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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Does my puppy/dog need a coat?

18 replies

Queenofknickers · 04/10/2014 14:22

I've never had a dog before and she is a rescue collie cross who, at 7 months is as big as most collies - think dad may have been bigger breed. She is shorthaired and I can't bear the thought of her being chilly on her walks (yes she has me round her little paw!). Does she need a coat?

OP posts:

WeAllHaveWings · 04/10/2014 14:34

if she has inherited the collie coat she will be warm enough as they have an undercoat too (they are breed to be out in all weathers herding sheep).

We have a lab and the cold never bothers him as they have an undercoat too.

WeAreGroot · 04/10/2014 16:49

I'd just see how she goes as it gets cooler, it'll be fairly obvious if she's cold enough to need a coat.

Is she single or doubled coated? If she's double coated even with short hair she'll probably be fine.

I've got a BC x who has a short but double coat and she's pretty much impervious to the col. We lived in Canada for a while and she was perfectly happy going out in temperatures down to -20C without a coat.

On the other hand I've got three whippets with very short single coats who will be in multiple layers by January

LimeJellyHead · 04/10/2014 18:29

I never like it when people dismiss dog coats offhand, so well done for considering one. Granted, not all dogs need a coat but some do.

Coats serve two main purposes. Some would be waterproof to protect from the rain and some would be designed to give warmth for a dog that feels the cold. Some dogs just don't like getting wet and others shiver and shake just like we do when going from a warm home to the cold outdoors. So see what, if anything, she might need and get a coat according to her needs.

My old bitsa (lol) has a very thin coat and hates the feel of the rain on her skin and won't go walkies in even a little bit of rain unless she has her waterproof coat on. My terrier couldn't care less about the rain or the cold, so he doesn't wear a coat.

Both of my dogs wear cool coats in the hot weather though, without exception. That's another type of coat I almost forgot :-)

lampygirl · 04/10/2014 20:08

My dog has a coat. She's a Bernese so doesn't need it for warmth, not fussed about the rain, but she's black and we walk a lot on roads, so hers is fluo pink and reflective with a light in. She loves it and can be seen easily.

CMOTDibbler · 04/10/2014 20:13

I have lurchers, so we have many coats. IMO raincoats make it much easier than drying a soggy dog off, and you can get ones which are just the waterproof bit.

Mine get cold indoors before they need warm coats outside (unless we were hanging around not walking), but make it quite clear that fleeces are needed!

Luxaroma · 04/10/2014 21:31

I'm a tad embarrassed by my whippet's need for a coat (being a previous lab owner) even in the early autumn but he looks cold, he shivers and without a doubt needs a coat to enjoy being out and about. Exercise is essential for dogs and therefore I coat my dog, but having a coat on my Dpup still makes me feel like a ponce!

BellaVita · 05/10/2014 16:50

I have a waterproof coat for my pug - she takes ages to dry when wet.

financialwizard · 05/10/2014 17:00

My 12 week old staff and I went for a walk in the rain yesterday and she started shivering so I bundled her into the car and took her home. Definitely buying her a fleece lined coat when I find one that had a decent girth with a short length!

financialwizard · 05/10/2014 17:00

Original poster

Queenofknickers · 06/10/2014 20:52

Thanks everyone - that's useful. How do I tell if she's got a "double coat" or not?

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 06/10/2014 21:04

If you run your hand along her back the wrong way, if you see all the hair the same down to the skin she isn't double coated. On my double coated cat, you see the long outer hairs and softer undercoat very clearly

Original poster

Queenofknickers · 06/10/2014 21:13

Ah! Thanks! Plus she enjoyed that! Not double coated - I can see down to her skin. Thanks, this has been a great help - any coat recommendations/brands etc?

OP posts:

Lovethesea · 06/10/2014 21:30

Milgi coats often recommended on here, a doghouse regular Scuttlebutter makes them.

I think they do all shapes and sizes if asked,

CMOTDibbler · 06/10/2014 21:30

FinancialWizard, the lovely Scuttlebutter who runs Milgi coats will make coats to your exact size requirements if its hard to find ones to fit.

Queen, as a pointy owner, mine come from Milgi, and we have some other breed specific ones, so I'm not much use on 'normal' shaped dogs.

Floralnomad · 06/10/2014 21:35

My dog ( patterdaleX ) has coats and jumpers from Equafleece , they are surprisingly waterproof ,very warm and wash and dry beautifully.

financialwizard · 07/10/2014 14:49

Thanks CMOT

financialwizard · 07/10/2014 14:49

Thanks CMOT

WeAreGroot · 07/10/2014 17:20

I've got Equafleece stuff for my whippets, they've each got a fluorescent yellow jumper and a bright pink coat. In the depths of winter they wear both they look hideous but no chance of losing them

They do a great job of keeping them dry and mostly clean then wash easily and dry quickly.

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