In Finland, the reflector season starts on October 1st. After that, morning and evening walks will practically be in the dark until April. Liikenneturva (the Finnish Road Safety Council) recommends a reflector for dogs too – not just for people.
Why a person's reflector is not enough
Many people think that if the person walking the dog has a reflector, the dog will be visible too. This is not the case. A dog on a leash moves 1–2 meters to the side and often on the roadside – exactly where a car is coming from. A dark dog completely disappears against the asphalt and the darkness.
The situation is most difficult at intersections and pedestrian crossings, where drivers look at human height. A dog moving at ground level can easily go unnoticed.
Reflector or light? Both
These are two different things, and they work in different situations.
- A reflector does not produce light itself. It reflects the light hitting it back towards the source. So, it shows up brilliantly in car headlights, but not at all if there's no light coming from anywhere.
- A light is visible on its own. It also works on dark forest paths and in yards where car lights don't reach.
In practice, the best combination is a reflective vest and a small light on the collar. Then the dog is visible both on the road and in the forest.
Vest or collar?
A reflective collar is better than nothing, but it only shows as a narrow line and only from the side. A vest covers the dog's sides and back, which means the visible surface area is many times larger, and the dog is also distinguishable from the front and back.
Our selection has two levels:
- FINNERO Forest reflective vest – a lightweight vest with a reflective strip all around. A good basic choice for everyday walks.
- FINNERO Glow fully reflective safety vest – the entire surface of the vest is reflective material, not just a strip. Visible from a 360-degree angle.
Secure fastening is Velcro, not a buckle
Both vests are fastened with Velcro. This is not a cost-saving solution but a safety issue: if the vest catches on a branch or a fence, the Velcro gives way and releases the dog. A fixed buckle will not give way.
Remember to regularly clean hair from the Velcro – a hairy Velcro will no longer hold.
Choosing the size
Measure the dog's back length from neck to the base of the tail and the chest circumference at the widest point. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one: a vest that is too short will leave the hips bare and won't fit properly.
What about when it gets frosty?
When walks get cold, reflectivity and warmth should be combined in the same garment. The FINNERO Sport jacket has a windproof outer layer, a fleece lining, and reflective details – one garment takes care of both.
And when the roads are gritted, reflective booties come into play. We will tell you more about them in our article about dog paws in winter.
In short
- Reflector season starts on October 1st – get your gear in September
- A person's reflector does not make the dog visible
- A reflector is visible in car lights, a light is visible on its own – get both
- A vest covers a larger area than a collar
- Measure back length before ordering