommend letting them wear one for brief periods every day before taking them to the water.
Be sure to reward them with treats so they can associate wearing their vest with something positive, especially when they’re young.
So What’s the Best Life Jacket for a French Bulldog?
French Bulldogs can have as much fun as your other dogs in the water if they have a functional life jacket to keep them safe.
Although all eight of our options are great for dogs, I decided that Outward Hound Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket is the best life jacket for your French Bulldog because of its enhanced buoyancy and safety features.
Outward Hound life vest is available in four color options: orange, pink, yellow, or camo. Its design incorporates dual safety handles to restrain your dog or remove them from the water during an emergency.
