Need a coat

[XKinnieX]

When we take kinnie out in the cold and wet, would it be a good idea to get him a coat to wear?
 

[Emma xx]

Unless he is shivering i wouldnt- they are hardy little dogs with thick coats (unless clipped ) but maybe for when hes back at home, like an equafleece to help him dry off quicker? xxx

[hanandhen]

Even clipped as he is mine doesn't have a coat, just a fleece to dry off afterwards. They're designed to work outdoors all day!

[Helen]

Even clipped as he is mine doesn't have a coat, just a fleece to dry off afterwards. They're designed to work outdoors all day!

yes they are, and were bred to be kennelled as working dogs - so ours are much more likely to be 'softer' and susceptible to feeling the cold if they have the luxury of centrally heated homes to live in (which is also why inside dogs moult all year long instead of having two seasonal big moults).

I think it depends on the dog - mine is happy to be coat free while he works or while he's on walks getting muddy and wet - but when he stops being active he feels the cold and really shivers which is when we throw his fleece on him 

[bluegirl]

I have some coats for mine, they don't wear them all of the time but will bring them out of the cupboard if its really windy, cold or pouring down.

[Lily Freya]

I am inclined to agree with Helen.  Our dogs are not kept outside all the time, and they are used to a centrally heated environment.

We take ours on the Yorkshire Moors, and even when it is a sunny day down below in the village, it is really windy and cold up on the heights.......Brrrrrrrrrr.
So, in winter, we put something on them.  Just had two fab fleeces, from Mollycuddles.

[mcphee]

I have started using a fleece after wet cold muddy walks, as I saw Rufus shiver for the first time this year, and I wish to keep his hips warm. I am not sure he would be able to wear one whilst on his missions, however.

[bracken]

Mine have coats but only really wear them during freezing weather 

[Smudgesmum]

Smudge and Oliver have coats for when it is raining cats and dogs...they are really funny they both seem so proud when we put them on them and I'm sure they show off to the wet dogs around them!

[BrianC]

We have gone through a couple with mine, since Matilda's such an awkward size. The one we ended up going for was a medium/large sized one from Old Navy's dog range in the states (we happened to be out there at the time), and although it fits her well in most places, we have to put a spare human belt around her middle to keep the thing on when she runs around. If size is an issue there's a few different suppliers who will make you a custom coat specifically for your dog's size - one of these days we'll make that purchase.

Of course there's the argument that a dog with a full coat is already protected from the elements, but some days you don't feel like having to give the dog a full wash and dry when you bring her back into the house.

Brian

[Countrygirl]

Most of our walks end up at a cafe for a coffee.  Ellie doesn't wear her equafleece whilst she is running around, but in winter when we stop for a drink she cools down rapidly and I put her equafleece on then and she loves it.

[elaine.e]

William has a polo neck Equafleece that he wears when it rains in winter, but not when it's just cold, although I'll put it on him in the car on the way home after walks in the cold.

Louis doesn't have a coat on at all when walking because he goes in all the mud and water he can find  . But I have a dry dog bag to put him in on the way home if he's really wet, or William's old Equafleece for him if he's not too bad.

[Philtrum]

I work on the grounds that if I need a hat and gloves that the dogs might feel the cold too, so I have  got a "weatherbeater" coat for each of them, I got them from a local saddlery and they are the same as the rugs etc you get for horses, with reflective stripe on the back

works a treat

Phil

[hollyd443]

Mine wear coats on evening lead walks but not really in the day as they're so active, they don't stop and I think they'd get too warm and as there walks are v.close to home/work they come straight back into the warm.  Mika has a big fluffy coat which really traps in the warm air so she def doesn't need a coat! She hates the heat so is loving this time of year! Penny, the oldie on the other hand has a huge selection of coats 

Most of our walks end up at a cafe for a coffee. 

Sounds like my kinda walk!! 

[Countrygirl]

Most of our walks end up at a cafe for a coffee. 

Sounds like my kinda walk!! 

It comes from having an OH who is totally incapable of walking past a cafe without going in!  I used to laugh at people in the soaps who live just down the street but went into the cafe for tea or coffee.  I couldn't understand why they didn't just go home.  Now I understand.  Just down the lane at the back of our house is a local beauty spot with a cafe.  Last week they gave us free coffee and mince pies, as in their words 'you have kept us going this year'.  It just shows how often we go!!!!!!