Dog Coats

Dog coats are the outer layer in a dog's wardrobe, built for weather rather than for the house. This collection covers winter coats for cold walks, raincoats and water-resistant styles for wet days, and lighter jackets for the in-between months, in sizes from small breeds up to large dogs. Coats are one part of our wider dog clothing range, and the one most worth getting the fit right on, since a coat that shifts as your dog moves stops doing its job. Measure your dog and check the size chart on each product page before ordering.

Dog Coats for Different Weather Conditions

Most people arrive here with a specific problem: cold mornings, persistent rain, or a dog who plants their feet at the door once the weather turns. The right coat depends on which of those you're solving.

Winter Coats for Dogs

A dog winter coat prioritizes coverage and warmth retention. Look at how far it extends down the back and around the chest, since a coat that stops short leaves the areas that matter most exposed. Fastenings should be easy to work with cold hands, most use a belly strap, a chest closure, or both.

Layering is worth considering for very cold conditions. A knitted sweater underneath adds warmth without bulk at the shoulders, and full-body jumpsuits are the alternative when you want leg coverage a coat doesn't provide.

Raincoats and Waterproof Dog Coats

Rain-focused coats are about shedding water rather than holding heat, so they're generally lighter and cut closer to the body. Check the product description for what it actually says about water resistance, the terms "water-resistant," "water-repellent" and "waterproof" describe different levels of protection, and they aren't interchangeable.

Practical details matter more here than in winter coats: a hood or raised collar, coverage over the hindquarters, and how quickly the coat dries between walks. A set of dog shoes handles the part of your dog that gets wettest.

Dog Jackets and Vests

"Jacket" and "coat" are used interchangeably by most retailers, though jackets tend to be lighter and shorter, useful in autumn and spring when a full winter coat is too much. Some include a hood for extra head and neck coverage.

Vests leave the legs and shoulders completely free, which suits active dogs and warmer days. If you want the sleeveless shape specifically rather than a coat, our sleeveless vests cover that style.

How to Choose the Right Coat for Your Dog

Fit does more work than anything else on this page. A well-sized coat stays where it's put; an ill-fitting one rides up, twists, or gets shrugged off within a block.

• Coverage. Decide how much of the body you want covered — back only, or chest and belly too.
• Weight. Heavier isn't automatically warmer, and a bulky coat restricts movement on longer walks.
• Closures. Velcro is quick; buckles and clips hold better on dogs who pull at their clothing.
• Mobility. Check the shoulders and hindquarters aren't restricted when your dog walks and sits.
• Getting it on. Step-in styles suit dogs who dislike things going over their head.
• Cleaning. Coats get muddy. Check whether it's machine washable before you buy.

If your dog wears a harness, decide whether it goes over or under the coat, and look for a leash opening if you prefer it underneath.

How to Measure Your Dog for a Coat

Back length is the key measurement for outerwear, from the base of the neck, where a collar sits, to the base of the tail. Take it with your dog standing rather than sitting.

Chest girth, measured around the widest point just behind the front legs, is the second figure most charts use. Neck circumference matters for coats with a closed or high collar. If your dog falls between sizes, size up on girth: a slightly long coat is manageable, a tight chest isn't.

Do Dogs Need Coats in Winter?

It depends on the dog, and it's worth being honest that plenty don't. Coat type is the biggest factor. Double-coated breeds, huskies, german shepherds, newfoundlands and similar, have a dense insulating undercoat beneath longer guard hairs, and many handle cold conditions comfortably without anything on.

Dogs more likely to feel the cold include short-coated and single-coated breeds, small dogs, puppies, seniors, and dogs recently clipped short. Temperature, wind, how wet it is, how long you're out and your dog's own activity level all factor in too, a dog running for forty minutes has different needs from one on a slow walk around the block.

Watch your own dog rather than applying a rule. Shivering, reluctance to go out, or lifting paws off cold ground are the signals owners usually notice first. For questions about your dog's specific health or cold tolerance, your vet is the right person to ask.

Shop Dog Coats at Pawtons

Browse the range above, filter by size, and check each product's measurements and closure details against your dog before ordering. The rest of our dog accessories cover the collars, leashes and everyday extras that go with them.

Dog Coats — Frequently Asked Questions

Do dogs need coats in winter?

Some do, many don't. Short-coated breeds, small dogs, puppies, seniors and recently clipped dogs tend to feel cold sooner, while thick double-coated breeds often manage without. Temperature, wind, wet conditions and time outdoors all matter. Watch your own dog for shivering or reluctance to walk, and ask your vet about specific health concerns.

How do I measure my dog for a coat?

Back length is the main figure, from the base of the neck, where a collar sits, to the base of the tail, taken with your dog standing. Add chest girth around the widest point behind the front legs, and neck circumference for high-collared styles. Compare against the product's own size chart.

How should a dog coat fit?

Snug enough to stay in place, loose enough to move freely. Your dog should walk, sit and stretch without pulling at the shoulders or chest. The coat shouldn't ride up over the hindquarters or twist as they move. If it shifts noticeably during a walk, it's likely a size too large.

Do double-coated dogs need coats?

Often not. A double coat has a dense undercoat beneath longer outer hairs, which insulates well, and many of these breeds are comfortable in cold weather without extra layers. That said, individual tolerance varies with age, health and conditions, so it isn't an absolute rule either way.

What should I look for in a dog raincoat?

Check what the product description actually says about water resistance, water-resistant, water-repellent and waterproof describe different levels of protection. Beyond that, look at coverage over the hindquarters, whether there's a hood or raised collar, how quickly it dries, and whether it's machine washable.

What's the difference between a dog coat and a dog sweater?

A coat is outerwear, built for weather protection with closures and more structure. A sweater is a knitted or fleece layer worn mainly for warmth, often indoors. Many owners use both, layering a sweater under a coat when conditions are genuinely cold.