Product Review: Ruffwear K-9 Overcoat

Ruffwear's K-9 Overcoat is a waterproof, fleece-lined winter coat. It features a large belly panel and incredibly durable construction. The outer fabric is smooth outdoor polyester that doesn't pick up burrs and stickers. This coat comes in three colors and six sizes to fit dogs with chests 13-42" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I got a 40%-off Ruffwear coupon, and this is what I did with it. Sisci measures 22" around her chest, putting her right at the top of the size range for XS and the bottom for S. Ruffwear helpfully provides the back length and neck circumference measurements for their products, and the size small measured just right for the length of Sisci's back. I like my dogs' coats to be long enough to reach the bases of their tails and the small fits perfectly. 

This is a very easy coat to put on, and does not require any flexibility on the part of the dog. The neck is a fixed size, and the belly part attaches to the top part via plastic quick-release buckles. It is very easy to adjust, put on, and take off. Like the Sunshower jacket, the buckles are hidden in little pockets to protect them and keep them from irritating the dog.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Super durable! These coats last forever, according to their many stellar reviews across the internet. Excellent for running through the woods or wearing to daycare. Nice and long for excellent coverage and warmth, these are definitely sized for long-backed dogs. Waterproof! Sisci and I went for a walk in a rare California rain shower and the K-9 Overcoat kept her nice and dry. Allows total freedom of movement while still protecting the chest and belly. Stays in place no matter what.

Cons: Can be a bit long on short-backed dogs. Non-adjustable neck can also make it difficult to get a good fit on some body shapes. Belly panel seems to be made to fit dogs with deep chests like pointers, may hang a bit loose on short-backed or fat dogs. Really the only bad I can find about this coat has to do with the fit on weird-shaped dogs.

Bottom Line: If you never want to buy a dog coat again, and want something that will last your dog's entire life, the K-9 Overcoat is for you.

Product Review: All Seasons Dog Robe

The All Seasons Dog Robe is a warm fleece blanket-style coat that is both warm and light. It may be worn by itself or as an insulating layer under a waterproof shell. It is available in eight different colors and eight sizes to fit dogs measuring 8-26" from neck to tail.

Photo by Erin Koski

I've seen All Seasons dog coats in a number of different horse tack shops, probably because they look just like horse blankets. This robe is not waterproof, and it's really quite thin. I think that's why Brisbane likes it. This was what he wore most often when he was chilly after the dramatic shavedown.

These blankets are very durable and easy to fit, but they don't offer much in the way of adjustment. The belly strap has a decent size range, but the neck is a fixed size. Since Brisbane has a long back, having a long enough coat means the neck is huge on him. I could probably take it in by at least 6". This causes it to slide down his shoulders and restrict his movement a bit.

Pros: Warm, light, and versatile. Easy to put on and adjust. Comes in very small sizes. Very durable. Doesn't look like people clothes, if the idea of dressing your dog up troubles you.

Cons: Only fits standard dog-shaped dogs, with little to no accommodation for long backs, wide chests, and other weirdness.

Bottom Line: I've been planning to sew the neck smaller for the last nine years. This has not prevented Briz from wearing it, though. It's nice, simple, and comfy.

Product Review: Bobby Manteau Dog Jacket

The Bobby Manteau Dog Jacket is a cozy warm coat made by a French company. It features a weather-resistant khaki outer shell, a soft fleecy inside, and a zippered slot for attaching a leash to a harness worn underneath.

Photo by Erin Koski

I found this little jacket in the thrift store along with the Caddis dog coat and the Aibao harness. They're all sized for a dog a little smaller than Ru.

This little Bobby coat is extremely well-made. It is thick and very warm. There is a panel that runs between the front legs to help keep tiny chests and tummies warm.

I like the zippered leash access a lot too, specifically because I can close it. I usually put harnesses over Ru's clothes. Running the leash through his coat or sweater just stretches it out awkwardly when he isn't walking exactly beside or in front of me.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Well-designed. Allows freedom of movement. Sturdy. Adorable.

Cons: This 25cm/10" size doesn't actually fit Ru. That's basically my only complaint.

Bottom Line: I need to find a tinier dog.

Product Review: Kurgo Portsmouth Raincoat

I got this Kurgo Portsmouth Rain Coat on REI.com. This coat has been discontinued, but was originally available in five sizes. Ours is an XS, intended to fit dogs with 14-20" chests and 8-13" necks.

Photo by Erin Koski

The stock photo of this rain coat shows a pug wearing it, and that is exactly the type of dog is was designed to fit. Ru has a 12" chest, and despite the fact that this coat is made for a dog with a 2" larger chest, it still manages to be a couple of inches short in the back.

Ru has an extraordinarily long back for a chihuahua. He has several outfits that are a little short, but they aren't raincoats. A good raincoat should cover the dog from neck to tail. 

At the same time, the Portsmouth Rain Coat is too big around for Ru. If I tried to solve the length problem by going up a size, it would be huge on him.

Photo by Erin Koski

Something weird I noticed about the Kurgo Portsmouth Rain Coat is that it does not bear the name "Kurgo" anywhere on it. Indeed, the only identifying mark on it is a plastic logo that says "me & zelda". If I hadn't purchased it new through a trusted retailer, I would never have known it came from one of my favorite dog gear companies.

Pros: Sturdy and well-made. Breathable and non-restrictive. Blanket-style coat is easy to put on. Adjustable chest and belly straps made from heavy duty nylon.

Cons: Designed only for very short-backed, wide-chested dogs. Made in China.

Bottom Line: This coat would rock for a French bulldog, or a pug. Maybe an obese chihuahua.

What sort of rain gear do you use to keep your pup dry?

