The days are getting chilly. Time to pull out the coats and sweaters and turn on the heater! Even though dogs come with their own coats, they could use extra warmth provided by a dog coat or sweater.

Dog lovers enjoy playing dress up with their small dogs. Smaller breeds of dogs have hair rather than fur and are susceptible to cold weather. They require the warmth that dog clothes offer if they are outdoors for any amount of time. Breeds such as: Silky Terriers, Chinese Crested Dogs, Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds and Maltese in fact benefit from sporting a dog sweater or coat. Tiny dogs prefer not to be exposed to the cold or rain and are most content warm and dry.

Mid-sized dogs such as Welsh Corgis or Pugs are very muscular yet have very short hair. But a Welsh Corgi would look superb in a classy coat or jacket? Sometimes it is all about looking good! Boxers are another type of dog that does not do well in intense temperatures even with their muscular physique. And a Corduroy Dog Jacket would look great on any Boxer?

Short haired breeds, like a Greyhound, Basenji, Weimaraner, Italian Greyhound and Vizsla have a leaner build and require outdoor activity and do not handle chilly weather very well. Barn jackets are ideal during cold stormy days and are a cinch to Velcro around an active dog to preserve their body heat. The Polyester lends itself as a protective to fend off wind and water while maintaining a dry pet, while the fleece retains body heat to supply warmth.

Some breeds don’t have need of a coat to provide warmth. For instance, the Alaskan Malamute possesses a bulky and thick base-coat that permits them to be exposed to extremely cold temperatures with minimal to no protection. The duality of the Samoyed coat offers a soft, thick undercoat with a callous outer layer. In addition, cold temperature breeds have a main of hair around their neck for extra warmth.

Aging dogs need a bit of extra comfort and warmth in their old age. A fleece lined dog coat will keep an older dog more comfortable. Especially on days when a dog feels arthritic, a dog sweater or coat will offer aid to keep their bodies at ease. Dogs not in tip top health can benefit from a therapeutic dog coat. Using heat, cold and magnetic therapy, veterinarians recommend therapeutic dog coats for rehabilitation and pain relief.

The right fit is important for comfort and warmth. Using a tape measure to figure out what size coat your dog will need can be accomplished in 3 easy steps.

Step 1: Measure your dog’s girth. The girth is the chest directly behind the front legs.

Step 2: Measure your dog’s neck. This is an important for hooded dog apparel.

Step 3: Determine the length of your dog from the base of their neck to the base of their tail.

Even though dogs come equipped with their own coats, they always could use an extra bit of warmth for cold and rainy days.

Although dogs come equipped with their own natural coat, they can always use an extra bit of warmth for adverse weather. Joanne Gallagher suggests visiting Jake’s Dog House for a wide selection of Dog Sweaters & Coats that will provide your dog with warmth and style during the cold winter months.

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