Winter coats

[Meggie]

Not their natural ones, ones you purchase.

The day we got Hubble was the first truly frigid day of winter and I bought him a little red courdoroy coat to keep him dry when it snows (which it did PLENTY in NY last winter).

But I had a hard time finding one because so many places had sold out and finding one that was actually warm but not ridiculous looking. He outgrew last year's. Womp womp.

So I figured I'd start the hunt early this year.

My boyfriend and I aren't "Mommy and Daddy" type, babying dog owners...so anything that's too froo froo (ie: rhinestones, cutesie writing, baby colors) is out of the question.

Anyone know of any pet clothes online that are a nice mix of aesthetic and utilitarian?

[Malcolm's Dad]

In the avatar Malcolm is wearing a coat that was a Christmas present from his auntie in northern California. It has a fur collar (fake of course). Like a dog with fur needs a fur collar lol. Its warm but the problem is its too short. Most of the coats in the stores are like that, too short for our slightly longer dogs. I remember someone posted a pic of their dog in a sweater from Col. Potter's website. It fit perfectly, long enough to cover the back end. I would suggest checking Col. Potter's. You know you will get something fitted right for a Cairn and sensible too.

[KShep]

Try etsy.com. I've bought 3 collars and 2 id tags there. I love their stuff, but haven't bought clothes yet

[_whits_]

Their stuff can be kind of expensive, but try GW Little. It's a website just for smaller dogs. I'm not a flashy or girly dog owner, and although some of their stuff seems Hollywood starlet-esque, they have some really great utilitarian stuff too. All of the website's stuff is built to last, so you might be spending more money than you'd like but most of it will last most (or all) of your dog's life.

There's a line of coats designed by an Icelandic woman. http://www.gwlittle.com/prod_detail_list/Theo-Icelandic-Designs I have my eye on the Eskimo Coat because it's wind and waterproof. I'm planning on getting my Addie one once I know exactly how big she's going to get. I kept buying cheap coats for my previous dog and it just meant I kept buying new ones every year.

That being said, I find their line of doggie strollers and Swarovski crystal collars a bit ridiculous. Okay, a lot ridiculous.

[josie&holly]

Even when we had it much colder with all the snow last December Holly would not wear a coat! If I put anything on her she just becomes a statue and will not move! However, having said that if they made/sold coats here[uk] with built in harness I would try again with one of those.

[Dempsy's Mom]

Hmmm. I like that idea of a coat with a built in harness. You should "harness" that idea.

Oops. I see the this gwlittle site has several coats with harnesses - really sweet site. If I only had some X-tra $. It is hard to buy on-line, Demps is a hard fit. I would rather buy cheap - that way there are no worries.

[beccadiane374]

I'm not into the frilly, sparkly stuff at all...somewhat because Tanner is a boy, but also because it tends to be more expensive & I'd rather use the money to take him to doggie daycare. That being said, Tanner has 2 coats, both of which I got at Target. One was on clearance at the end of the season, the other was in their bargain aisle at the front of the store, so I paid $2.50 for it. They both provide a layer of warmth without being bulky, cut down on that awful wet dog smell if it's snowing & fit nicely. I tend to not want to buy clothing items online, since it's easier to return things to a store and a lot of things always seem to not fit, with his short legs.

[janis]

I knit Kirby a sweater. He reluctantly wears it, but tries not to look too embarrassed so as not to hurt my feelings. Such a gentleman! He also has a coat I got on clearance at Target, repels some rain/snow if we are out very long. But they are double coated and were breed for weather in Scotland so I think the coat is for me instead of him...but isn't it fun to look at dog clothes!

[Hawkeye]

I just went to the Petco and picked something out. Honestly they didn't wear them too much and they are a pain just to go out for a quick watering. As you can see by Bailey's picture he was not impressed with the style.

[pindrop]

Oh Hawkeye- Bailey is such a cutie in his coat. I don't understand what the fuss is all about.

Layla has (had) two coats - one brown with red hearts with a pink ruffle and the other one is a red plaid but I fear she has grown out of them for this coming winter. However, I have a woman friend who makes them and I am just waiting till winter is closer and will measure Layla's length and give those to her for her to finish. I definitely need a raincoat though - next time I'm in the pet store, I'll be looking for one. Although Layla doesn't seem to mind the rain, she can make a soggy doggy. I've often wondered why they don't make a raincoat with an umbrella that pops up. Perhaps I should talk to Totes and/or get that idea patented.