Product Review: Caddis Dog Coat

This Caddis dog coat is a blanket-style coat with a nylon shell and a warm fleece lining. It is adjustable in the front and around the middle, and has two buckle closures.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Caddis company apparently specializes in making waders, but at some point they also made dog coats. Their current products do seem to be very high-quality, weatherproof, serious outdoor gear.

This little coat is a thrift store find, and it is in excellent shape. It is thick, warm, and well-constructed. It does not, however, fit Ru particularly well. This coat is made for a shorter-backed dog. It's a little small for Ru, and a little stiff.

Pros: Heavy duty winter jacket. Easy to put on.

Cons: The hardware is a little heavy for an itty bitty dog.

Bottom Line: One of these days I need to start an Ebay store for my surplus dog stuff. Anyone have a tiny, cold dog with a 10" back?

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: Ruffwear Climate Changer Jacket

The Ruffwear Climate Changer is a jacket made from recycled polyester fleece, and can be used as a base layer or on its own. It is machine washable and has a zipper on the side rather than on the top or bottom. This year's Climate Changer comes in three colors and six sizes to fit dogs measuring 13.25-35.75" from neck to tail.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is a serious jacket for serious dogs, fortunately they make it in tinydog size, too. These jackets are more popular in places that have actual weather and seasons instead of perfect beach days year-round. The only other Climate Changer I've seen in person was on a friend from Minnesota's dog. It's toasty for our occasional chilly mornings, but Ru could just live in it year-round.

Most sweaters for tiny dogs are designed to be cute, and maybe convenient. This one is actually intended to keep the dog warm in places where the temperature can drop below freezing.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Climate Changer is also designed to allow freedom of movement while staying in place. The sleeves keep Ru's tiny armpits warm, and he loves the thick fleece.

Pros: Designed specifically to keep the dog warm during physical activity. Fast-drying fleece is super thick and super warm. Well-placed zipper allows for easy access while requiring minimal flexibility.

Cons: Wide neck allows the jacket to slip down the dog's shoulders. I really wish it had a drawstring or something, Ru occasionally slithers out of it when he's lounging on the couch.

Bottom Line: This jacket is serious overkill for Central California weather, which is why Ru loves it. It's a great way to keep a short-haired dog toasty.

Product Review: RC Pets West Coast Rainwear

The RC Pets West Coast Rainwear is a lined blanket-style coat that comes in five colors and 13 sizes to fit dogs that measure 6"-30" from neck to tail.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is the jacket that Brisbane wears most often in the winter. This is a blanket-style coat, it closes around the front of the chest and under the belly like a horse blanket. This style isn't as warm as something that covers the whole chest between the front legs, but it offers more freedom of movement.

Photo by Erin Koski

Brisbane measures 23" from the base of his neck to the base of his tail. I bought him a 24" coat because length is important, covering all the way to the base of the tail helps keep the dog warmer. This coat is very easy to put on and take off, so Brisbane doesn't mind it too much.

Pros: Large range of sizes to fit dogs of many shapes. Does not chafe or rub, even when the coat is a bit big. Reflective stripes for good visibility. Plenty of coverage, Brisbane is protected from his earbeards down to his buttfluffies. Warm, waterproof, and allows for movement.

Cons: Doesn't come in pink for fashionista chihuahuas. Leaves some of the underside of the dog exposed.

Bottom Line: We don't get a lot of cold weather out here by the beach, but this is the coat I grab for those rare frosty mornings. Brisbane normally hates clothes, but he doesn't mind his West Coast Rainwear when it's really cold.

Product Review: Ruffwear Sun Shower Jacket

The Ruffwear Sun Shower jacket is a rain slicker. This jacket is not insulated, so it still works on warm rainy days for dogs that live in Hawaii.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love Ruffwear because pretty much all of their products seem like they were designed by people who actually tested them and now use them on a regular basis. I'm pretty sure the Sun Shower jacket was designed by someone with a really hairy dog, maybe an Australian shepherd or an Old English sheepdog. The underside features a big panel that goes between the front legs and holds all the belly floof off the ground. Brisbane is lacking in the belly floof department, but I still appreciate that this jacket keeps his undercarriage dry.

Photo by Erin Koski

Putting the Sun Shower jacket on is simple. Brisbane's head goes through the neck hole, and then the belly flap clips to the top on either side. The plastic clips are hidden inside the jacket, so they aren't against the dog or exposed to the weather. The clips are also on an elastic strap, so there is some stretch to allow the coat to move with the dog.

Brisbane's Sun Shower is a size Medium, which fits him well from neck to tail. The belly clips adjust small enough to provide a good fit, Brisbane's chest measurement is actually in the range for the Small size, so I have to decide which is more important depending on the product. Briz wears a small Ruffwear life jacket, for example.

Pros: A rain slicker that won't overheat the dog in warm weather. Adjustable for a good fit even on my strange dog. Comes in five sizes to fit dogs 13"-46" around the chest. A XXSmall will fit Ru. The Sun Shower is good for layering over a warm jacket. Very waterproof, also comes with a detachable hood that Brisbane hates. Easy to put on the dog, does not require lifting feet and stuffing them through sleeves. Light and packable. This coat also stays put and doesn't slide to the side.

Cons: Getting the buckles buckled can be kind of annoying since they are hiding way inside some little pockets. Brisbane's jacket is not the current model so they may have already improved this. Otherwise there's really nothing bad to say except that we don't get to use this much because it's pretty much always cold when it rains here and it hasn't really rained in the last couple of years anyway.

Bottom Line: If Brisbane liked to walk in the rain we would use this more often. I fully expect it to last through multiple dogs, along with the rest of our Ruffwear gear.