03/01/2026
๐ฅถ ๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฅถ
It's been a snowy couple of days but not all dogs are built for the cold and while some thrive in chilly temperatures (such as Husky's) others really struggle to stay warm. I'm often asked by clients whether they think their dog needs a coat and given the recent snow, what better time to write some guidance on this ๐!
๐งฌ ๐ฝ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐พ๐ค๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง
Toy breeds and dogs with short, thin or single layer coats (such as Greyhounds, Whippets, Staffies, Chihuahuas etc) lack the insulation needed to retain their body heat and unlike double coated breeds, they lose warmth quickly in cold weather. Dogs that have been recently groomed will also feel the cold more too!
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฝ๐ค๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ก๐๐ฎ ๐ ๐๐ค๐ก๐
Smaller dogs and very lean dogs have less body mass to conserve heat. Puppies, senior and elderly dogs also struggle more because they canโt regulate their body temperature as efficiently.
๐ง๏ธ ๐พ๐ค๐ก๐ + ๐๐๐ฉ = ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐จ๐
Rain, wind and snow strip heat from the body quickly. Even dogs that normally tolerate cold may become uncomfortable or at risk when theyโre wet or exposed for long periods.
โค๏ธโ๐ฉน ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฉ๐ ๐พ๐ค๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ
Dogs with arthritis, injuries, compromised immune systems or conditions like hypothyroidism feel the cold more intensely. Cold temperatures can increase stiffness and pain, reducing mobility and comfort.
๐งฃ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐๐จ๐๐๐ค๐ฃ
Jumpers and coats arenโt about dressing dogs up, they should be about improving the comfort, health and welfare of a dog. A well fitted, weather appropriate coat can prevent shivering, stress, muscle tension and reluctance to move outdoors.
โ
๐ฆ๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ด ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐
๐น Shivering or trembling
๐น Reluctance to go outside
๐น Tucked tail or hunched posture
๐น Lifting paws off the ground
๐น Seeking warmth or trying to rush walks
๐งฅ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ - ๐ช๐ต๐ถ๐ฐ๐ต ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ?
Both coats and jumpers can play an important role in keeping dogs warm but the best choice depends on weather conditions, activity level and your individual dog.
๐ก๏ธ ๐
๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ
Jumpers are ideal for dry, cold weather or for dogs that feel the chill indoors, at night or on walks. They provide insulation and help retain body heat, making them particularly useful for:
๐น Short-coated or lean breeds
๐น Senior or arthritic dogs
๐น Puppies
๐น Dogs with medical conditions
๐น Cold indoor environments
However, jumpers are not waterproof so they can become heavy, cold and uncomfortable in rain or snow.
๐ฆ ๐พ๐ค๐๐ฉ๐จ
Coats are better suited to wet, windy or snowy conditions as a good quality coat helps protect dogs from the elements by combining insulation with a weatherproof outer layer. They are more beneficial for:
๐น Long or exposed walks
๐น Wet and windy weather
๐น Dogs prone to stiffness or pain in the cold
๐น Lean or small breeds in harsh conditions
Some coats also include fleece or thermal linings which offer the best of both worlds!
โ๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ?
Many dogs benefit from having both and Buddy and Fudge have a little wardrobe of different jumpers and coats.
I think it's a good idea to have jumpers of different thickness for dry, chilly days or for wearing indoors (if necessary) and a coat for wet or extreme weather. Whichever you choose though, the way it fits is crucial. It should allow free movement and not rub and be effective in reducing heat loss.
Every dog is different though and if a jumper or coat helps your dog to stay warm, relaxed and confident during their winter walks, then itโs a responsible choice and definitely not a silly one! Whichever you choose, jumper or coat, just make sure your dog is comfortable, relaxed and happy to wear it (you may need to help them get used to it through careful desensitisation training). ๐ถ
Amanda Childs
Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking and Puppy School
๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฏ'๐ต ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฑ๐บ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฅ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ค๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐จ๐ณ๐ข๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ช๐ค, ๐ช๐ฏ๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ญ ๐ง๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ต ๐ข๐ด ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ต! ๐
