We often like to get volunteers to help with Foundation Findings. They rarely complain, are always eager to help and will usually work for food. Never before have we experienced such an eager volunteer group than on a hot summer test day in 2011 when we tested life jackets for dogs. Eight dogs and as many handlers made for a great day of swimming, sunning and slobbering, all in the name of finding suitable flotation devices for dogs of just about any size.

We first tested dog life jackets back in 2000 when there were only a handful of options. Of all the topics we've covered over the years, our 2000 report is consistently one of the most searched-for articles on our website. So now over a decade later we figured it was time to update pet owners on what's new since many new doggie life jackets have come to market that are practical, reliable and affordable.

To our surprise, we found great variety and availability at boating stores, pet stores and some large box stores. Our focus was primarily on finding a good performing jacket that was comfortable both on land and in the water. There are no standards in life jacket design for dogs, and the Coast Guard doesn't certify them, so it's up to the owner to find a jacket suitable for their dog.

Overall, we found that each manufacturer offered a life jacket model that is available in a variety of sizes, typically from small to extra large. However, some brands were better suited for certain sized dogs. The following pages are highlights of the eight life jackets we evaluated arranged in no particular order, with accompanying video to show them in action.