As the evenings turn cold and wet across Ireland and the UK, plenty of owners stand at the door, lead in hand, and wonder: does my dog need a coat? The honest answer is that it depends on the dog, not the date on the calendar. A husky will happily take on a February gale on the beach; a whippet can start shivering on a damp October morning. Here is how to tell which camp your dog is in, and how to pick a coat that actually helps.
Does my dog need a coat? The dogs that feel the cold
- Thin, short coats and little body fat: greyhounds, whippets, lurchers, Italian greyhounds and other sighthounds lose heat quickly. For them, a coat is standard winter kit.
- Small and toy breeds: Chihuahuas, miniature pinschers and similar dogs sit close to cold, wet ground and have little body mass to keep them warm.
- Puppies and older dogs: puppies are less able to regulate their body temperature, and senior dogs often feel the cold more.
- Dogs with health conditions: if your dog has arthritis or another condition, ask your vet whether extra warmth on walks would help.
- Freshly clipped dogs: a poodle or a doodle with a short winter trim has lost its natural insulation.
The dogs that usually don't
Dogs with a thick double coat, such as huskies, Bernese mountain dogs, Newfoundlands and most collies, are well insulated and can overheat in a coat on an active walk. Labradors and golden retrievers are usually fine without one too, unless they are elderly or unwell. For these dogs, a coat is rarely about warmth; at most, a light waterproof layer keeps the worst of the rain and mud off.
It's the wind and rain, not just the temperature
In our Atlantic climate, 6°C with driving rain feels far colder than a dry, still 2°C. Once a short coat is soaked through, it stops insulating, and the wind strips heat away fast. As a rough guide, small, thin-coated, young and elderly dogs may need a coat once it drops below about 7°C, especially when it's wet or windy. Most healthy dogs with a good coat only need extra protection in real cold, around freezing and below.
Signs your dog is cold on a walk
- Shivering or trembling
- A hunched back and a tucked tail
- Lifting paws off the ground or slowing down
- Trying to turn for home or looking for shelter
- Whining or seeming anxious
If you notice these, cut the walk short and let your dog warm up at home. If your dog seems very lethargic, weak or unusually cold to the touch after being outside, call your vet.
Waterproof dog coat or warm coat?
- Waterproof dog coat: a light shell that keeps rain and mud off. Ideal for well-coated dogs on wet days, and for anyone tired of towelling down a soaking dog after every walk.
- Insulated or fleece-lined coat: for dogs that genuinely feel the cold. Choose one that is water-resistant on the outside too, because a wet fleece loses much of its warmth.
- Jumper: fine in a chilly house or under a coat, but on its own it soaks up the rain.
Reflective trim is worth having either way: on dark winter mornings and evenings it helps drivers see your dog. Our guide to walking your dog in the dark covers lights, routes and more.
How to measure a dog for a coat
- Back length: from the base of the neck, where the collar sits, to the base of the tail. Most brands size their coats by this measurement.
- Chest girth: around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs.
- Neck: around the base of the neck.
Check all three against the brand's size chart, as sizing varies a lot from one maker to another. Deep-chested breeds such as greyhounds and whippets often need a coat cut specifically for their shape.
Getting the fit right
- Your dog should be able to walk, run, sit and go to the toilet without the coat getting in the way.
- You should be able to slide two fingers under the straps.
- Check that it doesn't rub behind the front legs: look for redness or broken hair after the first few walks.
- If your dog wears a harness, choose a coat with an opening for the lead clip, or one designed to go over or under a harness.
- Introduce it gradually: let your dog sniff it, put it on for a few minutes indoors with treats, then head out.
After the walk
Take the coat off once you're home so your dog doesn't overheat indoors, and hang it up to dry before the next walk. A coat keeps the body clean, but legs and paws still come home muddy, so here's how to clean muddy dog paws without wrecking the house. For more ideas for walks and home this season, browse the Velia Select shop.