A short-haired dog quickly loses body heat in the rain, a wet coat takes forever to dry afterwards, and some dogs don't even want to go outside in drizzle. We show which dogs suffer most from cold and wet in These dogs absolutely need a raincoat. A good raincoat solves all three problems at once. Here you'll find what to look for when buying and which coat suits which dog.
What to look for when buying
Back length, not shoulder height. The size of a raincoat depends on the length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, not on the breed. Measure your dog while standing and you'll get the size right first time. A detailed guide is in How to measure a dog jacket properly: the two-minute guide.
Material. Coated cotton fabrics (in our range, the Mackintosh models) are completely waterproof, hard-wearing and cheaper. Softshell fabrics are lighter and more breathable, but more expensive and better suited to longer walks than to the quick trip to the nearest tree. You can read the full comparison in Dog raincoat: Mackintosh or softshell, which is right when?
Belly strap. A coat without a belly strap slips backwards on any dog that does more than just stand still. Look for an adjustable strap, not just a Velcro fastening on the back.
Our selection
Two price ranges, one goal: a dry dog. You can see the full selection in the Jackets & Coats collection.
Budget, completely waterproof: the Mackintosh coats (Husum, Vimy, Orleans) from 9.99 euros. Coated fabric, belly strap, made for the daily walk in the rain.
Premium, extra soft: the Lulu Ultra-Soft Raincoat from 165 euros. A softer material that doesn't rustle like a plastic bag, for dogs with sensitive skin or for when it rains for longer.
Dog Coat Guide · Dog Lead Guide
A waterproof dog raincoat solves all three problems at once: it retains body heat, the coat dries much faster after the walk, and many dogs are more relaxed about going out in the rain when they stay dry. Which dog coat protects best in the rain depends on how you use it: for short walks a simple coated model is enough, while for longer walks a breathable softshell fabric is worth it.
Which dog raincoat is right depends not only on the material but also on anatomy. Dogs with a deep chest (sighthounds, Podencos) often need a longer belly cut than dogs with a straight back. If the coat fits well on the back but is too short on the belly, the dog will still be cold. A dog raincoat should therefore be chosen not only by back length but also by body shape: in our size guide you'll find pointers on which models are made for which proportions.
A dog raincoat protects not only against wet but also against getting chilled after the walk. Dogs with short fur or little undercoat in particular get cold quickly when a wet coat is exposed to wind. A well-fitting raincoat retains body heat, shortens drying time and makes the walk more relaxed for both of you. Whether it's a simple Mackintosh coat or breathable softshell, what matters is that the coat fits and doesn't slip.