[ScruffynMag]

Hawkeye, Bailey looks the business, he's so cute but I can see he's not too impressed! Scruffy wouldn't thank me for a coat, he's mortified when I get his harness out but if I lived in such a cold climate as some of you over the pond, then I'd think about getting him one. I do think their own natural coats are built for cold wet weather in Scotland as said in a previous post but the temperatures in parts of the States is VERY cold.

[sanford]

As was mentioned above, I would also recommend buying coats in a store rather than online. Both of my cairns have been hard to fit and trying on a coat in a store is less of a hassle than having to mail it back to an online merchant. Additionally, some coats are easier to put on the dog than others. Some fasteners, (velcro strips, zippers, etc) are easier and more practical than others, but you can't really know that until you try a coat on your dog.

P.S. I checked out the G.W. Littlte Icelandic Designs site and I agree that some of the coats are really nice, (and pricey!). I particularly liked the camo parkas.

[Meggie]

Try etsy.com. I've bought 3 collars and 2 id tags there. I love their stuff, but haven't bought clothes yet

I love etsy! I have looked at dog coats but some of them seemed on the chintzy side (Etsy can be so hit or miss). I'm about to buy a tag for Hub on there if I can ever pick a font!

[Meggie]

Valid points about buying in person as Hubby has a longer torso. I found a few cute ones that weren't too prissy

http://www.trixieandpeanut.com/product-295837-Durango-Vest (but why does it have pockets?! haha)

Hub wore this one last year (it's more crayola red than the photo indicates) but now it only goes 2/3rds down his back and barely velcros around his ribs...but if any of you have a smaller cairn looking for a coat, this one was GREAT and super warm.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UO5BKW/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

I figured it was like bathing suit shopping...you get it done in the off season. We have so many great dog boutiques in NY and although we can afford it, I can't bring myself to drop $$ on a coat for a dog, while a homeless man begs on a corner!

I'll look at Col. Potter's for sure!

[MegsMom]

I've often wondered why they don't make a raincoat with an umbrella that pops up. Perhaps I should talk to Totes and/or get that idea patented.

Really? )

Right now on ebay $19: http://cgi.ebay.com/Dog-Umbrella-built-leash-Clear-Vinyl-/160595548403#vi-content

[Meggie]

it's too bad my boy is PETRIFIED of umbrellas or that would be perfect for our rainy summers!

[josie&holly]

What a clever idea! But would it work and how would Holly react with that above her head!!

Wonder if you can get them in UK too!

[pindrop]

Figures if I left it too long someone else would come up with that idea. That is exactly how I figured it - either that or attached to a raincoat. Josie - you could probably buy it from e-bay but I would imagine the shipping might be pricey. Looks like something that would be worth it if you lived in a rainy climate. Thanks Meg'sMom for finding it.

[lindasue]

I bought Pegi a coat last year in CVS (of all the places) for $10. It had holes for a harnass, and she absolutely HATED it. Wouldn't go out with it on, would paw at it. One very cold day I did get her to leave the house with it,and she visited another dog friend in the neighborhood. Somehow the two dogs got it undone, and next thing I know it's flying around on on the harnass! I took it off her, she stomped on it and walked away. So much for the coat experiment......

[MegsMom]

What a clever idea! But would it work and how would Holly react with that above her head!!

Wonder if you can get them in UK too!

They're also available on Amazon-- and I'd seen them before, even several years ago; so when I googled "umbrella leash" lots of sites turned up. Think I did see a .uk ext on one, so betting they're reasonably available to you, too.

[josie&holly]

Well, clever idea but on reflection I don't think I would bother! I do not think Holly would like something above her head and I would probably fall over it anyway!! or catch somebody else's leg...............

[hheldorfer]

I've often wondered why they don't make a raincoat with an umbrella that pops up. Perhaps I should talk to Totes and/or get that idea patented.

Really? )

Right now on ebay $19: http://cgi.ebay.com/Dog-Umbrella-built-leash-Clear-Vinyl-/160595548403#vi-content

Can you imagine walking a Cairn using this contraption? I have visions of a Three Stooges skit.

[sanford]

One really strong gust of wind and bye-bye cairn!