When I was young our schnauzer had a form fitted black and red plaid coat. The fabric was rough. It always looked a bit dirty and the under the belly buttons were difficult to access and the buttons seemed to large for the button holes. As a result we only managed to wrestle the coat on to the unwilling dog once or twice at the start of each winter and for the balance of the winter the poor dog was cold.

Times have changed and there are now a plethora of dog coat options ranging from the practical to the ridiculous, from the inexpensive to the uber-pricey. There are models that the dog can step into, models that wrap around, and models that are similar to a cape with an elastic waist band. There are water-proof models and insulated models and light weight models. There are models suitable to short haired dogs and models suitable to longer haired dogs. Some of the coats for larger dogs have pockets for owners to carry small items such as books or water.

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. The ease of putting the dog coat on your dog. If the coat isn?t easy to put on then you won?t use it. If you don?t use it then there is no point in buying it. Look for a coat with good quality Velcro fasteners as these seem to be the easiest. 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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