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Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 126 Location: Duluth, MN

My lab Stieg is an aggressive hunter who has no resistance to getting into the "thick" stuff when we are grouse hunting. That is great for finding birds, but every time we went out, he would end up with lacerations on his face and eyes that were irritated, swollen and weepy.

I ran into a product called Rex Specs. They are goggles designed specifically for dogs. I have to say it has been revolutionary! Stieg has not lost anything in his ability to hunt, retrieve and enjoy the woods, but his face and eyes have been free of injury since I started using them.

They look a little goofy, but I feel good about protecting that precious eyesight! I have no connection with the company or its product other than being a very happy customer.

I will have to take it with my dogs if they are willing to take that fashion risk to avoid eye injury. Once a season, one of them will get a scratch on the eye and be placed on injured reserve and wear the cone of ignorance/shame. Thanks for the heads-up. Gil

Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 126 Location: Duluth, MN

Definitely a fashion risk! But it also tends to bring on pretty big smiles from people who see them.

I will say that the lenses do get scratched up a bit, and it is a little unnerving at first to hear the all the branches bouncing off the lenses as your dog treks through the woods. But in truth, after a brief introduction period, Stieg does not seemed to be hampered by his ability to see what he needs to see.

He is at the point now when he gets excited when he sees me pick up the goggles, because he knows he is going hunting!

That's pretty cool. I am enroute to the vet right now because my wirehair has a 3rd lens that won't retract. Probably hurt his eye hunting.

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

A friend of mine has a lab that loves to ride in the side-car of his motorcycle- if unprotected from the wind, the dogs eyes would be injured. the dog wears a product similar to above, called Doggles. the dog loves to see my friend getting the Doggles out because he knows what comes next.

Member Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 592 Location: Minnesota

I think Stieg looks pretty cool!!

Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 684 Location: Ontario

All I'm seeing is one happy dog!

Any problem with fogging?

Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 126 Location: Duluth, MN

They are well vented and no fogging to speak of. I have noticed the only time that they fog slightly is when he is not in motion. But then my shooting glasses fog when I stand still too long also. Smile

Honestly, I have been impressed with how well they just work. Lenses are getting pretty scratched, so I imagine that a new replacement lense each season will be required.

Member Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Posts: 829 Location: SW Ohio

There is product called Doggles
https://woof.doggles.com

We use them with a special lens that is put in to protect the eyes when getting therapy laser treatments. But you can get them with various lenses.

My dog does fine when I put them on for a treatment, but never tried to work with them on. They seems less bulky than the Rex goggles, but would have to experiment to see which would stay on better.

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 126 Location: Duluth, MN

I have never tried the doggles before, so I cannot say for sure how well the stay on. Others have told me that they work great for motorcycle riding etc, but are hard to keep on the dog in heavy cover. I haven't tried them, so I can't vouch for that personally.

http://www.rexspecs.com/blogs/news/110120262-injury-prevention-and-protection-for-you

I can say that several military training and search and rescue organizations have selected the REX specs.

http://www.rexspecs.com/blogs/news/salute-to-our-working-dogs-handlers-bert-troncoso-and-rev

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4839595009001/explosive-detection-dogs-complete-helicopter-training/?playlist_id=930909787001#sp=show-clips

I was drawn to them because they use an attachment method much like the gentle leader so I knew they would stay on in thick grouse cover. And while they are larger, my thought is that they would obstruct vision less.

That being said, I do not have a stake in the company and just wanted to relay that I found a way to stop the constant eye injuries I was battling in the past.