The best coat for a whippet
A whippet needs a coat sooner and more often than most dogs their size. The breed carries very little body fat and a fine, close coat with almost no undercoat, so a whippet standing still in a cold garden can start shivering within minutes. The right coat is less about fashion than about a genuinely thin-skinned dog that gets cold fast.
Why whippets feel the cold so quickly
Whippets are built for speed rather than insulation. Low body fat and a short, single-layer coat mean there is very little standing between a whippet and the weather, which is why you'll see shivering whippets on a walk that a Labrador would barely notice.
This isn't limited to freezing weather. A damp, breezy October afternoon can be enough to have a whippet shaking within a few minutes of standing still, even if the walk itself is fine once they're moving. A coat that goes on before the shivering starts, rather than after, is doing its job.
What to look for in a coat
Fit matters more for a whippet than for most breeds because of their narrow, deep chest and tucked-up waist - a coat cut for a stockier dog of the same length will gape at the chest and slide around rather than sitting close to the body where it can actually hold warmth.
A snug neck and chest with some coverage down over the belly does more for a whippet than a coat that only covers the back, since the areas with the least fur and fat are exactly where the cold gets in fastest. Look for an adjustable neck and a decent length rather than judging purely by the breed name on the label - whippets vary enough in build that a size chart based on length and chest measurement is more reliable than the breed alone.
A lighter fleece or jumper suits a brisk but mild day and everyday indoor wear in an unheated room, while a waterproof, insulated coat earns its keep on wet or genuinely cold walks. Many whippet owners end up with one of each rather than trying to make a single coat do both jobs.
Getting the size right
Measure from the base of the neck to the base of the tail along the back, and around the widest part of the chest, rather than guessing from your whippet's height or the breed name printed on a size chart. Whippets range more in build than people expect, from lean racing types to slightly stockier pet lines, and a coat sized on length and girth fits far more reliably than one sized on breed alone.
Check the fit around the front legs too - a coat that rides up or restricts the shoulder will get shrugged off on a walk, which defeats the purpose of putting it on in the first place.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Hooded Dinosaur Dog Raincoat
A waterproof hooded dog raincoat with a fun dinosaur spine and yellow fins. It features full-coverage legs, a reflective strip and a built-in D-ring for a lead, keeping smaller dogs dry and visible on wet walks.
From£29.99
Dog Sports Jacket For Medium & Large Breeds
A sleek zip-up sports jacket with full leg sleeves and reflective trim, designed to keep medium and large dogs warm and dry on cold-weather walks. Easy-fit and snug at the cuffs.
From£24.99
Hooded Fleece Bear Cloak for Dogs
A hooded fleece bear cloak that wraps your dog in soft warmth, with sweet little ears on top.
From£16.99
Full-Body Waterproof Dog Raincoat
A full-body waterproof raincoat covering all four legs to keep your dog dry and mud-free outdoors. Reflective strips improve visibility in low light and the secure buckle fastening gives an adjustable fit.
From£28.99
Breathable Mesh Dog Boots with Reflective Strap
Lightweight breathable mesh dog boots with a wear-resistant non-slip sole and a reflective hook-and-loop strap for grip and night-time visibility. Keep paws cool and protected on walks. Sold as a set of four.
From£11.99
Warm Stretch Snood for Dogs, Ear and Neck Cover, S, M and L
A stretch snood that gathers long ears back against the head and out of food bowls, puddles and brambles, knitted in a soft cationic-spandex blend in purple or blue.
£10.99
Protective Hunting Dog Armour Vest
A heavy-duty camouflage protective vest for working and hunting dogs. The reinforced, puncture-resistant body panel helps shield the chest and torso from cuts, stabs and bites in rough outdoor terrain.
£255.99
K9 Tactical Dog Helmet with Goggles
A protective K9 tactical dog helmet with a clear shatter-resistant goggle visor that shields the eyes from sun, wind and debris. Vented hard shell with an adjustable chin strap and removable ear covers for a secure, custom fit.
£67.99
Striped Hooded Dog Dungarees Outfit
A two-piece dog outfit with a striped hooded top and bear-pocket dungaree overalls.
From£7.99
Waterproof Reflective Dog Coat
A lightweight waterproof dog coat with reflective piping to keep your dog dry and seen on rainy walks.
From£11.99
Fair Isle Knit Dog Jumper
A colourful Nordic Fair Isle jumper with ribbed trims to keep dogs warm all winter.
From£8.99
Halloween Pumpkin Knitted Dog Jumper
A warm navy knitted dog jumper with an embroidered jack-o-lantern pumpkin and Halloween lettering, finished with bright orange and yellow striped trims. A cosy, festive layer for spooky-season walks.
From£9.99
Common questions
- Do whippets really need a coat, or is it just for looks?
- It's genuinely functional for this breed. Whippets carry very little body fat and have a thin, single-layer coat, so they lose heat much faster than most dogs their size and can start shivering on a walk that other breeds wouldn't notice.
- What temperature should I put a coat on my whippet?
- Many whippet owners reach for a coat well before it feels cold to a person - a breezy, damp day in double digits can be enough. Watching your own dog's behaviour, such as shivering or reluctance to walk, is a better guide than a fixed temperature.
- Should I get a fleece or a waterproof coat for my whippet?
- It depends on the weather you're walking in. A fleece or jumper is enough for a mild, dry day or for wearing indoors in a cold house, while a waterproof, insulated coat is worth having for wet or genuinely cold walks. Many owners keep both.
- How do I know what size coat to buy for a whippet?
- Measure your whippet's back length and chest girth rather than relying on the breed name on a size chart, since build varies a lot within the breed. A coat sized to those two measurements will fit far more reliably than one picked on height or weight alone.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.