Product Review: Hurtta Microfleece Jumpsuit

This is it, Hurtta's Microfleece Jumpsuit is the warmest dog outfit. Is your dog a major weenie about being out in the cold? Do you live somewhere with actual seasons? Do regular dog coats leave your pup's belly and back legs exposed to the brutal elements? Hurtta makes a full-coverage four-legged fleece snowsuit for chilly dogs. It is available in multiple colors, different leg lengths, and a range of sizes to fit dogs with backs measuring 8-32" from neck to tail.

It was actually 103 degrees when we took this picture.
Photo by Erin Koski

Ru has a very long back, and there just aren't a lot of clothing options for long dogs. Most four-legged outfits are either too short in the back, or much to big in the chest and legs. I had given up on finding him a suitably warm bodysuit until now.

Got a dachshund or corgi? You probably won't find a four-legged suit that fits anywhere but Hurtta. They have fitting down to science. Their four-legged suits are available in different leg lengths, so your 12" miniature Italian greyhound and your 12" French bulldog can both have a jumpsuit that fits.

They've even added an elastic drawstring at the waist, so you can cinch the middle of the suit down to the right size. Ru has a 12" back and a 13" chest. Hurtta's 12" extra-short jumpsuit has room for an 18" chest, but with the drawcord I can shorted it down far enough to fit Ru comfortably.

I often feel like Hurtta products are designed by people who genuinely use them on a regular basis. A good example of this is the snap beneath the zipper of the jumpsuit. See, the suits has a double-ended zipper than runs the length of the back. You place all four of the dog's feet in the suit, and then zip it. Holding both sides of the suit in place while fumbling with the zipper is awkward, so Hurtta has helpfully added a little snap. Put all four feet in the leg holes, snap that one little snap on the back, and then zip the whole thing up like a pro. Thanks Hurtta!

Pros: Warm and fuzzy, like a fleece onesie for your dog. Allows freedom of movement with maximum insulation. Comes in a wide range of sizes to fit many different body types, including long-bodied dogs like corgis.

Cons: Not waterproof, so won't keep your dog dry in slush. Hurtta has waterproof coveralls for that.

Bottom Line: I can't recommend Hurtta's jumpsuits enough for long-bodied, hard-to-fit dogs that need to stay warm and dry.

Product Review: Hurtta Free Hand Jogging Leash

Hurtta's Free Hand Jogging Leash is a unique solution for a common problem. While it's not a totally hands-free tool, the handle allows you to hold the leash on your hand and hold another thing too. Stroller handle? Hiking poles? Umbrella? Clicker? You got it! The length adjusts from 3-5', and the hand loop opens to accommodate hands of all sizes. This leash is available in six colors and two widths for smallish and largish dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is a nifty leash for some very specific situations, but it's definitely not for everybody. It makes a really fabulous leash for trick training because it allows me to hold a clicker and dispense treats without resorting to standing on the end of the leash, looping it over my arm, or letting it drag and hoping nobody spots a squirrel.

Photo by Erin Koski

The adjustable length and lack of manual dexterity required to hold this leash makes it pretty awesome for service dogs. The handle is soft and fits like a glove while leaving that hand free to use a cane or crutch. We all know that looping a leash over your arm isn't much of a solution, and this Hurtta Jogging Leash is awesome because it stays right on your hand all by itself. It doesn't require hand strength, coordination, muscle tone, or actual thought to stay where it belongs.

That said, this is definitely for dogs that already walk nicely on a loose leash. It does not provide superior grip or control over a regular leash. The biggest issue is actually that the hand grip, which is attached via a slider that moves down the leash to allow the handle to open as wide as necessary. This is basically a slip leash for your hand, tension causes it to slide shut. If the dog is a hard puller, the grip itself will pass through the slider and the leash will cinch down tight.

 If your dog walks politely, this will keep the two of you connected and following the local laws. If your dog is a hard puller or hasn't learned how to walk nicely yet, this thing is going to squeeze the hell out of your hand. It will not make your walks any easier.

