In short
- Not every dog needs clothes: thick-coated dogs often need less, and too much clothing can make a dog uncomfortably warm.
- Measure the back, the chest and the neck, then compare the numbers with the maker's chart, because sizes differ between makers.
- A good fit is snug but never tight, leaves the legs free and does not get in the way of toileting.
- Check the skin and fur under the garment after each wear, and take it off when you come indoors.
- Watch your own dog: shivering, slowing down or wanting to turn for home are signs to cut the walk short.
Dog clothing is a bit of a divided subject. Some dogs are clearly more comfortable in a coat on a raw day, and others are happier with nothing on at all. There is no single rule, because dogs differ in coat, size, age and health, and the weather itself varies a lot. This guide helps you decide whether your dog needs anything, choose a type of garment, measure and fit it, and keep an eye on comfort afterward.
When clothing helps, and when it does not
Dogs with short or thin coats, very small dogs, puppies and older dogs often feel the cold sooner than a sturdy adult with a thick coat. A dog that has been ill, or is thin, may also feel it more. Treat that as a general pattern, not a promise about any breed, because individual dogs vary a great deal. If you are not sure how your dog copes with cold, ask your vet.
A dog with a thick, dense coat often needs nothing extra, and can become too warm in a coat, especially while running. Dogs cool themselves mostly by panting, so heavy clothing during active play is worth avoiding.
Rain is a separate question. A waterproof layer can help a short-coated dog that dislikes wet or gets chilled when soaked. A dog that loves puddles may not need one. Whatever your dog wears, dry it with a towel when you get home, paying attention to the belly, the chest and between the toes.
The dog itself is the best guide. Shivering, lifting paws, slowing down, a tucked tail or repeated attempts to turn back all suggest your dog has had enough. A shorter walk is a perfectly good answer on a harsh day. If your dog seems unwell or unusually tired after being out in the cold, contact a vet.
Garment types in plain words
| Type | What it is for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sweater or knit | Light warmth on dry, cool days and indoors for dogs that feel chilly | Knits soak up water and can stay damp and heavy, so keep them for dry weather |
| Hoodie or sweatshirt | A soft everyday layer | Check that a hood or drawstring cannot catch on anything |
| Raincoat or slicker | Keeping rain off the back and sides | May be unlined, so it keeps a dog drier but not necessarily warmer |
| Lined or insulated coat | Cold days, often with a weather-resistant outer layer | Check the cut around the legs so that the dog can move freely |
| Snowsuit style | Colder, wetter conditions with more body coverage | More coverage means more to check for rubbing and for overheating |
Words like "water-resistant" and "waterproof" do not mean the same thing, so read what the maker says. Reflective trim can help drivers and other walkers see you in the dark. If a garment has an opening for the leash, check that it lines up with your harness.
Measuring and fit
Letter sizes are not standard across makers, and a size that fits one dog of a breed may not fit another, so measure your own dog. Use a soft tape, with the dog standing, and compare your numbers with the chart for that garment.
- Back length: from the base of the neck, where a collar sits, to the base of the tail.
- Chest: around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs.
- Neck: around the neck where a collar would rest.
If your dog falls between sizes, think about the cut: a deep-chested dog with a narrow waist often needs a different shape from a round, stocky dog. You can also ask through the contact page.
When you put the garment on, look for these points:
- It is snug but not tight, and you can slide a couple of fingers under it at the chest and neck.
- Nothing presses on the throat, and the neck opening does not ride up.
- The leg holes do not cut into the armpits, and the legs can move through a full stride.
- Your dog can sit, lie down and turn around comfortably.
- The garment does not cover the areas your dog needs for toileting, and it does not trail where it can get soiled.
- Fastenings sit flat and away from sensitive areas, and nothing dangles that your dog could chew off.
Introduce clothing gradually. Let your dog sniff it, put it on for a short time at home, reward calm behavior with a small treat, and then try a short walk. Do not force it. If your dog freezes, panics or keeps trying to get out of it, stop and try a different style or none at all.
Layers, harnesses and leashes
One thin layer that you can remove usually works better than one heavy one, and overdressing is as much a risk as underdressing. Try the harness over and under the garment indoors before you go out. A harness over a coat can bunch the fabric, and a harness under a coat needs an opening for the leash. Either way, check that straps do not rub through the fabric. For more on choosing and measuring a harness, see how to choose a dog harness, collar and leash.
After walks on gritty paths, or on ground that has been treated with salt or other chemicals, wipe or rinse your dog's paws and check between the toes. Ask your vet if the paws look sore.
Checking for rubbing and taking it off
When you get home, take the garment off. Clothing is for outside, and a dog that stays dressed indoors can get too warm and may chew at the fabric. Never leave a dog wearing clothing unsupervised, and never in a crate, where fabric can catch.
Then run your hands over the areas under the garment: the armpits, the chest, the belly and the neck. Look for redness, flattened or thinning fur, damp patches and tangles. In some coats, fabric rubbing in the same place can cause knots, so brushing after wear helps; our journal piece on a calm grooming routine at home covers the basics. If the skin looks sore, stop using that garment and ask a vet.
Wash clothing as the label says and dry it completely before the next wear, because damp fabric is cold fabric. Inspect it each time for loose threads, torn seams, stretched elastic and loose buttons or trim, and replace anything that is coming apart. If your dog has chewed part of a garment or swallowed a piece, call a vet straight away.
A quick checklist before you go out: is the weather really calling for it, does the garment fit and move well, are the leash and harness compatible with it, and do you have a towel for the way home? You can browse Clothing & Apparel and the Harnesses to see what goes together, or filter the shop for dogs.