Tops & Sweaters

A dog sweater does a specific job: it holds body heat indoors and on short walks for dogs that lose it fast. Thin-coated and small breeds, seniors, and dogs recovering from grooming or illness all feel a cold room long before their owners do. This collection covers knits, cable patterns, turtlenecks and fleece-lined pullovers from extra-small through to XXL.

Getting the size right

Chest girth decides fit, not weight and not breed. Measure the widest point of the ribcage just behind the front legs, keeping two fingers under the tape, then measure back length from the neck base to the tail base. Compare both against the chart on the individual product page, because a knit sweater and a padded jacket are cut differently. Between two sizes, size up.

Which dogs actually need a sweater

• Thin-coated breeds such as Greyhounds, Whippets, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and Pit Bulls, which have almost no insulating undercoat.
• Small dogs generally. A higher surface-area-to-body ratio means heat leaves faster.
• Senior dogs and dogs with joint pain, who feel cold more and move less to generate warmth.
• Recently groomed dogs, who lost the coat they were relying on.

Double-coated northern breeds such as Huskies, Malamutes and Samoyeds generally do not need one and can overheat indoors in a sweater.

Sweater or jacket?

A sweater is for indoor warmth and mild, dry days. Once it is wet, cold or windy, you want a padded or waterproof jacket instead, because a wet knit pulls heat away rather than holding it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my dog is cold?

Shivering, tucked tail, lifted paws, hunching, or reluctance to keep walking. Ears and paws that feel cold to the touch are another sign.

Can my dog sleep in a sweater?

Better not to leave one on unsupervised overnight. Loose knits catch on crates and teeth, and a dog that overheats cannot take it off.

How do I wash it?

Cold wash, air dry. Heat shrinks the chest panel, which is the exact measurement you sized for.