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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think dogs don't need clothes

177 replies

Poetrypatty · 10/12/2021 10:07

I don't have a dog (although I do like them) so maybe I am missing something here, but this morning at least a third of the dogs I've seen are wearing coats or jumpers Confused I know this didn't used to be a thing. Surely they don't need them? One I saw even looked uncomfortable in a badly fitting coat.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
27
MyGrassIsBrowner · 10/12/2021 10:43

My big lanky greyhound needs a jumper. He hates the cold!

SillyLittleBiscuit · 10/12/2021 10:43

My dog has a raincoat as he detests the rain and refuses to go out without it. He also has a christmas jumper as a big, tough american bulldog dressed as a reindeer makes (some) people laugh.

FOJN · 10/12/2021 10:46

NoSquirrels

Pets at Home have a good selection of coats and will help you with trying them on to the find the right fit. Mine is in two parts, it has an inner fleece and an outer lightweight waterproof, they can be worn separately or together.

Branleuse · 10/12/2021 10:47

My spanish dog definitely needed a coat the first year she came over. Now I put a jumper on her on really cold days, or a coat in the rain and shes quite happy. My staffie hates coats even if its freezing, despite being short haired. She just runs more to warm up

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 10/12/2021 11:04

Here are my 2 modeling a waterproof number from Pets At Home...

To think dogs don't need clothes
LaurieFairyCake · 10/12/2021 11:10

I have one who loves it, one who doesn't

I go with what the dog likes 🤷‍♀️

Soubriquet · 10/12/2021 11:13

I have a tiny little 2kg chihuahua who needs a coat when it’s cold.

She’s too small not to have one. I’m even looking at getting her pyjamas at night. My bigger girl is not so bad as she has the padding. I still put a coat on her when it’s cold and wet though

Original poster
Poetrypatty · 10/12/2021 11:15

Beautiful photo Santahatesbraisedcabbage If there was a Boden for dog clothes your pic would be in it!

OP posts:
Scattyhattie · 10/12/2021 11:15

My lurcher has a wardrobe of various t-shirt, jumpers, fleeces, autumn/spring waterproof, winter waterproof, rain Mac, cooling coat. It's all for her comfort, she hates going out in the rain even with a coat on.

My greyhound still had thick fur when we adopted her in June as used to living in kennels ( they've heating & wear coats) which then all fell out and she looked half bald rest of her days, worn away by her hard sofa life Grin. So I imagine house dogs of any breed may get used to heating and feel the cold more.

You can get sunglasses for dogs (doggles) and others that look like ski type but are to protect their eyes.

I dislike the more dressing up like a doll fashion for dogs mainly as its about owners and often not with the dogs comfort/benefit in mind, with risk of overheating. On other hand I don't feel a fancy dress competition or a fun photo are degrading mainly as it's brief, the greyhound shows were always creative as they really aren't bothered.

trekcrockett · 10/12/2021 11:18

My dogs' bellies are an inch off the ground. They really feel the cold being that low to the wet/damp ground so they both wear an Equafleece when it drops below about 10c.

Whaleandsnail6 · 10/12/2021 11:24

My greyhound wears coats when it gets cold and now it's winter, she sleeps in a fleecey coat that's her pyjamas once the heating goes off.

I've often wondered if an intruder would be deterred by a skinny, flowery pyjama wearing dog (who refused to move off the bed) if they ever broke in?!

RIBlue · 10/12/2021 11:26

My dog doesn’t like or really need coats. He does own one because he cocked his leg and pee’d on the corner of a stall at an outdoor event and it hit one thing from a pile of stock on the floor (first and only time he’d done that!) I didn’t really register what it was, just apologised profusely and bought it. When we got home discovered that it was a waterproof coat in his exact size. If it’s really cold and wet I make him wear it as a reminder that if you wee on it, you wear it.

Lachimolala · 10/12/2021 11:27

Our greyhounds wear coats, they definitely need them. They’re made to measure, waterproof and very comfy. I get them from a brand called ‘dogs on bikes’ I get their martingale collars and leads from the same place, fab quality!

ToughTittyWhompus · 10/12/2021 11:28

Lol do you really think dogs don’t feel the cold, wind and rain?!

Jagley · 10/12/2021 11:30

My two both wear coats/jumpers. One is a very petite cavalier King Charles who shivers without one, and the other has bad arthritis so needs the warmth around her joints - plus point she's white so keeps her a little cleaner!

Original poster
Poetrypatty · 10/12/2021 11:30

Lol do you really think dogs don’t feel the cold, wind and rain?!

Not that they don't feel it, but I'd have guessed as much as cats or foxes or other animals who don't wear clothes. Having said that I've found this thread enlightening and have got a new perspective from everyone.

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 10/12/2021 11:31

I used to teach A level Textiles.

Ages ago, one student created a little range of coats for her dog. They were amazing!

RatherBeRiding · 10/12/2021 11:31

My old greyhound had an extensive wardrobe including an overnight fleece. But he really felt the cold. Current greyhound doesn't seem to feel the cold at all and I only put on her walking out coat when it's pouring down. Most greys have a full wardrobe as they are skinny sensitive beasts who feel the cold/wet.

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 10/12/2021 11:34

My whippet-greyhound shivers with cold and sadness if she doesn’t have her coat/fleece on

Some dogs need coats. Most don’t, my other hound is deerhound and they don’t need one

IntermittentParps · 10/12/2021 11:35

@Megan2018

We have a toy poodle as an unusual farm dog at the stables I keep my horse at. He wears clothes for warmth and waterproofing but also to keep him cleaner as it’s a very muddy, dirty place. He’s not your usual farm dog and isn’t really equipped for outdoor life (although he loves it!).

I don’t like clothes as fashion items and they must fit well. But they are necessary sometimes.

Maybe a daft question, but poodles are/were tough working dogs, no? I thought they were bred as water retrievers, hence the tight curly coat. Is it a question of modern ones being bred not to work as much as to show/for pets? or are toy ones specifically not meant as working dogs? Sorry to derail, I'm just interested.
megletthesecond · 10/12/2021 11:37

Yabu. Skinny dogs, little dogs, elderly dogs, short haired dogs may all need a coat.

GiltEdges · 10/12/2021 11:38

Our dogs wear coats for walks when it's wet/muddy. Far easier to just clean their paws when we get back than their entire under carriage, particularly as one in particular hates being showered/bathed!

Tal45 · 10/12/2021 11:40

I had a lab/collie cross that wouldn't have been seen dead in clothes and a whippet cross that was always cold and would have worn my dressing gown all day long if it fit.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 10/12/2021 11:40

So far my fluffy rescue mongrel is an all weather dog not in need of clothing. He actually seems to like the cold and sometimes voluntarily goes to lie out on the patio rather than in the house.
He will still walk in a downpour and then shake enthusiastically all over the walls when he gets back.
Maybe a coat would have saved us from whatever incredibly smelly crap he rolled in yesterday though. Coat probably more washable than dog.

TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder · 10/12/2021 11:43

Nothing unnecessary here…

To think dogs don't need clothes
To think dogs don't need clothes
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