FAQ: Clothing for dogs

Measure your dog's back from the neck to the base of the tail and the chest at its widest point, then compare with the manufacturer's size chart. If your dog falls between two sizes, the larger one is usually the better choice.

No. Clothing is mostly useful for small, short-haired, lean or older dogs in cold and wet weather. Dogs with a thick double coat, such as huskies or Samoyeds, usually do not need a jacket.

Warm clothing is most often needed by Chihuahuas, greyhounds, whippets, Italian greyhounds, pugs, French bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers and other small or short-haired breeds. They have little body fat or a thin coat without an undercoat.

Signs of cold include shivering, a hunched posture, lifting paws off the ground, wanting to rush home, slowing down or whining. If your dog does this after just a few minutes outdoors, a jacket or sweater is worth considering.

Small and short-haired dogs often benefit from clothing from around +5 °C, especially in rain or wind. Most medium-sized dogs only need it in frost, and thick-coated dogs rarely need it even in hard frost.

A large dog with a dense coat usually does not need a jacket, but one can help short-haired large breeds such as Dobermans, Great Danes or German shorthaired pointers, as well as older or unwell dogs.

Older dogs often regulate their body temperature less well, and cold can make joint stiffness worse. A light warm jacket or sweater can help them feel more comfortable on walks, especially in damp and windy weather.

Puppies of small and short-haired breeds get cold quickly, so a light sweater or jacket is useful in cold weather. Puppies grow fast, so choose adjustable designs and check often that the garment is not getting tight.

For many dogs clothing has a practical purpose: it protects against cold, rain, mud and road salt, and helps them be seen in the dark. Purely decorative clothes are not necessary, so it is worth choosing according to the weather and your dog's needs.

A raincoat is often very handy for a long-haired dog, because a wet long coat takes a long time to dry, tangles and collects mud. It saves a lot of time after walks even if the dog is not cold.

Yes, a dog whose coat has been clipped short loses its natural insulation and can get cold in frost, even if it normally needs no clothes. If you clip your dog short in winter, provide a jacket or sweater.

A well-fitting garment does not harm the coat, but one that is too tight or worn for long periods can cause rubbing, matting in the armpits and skin irritation. Take the garment off when you get home and brush the coat regularly.

Dog clothing includes winter jackets, raincoats, full-body suits, sweaters, fleece tops, vests, reflective vests, cooling vests, boots, hats and neck warmers, pyjamas and recovery suits. Each type is meant for a different kind of weather or purpose.

For most small or short-haired dogs, a raincoat for autumn and spring, a warm jacket or suit for winter and, if needed, boots against road salt are enough. With two winter garments, one can dry while the other is worn.

Most dogs do not need clothes indoors. Exceptions are very small, hairless, elderly or unwell dogs in cool rooms, which may benefit from a light sweater or pyjamas if they shiver and seek warmth.

Hairless dogs such as Chinese crested or Mexican hairless dogs can benefit from a light T-shirt against the sun in summer, as their skin burns easily. In winter they need warm clothing, often even indoors when it is cool.

A healthy dog often needs no jacket for a quick trip outside, but hard frost, wind or rain can affect a small or short-haired dog within minutes. Judge by the weather and how your dog feels, not by the length of the walk.

A sick or recovering dog may get cold more quickly, so a light warm garment can help on walks. If the dog has wounds, stitches or skin problems, ask your vet about clothing.

Fat insulates a little, but an overweight short-haired dog can still get cold, and its clothing must be chosen by chest and belly girth. Coat type, size and how the dog feels matter more than weight.

With the dog standing, use a soft tape measure from where the neck meets the back (at the collar line) to the base of the tail. Do not include the tail and do not pull the tape tight.