Does your dog(s) have a jacket/blanket or other clothing?

[Bicoastal]

The bolded is what really makes me scratch my head.

1. I do not like Velcro fasteners. Have to tug dog to get it off, hair will eventually reduce its effectiveness, it’s noisy and cumbersome so the garment doesn’t fold up well.
   The straps are also too wide for my small dog.

2. Sizing is imperfect. XS, S, M, L, XL…really? And each size has the same width fasteners and straps. My dog is looong and some belly straps and all sweaters still reach his penis :eek:. Did I mention he’s loooooong bodied?

3. Nope only porker is me but most garments would accommodate some weight fluctuation.

4. Yes give me inches! And type of fasteners or strap should be smaller/narrower in the smaller sizes and incrementally go up or make this option semi-customizable.

5. My dog is a DoxieX emphasize X. Way longer than tall, small head, thick neck. He is 20lbs 10" at the withers 12" neck. Wears a M Smartpak Thinsulate coat.

Unrequested 2cents:

• sweaters/shirts are stupid and senseless. Pull something over the dogs’ head and legs is uncomfortable for both parties and impedes movement through the shoulder and elbow. I prefer the horse blanket style

• I would LOVE to see belly-wrap style dog blankets like horse blankets. Their tummies may be wading through snow. Something covering their back is not very efficient/smart

[vtdobes]

[QUOTE=Simkie;5732288]
Oh, I have also tried the SS Tack Blanket and even my not-hard-on-her-clothes-at-all dog shredded it. Lasted less than a week.

And, danceronice, I have to laugh at your comment that “they already have a fur coat”! Koa’s coat is SO short and SO fine that her belly is bald. She has never had hair there. She needs some help in the winter, since I don’t live in Africa ;)[/QUOTE]

Really??? I’ve had both of my Schneiders coats for 2 seasons now and they both are in perfect condition. My blue dobe girl wears them constantly from October-March/April.

Oh and yeah…I bet my blue dobe has even less hair than your dog! She’s got more skin showing than she does hair! So in VT she really needs her coats

[wendy]

I would LOVE to see belly-wrap style dog blankets like horse blankets. Their tummies may be wading through snow.

the Ruffwear ones go over the head and have a chest panel that covers most of the underside.

when I HAD to dress my Great Dane, who had no hair to speak of, I got stuff from this company, they have breed-specific designs of clothing (including belly wraps):

http://k9apparel.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=132_137&zenid=06cf4e52285cdd914e47123811c8a5a2

but this coat is the best ever: http://www.k9topcoat.com/group.asp?grp=73

this company also sells bodysuits that cover the entire dog, belly, legs.

[marta]

Wendy

Did you try that k9 coat? What was your impression?

Simkie, did you try the rc pets coats? They look a lot like RuffWear. Slick enough to get them under a harness.

So true what someone said about the length. I have a Weatherbeeta Baker print rain coat for Roxanne and it ends at least 2" short of her tail. Her Foggy Mountain coats cover her back and are cut deep, too. My favorite is the Snuggler in pink plead It has a nice wide belly band, too.

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=wendy;5732569]
the Ruffwear ones go over the head and have a chest panel that covers most of the underside.

when I HAD to dress my Great Dane, who had no hair to speak of, I got stuff from this company, they have breed-specific designs of clothing (including belly wraps):
…
this company also sells bodysuits that cover the entire dog, belly, legs.[/QUOTE]

You’re right, wendy! LIke the greyhound coats: sighthounds have been covered and clothed for years and years. Great Danes also have high tuck ups.

Maybe I’ll try a new coat this winter as my guy gets more and more sensitive to cold with age. Think those coats will work with rectangular (& small) dogs?

[Simkie]

@marta;5732587

Simkie, did you try the rc pets coats? They look a lot like RuffWear. Slick enough to get them under a harness.

Yep, sure have–they are my go-to coats for winter. If you scroll up to my loooong post about various blankets, I linked to the specific coats I use.

