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Selecting the right dog coat for your pooch

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Canine couture, in the form of a stylish and practical dog coat, is taking the fashion world by storm and no pooch wants to be left behind the pack when it comes to style, practicality and comfort.

There’s more to choosing the right coat for your dog, than looks alone. Breed, age and your dog’s type of hair all come into play when deciding which dog coat is best, or even if they should be wearing a dog coat at all.

Dog breeds that need some extra protection
  • Some single-coated dog breeds can’t keep as warm or retain as much heat as their double-coated counterparts. So when the temperatures drop and the weather gets wet and chilly, some example breeds that will really appreciate the extra warmth include the Italian Greyhound, Whippet and Greyhound, Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs, Weimeraners and Vizslas, Dalmations, Staffies and many other Terriers, Pugs and most definitely, the Chinese Crested Dog.
  •  Elderly dogs may also feel the cold in their bones and joints, or if their hair has started to thin.
Size and fit
  • When purchasing a dog coat for your pooch a key consideration is to ensure that it fits your dog correctly. A coat that is too tight may cause a rash or cut into their skin, whilst ill fitting coats (too large or too tight) could also affect your dog’s behaviour and cause them to feel anxious or irritable.
  • A coat should be snug, but not so tight that it hinders the dog’s movements. A PETstock staff member can help you choose the right sized coat for your dog when you visit one of their stores.
When to avoid using a dog coat
  • Many double-coated dogs breeds in Australia were traditionally born to live in freezing temperatures so their own coat is designed to protect them from the rain, snow and cold. Huskies, Chow Chows, Akitas, Keeshonds and Samoyeds, most GSD’s and other dogs with thick, wooly or long hair are likely to get too warm in a coat.
  • If your dog is very active at the park then look for a coat that can be easily removed so you can take it off your pooch when it’s playtime or if they are going for a run so they don’t overheat.
  • If your dog is inside and your place is nice and warm, take their coat off so their skin can breathe and they don’t overheat, or if their coat has become wet. Waterproofing the dog coat if it isn’t already is a good idea.
  • Leaving your dog’s coat on for long periods, or not regularly brushing their hair, can cause a dog’s hair to become matted underneath their coat – they are not designed to be worn for long periods.

If your dog doesn’t mind heading out in the rain then choose a waterproof or water resistant jacket like those in the Ruff N Rugged Oilskin range, exclusive to PETstock. For the sight hounds like greyhounds and whippets, there’s the Wriggly Diggly range.

Or, if you’d like to see your fur baby strutting their stuff in the hottest coats that will keep them warm and in vogue this winter, then look no further than the DGG range online, or at your local PETstock store.

The good thing about the DGG apparel, is that it doesn’t have sleeves so won’t restrict your dog’s legs.

Sporting all the latest designs that are both practical and stylish, the range includes the leading four-legged fashionista brands Australian Frontier, Ruff & Rugged and DGG (Doggone Gorgeous).

If your dog doesn’t mind heading out in the rain then choose a waterproof or water resistant jacket like those in the Ruff N Rugged Oilskin range, exclusive to PETstock.  For the sight hounds like greyhounds and whippets, there’s the Wriggly Diggly range.

Don’t let your pooch miss out on leading the pack in the style stakes this Winter, visit your local PETstock store or check out the look book for their full range.


About the Author: Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area, is a sought after pet expert speaker and Author of Eat, Play, Love (Your Dog).

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