Sweaters...do any dogs really NEED them?

[bendyfoot]

I know, I know, it's still summer for a while yet, but this question popped in my head: our new girl Heidi, the boston terrier X is a tiny little thing with super-short-short fur. Our other dogs are 60 pounders with thick double coats and they do fine in the snow and cold. Should I expect Heidi to be ok to (she does, after all, have a built-in fur coat), or should we find her something to keep warm once it starts getting frosty?

(FWIW, I think coats are cute. DW HATES them with a passion and it will take a while to convince her to put one on any dog of ours unless I can back up the need with some research)

[14+kitties]

I know with my toy poodle (14) she loves having her sweater on once it starts getting chilly. She sees me bring it out and she wiggles all over the place till I get it on her. And then just try taking it off. She shivers and shakes and basically sticks her head back in the hole.

[aslan]

lol, well your DW is gonna lose this one, Heidi's coat is too short to keep her body warm outside in the FREEZING cold for any period of time. I do have a compromise for you tho. Go to the baby department ant walmart, they have really cute sweaters for baby's that will fit your dog. We use them on Bailey all the time. Or he just starts shivering really badly.....

[lotus]

My little Sugar wears a T-shirt on cold nights, she didn't care for it at first but when she figured out they keep her warm she don't mind now. Just got her a parka for winter.

[babymomma]

Keely Definatly needs a Sweater. We go on ski-doo alot in the winter, So we will have to put A sweater on her and a parka that we bought for her in wally world ( wal-mart) And winter booties (If you have ever experianced a NFLD winter, You would understand why she would need boots) I know that even now in the summer she gets cold and Wants to wear her sweater (She goes to her basket and pulls out A sweater that she wants to wear, Yes, very cute!) She will also need a wool hat to keep her little ears warm. Even though her fur is long, it isnt thick at all and she is froze all the time!

[Smiley14]

Yep, a Boston is extremely sensitive to the cold as are most dogs with little fur. They also don't have the double coat for protection either. Remember, they are a "man-made" breed and have no natural defenses developed for extreme weather, hot or cold. Every dog is different. My GSP is huge big baby with cold while my Boston handles it really well. Both are short hairs though and so get a coat or sweater in really cold weather if we're going to be out for more than a few minutes. (So not for potty breaks, but for walks). I know some that will bundle their dogs up even for potty breaks too though.

[clm]

Your boston is going to need a coat or sweater for sure. Can't wait to see the pics too.

Cindy

[Hogansma]

Yes, she definitely needs a sweater. Just one word of warning, never leave a damp sweater on a dog. You may need two, one to wear and one drying.

I make them for the local SPCA and there are cute ones you can sew out of fleece in any pattern imaginable. They are quick and easy so you don't need to know much about sewing. Also, there are easy ones to knit too.

Any short haired dog will need a jacket or sweater. My dalmatian even wore one to bed (indoors) when she got old and sick and she loved it.

[allymack]

yupp, many dogs need them. any thin skined dogs ( i.e. greyhounds and whippets) or short single coat layered dogs ( i.e. boston terrier, min pin, chi's) all need it as they dont have thick enough fur to keep them warm. Dogs with double coats ( i.e. BC's, labs, newf's) dont since they have enough fur to keep them warm. Although any dog may need booties, depending on how much time they will be outside and how much salt there is on your roads..salt can really take a toll on your poochs feet, so you may want to look in to booties also.

[ancientgirl]

I don't have a dog, but if I did have one I'd likely have one with very short hair seeing as I live in Miami. But for the few days we get of really cold weather I'd take him/her out with a sweater.

I think unless they're like say CLM's boys or some of the pups others have with furry coats they need something to protect them from the elements.

[BusterBoo]

I vote for getting Heidi a sweater! Buster's natural hair should be grown to floor length (but that's a lot of work !!) so I keep him in a "puppy cut", so in the winter he has several sweaters/coats of different thickness. Just like his leash, when I take his sweater out of the closet, he knows he is going for a W....A....L....K....!

Oh ya and don't forget to post pictures of Heidi modelling her new wardrobe!

[pitgrrl]

Where are you again? Anywhere that gets below freezing and a sweater isn't gonna do it, ya need full winter gear, just ask The Bazz Man:

[ancientgirl]

Oh no you don't, I think we need a better picture of that cutie with that full winter gear.