They are NOT as thin as the Ruff Wear, though, but they have the advantage of not falling apart like Ruff Wear and not rubbing like Ruff Wear and (IIRC) not costing as much as Ruff Wear. I am not a Ruff Wear Fan. :no: I think you could get the fleece RC Pets under a harness, but you might have to adjust it first

Wendy, thanks for the link to K9 Apparel! The Rhodesian Ridgeback legwarmers are hilarious!! :lol:

[bort84]

Coats here! My greyhound gets hot and cold veeery easily… She also is not a huge fan of rain = )

Love K9 Apparel for hard to fit dogs. They sell their stuff by breed, have a good amount in stock (quick turnaround time), have VERY friendly and helpful customer service, and they will do custom for little to no charge. Everything comes in looking like top notch quality stuff - not homesewn or ill fitting. I also love that none of it is frilly.

Raincoat: From K9 Apparel - http://k9apparel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=132_138&products_id=2586 It’s awesome. Fits her perfectly. The belly straps are velcro, but they are positioned to avoid slipping from side to side and do work. The neck has a hole to put a leash through, and the neck can come up like a hood to cover their ears. The back is long enough so that the rain slides right off. It is lined with a nice soft mesh that prevents rubbing, plus it’s lightweight enough to use in warmer weather showers. Love love love it.

Fleece/tummy warmer: from K9 Apparel - http://k9apparel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=132_138&products_id=2594 My girl starts getting shivery if it gets below 65, so this is perfect. We live in Houston, so when it gets “really” cold here, we just put this on under her rain coat. The fit is great, and she looks super sharp in it.

Mesh cooling coat: from Saratoga Horseworks - http://www.horseworks.com/inc/sdetail/157/181 This is super helpful for reflecting the sun’s rays while still allowing ample airflow. It’s made out of the slightly stiffer fly sheet mesh, so it won’t cling to your dog. You can also use it wet, but since it’s not really fabric, it doesn’t get soaked. It just helps cool the air flowing through the jacket. This helps keep my dog MUCH cooler if we are out in the sun. Used damp with a fan blowing on the dog, you can actually get your dog too cool. It has a velcro belly band that is made of softer mesh (nice for my girl’s hairless tummy/girth), and it has a plastic clip in front. It comes in a variety of trim colors and looks very classy = )

I’ve had very little trouble finding quality clothing that fits well for my greyhound.

Oh, I do plan to add a completely frivolous look to her wardrobe: I’m ordering a simple white dog tee, and then I’m going to put a New Orleans Saints iron on logo on it for game day (to match her fleur de lis collar, of course). Her life is pretty cush, and she tolerates clothing quite nicely, so whatever = )

[KateandKc]

I’ve found that Ruffwear coats/jackets fit my oddly sized boxer pretty well. He’s tall (too tall for a boxer), very broad and deep chested, but skinny. He has their k-9 overcoat and lifejacket.

It seems like any other brand that fits in the chest is way too big in the waist area, or if it fits his waist area he can’t walk because the chest is too tight.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=evntr5218;5732266]
is that the one that is supposed to help dogs who are afraid in storms? my JR is terribly nervous in storms and I have always been curious if these work.[/QUOTE]

It is! Puff (the COTH Giveaway Dog, so I know his history well) has always had serious storm hangups. He still gets nervous but now he will lie down and sleep once I have his shirt on. Before he would literally crawl in to my lap (all 42 pounds of him) and shake, or try to climb into my bed with his whole body just shaking. He’s still nervous, as I said, but he no longer is a total falling-apart wreck. He also handles long car trips a little better with it on.

[Bumper]

My dogs have hair. Lots of it. Mother Nature made them weather proof.

That said, last winter i bought a coat for my elderly Springer. She gets too hot in the house (even though we keep the heat at 68) so she’s clipped short all year long. Those cold Montana winter days were too much for her so we got her a coat. I imagine when my other dogs (her daughter, granddaughter and grandson) get to that point they’ll use it too. But i can’t see my buying another for any reason.

All i looked for was warm, durable and easy to put on. I bought mine at Foster & Smith for about $20 or less. It’s perfect.

[supaflyskye]

I bought this blanket (in purple!) for my shorthaired puppy last month when we went through a patch of somewhat unseasonably cold weather(in the 50s and 60s) and she was shivering and obviously cold. It’s rather hot now, but I’ve been putting the blanket on her to warm her up after swimming in the cold water that normally leaves her shivering for a little while, and she seems to be much more comfortable.
While it is too big for her at the moment, I’m sure she’ll grow into it. It’s basic, but very nice for the price. I’m not sure how it would work for difficult to fit dogs, it’s so simple in shape though that I imagine it would fit many body types.

