Winter playtime can be fun as long as you have the right coat.

Winter is here and with that comes the question…. does my dog need a coat? And the answer? It all depends on the dog.  Dogs are just like people in the way some love cold weather and other’s hate it. Some breeds are warm weather dogs and some thrive in the snow. So knowing your dog is key.
My dogs are both small and have short hair. Pippa is chunkier and loves the snow. She will play outside in the snow for a long time. And when it gets below 20 degrees, I know it’s time for a coat for her. Bailey is lean and have very short tight hair. Once it gets below 50, he starts shivering. So he goes into a fleece shirt much faster. On the other hand, my nephew has two Newfoundlands, dogs bred to do cold water rescues. The stay out in the snow and love the really cold weather. Know your dog.
Also know that once the temperature drops below 10-15 degrees, no dog should be out for extended periods without proper shelter and someone checking on them frequently. If it’s below 20 degrees, my dogs are too cold to walk more than just down the street and back. And that’s with a fleece jacket on to keep them warm. In other words, leaving a dog out all day or worse… all night just should not happen in our climate.
What kind of coats are best? Think waterproof and light weight. Baily has a fleece lined rain jacket for when it’s snowing or damp and a little puffer style coat for colder winter days. Pippa has a number of fleece coats, all of different weights depending on the temperature for the day. She even has a hat for her big ears when it’s really cold. Although, I think my amusement of seeing her in her hat might be the reason she wears it a lot. A Frenchie with a hat is pretty cute.
How about sweaters? Knit sweaters are fine inside and outdoors when it’s dry with no snow. But they are not good in snow and rain. They get wet quickly and actually cause your dog to lose body heat instead of retain it. So if you can only pick one coat for your dog, stay away from knit sweater type coats.
The good news, dog jackets can last for years. So buy good quality, make sure they fit when you purchase and you should be able to get a lifetime of use of their coats. See you on the trail!