ISO dog boot recommendations

Bonnie_Springer

Bonnie_Springer

New member
I am looking for dog boot recommendations. Specifically ones that can hold up to cactus. I have an 11 month old Springer Spaniel and we are hunting South Dakota prairie lands that are pretty cactus ridden. Not big cactus but small ones that sometimes completely cover the ground. She's been ok so far but I don't want to take the risk if there is a good solution.
 
I tried some homemade inner tube ones last year. Worked fine on sand buds. Not sure how canvas would do on long spines like that. I think the Lewis would repel them. There are videos out there on putting them on correctly.
 
I've used these Sylmar dog boots from Gun Dog Supply. Easy on and easy off. You can put some duck tape around the top to help them stay of but I really haven't needed to. If you do lose one they are quite inexpensive to buy two sets so you have some spares. Lewis are good just a little more difficult to put on and off. Gun Dog supplu has a video of how to put on the Lewis boots.

www.gundogsupply.com

ORANGE Sylmar Cordura Nylon Dog Boots

ORANGE Sylmar Cordura Nylon Dog Boots. We make these ourselves right here in MS Lightweight, easy-on, and extremely tough$15.95 (Save $7.00) Not intended for use on pavement or concrete. Sylmar Cordura Nylon Dog Boots are lightweight and extremely tough. Use to protect your dog's feet from...
www.gundogsupply.com www.gundogsupply.com
 
I've never hunted an area with my dogs that we had to deal with cactus but we are going to some new areas this year and you guys have me thinking it might be a good idea to have some boots in the truck....just in case.
 
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The only time I ever hunted around much cactus, I didn't really have a problem with feet. I had more of a problem with spines getting into the front of their legs. There were so many that I gave up pulling them out and the dogs either got them or they worked themselves out on their own.
 
Mosby said:
I've never hunted an area with my dogs that we had to deal cactus but we are going to some new areas this year and you guys have me thinking it might be a good idea to have some boots in the truck....just in case.
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I've never felt the need for boots in SD but there probably are some areas where sand burrs might be an issue. The only time I ran into a big sand burr problem was in Kansas. But I always carry a set of the Sylmar booties with in my vehicle when hunting. Also works good if your dog would cut a pad or rip a toe nail.
 
Dakotazeb said:
I've never felt the need for boots in SD but there probably are some areas where sand burrs might be an issue. The only time I ran into a big sand burr problem was in Kansas. But I always carry a set of the Sylmar booties with in my vehicle when hunting. Also works good if your dog would cut a pad or rip a toe nail.
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We've been out to this area twice now, and she has done fine. Our friend took his lab out, and the poor thing was miserable. I might grab a pair like you said and keep them in the hunting pack just in case.
 
I think i have posted this before, but go to youtube and search for how to boot a dog. The best way in my opinion is to make your own out of motorcycle tire tubes. They are cheap, last forever, and offer the best protection. I can boot a dog's front feet in less than 5 minutes. The "store bought" ones are expensive and not as good. Video is with Dr. Dale Rollins and Rick Snipes. I hunt rocky, prickly pear, and sand burr areas here in NM and it offers the best protection in any of these enviroments. If in bad sand burr or the low prickly pear country you might have to boot all four feet. I have hunted that low prickly pear that covers 80% of the ground and super sharp rocky country and my dogs breeze thru it. the homemade boots do rub some hair off the tops of their toes but not a big deal.
 
Make sure you do the Lewis boots where it is really dry and get good tape contact. Expensive when they throw a boot.
 
I have had one dog throw a homemade boot in the last 3 years and I lost about $2 so no big deal. The problem was my older dog had bigger feet than the younger dog and I forgot the younger dog's boots at home.
 
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