The adjustable length is interesting, it definitely works well for me except that at the shortest setting the doubled-up section tends to gap open. It's a pretty stiff leash, which probably makes the gapping worse. Maybe it will soften up with use. Ours is a new acquisition from the Petco clearance bin, because it was $4 and matched Sisci Godzilla's Hurtta harness.

Pros: Fits like a glove and stays on the hand without requiring grip, muscle tone, manual dexterity, or even consciousness. Opens wide enough to fit on stiff hands and around braces and other apparatus. Allows entire hand to be used freely to grip and hold a walking device, stroller handle, cell phone, or anything else. Lets me relax my hands while walking my dogs, so when my joints are sore I don't have to grip the leash for the entire walk. Adjustable length for city versus suburban walking. Great for clicker training! Reflective!

Cons: Not for dogs that pull! Hand loop can cinch down and stay tight with a lot of pulling, so not good for arthritic hands unless the dog walks politely. Probably can't wear more than one at a time on the same hand. Flexible fabric hand loop is going to get filthy immediately. Adjustable section gaps open when the leash is shortened, dog can step through it. Very still nylon strapping.

Bottom Line: This is the one and only leash that works perfectly with my trekking poles on hikes. These walking poles are used as a pair, one in each hand, which means I do not have a free hand for holding a regular leash or a Flexi leash. With a pole on either side of my body, it also means a dog attached to my belt or body is going to constantly be on the wrong side of the pole. The Hurtta Free Hand Leash is awesome because it allows me to hold the leash on the outside of the moving trek poles, and keeps everything from getting tangled up.

Product Review: Hurtta Breezy Pants

Hurtta's Breezy Pants are basically hotpants for dogs. They're specifically intended for females in season, but can also be used for incontinence. They are made from stretchy synthetic material designed to move with the dog. The pants feature a waistband that adjusts with a plastic clip, and a generous gap for the tail. They are intended to be used with a disposable panty liner. They come in seven sizes to fit dogs with waists 11-32" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

Sisci Godzilla is in heat again, and it's about as awesome as living in a mental ward. Ru is absolutely beside himself with desire to make cattlehuahuas, despite being neutered at six months of age and also being about a foot too short to actually accomplish anything. She's currently in the "standing heat" phase where she's happily propositioning anything that moves. Ranger and Annie were here for the weekend, and Sisci spent the entire time mooning over poor uninterested Ranger while he tried unsuccessfully to nap.

In addition to being super-flirty, Sisci was also super drippy. We got away with no pants for her first heat, but this time around we definitely needed something to protect the couch, dog beds, people bed, and other upholstered surfaces. I was prepared though, I ordered her a set of Hurtta Breezy Pants during her last heat.

These seemed like a good idea at the time. They are sized by waist and Sisci's measurements fell into the overlap between the small and medium sizes. She seems really petite to me, so I ordered a small. I know that Brisbane and Ru have very long backs relative to their chest measurements, but I don't normally go around putting pants on dogs so I didn't realize that Sisci has enormous, beefy thighs. The small Breezy pants wouldn't even fit all the way up her legs. Meanwhile, the medium just barely gets small enough for her waist but is still tight around her thighs.

This brings me to another issue: these are step-in pants. I firmly believe that whoever invented step-in products never tried to get a dog or a toddler to step into something on purpose. Between Sisci's beefy thighs and tendency to splay out flat on her back whenever she saw them, the Breezy pants were pretty difficult to get on and off.

Pros: Machine washable. Come in lots of sizes. Form-fitting and comfortable. Unobtrusive, doesn't scream "DIAPER!!!" Black doesn't show...anything.

Cons: Leg openings are not adjustable. Step-in design is difficult to put on a dog that does anything but stand placidly, dogs don't understand the concept of pants.