I’m disagree w/ dressing dogs up in silly, uncomfortable outfits for human fun, but my puppy really needed some protection from the elements.

[classicsporthorses]

thanks everyone, I will look at the links provided. It’s helping with our research in future developments. Keep them coming.

[GraceLikeRain]

My 20 lb Schnauzer “Murphy” has a small collection of clothing but I loathe trying to buy anything new.

1. Most “schnauzers” are non-standardized teacups and toys that are much too tiny for AKC breed standard. Consequently when I buy a blanket in a small because it says it would fit a Schnauzer and then I get a 4 inch jacket, it is super frustrating.

2. He is a perfect little box with a nice short back but I keep him very slim which means finding a blanket that fits his back without being too large in the stomach is also frustrating.

Keeping a Schnauzer is a show trim while also bringing him to the barn for 4-6 hours in the dead of winter requires a heavy substantial blanket. He simply doesn’t have any hair to keep him warm so I really don’t have a choice.

I’ve learned not to buy unless I can see it in person and try it on.

[2tempe]

Down here in Fla w/ two chow mixes: The male has a spiffy speedo that he wears in the pool, and the female has an itsy bitsy polka dot bikini…
Oh, and there are two halloween costumes in the closet…

[Nezzy]

i have 2 CCPP’s and 2 American Hairless Terriers. The nudies need clothing so i did learn to sew, but this woman does amazing work. she has made my nudie a snowsuit with booties sewn in.

http://www.laboneyard.com

[Simbalism]

I got my puppy in November and she was 4.5 lbs. She had several sweaters from Walmart as she was growing. My sister had a turnout type dog blanket that I used when it was wet and cold during the winter. She has outgrown the sweater and the dog coat, and being an aussie she has pretty long hair. I did just purchase a dog coat at the local tack shop tent sale last week. It is by the same company that does equine couture bridle, helmet and coat bags that I have seen in Dover Saddlery catalog. I take my dog to the barn with me every day and when it is wet and cold, like to have a blanket so my dog doesn’t get so wet. With her long hair it takes awhile to dry and don’t want her to get sick. My dog is pretty average in size and build so no problems with fitting her.

[englishcowgirl]

I have a wire haired pointing griffon/plott hound mix. She has clothes because I keep her clipped short to minimize the shedding and hound smell. I have never had a problem fitting her to any brand, however she is very much like a pointer/lab type in the body so that may be why…

[cleozowner]

My current dog, an IG, has K9 Apparel’s Winter coat.

My Basenji wore Montana Dogware–and when it comes to size selection, I think they’re the best!

[red_mares]

[QUOTE=evntr5218;5732266]
is that the one that is supposed to help dogs who are afraid in storms? my JR is terribly nervous in storms and I have always been curious if these work.[/QUOTE]

My dad’s JRT is an absolute basket case during storms, fireworks, etc. He tried one recently and neither he nor the dog were impressed. They are back to cranking up the room air condidtioner and turning up the TV.

This dog has a pretty extensive wardrobe,:rolleyes: but 99% look like dog coats, not kids clothes. I have never been so creeped out as when I saw the dog clothes, from a distance, at PetSmart. My first thought was “Why do they have kids clothes here?” It took me a minute to realize they were for dogs. Yuck.

[evntr5218]

[QUOTE=red mares;5733780]
My dad’s JRT is an absolute basket case during storms, fireworks, etc. He tried one recently and neither he nor the dog were impressed. They are back to cranking up the room air condidtioner and turning up the TV.

This dog has a pretty extensive wardrobe,:rolleyes: but 99% look like dog coats, not kids clothes. I have never been so creeped out as when I saw the dog clothes, from a distance, at PetSmart. My first thought was “Why do they have kids clothes here?” It took me a minute to realize they were for dogs. Yuck.[/QUOTE]

yeah that is pretty much the consensus. they just dont work. it seems like its only when it storms at night when there is an issue for some reason or maybe i just notice it more because i am trying to go to sleep and i have a ten lb JR in my face panting and whining. poor thing