We have coated breeds (Welsh & Eng Springers), in full coat & live in the mega Tropics & we use the 'cool champion' ones. We have quite a few per dog & each dog goes through at least 2 per show. Our shows are mostly held at night in temps averaging around the 25'C+ mark & this time of the year 80%+ humidity. It is heaps cooler in the dry. Anyway, if we are 1st group & with the ESS amongst the 1st breeds in the ring - in temps of nearer 30' (it cools as the sun drops), we have found the coats quite adequate.
We also do Trials & Gundog stuff - the coats can be wetter for trials of course - 'cos if the feathers are a bit damp it doesn't matter as much.
With the 'Cool Champs' ones, we do them the night before the show, wring them out REALLY well (we even give them a quick light spin in the machine sometimes - although the makers say DON'T! we have had no problems & they work just as well & have never come apart). We then bag them & place in the fridge until we leave the next evening. They are then put into an esky with ice - either those frozen blue brick jobs or actual ice. I prefer the block ice as the cubes melt quicker & can wet the coats to much again (usually 'cos we haven't shut the coat bags properly! LOL!). They are icey cold & the dogs will stop panting & settle fairly soon after they go on. It is so hot & as they lose their 'coolness' quickly (due to our high temps) it has never caused any chill issues with the dogs. We change into fresh coats as required - the old ones getting put back into the esky in their sealed bags in case we need them again, as they cool quickly enough to be used again.
I have seen ours sitting on their trolleys, calm, looking about & not panting, & other short coated breeds on the showground panting away like mad - so - they do work.
The secret is to get them fairly dry, but cold, for the coated breeds - the Springers don't look good wet for the ring (although they love being wet) - plus after all the blow drying/grooming etc I would personally go mad! LOL! We don't use the mats at shows as the dogs get too damp - maybe we are doing it wrong? Anyhow, the coats work brilliantly.
I have seen the Golden people soaking the same brand under the taps then rolling them into towels & with a person each end, wring the coats really hard out that way & that works well for them. Hard to do that one on your own effectively though. A two person job.
You can use the coats on long haired breeds - just a bit more effort required to get sorted & find out what works best for you. We wouldn't go to a show/trial or travel without them - they are as important as drinking water etc! If travelling (& we can travel 3000 kms round trip for a show from here), they go into the car fridge, always, just in case we need them, or get stuck on the road or some drama happens. When dried out, they can be used in reverse - to keep the animals warm if needed.
