Dog Coat Choices Have Come A Long Way
Dog coats have evolved greatly from a single design option available in three sizes, small, medium, large. Our family dog had a tight little red and grey plaid coat. It always looked a bit dingy. The fabric was ugly. In addition it was a struggle to put on. Accordingly, the poor dog only wore the coat on a handful of occasions and mostly went cold on her very brief ventures into the backyard to relieve herself.
In current times there are hundreds of dog coat options ranging from the plain and simple to the extra-fancy, from the reasonably priced to the super expensive. There are water-proof coats and insulated coats and light weight coats. There are coats more suitable to short haired dogs and coats more suitable to longer haired dogs. There are coats that your dog can step into, coats that wrap around, and coats that are similar to a cape with a waist fastener. Some of the models designed for larger dogs have pockets for owners to carry items such as newspapers, magazines or a small amount of groceries.
Dog coats come in a wide range of designs and colours. Some dog coats include safety features such as bells and reflective stripes. There are so many options that it can be difficult to choose the right dog coat for your dog. Below are the four most important considerations in choosing a coat for your dog.
1. Regional weather. Is the coat needed to protect your dog from the elements or is it a style thing? If you live in a temperate climate and the temperature rarely goes below freezing then you needn’t worry too much about the insulation factor of the coat and, in fact, should be careful that the coat doesn’t make your dog overheat. If you live in an area that has severe winters then you should look for a coat that is both insulated and wind proof and uses fabrics such as gortex. You may also want to look for a coat that is water proof especially if you live in an area that experiences freezing rain.
2. Machine washable. All dogs get dirty, even those who are on a leash and particularly in the spring thaw. Do yourself a favor and only consider getting a dog coat that is machine washable. Dog coats don’t need to be washed as much as people clothes but you should count on washing the dog coat in the mid-season and at the end of every winter.
3. How easy is it to dress your dog. If the coat is too difficult to put on then it will spend the winter in the closet and your dog will have a chilly winter. It is helpful to look for a coat with Velcro strip fasteners as these seem to be the easiest manner of dressing your dog. Also look for a coat that fastens at the back or side of the dog.
4. Size of dog coat to purchase. Before you start searching for the perfect dog coat you need to take a few measurements. Measure again the circumference if his neck and add 1 inch. Measure again around the broadest part of his chest and add one inch. Lastly, measure your dog from the start of her tail to the base of her neck. Take these measurements with you when shopping for a dog coat.
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