Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

Was I insane to spend this on a dog coat?

25 replies

opalescent · 08/01/2022 12:20

Just popped to a gorgeous independent pet shop in town, with the intention to buy a coat for my mud loving working cocker puppy.

Imagined I'd spend around 30-40 quid.

The salesman fitted her in a gorgeous ruffwear coat, which was perfect. I was surprised though, that it was £69.50 😟.

I bought it anyway (in a panic/ kids moaning/ dog being a pain in the butt).

I'm relieved to see that I paid about the right price for a ruffwear coat- but can you seasoned dog owners reassure me that I've paid for quality?!!! I can see that I could have bought something from pets at home for about £20...

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
Iamkmackered1979 · 08/01/2022 12:22

I’d have paid that, sounds nice and cosy we are looking for a coat for our dog - I wouldn’t have normally but he’s cold on his walks so needs must

EightNationNavy · 08/01/2022 12:24

Good quality coats will last longer than the dog, so as long as it's tough...

WhatScratch · 08/01/2022 12:29

Puppy? Are they almost full size or will they grow out of it in a few months?

Hendalle · 08/01/2022 12:32

My dog wears a custom made Harris tweed coat… we paid £150 Blush
Justified as he wears it every walk in winter and it’ll keep for another dog in the future.

We’ve just fostered a dog who we hope will become our 2nd, she will not be getting a Harris tweed coat Grin

Original poster
opalescent · 08/01/2022 12:34

@WhatScratch

Puppy? Are they almost full size or will they grow out of it in a few months?
She's nearly 8 months, and there's a little bit of growing room, so fingers crossed it will not need replacing 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
OP posts:
Original poster
opalescent · 08/01/2022 12:44

@Hendalle

My dog wears a custom made Harris tweed coat… we paid £150 Blush Justified as he wears it every walk in winter and it’ll keep for another dog in the future.

We’ve just fostered a dog who we hope will become our 2nd, she will not be getting a Harris tweed coat Grin

Wow!!! I bet he looks very smart in it too!!
OP posts:
WowIlikereallyhateyou · 08/01/2022 12:47

I paid well over £100 for a Hurtta technical dog coat, but it is great, waskes brilliantly and is breathable. Happy to pay for the best quality and fit.

Simonjt · 08/01/2022 12:50

Our ruffwear coat was a lot more than that, i think it was about £90, I then left it on a too low hook and she ripped it to pieces. A very expensive toy!

MrsSkylerWhite · 08/01/2022 12:51

Hendalle

My dog wears a custom made Harris tweed coat… we paid £150 blush
Justified as he wears it every walk in winter and it’ll keep for another dog in the future“

Is Harris Tweed waterproof?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 08/01/2022 12:54

I made the mistake of buying a Ruffwear harness for mine when he reached his adult size. It's worn really badly - it's faded and looks like it's falling to pieces after just one or two washes. The material is fraying and the colour is really washed out.

The cheap £20 version from Amazon still looks like new. It's been washed more and fits exactly the same as the Ruffwear one. Personally I think it's a hugely overrated brand - sorry! Blush

I'm happy to pay for quality but I really don't think Ruffwear is quality - it's mostly just good marketing.

WhatScratch · 08/01/2022 13:17

If your dog is happy wearing it and it cleans easily then it’s a win.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 08/01/2022 13:54

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

I made the mistake of buying a Ruffwear harness for mine when he reached his adult size. It's worn really badly - it's faded and looks like it's falling to pieces after just one or two washes. The material is fraying and the colour is really washed out.

The cheap £20 version from Amazon still looks like new. It's been washed more and fits exactly the same as the Ruffwear one. Personally I think it's a hugely overrated brand - sorry! Blush

I'm happy to pay for quality but I really don't think Ruffwear is quality - it's mostly just good marketing.

I am with you all the way. Not impressed with ruffwear at all. Hurtta though different league,brilliant stuff.
Paq · 08/01/2022 13:56

YANBU for not posting a puppy pic.

tabulahrasa · 08/01/2022 14:02

Can you afford it? Do you like it?

If so, you’re fine... buy what you want Smile

Floralnomad · 08/01/2022 16:08

Take it back and buy something from Equafleece , they don’t restrict movement , are extremely light and wash and wear beautifully. We have a selection for our dog and some of them are nearly 10 yrs old and still look good as new .

PollyRoulllson · 08/01/2022 16:38

Working cocker owner here and I hope I am wrong but reckon you have wasted your money.

When your cocker is off in the undergrowth and exploring it will rip and tear.

Hopefully though your dog will be more civilised than mine. Who never wear coats when exercising, they get too hot,muddy, rip the coats but will wear a coat to dry off after exercise eg equafleece or hotter.

Grumpyosaurus · 08/01/2022 18:54

Honestly, I'm a bit baffled as to why you're buying a coat for a field-bred gundog. I only have one for mine in case we're waiting about between drives, or at training, in the cold and rain. So long as she is moving, she doesn't need one - and if she was running about in one, it would get trashed in short order, plus risking getting her caught up in the brambles.

We also have drying coats, but that's another issue.

Original poster
opalescent · 08/01/2022 21:16

@Grumpyosaurus the main issue that I have, is that as a young dog, she still lies down and rolls over every single time we encounter another dog. In the current weather, it means her whole coat is caked in mud after every walk!

OP posts:
Shouldhavebutdidnt · 08/01/2022 21:21

@fairylightsandwaxmelts if you email Ruffwear they should replace it for you as they offer a lifetime guarantee I think.

I’m about to buy an equifleece for one of my BTs as despite both going on the same walks she is regularly coated in mud & the other one is clean🤔

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 08/01/2022 21:55

@Shouldhavebutdidnt - thanks, I might message them - I think I prefer the cheaper Amazon version though Grin

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 08/01/2022 21:56

[quote opalescent]@Grumpyosaurus the main issue that I have, is that as a young dog, she still lies down and rolls over every single time we encounter another dog. In the current weather, it means her whole coat is caked in mud after every walk! [/quote]
An Equafleece would be a better option for you than a coat. They're excellent quality and last years.

TheCreamCaker · 08/01/2022 22:24

Yes, you're insane

mrsrobin · 08/01/2022 22:52

One of my dog's Ruffwear coats is about 10 years old (worn by previous dog before). Still in perfect condition so I can vouch for quality!

MissCrowley · 09/01/2022 08:56

We got ours a dry robe. Think it was around £50. It's brilliant, Sherpa lined so lovely and warm but then completely waterproof. Where we live every human has a dry robe so the dog fits right in!
Our dog has stopped growing now so we didn't mind spending the money.

UnbelievableAlien · 09/01/2022 09:11

Spending is all relative to what you can afford really, though Equafleeces are better for active spaniels in the mud and wet IME.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page