To think dogs don't need clothes

[Poetrypatty]

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 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.

Oops spaniels don’t need coats clearly (not sure how that got in there - she’s always seeking the limelight ) greyhounds need extensive wardrobes as you can see

Our spaniel has an Equafleece - only purchased recently but it is brilliant. No more muddy belly, keeps him clean and dry.

We mostly bought it as he has a shaved belly/side following an ultrasound, which won't grow back for a while as he's on high dose steroids, but he's definitely keeping it for future walks as he's so much cleaner.

He also has a Christmas jumper because it looks nice

Mine needs a jumper after a groom. His fur gets matted easily due to his breed and sometimes has to go shorter than normal so in cold weather he needs something on.

Loving these dog pics

Those whose dogs have an extensive wardrobe, where do you keep it all?

@TheFuckingDogs

No dog needs a coat but some humans will want to dress them in coats and that’s fine. Mine personally don’t wear them though

You've never had a high maintenance, short haired staffy, they're practically naked! Would be cruel to send them out to get soaking wet and hypothermic (and they would refuse to do so)

@Poetrypatty

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.

Animals left as nature intended wouldn't need coats/clothes

But considering mankind engineers the breeds, of course they do.

I have a greyhound who very much needs an outside coat in the winter and a fleece at night, because there's not an ounce of fat on her.

One member of Oasis has a range of Parka coats for ddog at Aldi!!
My ddogs also have a selection of Halloween outfits. And we take them trick or treating! Some houses round our way give out ddoggy treats!!

My boy has his fleece on for cold walks & cold nights, and his waterproof jacket when it rains!

@GodspeedJune

I’m not normally one for clothes for dogs, but am thinking of getting something for my elderly spaniel to wear on walks. She doesn’t run much to keep warm, and takes ages to get dry when home, so I worry about her feeling a chill.

I’d never use one on my border collie - she’s double coated so even if her outer coat is wet, her fluffy undercoat will keep her warm.

We got an Equafleece for our elderly spaniel and it was brilliant. She started to enjoy walks a lot more with it! I really recommend it.

See, this ends up just being an excuse for people to post doggie pics which I am shamelessly scrolling through

Depends on the dog breed. Some only have one coat of fur , where as some other dogs have a double coat. Mine gets absolutely freezing during winter and he visibly shakes which aggravates his spinal disease so needs to wear a coat or jumper when it’s winter to help keep him warm.

My smallest - a very small thin coated terrier - hates being cold and wants to be wrapped in a blanket all day. I have had dogs in my life for 50 + years and this is the first and only one to wear anything. He has a jumper for round the house, a fleece, a mac and a fluff lined waistcoat.

I have a German Shepherd with thick fur so she wouldn't need clothes. However, last week she had some surgery and has shaved parts on her sides and back. She's been wearing a teeshirt to stop her scratching, and to keep her warm while out for a toilet break. She seems to really like it lol. I will remove the clothes when her fur has grown back a bit more and the stitches are out though

Greyhounds need coats. They have hardly any fir.

TBH if I was a dog I wouldn’t fancy going out for winter walks with my belly (where there tends to be less hair) and bits exposed to the elements!

My lurcher loves her dressing gown for indoors and her coat for outdoors. She shivers when outside without a coat in this weather.

My DD bought a hoodie for her dog while they were getting building work done. She's also quite happy to be tucked up in bed, so obviously feels the cold.
We didn't used to think about dog welfare much, they were left to stray and live outside in all weathers. So I don't think that you can go on past behaviour.

My St bernard would protest if we attempted to put a coat on her, not that she needs one

My dogs have a few coats each. They only wear them when it gets to about 5/6 degrees on walks as they feel the cold then.The ones we use most are a 2 in 1 fleece and waterproof. They don’t wear clothes in the house as our house is warm and they don’t need them but they’re happy to have them on for walks.

Depends on the dog. My little Cavalier never seemed to need one - he was solidly built with a thick, fluffy coat of his own. He'd romp around happily in the snow while we shivered on his walks! But a slender dog such as a sighthound is more likely to feel the cold.

My friend's whippet has a fleece. When the heating goes off at the end of the evening, he goes and gets it so she can put it on

That’s so adorable.

Just saw your question NoSquirrels. It’s this

ruffwear.co.uk/collections/dog-apparel/products/sun-shower-dog-raincoat

It a thin waterproof fabric that doesn’t give any warmth but you can sluice it off, give it a shake and it’s dry in a couple of hours which is handy because she gets it covered in grit and mud. She won’t tolerate anything that’s very close fitting or insulated. She’ll choose to sit out in the garden in the pouring rain but hates walking in it.

Our 2 in their pj's.
Dc reckon they should be renamed The Krays!!

We have that Aldi hoodie. And a couple of other jumpers. And a custom made summer and winter coat Staffy cross who loves being warm and sleeps buried under the covers every night. She stares beseechingly as us if we try to take her out in the cold/rain without layers and gets very excited when she sees one of her coats/jumpers. Hates being cleaned so we try to keep her clean/dry on walks where we can. DD10 did have to drag me away from buying yet another novelty dog jumper at the weekend though.

My old boy hates the rain but tolerates a walk in the rain if he’s wearing his Regatta waterproof jacket! If it’s not wet or very cold we don’t put a coat on him.