Is it worth investing in a fancy raincoat/overall for our cocker ?

[Goldflap]

I have been looking at raincoats for our cocker and firstly I'm thinking if it doesn't cover his lower half (his feathering underneath gets muddy and wet) it's not really worth it and then I'm wondering if it's an essential at all.
The aim really is to keep him dry on wet winter walks and to avoid post walk washing that won't be as easy or comfortable in winter.
I've been looking at something like this...
Any advice welcome

I possibly wouldn't with a cocker as they are so busy, I would rather get a hozelock shower and rinse them off after a walk then put a drying coat on them, I used to do it with my Cav x's unless it was very cold and wet and then I would put a equaleece with legs on them. I used to fill the hose lock shower up with hot/warm water before we left on a walk and would put it in the car, do our walk, rinse them off in the car park, quick towel off, drying coat on, then into the car and take them home.Hozelock shower

I have a cheap thin reflective raincoat ought from Amazon for mine and have bought a Ruff & Tumble drying coat to dry her off. It does it in an hour or so and I love it. I wish I bought one many years ago, she is now 11.

Equafleeces all the way for us x

Oh ace , thankyou I knew there was something that was holding me back, we have a mud daddy already for washing so I'll go for the drying coat instead.
Also hello lovely dog 💜

My cocker refuses point blank to wear a coat but he does have a doggy dressing gown I put on him when we get back from rainy walks. He doesn’t mind that.

Just looked up the equafleece I thought it was a drying coat too, they look super comfortable so I think that's a goer

This is us . Used equafleece for years and they are great

I'm not fully awake this and read it as "cooker" and wonders why a cooker needed clothing. Thought it was a new mumsnet trend. Then I saw I was reading the doghouse topic 😆

We had an equafleece for our cockapoo - while it kept him dry and clean, he hated having it put on - we ended up with a zipped one but he still hated it, it’s left him with a dislike of any type of coat, @Moanycowbag can I ask what drying coat do you use?

We have only ever used the Equafleece to keep our cockers warm after a wet walk. They’d be way too warm during the walk for a breed that is so active.

I use an equafleece and it’s brilliant as all I have to do is wash his paws when we get home. I also have a zip up drying bag I bought on Amazon which is fab for when he’s rolled in fox poo and needs a complete shower.

Cockers don't need coats, they are bred to work outside all day throughout winter.
They can easily over heat in a coat as they are active dogs and if they go in bushes there is a real risk of them getting caught up. I've seen it happen.
Equifleece for drying off afterwards but never use a coat on walks.

I really hate seeing young, working dogs in coats. They don’t need them, they inhibit movement and body language and most would overheat.

The only exception is an older dog who doesn’t run around as much and then just a basic over the back type.

Most dogs don’t NEED coats.

Thanks all especially for the photos, I'm going to go with a drying coat/ fleece for after walks.
I'm glad I asked.

I have a freckles drying coat, I have Tay's but wish I had brought Ness's, but the wear and wash really well and I had them personalised with my dogs names, but I like that they have quite a deep chest piece as my boy had a very floofy chest that mopped up water like a sponge.

@Moanycowbag thank you - just had a quick look and they look idea.

My springer doesn't have a coat but I invested in a Ruff and Tumble drying coat. I just rub his legs and ears dry and the coat dries the rest.

This is mine in hers. It's so nice to have her dry before bed as she sleeps in our room, especially when the heatings off. I probably won't use it when we have our wood burner going.

Aww hello, I have ordered a rough and tumble because I like that it covers the ears too if needed., just need to invest in waterproof boots for me now.

Why does a dog need a coat exactly?

Was struggling to understand why your cooker would need a rain coat and then realised I'm just stoopid

Most don't. With the more traditional breeds their own coats were designed to keep them warm/cool/dry etc and very few need help. Then crossing happened. First gen crossing where the coats can be utter nightmares if they get wet and muddy so coats happened.

I see fit, active, working breeds puffing and panting in the summer in rain coats. Spaniels, collies and terriers. I'm afraid my terrier gets a rub down with a towel in the porch or car and she is good to go again. My last dog wore a very simple over the back coat when it was sub zero and she got elderly and didn't maintain her body temperature as well.

@MachinesOfGod @OrangeBlossomPretty
The thread has established that he doesn't need a coat and I have welcomed that advice and stated I have bought him a drying coat with the purpose of managing him getting wet and then cold in the winter when drying off isn't so easy (which is what I thought a coat would help with).

My spaniel wears a thin, reflective raincoat for heavy rain and up to now she has worn a thicker one for snow, but I am thinking of getting an Equafleece for snowy walks as she gets loads of ice balls on her legs and stomach despite using coconut oil, and she does get really cold.
I'm glad your terrier manages with a quick rub down, but my dog seems to absorb all the water and stays wet for many hours. The drying coat has cut that down to an hour, which is better for us trying to sleep with her in the room, and probably better for her

My dog needs a coat in the rain because, otherwise, she will refuse to set a paw outside.