Bottom Line: I was going to complain about the fitting issue, but after trying a couple more pairs of hotpants I'm pretty sure Sisci just has a super tiny waist and massive dog thighs. Seriously, they are So Big.

We Went to Idaho

Last month the dogs and I took a road trip up to Boise, Idaho to visit my favorite cousins and my aunt. They moved up there from Los Angeles ten years ago and have been raving about how nice it is ever since. Over the summer they took a trip to Disneyland and joined them for a day, and they invited me and the dogs to come stay with them.

Brisbane and Sisci in their SleepyPod Clickit Harnesses

It took us two days to drive up there, with many stops along the way. California is very densely populated, and it was a bit weird to find places just off the highway that were empty enough for the dogs to run and play. We stayed in motels on the way there and back, I highly recommend Comfort Inn and La Quinta Inn for affordable pet-friendly accommodations.

Boise itself was lovely and wonderful! We've been in serious drought conditions for years down here, so it was refreshing to see so much green. I love cold weather and really enjoyed the sub-freezing temperatures. Brisbane and Sisci had a ton of fun hiking, playing ball, chasing squirrels, and digging for gophers. Their Hurtta and Ruffwear coats were very useful.

Ru...is a tropical dog. I tried putting his Hurtta snowsuit on him, but he mostly refused to walk. He ended up riding around in his Pet Flys Snugglebug or inside someone's coat anytime I made him leave the house. The nice part about staying with family is that there is usually a warm lap available for a tiny dog. Of course, when we got back to California it was 80+ degrees and sunny. I didn't miss the weather here at all.

Product Review: Hurtta Padded Y-Harness

The Hurtta Padded Y-Harness is a Roman-style harness lined with neoprene. It features an adjustable girth strap that closes with a quick-release buckle. This harness is available in eight colors and seven sizes to fit dogs with chests 14-39".

Photo by Erin Koski

I really love the way these harnesses look, but I don't love the way they fit. While the chest strap is super adjustable, the neck does not adjust at all.

The harness pictured here is a 35", but this is just the size listed on the packaging. Unlike most nylon harnesses, the end of the adjustable strap is not fixed at the end. This allows the Hurtta Padded Y-Harness to adjust down to almost nothing. The neck may not fit him, but I can adjust the chest strap of this harness all the way down to fit Ru. It looks pretty silly.

Photo by Erin Koski

The 35" measurement refers to the maximum size of the chest strap. Brisbane's chest is 26" around, and the neck is big enough that the straps interfere with his shoulders. I also have a 28" harness which fits his neck fine but rubs his armpits.  There is a size 32" that might be just right for Briz, but I haven't yet had the opportunity to try it on him.

Pros: Padded, reflective, tough, comfortable. Looks fabulous. Won't interfere with movement when fitted properly. Comes in way more sizes than most harnesses.

Cons: With no adjustment in the neck, it either fits or it doesn't. Smallest size is too big for Ru. Neoprene may cause some dogs' fur to mat.

Bottom Line: I really wish this harness fit Brisbane. It's so pretty. All the cool dogs are wearing them.

What's your favorite type of dog harness?

Product Review: Hurtta Waterproof Fleece Jacket

The Hurtta Waterproof Fleece Jacket is a warm winter jacket for dogs that live in cold climates. Or extremely spoiled dogs that live in temperate climates. It is waterproof and reflective, and it comes in a multitude of sizes to fit dogs of many shapes.

Photo by Erin Koski

I have hard-to-fit dogs. Brisbane and Ru are both very straight in the front, with long backs. This normally means that I have to decide whether to go with the coat that fits their chest but is short in the back, or the one that fits their back but is ridiculously large around the chest. This is pretty typical, I'm sure everyone with a sighthound, dachshund, or bulldog has had a similar experience.

Hurtta's dog coats were clearly designed by someone who understands that not all dogs are built on the average lab/cocker body plan. Their products are designed to stay on, allow freedom of movement, and truly fit.

