Does my dog need a coat? A UK guide for wet and cold walks

Most dogs don't need a coat. Plenty do. The difference matters on a British winter walk: a dog that is cold and wet slows down, turns for home early and takes longer to warm up afterwards. Here's how to tell which dog you have, and which layer suits which weather.

Dogs that usually need one

• Short or thin coats: whippets, greyhounds, lurchers, Staffies, boxers, French bulldogs and Dobermans have little between their skin and the rain.
• Small dogs: Jack Russells, dachshunds and Chihuahuas sit close to wet grass and puddles, and lose heat faster than big dogs.
• Puppies and older dogs: they find it harder to keep their body temperature steady.
• Lean dogs and freshly clipped dogs: less fat and less fur means less insulation.

Dogs that usually don't

Thick double coats, such as huskies, malamutes, Bernese mountain dogs, Newfoundlands and most collies, are built for this. Their own coat does the job, and a padded layer can make them too warm. A light rain shell can still save you a lot of towelling afterwards.

How to tell if your dog is cold

Watch for shivering, a hunched back, a tucked tail, lifting one paw off cold ground, slowing down or not wanting to go out at all. As a rough guide, many owners of small or short-coated dogs reach for a coat once it drops below about 7°C, and most dogs need watching below freezing. Wind and rain make it feel colder than the number on your phone says.

Rain, cold or both: which layer for which day

Wet days: a light shell

Most British winter days are wet rather than bitter. For those, a thin waterproof layer is enough: it keeps the back and chest dry and the wind off, without the bulk. Bright colours help too, because they stand out on grey afternoons.

Our pick: the Form Storm Coat, a light windproof and rainproof shell that wipes clean, in five colours and sizes S to 5XL.

Cold days: a warm coat

When it's cold as well as grey, warmth matters more than waterproofing. Heat goes first from the back and chest, so that's what a winter coat should cover. It should go on quickly, because nobody wants a wrestle at the front door.

Our pick: the Form Winter Coat, in Slate Grey, Moss Olive and Bracken Stitch, sizes S to 2XL.

Snow and sleet: a padded suit

For the coldest walks, such as snow on the tops, sleet, or an hour out at dawn, a padded suit with a hood keeps much more of your dog warm and dry.

Our pick: the Form Snowline Suit, padded and hooded, in Tarn Green and Gorse & Slate, sizes XS to 2XL.

Getting the fit right

A coat that doesn't fit gets chewed, slips round, or rubs behind the front legs. You need three measurements and a soft tape:

1. Back length: from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.
2. Chest: around the widest part, just behind the front legs.
3. Neck: around where a collar sits.

It should cover the back to the base of the tail, leave the shoulders free to move, and let two fingers slide under each strap. Our guide on how to measure your dog shows each step, and what to do if your dog sits between two sizes.

A few rules for coat days

• Take it off indoors. Dogs overheat quickly in a warm house or car.
• Dry it after every walk, away from direct heat. Radiators can stiffen fabric and warp clips.
• Check under the straps on the first few walks for rubbing or matted fur.
• Make it a good thing. Let them sniff it, put it on for a minute with a treat, then go straight out. Most dogs stop minding within a week.

Heading out in the dark as well? Our wet winter walk checklist covers lights, water and keeping the car clean on the way home.

Every FELL coat ships free in the UK on orders over £20, with 30-day returns and a 5-year guarantee against manufacturing defects.