Dog Coat Choices Have Come A Long Way

When I was a child dogs rarely wore dog coats

When I was a child dogs rarely wore dog coats. There was a wide spread myth that a dog's fur was enough to keep them warm on cold winter days. Clearly, this was false as some dogs are simply not naturally suited for colder climates. The dog coats that were available were generally pretty ugly and generally pretty difficult to put on.

These days responsible pet owners know that it is important to protect your dogs from the elements. Accordingly, there are many, many different types of dog coats on the market. You can choose from the strictly functional to the flashy-splashy, from the moderately priced to the less-moderately priced. There are coat styles more suitable to short haired dogs and coat styles more suitable to longer haired dogs. Some dog coats are water-proof, while other coats are insulated. Some people like to have a lighter weight dog coat for the milder days. There are coats that your dog can step into, coats that wrap around with Velcro fasteners, and coats that are similar to capes with a waist band. Some coats designed for larger dogs have pockets for owners to carry items such as dog toys or gloves. A nice feature to look for in a coat is some sort of reflective strip to add to the safety of your pet.

These coats are available in a wide range of colors, fabrics and styles. There are so many different dog coats on the market that it sometimes can be difficult to choose the right coat for your dog. A few things to keep in mind should make choosing a dog coat easier.

1. Climate. Is the coat intended to protect your dog from the elements or is it more of a fashion statement? If you live in a temperate climate and the temperature rarely goes below freezing then you needn't worry too much about the insulation factor of the coat. However, if you live in an area that has severe winters then you must really be careful to choose a coat that will protect your beloved pooch. Look for a coat that is both insulated and wind proof. You may also want to find a coat that is also water proof. Many coats use gortex and thinsulate and these coats work well.

2. Can the coat be machine washed? Dog coats can get grubby very quickly and sometimes can get soiled by the dog relieving himself. Only consider dog coats that can be thrown into the washing machine. Keeping the coat clean will depend on your dog. Hopefully, during the spring thaw it will be warm enough that your dog can go coat-less. Expect to wash the coat twice per year.

3. The ease of putting the dog coat on your dog. If the coat isn't easy to put on then you won't use it. If you don't use it then there is no point in buying it. Look for a coat with good quality Velcro fasteners as these seem to be the easiest. Also look for a coat that fastens at the back or side of the dog.

4. How big is your dog? What size dog coat should you buy? Before you start searching for the perfect dog coat you need to take a few measurements. Measure around the broadest part of his chest and add two centimeters. Measure again the circumference of the neck and add two centimeters. Lastly, measure your dog from the start of the tail to the base of the neck. Keep these measurements handy when you when shopping for a new dog coat.

by: Dylan Brodderick

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