Proper Dog Coat Selection

Proper Dog Coat Selection

by Dylan Brodderick

When I was young our schnauzer had a form fitted black and red plaid coat. The fabric was rough. It always looked a bit dirty and the under the belly buttons were difficult to access and the buttons seemed to large for the button holes. As a result we only managed to wrestle the coat on to the unwilling dog once or twice at the start of each winter and for the balance of the winter the poor dog was cold.

These days responsible pet owners know that it is important to protect your dogs from the elements. Accordingly, there are many, many different types of dog coats on the market. You can choose from the strictly functional to the flashy-splashy, from the moderately priced to the less-moderately priced. There are coat styles more suitable to short haired dogs and coat styles more suitable to longer haired dogs. Some dog coats are water-proof, while other coats are insulated. Some people like to have a lighter weight dog coat for the milder days. There are coats that your dog can step into, coats that wrap around with Velcro fasteners, and coats that are similar to capes with a waist band. Some coats designed for larger dogs have pockets for owners to carry items such as dog toys or gloves. A nice feature to look for in a coat is some sort of reflective strip to add to the safety of your pet.

These coats are available in a wide range of colors, fabrics and styles. There are so many different dog coats on the market that it sometimes can be difficult to choose the right coat for your dog. A few things to keep in mind should make choosing a dog coat easier.

1. Where do you live? Or what is the purpose of the dog coat? Is the coat really needed to protect your dog or is it really just to match your new umbrella? If you live in an area that rarely sees freezing weather then you needn?t worry about the warmth of the coat and, in fact, you should be wary of your dog overheating. If you live in an area that experiences severe winters then you should look for a coat that is wind proof and uses high quality fabrics such as gortex. You may also want a coat that is both breathable and water proof.

2. Machine washable. All dogs get dirty, even those who are on a leash and particularly in the spring thaw. Do yourself a favor and only consider getting a dog coat that is machine washable. Dog coats don?t need to be washed as much as people clothes but you should count on washing the dog coat in the mid-season and at the end of every winter.

3. The ease of putting the dog coat on your dog. If the coat isn?t easy to put on then you won?t use it. If you don?t use it then there is no point in buying it. Look for a coat with good quality Velcro fasteners as these seem to be the easiest. Also look for a coat that fastens at the back or side of the dog.

4. Size. Before shopping for your dog coat make sure you measure your dog. Measure the dog from the base of his neck to the start of his tail. Measure again the circumference if his neck and add 1 inch. Measure again around the broadest part of his chest and add one inch. With these measurements in hand you should be able to to choose a coat that will fit your dog appropriately. - 20511

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New Unique Article!

Title: Proper Dog Coat Selection
Author: Dylan Brodderick
Email: brodderick.submissions@gmail.com
Keywords: dog coats,dog accessories,dogs,pets,family,fashion
Word Count: 606
Category: dog
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