Between October and March, a British dog walk is mostly weather. Rain that arrives sideways, wind off the fields, and the particular cold that gets into a short-coated dog within ten minutes of leaving the house. For most dogs a coat is not indulgence: it is the difference between a walk they enjoy and one they endure.
This guide covers which dogs actually need one, the four types worth owning, how to size them properly, and what separates a coat that lasts three winters from one that lasts three weeks.
Which dogs need a coat?
Not all of them. A Husky, a Newfoundland or a well-coated German Shepherd carries its own insulation and will overheat in a padded jacket. The dogs that benefit are:
- Short-coated and single-coated breeds such as Whippets, Greyhounds, Staffies, Vizslas, Boxers and Dobermans.
- Small dogs, who lose heat faster than large ones.
- Puppies and older dogs, who regulate their temperature less well.
- Dogs in thin condition, or recovering from illness or surgery.
- Any dog getting soaked, whatever its coat, because wet fur stops insulating.
A rough rule: if you need a coat standing still at the field gate, a short-haired dog probably does too.
The four types, and who each one is for
1. Water-resistant shells
Lightweight, unlined or lightly lined, built to keep rain off rather than add warmth. This is the everyday British choice, because most of our weather is wet rather than genuinely cold.
Look for taped or bonded seams and a cut that covers the chest and belly, which is where dogs actually get wet.
2. Quilted gilets
Sleeveless, insulated, no hood. Good for dry cold and for dogs who dislike anything over their shoulders.
It is also the type most dogs accept fastest if they have never worn a coat before.
3. Puffer jackets
Proper insulation for proper cold: frost, snow, and long walks that involve standing about.
Reversible designs give you two looks and, more usefully, a dry side when the other is damp. Best for small breeds, thin-coated dogs and older dogs.
4. Drying robes
Not a walking coat. A towelling or microfibre robe goes on after the beach, the river or the muddiest field, and absorbs water while your dog walks it off. It saves your upholstery and stops a wet dog getting cold on the drive home.
All four types are in our dog coats and jackets collection.
How to measure your dog
Coat sizing is not standardised, so measure rather than guess from breed:
- Back length from the base of the neck, where the collar sits, to the base of the tail. This is the number most size charts use.
- Chest girth at the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs. Keep the tape snug but not tight.
- Neck where the collar sits, with two fingers of slack.
If back length and chest girth point to different sizes, order by chest. A coat that is slightly long is a minor annoyance; one that is tight across the chest restricts the shoulder and will be refused.
Our size guides list the measurements for each coat.
What makes a coat last
- Belly coverage. A coat that stops at the ribs leaves the wettest part of the dog exposed.
- Adjustment at both ends. Neck and girth straps let one coat fit a dog through a season of weight change.
- A harness opening, or a cut that works over a harness, so you are not undressing your dog to clip the lead.
- Reflective detail. Most UK winter walks happen in the dark. If the coat has none, add a reflective collar or lead.
- Machine washable. It will be needed more often than you expect.
Getting a dog used to a coat
Put it on indoors, leave it for thirty seconds, take it off, reward. Build up over a few days before the first walk in it.
A dog who freezes and refuses to move is not being dramatic. The sensation is genuinely strange at first, and most get over it within a week.
Frequently asked questions
Should my dog wear a coat indoors?
No. Coats are for outdoors and for drying off. A dog wearing an insulated coat in a heated house will overheat, and continuous wear can cause rubbing and matting.
At what temperature does a dog need a coat?
There is no single figure, but below roughly 7 degrees Celsius most short-coated, small, young or elderly dogs benefit. Wind and rain matter more than the number on the thermometer.
Can a coat go over a harness?
Some are, with a slot for the lead attachment. Otherwise put the coat on first and the harness over the top, so lead pressure goes through the harness rather than the fabric.
Browse the full range of dog coats at Furlow. Everything is dispatched from the UK with delivery from GBP 3.99 and 30-day returns.