Savile Row

Are dog coats really a benefit or just the peculiar fashion fetish of the owner ?

I have always been told that dogs are quite capable of withstanding cold and rain. Also that some breeds like the GS have two coats - one outer and one inner, whereby the wet does not penetrate.

Then you get the "water" dogs - the smimmers, like the Labrador, Newfoundland and so on, who love the water.

Being old fashioned, I do not believe that laying around in wet clothes (fur coat) does anybody any good - causes Arthritis, Rheumatism and other health threats.
I always dry my dog when it gets wet.

So, do you dress Bonzo up in a trendy red coat with diamante trimmings to give the other dogs a giggle ?
John Bull

No, my dogs are dressed in their water repellent coats on days like today, wet/ windy/ cold.

My dogs are short coated thin skinned dogs, one of which has arthritic hips and Spondylosis of the spine.

So if other dogs wish to giggle at them , thats OK, they are big enough to take it.

On the other hand, small toy dogs being dressed in an outfit a day for fashion, i agree with you on that... they are dogs not dolls, and as such should be treated correctly.

Again in saying that, if they are short coated , no harm in a little extra cover on cold wet days!!

My dogs have waterproof skin and are short coated with a fine coat and they get soaked on days like today but it doesn't bother them. They have a thick fleece covered waterproof bed in the boot and once they get home they lie in front of the fire and are dry in no time. I do think coats are useful for the elderly and the infirm though and no my lot don't take the p*$$.

Well i have a GSD, normally she does not wear a coat- apart from when its really torrential rain and then she just wears a waterproof rain coat.
But, as i compete in agility, in the winter when she is in the car she wears a thick coat and i then change to a fleece on her as we warm up and then queue up- so as to keep her muscles warm.
I do feel this is necessary as cars can get cold when parked up at a comp in winter
Also in the summer she wears a cool coat to ensure she stays cool.
I will do the same for my BC when she starts competing.

I hate to see dogs in coats for no reason other than 'fashion'

I initially thought there's no need for dog coats. My dog loves to get wet but & we go out in all weathers but her thickish fur takes ages to dry & I wondered if it could give her a chill or I am overacting! In fact she's still a bit damp from this morning (it's chucking it down today) I'm going to make her a waterproof coatanyway - (in fact you've reminded me, I might make a start on today

I have coats for my little ones as Scratch is old, but it did make me giggle when you wrote "trendy red coat with diamante trimmings" as I think Scratch would bite me, he is not a fan of them unless he is cold but unfortunately they are dark green and blue and water proof.
Louis is a cold dog and would love the diamante one but he is not getting it the little attention seeker.

I don`t like seeing dogs dressed up as fashion statements. However, horses and dogs can benefit from extra protection from the elements occasionally - particularly if old, arthritic or clipped.

i used to try and put a coat on my old lurcher kinda didnt work he would go swimming in the bloomin thing!! then shiver n shake after anyway!
it takes alot for water to get to the skin on a sibe n csv,am tempted to put a waterproof on my collie tho,just to save my walls and towels when we get back in!.

Mine don't normally wear coats but after swimming thy have terry toweling coats which they wear for the car journey home. They often have to sit & wait in the car for a wwhile before we set off home & its cold. Also it helps to continue the drying process as towelling them off when they come out of the water does not get them fully dry. Then when I get home they are not as wet on my furniture & carpets. Do find when they are out in the heavy rain like this morning they don't get as wet as swimming. A quick towelling is all they need.

I don't think I'd put Dougal in a coat just now, he's young enough to handle the cold (although he doesn't think so), when he gets older I might consider it for his own sake.