Does your dog's coat fit right?

January 11, 2022|Dog coats

In order to get the most out of your dog's coat, it needs to fit them well.

Does your dog need a coat?

Do you know if your dog needs a coat? Not all dogs do. If you and your dog live in a climate that suits your dog, they probably don't need one (think huskies in Alaska or chihuahuas in Florida). For the rest of us, a dog coat is a valid consideration.

A dog needs a coat if they aren't comfortably warm most of the time or if going outside to potty is a chore instead of a treat. If your dog falls in this category, you might see them hide instead of going out. If they go out, it might be as quick as possible. They could be shivering or moving stiffly. Basically, they just seem cold! If that's your dog, this post is for you.

A dog coat that fits well will allow room for the front legs to move freely like this coat does.

Does it matter how well a dog coat fits?

Since you've determined that your dog needs a coat, now you have to decide which one is the right one. You want your dog to like wearing that coat. One of the most essential factors is fit.  

Is the coat big enough in all the right places? A jacket that's too small will prevent your dog from moving freely and will probably rip soon. That's if you can even get it on your dog.  

A coat that's larger than necessary isn't going to work well either. If the coat is too big, you'll be able to get it on your dog, but it will probably get in the way of their movement. the extra bulk can cause them to trip or bind at the legs.

Your dog can tell if their coat fits. But they can't tell you, so you have to watch them.

What things should you check to make sure?

A coat that fits your dog well will have the following:

-  Long enough to cover your dog adequately without extra bulk hanging off the tail end.

-  Enough room at the neck to allow them to breathe easily. you should be able to put at least a couple of fingers between your dog and the coat. If it needs to slide over your dog's head, that might require a bit more room, depending on the dog.

-  The coat's girth (around the ribcage) should be snug enough to prevent rolling but loose enough that it doesn't cause wrinkles when fastened. 

-  The chest area in front should cover as much as possible without getting in the way of your dog's front legs. There should be some allowance for movement if it reaches the front legs.

If you've looked at dog coats, you know that there are a zillion varieties of coats. The true test will be when your dog wears it. Can they run, jump, play, and just hang out normally? If not, the coat in question might not be the right one for them.

It can take a bit of patience when you're looking for a good dog coat.  You might have to make more than one attempt to find the right one. But in the end, if it fits your dog well, they won't mind wearing it. You won't have to fight them to put it on. And best of all, it will most likely hold up better.

If you're looking for a good dog coat, custom-made for your dog so it will fit, take a look at my website, www.madebyde.com.  Don't forget to sign up for my Insider Group. You'll get a coupon code for 20% off all orders.

A proper fit is extremely important for little dogs like this dachshund. Too big or too small can make the difference between comfort and not being able to move at all.