[pitgrrl]

[Chaser]

LOL...that's too cute pitgrrl! I think Chase would spaz on me if I put booties on him....even though sometimes I think they would be a good idea!

I agree that Heidi will need a sweater for fall and some winter gear. I absolutely hate dogs wearing clothes for fun (say, a chi wearing a tutu - I HAVE seen it! ) because it screws up their winter coat and interferes with their non-verbal communication IMO. But sometimes it is absolutely necessary, and I would say for sure your new little Boston is gonna need help staying warm in the cold weather! Not to mention, aside from the stupidity of a skirt on a dog, some clothes are pretty cute!

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by ancientgirl

Oh no you don't, I think we need a better picture of that cutie with that full winter gear.

quick thinking ancientgirl !

I put a coat on Nelly in winter , not everyday but when it's real cold. Ok ok she's a great dane but she doesn't have any fur to protect herself from the cold

[ancientgirl]

I love it! That looks like some neat gear.

Frenchy, I think any dog that doesn't have a full coat needs something at the very least!

I mean yeah they have hair on them, but how much can that keep them warm on a cold day? I even think the booties are a good idea too, especially if you live where there is snow.

Then you have dogs like Noid, where he needs protection from the sun too so their skin doesn't get sun burned.

I agree though, no tutu's!

[bendyfoot]

Cute outfit!!!

We're near Ottawa. -30 degrees C is not unheard of.

Sounds like we'll need some gear. Kim's just gonna DIE

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by bendyfoot

Cute outfit!!!

We're near Ottawa. -30 degrees C is not unheard of.

Sounds like we'll need some gear. Kim's just gonna DIE

Better Kim from embarrassment than Heidi from the cold.

[jessi76]

omg pitgrrl, LOVE the pics!!!

I agree w/ the others... a coat is definitely needed. I have a basenji mix...super short hair, nearly bald belly. he too MUST wear a coat or sweater in the frigid temps (and I'm in massachusetts, not even CLOSE to the fridgid temps you guys get in Canada!!). I prefer coats as pitgrrl posted, that cover the chest and belly well, and are waterproof. BUT I do have a couple lighter coats from Old Navy dog supply that I like alot. I tried booties on my dog... ummm no, that didn't go over well. But he doesn't protest the coats/sweaters, so we stick w/ those.

[pitgrrl]

Originally Posted by bendyfoot

Cute outfit!!!

We're near Ottawa. -30 degrees C is not unheard of.

Sounds like we'll need some gear. Kim's just gonna DIE

Well, tell Kim I can sympathize! We had to look long and hard for coats that weren't just totally ridiculous and I'm guessing you might have an ever harder time since stuff for little dogs is often something out of Paris Hilton's closet.

I don't know if they make coats small enough, but this is where we got our dog's gear from and it's 5 years and still going strong.

http://www.chillydogs.ca/

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by pitgrrl

http://www.chillydogs.ca/

Holy crap it's more than what I spend on my own clothes

[Soter]

doggie sweaters are soo cute!
I think they are handy in cold weather, and look so adorable, especialy on tinies

[pitgrrl]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

Holy crap it's more than what I spend on my own clothes

Me too ......but then again, I don't wear the same thing everyday for 4 years, so I guess it evens out.

[babymomma]

Keely needs a hat to keep her ears warm.. Even in the summer they are cold!

[Smiley14]

OH, I also highly recommend the Chilly Dog coats! They are very expensive, but are excellent quality and will last the lifetime of the dog.




For sweaters, I highly recommend Chilly Dog Sweaters (Same name, different company!) Handmade knit wool sweaters that are gorgeous and warm and decently priced at around $25. For handmade, you can't beat it. Much better quality than store bought sweaters too! AND they make all sizes for tiny dogs to big dogs! They aren't taking orders again until after Sept 1st in case anyone tries to order from them before then.

[ancientgirl]

I like the coats but the sweaters look really nice and warm.

[bendyfoot]

So it was a little fall-like and chilly first thing this morning when Miss Thing needed to go out to potty, and she was shivering a bit. She's definitely going to need sweaters/coats. I really love the ones your pups are modeling smiley!

[pitgrrl]

Basil and Streets have Chilly Dog Sweaters too! You have excellent taste Smiley

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by pitgrrl

Basil and Streets have Chilly Dog Sweaters too! You have excellent taste Smiley

What a nice pic pitgrrl , I would have it framed