Winter weather and dog coats

[Puppypuppypuppy]

I have a mini poodle who was a puppy this time last year and so very limited walks and exposure to the elements during the coldest bit of the year. I see so many dogs out and about in wet weather / cold weather gear already - my question is are they really necessary? I know some dogs definitely need them like whippets but for most dogs is it more of a optional extra than a necessity.

I use a fleece vest to keep my long haired terrier clean and dry in the bad weather. For my convenience entirely so I don't have a wet muddy dog to deal with. she certainly doesn't need it for warmth.

It depends on the breed. We have a single coated breed that feels the cold and doesn’t want to leave the house without if it’s cold or wet.

Sometimes we put a thin raincoat on in mild but wet weather to prevent having to bath her when we get home. It’s then just a case of hosing down and wiping paws rather than a full bath.

I think your dog will let you know if it is cold. One of mine is a total wimp and won't go out without his coat in the cold, the other who is single coated unlike her brother doesn't seem to care at all, coats just annoy her.

Mine definitely does.. If we stop walking for more than a couple of minutes, he shivers violently. I would be led by the dog to be honest.

It tends to be the smaller dogs that need coats for warmth, particularly the yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas and maltese dogs, or the thin dogs like greyhounds and whippets. Their body weights are very low so no fat reserves and for some of the above, their hair isn't fur as such.

I have a 35kg bull breed.
She refuses to go out in the rain without her coat and loves to sleep under her blanket. I have just ordered her a fleece jumper.

Agree with other posters that a coat is only required if your dog gives signs that it is feeling the cold/wet too much -- or if it is of a breed that is known to be vulnerable to the cold/wet.

I'd lay money on there being more dogs suffering from being unneccessarily fussed with clothing than dogs who are suffering from the lack of a coat.

Depends on the breed, many are not suited to British winters. We use a hi vis waterproof jacket especially at night in case he slips his lead (has happened) and to reduce him getting wet and making his bed stink of wet dog!

My short haired standard dachshund has an equafleece - he wouldn't walk in it, we used to shove it in the pack to put on him if we stopped on a hilltop for a picnic or whatever. (He's 15 now so excused from going out in bad weather except for quick loo breaks). The previous one never had any sort of coat either. Never seemed cold when we were out walking despite not being huge and having a 'single' shorthaired coat. Maybe not having long skinny legs makes a difference.

I just leave it to my dog to tell me :)

Mini Poodle - has quite dense, curly hair? So might not need a jacket unless you're out for a very long time and/or it's really extremely cold. Or if it's cold and wet out (as obviously this will make your dog colder).

I like Equafleece for my dog. He can move around really freely in it.

Small dogs often suffer from the cold more because their organs are closer to the ground. If you do get a fleece or jacket, it's more important to make sure the belly and chest is warm than the top/back (yet for some reason, so many coats and jumpers only really warm the dog's back!)

I like them for curly-coated breeds as they keep them dry and mud-free, which means their coat stays clean and doesn't need washing and doesn't get things like mud and sticky buds caught up in it.

I don't think they're really necessary for cold in this country unless you're planning to be out all day or you have a old/young/skinny breed (like a whippet) but they're very useful for keeping dogs clean and dry on walks.

My blind, arthritic golden oldie definitely needs his coat- helps to keep his joints warm. He struggles in the mornings. I think they don’t need coats really unless it’s really wet/they’re old/very thin. Puppies etc are better without unless it’s arctic! X

I admit it, my puppy has a fleece because he's a dirty mudlark and it saves me some washing and drying. I can usually get away with just hosing legs which is far more manageable!!!

My border collie (double coated) would hate it and my lab/springer cross runs at speed constantly so would probably get overheated. Wish I could put a coat on as they both get horribly muddy.

I'd say definitely needs a coat Equafleece are great. X

Equafleece is great - our dog doesn’t get cold on walks but it’s much better to come home, take the coat off and have a dry dog, than the alternative. Additionally, if we say go for a park walk in winter and then have a pub lunch with the dog - they do get cold then - so it’s good to put the Equafleece on for the walk, and take it off at the pub, so that they’re not sitting there all wet for hours getting cold.