Waterproof dog coats for wet British walks
For most of the British year a dog coat needs to keep rain off more than it needs to keep cold in. A lightweight waterproof shell suits wet, mild days and dogs that run hot; an insulated waterproof coat, padded or quilted under a waterproof outer, is for cold, wet walks and thin-coated or older dogs. Here is how to choose and size one.
Shell or insulated: which one you need
A shell is a thin waterproof layer with no padding: the Full-Body Waterproof Dog Raincoat and the Waterproof Mesh-Lined Dog Shell Jacket are the type. They weigh almost nothing, and a dog that runs hot on a brisk walk will not overheat in one, which is why a shell earns its keep from September to April.
An insulated coat such as the Quilted Waterproof Dog Coat or the Padded Reflective Dog Coat puts a quilted lining under the waterproof outer. It is for cold, wet days, thin-coated dogs, and older dogs that walk slowly and never build up much heat. A greyhound in a windy January field wants insulation; a spaniel who is never still wants a shell.
Which dogs need one, and which do not
The dogs that most need a waterproof coat have little coat of their own: whippets, greyhounds and other sighthounds, staffies and other short single-coated breeds, puppies, elderly dogs, and any dog just clipped short at the groomer. Cold rain drains warmth from a thin coat fast, and a wet dog stays cold long after the walk ends.
Double-coated breeds are different. Huskies, German shepherds, collies and retrievers carry a dense undercoat that sheds water and traps warm air, and a coat on top can hold damp against the skin and cause overheating. Most are better off without one. The PDSA's cold-weather advice says much the same: a coat is for dogs that cannot keep themselves warm and dry.
Measuring and fit
Two measurements do the work. Back length runs from the base of the neck, where a collar sits, to the base of the tail, with the dog standing squarely. Chest girth is round the widest part of the ribcage just behind the front legs, tape snug but not tight. Sizes differ between styles, so check the chart for the coat you are buying.
If your dog sits between sizes, the chest decides. A coat slightly short in the back still works; one tight round the chest rubs behind the front legs and the dog will refuse to walk in it. Deep-chested whippets and barrel-chested staffies and bulldogs often need a size up from what their back length suggests.
Belly, neck, legs and the harness
Rain blows sideways and splashes up from puddles, so the belly gets wet first. The Full-Cover Waterproof Dog Poncho and the High-Neck Waterproof Dog Raincoat wrap well round the chest and stand up at the collar, which keeps water out of the neck on a windy walk. A short belly panel is fine for a trip round the block; for an hour in wet woods you want more.
Leg coverage is a compromise. The Hooded Dog Rain Suit with Foot Covers and the Waterproof Four-Legged Dog Jumpsuit with Harness keep a dog almost entirely dry, though some dogs walk stiffly in sleeves and a runner moves better in an open-sided coat. On the lead: some coats, like the Padded Winter Dog Coat with Built-In Harness, carry their own D-ring; others have a slot for a harness worn underneath. A coat with neither means clipping to the collar, which is no good on a puller.
Reflective trim, hoods and care
Winter walks happen in the dark at both ends of the day, and reflective trim, as on the Hooded Waterproof Dog Raincoat with Reflective Strips or the Waterproof Reflective Dog Coat, throws headlights back from a long way off. Hoods are useful on a dog standing still in the rain; on a trotting dog most flop back within a few strides and scoop water, so a runner does better with a high collar.
Hose mud off before it dries; when the coat does need a machine, use a cool wash with no fabric conditioner, which stops water beading, and never tumble dry or put it on a radiator, because heat breaks down the coating and the seams. Take the coat off as soon as you are indoors: a dog cannot shed heat through a waterproof layer, and damp held against the skin leads to sore patches.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
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
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
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
Hooded Fleece Winter Pet Coat
A soft hooded fleece coat with contrast trim and drawstring hood, made to keep cats and small dogs warm indoors and out. The lightweight wrap design slips on easily and traps body heat on cold days.
From£14.99
Full-Body Hooded Dog Raincoat with Reflective Trim
A full-coverage hooded raincoat that keeps small and medium dogs dry from head to legs. The clear brim shields the eyes, reflective piping adds visibility on dark walks, and the leg cuffs help block wind and rain.
£24.99
Bear-Print Quilted Dog Jacket With Hood
A padded quilted dog jacket in a beige check with a teddy-bear print and a detachable hood.
From£10.99
Outdoor Warm Winter Dog Coat
A snug winter dog coat with a high contrast collar and all-over print to keep dogs warm and dry.
From£24.99
Padded Winter Dog Coat With D-Rings
A padded winter coat with a full zip, reflective trim and twin D-rings for the lead.
From£16.99
Full-Cover Waterproof Dog Poncho
A full-coverage hooded raincoat with four covered legs that keeps your dog dry from head to paw on wet walks. Press-stud fastening and an elasticated hem give a snug, comfortable fit.
From£9.99
Hooded Waterproof Dog Raincoat with Reflective Strips
A printed waterproof raincoat with a hood and clear face brim that keeps your dog dry on rainy walks. Reflective strips along the back boost visibility in low light, so evening strolls stay safer.
From£12.99
Hooded Dog Rain Suit with Foot Covers
A full-body waterproof rain suit with a cute hood and attached foot covers that keep small and medium dogs dry and mud-free. Lightweight and easy to fasten, it is ideal for wet, dirty walks.
£14.99
Padded Dog Coat with Built-In Harness
A warm padded dog coat with a fleece-lined collar, integrated harness with D-ring and reflective strips for safe night-time walks. The adjustable buckles give a secure fit so you can clip a lead straight on.
From£15.99
Common questions
- Does my dog really need a waterproof coat?
- If your dog has a thin, short or single coat, is very young, elderly, unwell or freshly clipped, a waterproof coat makes wet walks more comfortable and helps them warm up faster afterwards. Thick double-coated breeds usually manage fine without one.
- Should I get a raincoat or a padded waterproof coat?
- A raincoat, or shell, is for wet and mild weather and dogs that run warm. A padded or quilted waterproof coat is for cold, wet days and dogs that feel the cold. Many owners keep one of each and pick by the forecast.
- How do I measure my dog for a coat?
- Measure back length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail with the dog standing, and chest girth round the widest part behind the front legs. Compare both with that coat's size chart, and go by chest if in doubt.
- Can I wash a waterproof dog coat in the machine?
- Yes, on a cool wash without fabric conditioner, which stops water beading on the outer. Rinse mud off first, air dry away from radiators, and never tumble dry, because heat damages the waterproof coating and the taped seams.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
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.