I am fixing to order my first set of Lewis dog boots. Should I get vented or not? I can't really tell if the little holes are small enough that a sand burr cant get through. It looks like it is but I wanted to see which ones y'all buy, I know there are a few on here that use them. We haven't needed any boots at our place in Oklahoma but the ranch we guided on in West Texas was covered in stickers so I want to have several sets of good boots ready for this next year.

What purpose would the vents serve?

Water drainage I would assume.

I would not get the vented boots.

Good post CC, my lease has burrs from hell. My wimpy GSP will be getting a set also

Where are y'all ordering your boots from?

kinda what I figured. Wonder if a red hot nail would let you vent the unvented ones where you want to.

non vented as a wet foot is no danger but a burr or small rock under a pad in a boot is bad news.

They recommend vented unless you are in ice and snow it says.

I would think the vents would let sand in.

I was thinking the same thing but I guess sand isn't that big of a deal really. I guess since they recommend the vented, I will get them then if I don't like them, I'll send em back.
I need about four new sets of boots by February, figured I better start figuring out which ones I am going with. I liked the ones that are almost like a human tennis shoe they worked great but after using them for 2 years then put them up for a couple of years since we didn't need them, they fell apart when I used them again. Plus they were $60 a set. We had four sets, they all did the same thing.
I like the nylon boots for ease of use but they are only good for the sand / grass burrs. The place I need boots for, has Prickly pear and that Cholla or Chulla Cactus, that stuff is mean.

Cactus thorns are hard to protect against. I always check the dogs for them after every hunt. They always need some pulled out.

Do you guys keep boots on your dog the whole time you're hunting around cactus? Prickly pear doesn't seem to bother my dog too much, though he'll high-step his way back with a dove after barreling through a patch. My concern is that I know they can get lodged in their feet and travel deeper without you knowing and that can cause some real issues.

If my dogs have one deep they'll let me know. Saw one limping bad one day. After a close inspection found a mesquite thorn in a pad. Had to pull it out with tweezers. Broke off flush, about an inch long. It the small hair-like prickly pear stickers I have trouble with. Usually in tops of feet and on front of front legs

Yes, when hunting in rough country, I put their boot on 1st thing in the morning and leave them on till we are done. Unless it's an older dog that I know is done for the day, then I take them off when I put them up.

I have used Lewis boots for better than 20 years. I cannot tell any difference in vented and non vented. the vent are not big enough for sand burrs to enter. I normally only boot front feet unless sand burrs are really bad. I have one dog that only needs front feet booted, I have another that if any burrs exist need all four feet booted. My best Bud that hunts Brits has to boot all 4 all the time. Good luck. I recommend that you buy boots smaller than you believe you need and order 2 sets per dog. You will loose some. If you are hunting after a rain you normally do not need to boot the dog.

Good to know! I'll order a set.

I have used motorcycle tubes with some success. I leave the toe end open You can't beat the price.

I have used motorcycle tubes with some success. I leave the toe end open You can't beat the price.

I definitely would not buy a size too small. They will rub the top of there foot raw Especially if you hunt multiple days. Plan on losing a few until you figure out how to put them on correctly

I have two pairs of non vented. Worked well for me.

Strange, I have hunted multiple days as in weeks for 20 years and have never had that problem, and with 10 dogs that are booted almost everyday they hunt you would think I would have seen it. I believe I said smaller than you think, I did not say too small. It has been my experience they buy boots which are to big. Moving on, how long does it take you to boot a dog and what is your method?

I ordered medium and they would only fit Star. So I kept one set for her and sent the others back to exchange for large. I got vented. They look like they will be pretty good. I'm going to try the method that Steve shows on the Gun dog supply website for installation.

Excellent video, exactly how I have done it for at least 15 years and it works excellent.