Most dog clothes are too wide at the neck, they stretch and slide down the body. The Hurtta waterproof fleece jacket has an elastic drawstring in the neck so that it can be cinched down for a custom fit. No more stretched out dog sweaters hanging around Brisbane's shoulders. Our waterproof fleece jacket is plenty long enough to cover Brisbane from neck to tail, it would be huge on him if it didn't also have an elastic drawstring in the waist. The result is a custom-fitted coat that really keeps him toasty, doesn't slide off his body, and keeps the warm air inside. The elastic sleeve holes also help keep his entire chest and belly warm, and the waist cinch prevents him from peeing on his jacket.

Pros: Versatile and adjustable enough to fit a wide variety of dogs. Really warm, waterproof, and reflective. Back zipper makes it easy to get on a dog that lacks flexibility.

Cons: Brisbane hates wearing it. Briz hates wearing most clothes, though.

Bottom Line: I would choose this coat for lazing around, and for keeping an old creaky dog warm. I wish we had one in Ru-size. Blanket-style coats probably allow a little more freedom of movement with less possibility of rubbing, but this one is pretty awesome. It even fits Uly.

Product Review: Hurtta Winter Jacket

The Hurtta Winter Jacket is a warm, waterproof coat. It is available in several colors and an incredible 15 sizes to fit dogs with backs 9-33" from neck to tail.

Photo by Erin Koski

I found these coats at Ross for crazy cheap, otherwise I probably wouldn't have acquired serious winter gear for my California beach dogs. Hurtta is a company based in Finland, so they make serious serious winter clothes for dogs. Look at these jackets, they have belly protectors and furry collars and they cover a whole lot of dog. There are even elastic straps to go around their back legs to keep the coats in place on their butts. These are some seriously warm dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

My favorite thing about Hurtta dog clothes is how infinitely adjustable they are. Brisbane and Ru both have long backs for their heights and chest diameters, so a lot of stuff fits weird. Many coats that are long enough to fit their backs are are also too wide around the neck and chest. These Hurtta Winter Coats have adjustable necks that can be tightened to keep them from sliding down. The waist belts can also be adjusted down until they reach the edges of the belly panel. Brisbane's coat is an 18", a little roomy. It also fits Ulysses perfectly. Ru's is an 11" and it fits him well. Ru wears his a lot more often than Briz.

Pros: There are 15 sizes, each 2" apart in length, so getting something that fits is possible for most dogs. The adjustable neck and waist help get the sizing just right, and the rounded rear and elastic leg bands keep the coat in place. The fizzy collar is adorable, and can be turned up for added warmth and rain protection.

Cons: Leg straps make Brisbane give up at life. The rounded back end of the coats mean they fit a little awkwardly on a slightly-too-long dog.

Bottom Line: Super warm, designed by people who have to weather some amazing winters. So far my boys have only worn them during one of our very rare rainy days. If will definitely be taking Brisbane and Ulysses to the snow if we get any in driving range this year.

Product Review: Hurtta Cooling Coat

The Hurtta Cooling Coat is a blanket-style coat that uses evaporative cooling to keep dogs from overheating. It is available in several colors and many sizes to fit tiny through enormous dogs. There is also a cooling vest that offers a closer fit for use during activities.

Photo by Erin Koski

Dogs don't sweat. Well, actually they do, a little, through their paw pads. They mostly lose heat through respiration, meaning they pant out hot, horrible dog breath. Humans, on the other hand, sweat all over our naked pink bodies to make use of evaporative cooling. As water evaporates, it cools the surrounding air. This cooling coat allows dogs to make use of the same technology as swamp coolers and sweaty guys at the gym.

We don't normally get horrible temperatures at home on the beach, but we often go inland to events in the desert. Winter is our opportune time for outdoor events because the temperatures are livable. Nobody likes doing a trial or match in 90+ degree weather. I got this cooler specifically for Lancaster's Bark at the Park festival because the forecast was for triple-digit temperatures and we were supposed to be lure coursing for two days straight. Brisbane spends most of our coursing events screaming his head off and bouncing, so it's important to do everything I can to keep him cool. Normally I just soak him down periodically, but when it's hot enough he dries almost immediately.

