Purposes for dog clothes; they aren't all the same.
When you hear “dog coat” you probably think about gear for keeping a dog warm. Did you know there are clothes for many different purposes?
Dog coats aren't all the same.
A dog coat is a dog coat, right? That isn't exactly a true statement. It's what people usually think of when it comes to the term "dog coat." But there's so much more to it than that.
In general, if you go to good old Google, when you look up "dog coat," you'll find lots of links that refer to a product that's intended to keep your dog warm. But if you look a little closer, you'll see that the products have a whole bunch of different purposes. They'll most likely be intended for different types of dogs; big dogs, little dogs, specialty dog breeds, etc. And their purposes may range from keeping warm to staying dry to cooling, and more.
Some coats are great for keeping your dog cool or helping them dry after swimming or a bath.
Your home climate
The first thing you'll need to do is consider the situation you and your dog live in. Do you have a long cold winter with lots of snow, ice, and wind? Maybe you live someplace more temperate and only have the cold stuff once in a while. Or do you live in a rainy climate? Some people and their dogs live in hot, dry places. Each of these places could place different demands on your dog. If you live
- in an arid climate, your dog may need something to help cool off.
- where there's a lot of rain, you'll want something waterproof but not necessarily warm.
- someplace that gets cool but not cold, you'll want something warm but don't need bulk.
- where it's freezing, you'll want to look for a more insulated coat, probably waterproof as well since getting wet makes it more difficult to stay warm.
Read more about keeping your dog warm in winter, here.
Sometimes, keeping your dog dry is the highest priority, especially if you live where it rains alot.
Your dog's adaptations
Once you've considered climate, the next thing to look at is your dog. Do they have a thick fur coat or a smooth one? Big or little? What is the heritage of their breed or breeds? What purpose are they bred for? A Newfoundland, bred to work in the North Atlantic's cold waters, will most likely enjoy cold winter weather. On the other hand, a chihuahua that's bred to be a lap companion is definitely NOT suited for the cold. Factors include
- Size: a small dog tends to get cold more easily than a big dog due to surface/body ratio
- Amount and color of fur; a dog with a thick double coat is less likely to get cold than a dog with a smooth coat. If staying cool is the purpose, a dog with a light-colored fluffy coat is more able to insulate itself from extreme heat, so cooling off may be easier for them than a dog with a smooth black coat.
- Muscle mass: since muscle creates heat, a heavily muscled dog won't get cold as quickly as a more lean dog. Heavily muscled dogs are more likely to need help cooling off for the same reason.
AKC has a great post about this.
Even big dogs with smooth coats can get cold.
The activities the two of you participate in
If you and your dog stay in a temperature-controlled environment most of the time, they may not need any assistance in the form of clothing. However, if you have a smooth-coated dog that loves to play in the snow with you, they may need some help staying warm so that the two of you can have fun together.
- Activities: If your dog is an indoor dog that only goes out for brief potty breaks, they probably don't need something as warm as a dog that spends a lot of time outside in the elements.
- Environment: A dog walking on a leash around the block probably doesn't need something as durable as a dog that's running off-leash through underbrush or forest.
- Sports: If your dog participates in strenuous activities, the clothes they wear will need to appropriately keep muscles warm, be durable enough to hold up, and allow freedom of movement.
- Conformation shows: Grooming essentials like slinkies or snoods can help keep your dog ready for the showring.
A grooming slinky is a different type of dog coat designed to help keep fur clean and lying smoothly.
Purposes of dog clothes
Each dog and owner team will have its own needs. That's why you need to consider all the factors to decide what's best for you and your canine friend. Once you've considered the needs, you can choose something that suits your purpose.
At Made by De, I make dog clothes for a wide variety of purposes and dogs. I'd be happy to work with you to get your dog the perfect clothing for your needs. I make each item custom so I can help the two of you get the perfect outfit.