The Winter Dog Coat: What to Look For, Where to Find

Bundled Up!
photo courtesy of Dogster.com

I promised myself this year would be different.  I’m starting to shop for winter coats early – for me and the dogs – so we don’t get shut out of what we love. I just ordered a gorgeous, vegan emerald number for me from Vaute Couture, a really cool company that was featured during New York Fashion Week this year. And, I’ve already gotten wonderful and warm Zippy Dynamics snowsuits for Sophie and Jasper, so we’re set for wet and snowy weather. But, what about an everyday, warm, good-looking coat that fits great? Sophie has, but a girl can never have too many! 🙂 It’s nice to interject something fresh for the new season. Jasper will be spending  his first winter with us, so mom has the very exciting job of finding him his first winter coat. Truly, I’m so looking forward to dressing the little man! But, there are definitely some things to consider, to make sure we find just the right coat.  Why don’t I take you through what I look for in a winter dog coat and some styles I found and love. Sometimes, it’s hard to make heads or tails out of all the choices we have. If we know what we’re looking for, things get a whole lot clearer.

Jasper rockin’ the Sparky full coverage Zippy Dynamics snowsuit

What To Look For

I break it down into the three W’s: warmth, wearability and the wow factor. They’re all important to me and very attainable.

Warmth:

Like for humans, warmth in a winter dog coat is a matter of materials used. Warmth is attained either via layers that hold in body heat, or via puffy pockets of air that do the same. For layers, a heavier gauge fleece lining with a breathable polyurethane coated outer shell is one way to create a very warm coat.

Puffer coats provide those pockets of air that hold in body heat. While I shy away from down-filled because of the suffering geese experience when their feathers are plucked, there are man-made fillings that are just as warm, more cost effective and easier to care for. A thicker, but light-weight, poly batting is what’s often used to fill puffer coats. It should be breathable, and have a water proof or resistant outer shell. So, when you’re shopping, ask what a coat is made of or look at the materials, if shopping online. A durable polyester or breathable polyurethane outer shell will ward off wind, rain, snow. Coupled with a solid gauge fleece or a lightweight but warm poly batting as lining, your dog should be nice and toasty.

Wearability:

A coat can be as cute as ever, but if our dogs can’t walk in it or have complete range of motion, it’s not going to work. I’m talking about fit, one of the cornerstones of fashion. We’re looking for a coat that is shaped as close to our dog’s body type as possible. This may take some experimentation, but sizing charts and fit guidelines on shopping sites should help. Measure your dog carefully. The important parts are neck circumference, so it’s tight enough to keep warmth in and loose enough to be comfortable; girth or chest, as some sites call the circumference of the dog’s body, just behind its front legs. This measurement insures the coat fits all the way around, leaves you some room for growth and covers the key parts of a dog’s body – it’s chest, belly and back, which protect its organs. It’s nice if their legs and face are warm, but it’s not intrinsic to their health and wellbeing, unless you live in Siberia or, maybe, Alaska. The other important measurement is the length of the dog’s back, from the base of it’s neck to the base of it’s tail. Again, we’re looking for coverage, without it being cumbersome. And with male dogs, we have to consider their manly parts. The coat should be designed to allow for the dog to urinate and not get the coat wet. I’m just sayin’. 🙂

Dressed smart and looking stylish

The Wow Factor:

There’s no shortage of wow-inducing coats. I struggle with this one, because often, the wow factor isn’t paired with the warmth and wearability components. That’s why I shopped hard for you! I think I’ve found a good cross-section of coats and looks, that encompass warmth, wearability and wow. What I also do, because I’m a bit of a shopaholic when it comes to the dogs (do you feel me?),  I’ll have a practical, good looking, very warm winter coat for Sophie, and I’ll buy that second va va va voom coat for milder days. Sophie’s a great indicator. Her fur is hair and it’s very thin. On some parts of her body, she has none at all! She gets cold. If Sophie is warm, I know I’m doing good. 🙂

Now, let’s go shopping!

ChillyDogs.com

ChillyDogs.com of Canada make a jacket called The Great White North® and the temperature range for maintaining warmth is pretty impressive – from 14F to -22F. It’s completely waterproof, durable and machine washable, too. It’s available via the Dog Gone Big web store. Great for big dogs, but inquire about smaller breeds with Chilly Dogs, as they do make for all sizes. These are a bit pricey but they will last.

Price: ranges from $135.00 – $145.00

Great White North coat from ChillyDogs.com

Ruffwear.com

Another option is from Ruffwear, a brand I personally love and use. Their K-9 Overcoat is made from strong, durable recycled polyester outer fabric, with warm, comfortable recycled polyester fleece lining. It’s designed for full coverage, while allowing full range of motion. This will last for years and comes in a full range of sizes, from XXS through XL. They offer three yummy winter colors: Trailhead Brown, Larkspur Purple and Cinder Cone Red. Love this!

Price: $64.95

Ruffwear’s K-9 Overcoat

Lightweight and Warm

American Digs makes a nice puffer that is lightweight, fleece-lined and has that waterproof, breathable outer shell. The XL fits dogs from 35 – 41 lbs and up to a 27.5″ girth. Comes in great colors like Fuchsia, Aqua, Royal Blue and Purple.

Price: a very reasonable $35.00

American Digs Lightweight Puffer

Puppy Angel – Warmth & Wow

Puppy Angel makes a warm, full coverage puffer coat with a breathable poly outer shell. For me, it’s also a wow!  It comes in a very chic creme or navy, has fully elasticized arms and back to keep drafts out and more heat trapped against your dog’s body. And a beautiful large, black bow and center pendant adorns a high color, in lieu of a hood (which I don’t really like for Sophie as they never seem to be comfortable). It’s also machine washable, but I’d probably hand wash and lay flat to dry. Goes from XS – XL, which means up to a 19.3″ girth and 12.1″ neck, somewhere around 15 lbs.

Price: $66.00

Puppy Angel Chic Puffer

Fou Fou Dog Reversible Ski Parka

I like this Fou Fou Dog parka vest because it has a breathable, water resistant poly outer shell and a poly batting inside to trap body heat. I also like it because it’s cute, colorful and completely reversible. Like getting two coats for the price of one! The grey reverses to a light green; the blue to a brighter green and the purple to a pink. Comes in sizes XXS – 3XL, which covers a dog with a neck up to 17″ and a girth up to 23.5″.

Price: $37- $51, depending on size.

Fou Fou Dog Reversible Puffer Vest

Wooflink Vintage Plaid

I’ll leave you with something that is super cool. I love this Wooflink Vintage Plaid coat, the big block plaids they chose to feature and the warm and cozy sherpa lining. It’s snap closures all the way down for full coverage. Sizes go from 1 – 6, largest means a 15.75″ length and a 23″ girth.

Price: $57.00

Wooflink Plaid Vintage Coat

Summary

Some good choices to consider. But, whatever you choose, most importantly, I hope you have gotten a better idea of what to look for. Remember, think the three W’s, and you know your pup will be toasty and looking fine this winter!

Questions about what to buy, where to look? Ask away in the Comments. Happy to help!

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