Brisbane's cooling coat is a few inches too big. I had a choice between a few inches too big and a few too small, and I went with this one because the tail end of the coat is shaped with a dart to make is cup around his butt. I figured the too-short option would fit awkwardly. The coat is very thick and holds a lot of water, I was dumping a gallon on it and only squeezing out a bit. The instructions say to wring it out until it stops dripping before putting it on, but I just put it on sopping wet. The top dried out pretty quick, but the underside stayed wet and cool for a couple of hours. That underside bit is long enough that he could pee on it, but it's also removable.

Pros: Lots of coverage for lots of cooling. Drawstring at neck in belly strap that adjusts down to nothing allow for a custom fit even for a dog much smaller than intended for the coat. Stays cool and comfortable for an hour or more, and Brisbane was cool to the touch every time I checked him.

Cons: Looks like my dog is wearing a nice warm coat in 103-degree weather. Also acts a bit like a warm coat if allowed to dry and not removed.

Bottom Line: Not gonna lie, I was walking around with this thing on my head whenever I didn't have it on my dog. It is amazing and wonderful and really eases my concerns about doing stuff with my dog in the summer.

Product Review: Hurtta Waterproof Coverall

The Hurtta Waterproof Coverall is a one-piece protective suit for dogs. It comes in a huge range of sizes, from super-tiny to gigantic. Based in Finland, the Hurtta company offers a wonderful variety of top-quality apparel for active dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

We live on the coast of central California, where it has snowed twice in recorded history. The Waterproof Coverall is a warm, waterproof fleece suit that covers the entire body to protect from snow. It's a snowsuit.

Why did I buy my chihuahua a snowsuit? It barely even rains here, and most people in North America would laugh at what we call winter. This makes us utterly unprepared for anything resembling actual cold weather. A lot of houses here aren't insulated, and I know several people who don't own anything warmer than a sweatshirt. We had a night this past winter where the temperature dropped below freezing, and I headed out to work in the morning to find my windshield iced over. I poured water over it, and the water froze and made the ice thicker. I believe I shouted "This is California, I do not have the means to deal with this!" My friend from Canada told me I should keep an ice scraper in my car, I told her I don't even know where to buy one.

All this is to say that we don't handle actual weather very well around here. I took Ru to work with me that morning, and he sat outside and shivered violently until I took him inside and parked him in a crate in front of a space heater. Ru has plenty of sweaters and coats, but he didn't have anything that was both waterproof and would cover most of his body.

Ru is a difficult dog to find clothing for, because he has an unusually long back. Most four-legged clothing is made for much shorter dogs, and the outfits that are long enough are also much too big around the chest and neck. Hurtta dog clothes are fantastic because they make their four-legged stuff win multiple leg lengths. Ru's snowsuit is a size 12" (neck to tail) with short legs. The neck and waist of the suit have elastic drawstrings, so I can cinch the suit down for a perfect fit.

Pros: Incredible adjustability and many different sizes mean that even hard-to-fit dogs and unusual body types get to stay warm and dry.This outfit is super durable, and extra warm. The back and underside of the suit are open so Ru can potty.

Cons: Hurtta makes some great stuff, but they do not have a four-legged suit that comes in fun colors and is both waterproof and warm. The Slush Combat Suit is uninsulated. The Microfleece Jumpsuit isn't waterproof. The Waterproof Coverall only comes in brown. Hurtta dog clothes are also unusually expensive, $60-80 retail.

Bottom Line: The range of fitting options makes the Hurtta Waterproof Jumpsuit the answer to my quest for a warm, waterproof, four-legged outfit for my long-backed chihuahua. The sizing options should also make Hurtta the easy answer for keeping bulldogs, whippets, and other funny-shaped dogs warm and dry.