The advantage of a four-legged suit over an ordinary coat is entirely about what happens afterwards. A back-only coat leaves you four muddy legs and a wet belly to deal with at the door, whereas full coverage means a dog you can wipe down and let straight in. For anyone walking a low-slung or long-coated dog through a British winter, that is the whole of the argument, and it is a good one.

The fabric is a laminated four-way stretch waterproof, which is the detail that decides whether a suit is genuinely wearable. A stiff waterproof restricts the stride, and a dog who cannot move properly will simply refuse to walk in it. Stretch lets the shoulder and hip run through a full gait while the laminate keeps the rain out. Reflective strips add visibility in poor light, and buckle fastenings let you adjust the fit rather than hoping the size is right straight out of the packet.

• Covers all four legs, the belly and the back
• Waterproof four-way stretch laminated fabric
• Reflective strips for low light
• Adjustable buckle fastenings
• Sizes from XS through to 5XL
• Four colours, including black, red and lake blue
• Weighs between 131g and 500g depending on size

On getting it on and off. Full-body suits take practice, and the first few attempts with a wriggling dog are slow going. Measure both back length and chest girth and be honest about which is the limiting one, because a suit that fits the chest but is short in the back rides up and rubs behind the front legs.

What the options mean. Sizes run from XS to 5XL — £28.99 for the smallest, £48.99 for the largest.

Who it's for: Dachshunds, spaniels, terriers and anything else that comes back from a wet field filthy to the shoulder.