![]() ![]() Velcro is convenient and adjustable but tends to lose its clinginess as it gets clogged with lint and fur. Multi-step closures tend to be more secure, so they can work well for escape artists or long hikes but may be impractical for quick potty walks. Most styles have pros and cons and are better suited for some purposes more than others. ![]() Type of Closure: Your dog’s coat may be fastened with a zipper, Velcro, buckles, adjustable straps, drawstrings, or any combination thereof. Some coats have a convenient built-in D-ring, eliminating the need for additional walk wear. If their harness has a front leash attachment, you will be able to access it without a leash slit. If you have more than one harness, it’s helpful to keep one adjusted for over-the-coat use and one for days when they’ll wear their harness directly against their body. If your dog’s coat is formfitting, they can wear the harness over their coat. Harness Compatibility: Most coats have a slit in the back through which you can thread your dog’s leash to attach to their harness. While those with a fluffy double fur coat, like the Siberian Husky, may not need as much protection, even the dogs of the Iditarod wear jackets in wet weather or extremely cold conditions. ![]() For example, single-coated breeds like Greyhounds and Yorkies may get cold more easily than Labrador Retrievers and Pomeranians, who have an insulating undercoat. The length of your dog’s fur does not always correlate with their cold tolerance. Puppies and seniors tend to have trouble regulating their body temperature. Small dogs have a higher skin-to-body ratio, so they lose heat faster than large dogs. Take into consideration not only how cold the weather will get in your region, but how well your dog tolerates it. Some coats have slightly extended sleeves that cover part of the front legs, and some extend higher on the neck than others. On especially cold days, you may need a coat with built-in insulation, or you might need to layer it over a sweater or fleece. Chest and belly coverage protects them when they walk through deep snow or when they kick up slush. Weather Conditions: Ideally, your dog’s winter coat will have a waterproof exterior and extend from the neck to the base of the tail (or longer). For hard-to-fit breeds, such as long-bodied Dachshunds and Corgis and lean, deep-chested Greyhounds and Whippets, adjustable straps and stretchy fabrics are a lifesaver. If your dog has a deep chest, you might need to size up, which sometimes results in the rest of the coat being too big or too loose. Chest girth is usually the most important dimension when it comes to fit. What to ConsiderĪvailable Sizes: Most dog apparel manufacturers size their coats based on a dog’s body length, neck circumference, and chest-girth measurements. It’s taken me years to find coats that fit each dog properly, but now that they finally have the right gear, our winter walks take us farther than ever. Both have different tolerances for being out in the cold, which has provided me the opportunity to test a variety of dog coats. My Chihuahua mix, Matilda, is a hair under five pounds, and my speckled Heinz-57 mutt, Cow, is shaped like a bowling pin, with a wide chest and narrow head. I’m also a lucky pet parent to one cat and two darling dogs. The Expert: I’ve been a pet-industry blogger for more than a decade, writing about behavioral training, veterinary care, and products that can enrich a dog’s life. Whether they spend the colder months curled up on the couch between short potty walks or enjoy diving head-first into fresh snowbanks, there’s a coat for every size, shape, cold tolerance-and personality. The right outerwear can lock in your dog’s body heat and help them stay dry and comfortable, no matter the duration of the outing. While dogs already wear a built-in fur or hair coat, most need additional protection against the elements-whether it’s rain, slush, snow, or just cold weather. ![]()
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