Cut vest?

Chris you are correct, but I look at it a little different. I own and have used 4 different styles of Uglydog vests. I own and have used 3 different styles of breast plates. So I think I can speak from experience of using both types.

Breast plates are designed for big leggy dogs with good holding style. Part of the protection is in the ability of the dog to move very well and the dog stays cooler while caught for long periods. I would not say the protection is "nominal" I would say it is very good.

A full vest does offer more "coverage", but it is much hotter and limits the dogs ability to move. For a dog to be athletic it needs to be able to spread its elbows without restriction. That is a problem with most conventional small leg hole vests. This coupled with the dogs body being bound up limiting lateral movement of the spine creates a situation where the dog "needs" the full coverage because he can't move well enough on a bad boar to keep his feet and/or position. Also the dog is working against the boar as well as the vest at times and this increases the work load for the dog and creates more heat.

Each of us needs to evaluate our dogs size and holding style coupled with how we use them and in what conditions. Then pick the best protection for the dog.

Brest plates are not for every dog, but to dismiss them is a mistake they are/can be very effective protection.

I have had fewer cuts to my catch dog while it was wearing a breast plate than I have had while they were wearing a full vest, as well as a drastic reduction in problems with heat exhaustion.