Dog Coats

When I was little, our dog had a basic looking brown dog coat, with oversize buttons. The cloth was prickly, and it always looked a bit dirty. And it sagged when it got wet, which meant he stepped on in more often than not, and inevitably we or the dog would get the coat off before the end of the trip outside. Suffice it to say, the coat wasn't very popular.

Times have changed and there are now a plethora of dog coat options ranging from the practical to the ridiculous, from the inexpensive to the uber-pricey. There are models that the dog can step into, models that wrap around, and models that are similar to a cape with an elastic waist band. There are water-proof models and insulated models and light weight models. There are models suitable to short haired dogs and models suitable to longer haired dogs. Some of the coats for larger dogs have pockets for owners to carry small items such as books or water.

Dog coats come in a wide range of designs and colours. Some dog coats include safety features such as bells and reflective stripes. There are so many options that it can be difficult to choose the right dog coat for your dog. Below are the four most important considerations in choosing a coat for your dog.

1. Climate. Is the coat intended to protect your dog from the elements or is it more of a fashion statement? If you live in a temperate climate and the temperature rarely goes below freezing then you needn’t worry too much about the insulation factor of the coat. However, if you live in an area that has severe winters then you must really be careful to choose a coat that will protect your beloved pooch. Look for a coat that is both insulated and wind proof. You may also want to find a coat that is also water proof. Many coats use gortex and thinsulate and these coats work well.

2. Machine washable. All dogs get dirty, even those who are on a leash and particularly in the spring thaw. Do yourself a favor and only consider getting a dog coat that is machine washable. Dog coats don’t need to be washed as much as people clothes but you should count on washing the dog coat in the mid-season and at the end of every winter.

3. The ease of putting the dog coat on your dog. If the coat isn’t easy to put on then you won’t use it. If you don’t use it then there is no point in buying it. Look for a coat with good quality Velcro fasteners as these seem to be the easiest. Also look for a coat that fastens at the back or side of the dog.

4. Size. Before shopping for your dog coat make sure you measure your dog. Measure the dog from the base of his neck to the start of his tail. Measure again the circumference if his neck and add 1 inch. Measure again around the broadest part of his chest and add one inch. With these measurements in hand you should be able to to choose a dog coat that will fit your dog appropriately.