![]() ![]() The length of your dog’s fur does not always correlate with their cold tolerance. Puppies and seniors tend to have trouble regulating their body temperature. ![]() Small dogs have a higher skin-to-body ratio, so they lose heat faster than large dogs. Take into consideration not only how cold the weather will get in your region, but how well your dog tolerates it. Some coats have slightly extended sleeves that cover part of the front legs, and some extend higher on the neck than others. On especially cold days, you may need a coat with built-in insulation, or you might need to layer it over a sweater or fleece. Chest and belly coverage protects them when they walk through deep snow or when they kick up slush. Weather Conditions: Ideally, your dog’s winter coat will have a waterproof exterior and extend from the neck to the base of the tail (or longer). For hard-to-fit breeds, such as long-bodied Dachshunds and Corgis and lean, deep-chested Greyhounds and Whippets, adjustable straps and stretchy fabrics are a lifesaver. If your dog has a deep chest, you might need to size up, which sometimes results in the rest of the coat being too big or too loose. Chest girth is usually the most important dimension when it comes to fit. What to ConsiderĪvailable Sizes: Most dog apparel manufacturers size their coats based on a dog’s body length, neck circumference, and chest-girth measurements. It’s taken me years to find coats that fit each dog properly, but now that they finally have the right gear, our winter walks take us farther than ever. Both have different tolerances for being out in the cold, which has provided me the opportunity to test a variety of dog coats. My Chihuahua mix, Matilda, is a hair under five pounds, and my speckled Heinz-57 mutt, Cow, is shaped like a bowling pin, with a wide chest and narrow head. I’m also a lucky pet parent to one cat and two darling dogs. The Expert: I’ve been a pet-industry blogger for more than a decade, writing about behavioral training, veterinary care, and products that can enrich a dog’s life. Whether they spend the colder months curled up on the couch between short potty walks or enjoy diving head-first into fresh snowbanks, there’s a coat for every size, shape, cold tolerance-and personality. The right outerwear can lock in your dog’s body heat and help them stay dry and comfortable, no matter the duration of the outing. Measure from back of neck to base of tail.While dogs already wear a built-in fur or hair coat, most need additional protection against the elements-whether it’s rain, slush, snow, or just cold weather.
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