[MHDDOG2016]

This will be our first New England Fall and Winter with Jasper. He is a cockapoo and has a long, wavy coat that takes a while to dry. We have had major drought all Summer so I have only had to dry him a couple times after getting caught in rain, but I'm guessing we won't be so lucky in the Fall. I leave for work right after his morning walk so would love to find something he can wear that will keep him mostly dry when it rains so I don't have to towel him off for a long time before I leave.

Once it gets cold, I am wondering what people use. Does he need foot covering too from ice and salt? How cold should it be before using a winter coat for him? He gets so hot even in mild, sunny weather (mid 70's) so maybe he'll tolerate cold better?

Advice? Coats you love? Coats you hate?

Thanks!

 

[MollyDoggy]

Salt can irritate dogs feet, so a lot of people use dog booties in the winter if there is salt around. Some people also just clean their dogs feet before coming inside by dipping the paws in clean water.

This will be our first New England winter together too, so I'm curious about the coats too. I bought her a coat in Florida and I'm waiting for an excuse to have her wear it. XD

 

[Artdog]

I use a coat if and when my dog is visibly very cold--picking up feet a lot, shivering, looking miserable, looking extra "sharp". Otherwise, expect them to adjust to the weather and grow their own coat (mine is capable).
I have not yet needed boots either--dogs develop thick pads if walked a lot.
In otherwords, it depends--look at your dog, check his feet in winter.
A raincoat sounds like an excellent idea for your own convenience.

 

[Aspen726]

Hi neighbor! I live in RI

I use a light coat all winter if we're playing out in the snow. It's fleece inside and waterproof outside. It's really just so she doesn't get wet then catch a chill. If we're going to the barn and we're going to be outside for a while, I have a heavier one for her.

The last couple of winters have actually been really warm with just cold and snow in January-February. Last Christmas, we were outside in t-shirts!

Where are you originally from?

 

[Thisisme19]

I put a coat on Tucker (Shih Tzu x Pom) when it's really cold out and use musher's secret on his paws for most of the year.

For rain when it's chilly out I use a vest to keep him somewhat dry. His head, paws and belly still get wet though so he still needs some toweling off when we come inside.

 

[busannie]

I use a coat for Bus (small, thin, short single coat) if it's below freezing, particularly if we're walking only or standing around somewhere. If we're just going out into the yard to play I don't bother because he gets hot running around so much and we go back in before he gets cold. When it's wet out and below 50 degrees or so, he wears a raincoat, because he's low to the ground and gets soaked fast, then is cold. Also, it's gross, since he then comes into the house and dries himself off on everything or needs to be rinsed off in the shower, depending on how much mud he's wearing. At least with the raincoat, I just peel off the worst of the mess, hang it to dry, and shake the dried dirt off later.

My Dad had a cocker, and she only wore a coat/sweater during the coldest days, or if we were outside for a long time. She was a chunk too, though, so she was insulated like a polar bear between fat and hair . I don't know that I ever saw her looking cold, though she would pick her feet up if there was snow on the ground and we'd been out for a while. I just limited the length of time out in snow, as booties tend to be hard to keep on the dog's feet. I would consider maybe getting a raincoat to keep him dry, and seeing how he does. You can always pick up a coat if you need it and put it under the raincoat. Boots can't hurt, if you can keep them on him

If you get a raincoat to cut down on the mess you have to clean off of him, make sure it covers his belly, too. Lots of them only have a strap or small panel that goes around the chest. My favorite for price and effectiveness right now are Jelly Wellies (deluxe), Bus has 2 that I got last fall for less that $20 each, and after regular use and washing, they're still looking good for this year. He wore one almost daily last through October/November last year fishing in the boat (you get wet from spray, then cold because it's chilly), and definitely stayed warmer. I regularly used him as a hand warmer by sticking my hands between him and the coat! They're fleece lined, too, so I used his as a regular coat or over a fabric sweater/coat on really cold or windy days.

 

[Sabina88]

Ahh new England winters lol, I wonder if were going to get more snow this year. For keeping dry in the rain, they sell simple little rain jackets for dogs. As for the cold, it depends on your dog. Some dogs are perfectly fine in the cold, others like it but cold easy so they need a jacket and others hate the cold and snow period. You could always get a simple winter jacket then when winter rolls around you can see how he does in the cold and if you need to get something warmer.
If your going to be walking on any salted areas then he will need something like booties or mushers secret.
I don't really have any suggestions for coats since I have aussies (double coated), so unlike me they could care less about the snow and cold.

 

[revolutionrocknroll]

Mia (cockapoo like Jasper) had a coat but she never really needed it, even with our Vermont winters.

She did need boots, not for the salt so much, but because their furry feet get little snow balls built up in them and it's not very comfortable.

Delilah needs boots for the salt. I've noticed the velcro boots (two different brands) that Mia and Delilah had fell off way too easy.

I've noticed the rubber ones like these stay on very well:
Top Paw® PawZ Waterproof Dog Boots | Shoes & Socks | PetSmart

They are hard to put on though if the dog's not tolerant of having their feet played with!

 

[MHDDOG2016]

Hi neighbor! I live in RI

I use a light coat all winter if we're playing out in the snow. It's fleece inside and waterproof outside. It's really just so she doesn't get wet then catch a chill. If we're going to the barn and we're going to be outside for a while, I have a heavier one for her.

The last couple of winters have actually been really warm with just cold and snow in January-February. Last Christmas, we were outside in t-shirts!

Where are you originally from?

We are on the North Shore of MA, in Marblehead. Yeah, last Winter was so nice with so little snow, but I am not holding my breath that we will be as lucky this year

 

[MHDDOG2016]

Thanks so mich for all the replies! I guess we will have to wait and see how the weather develops. I found these great (though ridiculous looking) fleece "suits"

https://www.equafleece.com/store/index.html

from the UK- a cockapoo board that I am on with mostly UK members swear by them for the rain. I just feel like I would be laughing at him the whole time

Anyway, thanks so much for great advice! Jasper and I thank you

 

[agility collie mom]

weatherbeeta dog | eBay
I have "turnout" sheets for my collies so that when it rains I have less drying.

 

[Gnostic Dog]

If it is very cold I will put a lightweight coat on Oscar.

 

[xshainax]

Planning on getting Nami a coat since she has a single coat and I want an excuse to dress her up. xD

 

[LuvMyFluff]

Living in S. Calif. we have no need for a heavy coat but I do need to use a raincoat to keep Molly's coat dry or spend an hour blow drying her thick poodle coat! I got a light weight waterproof nylon rainsuit (it is lined with flannel) it does a good job keeps- most of her nice and dry. I got it on EBay really cheap so I got 2! A red one and a blue one! LOL!l:thumbsup:

 

[MollyDoggy]

Living in S. Calif. we have no need for a heavy coat but I do need to use a raincoat to keep Molly's coat dry or spend an hour blow drying her thick poodle coat! I got a light weight waterproof nylon rainsuit (it is lined with flannel) it does a good job keeps- most of her nice and dry. I got it on EBay really cheap so I got 2! A red one and a blue one! LOL!l:thumbsup:

A raincoat lined with flannel?

I want one for MYSELF!!