Sleeveless is the right cut for most small dogs. Legs threaded through sleeves restrict the shoulder, and a dog who cannot extend their front legs properly will trot oddly and then refuse to move at all. A vest covers the chest and back, which is where the heat actually goes, and leaves the shoulders free to swing, so it gets worn rather than shed on the pavement halfway round the block.

The fabric is fleece rather than wool knitwear, printed in a tan and black Nordic Fair Isle pattern. Fleece has a practical advantage in a British autumn that knitting does not: it holds its warmth when damp and dries quickly afterwards, where wool takes on water and hangs heavy on a small dog. It pulls straight on over the head, and the garment weighs between 130 and 180 grams depending on the size.

• Sleeveless vest cut that leaves the shoulders free
• Soft fleece in a tan and black Fair Isle pattern
• Pull-on style, quick to get on and off
• Six sizes from XS through to XXL
• Weighs 130g to 180g depending on size
• Cut for small breeds such as Shih Tzus and Teddies

Two things worth knowing. It is a fleece garment carrying a Fair Isle design, so if you want genuine wool knitwear this is not it.

Who it's for: small, fine-coated dogs who feel the cold from October onwards and dislike having their legs handled.