My experience with my 12 YO, all liver GSP. I got her an orange vest similar to the skid plate above. The orange was more of a benefit than it protecting from injury. She was stuck with a stick between her chest and front leg right where the vest ended. A long day of hunting ended with her being raw under her front legs from all the rubbing. Vaseline was a little helpful, but still needed a few days to heal before the vest could be worn again. So, vest or no vest is really a pick-em in my eyes, but I'd likely have one available for all the more they cost and use it when I really felt it necessary. Good luck!

I have never used vests and I have never seen any dogs I hunt with wearing one and we hunt some tough stuff at times.