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: RC Pets Venture Shell

The RC Pets Venture Shell is a waterproof outerwear coat for dogs. It features a t-shaped chest panel for added protection and a better fit. this coat comes in five colors and twelve sizes to fit dogs with backs 8-30" from neck to tail.

Photo by Erin Koski

After his dramatic shavedown, and before the current horrid heat wave, Brisbane needed some extra warmth on cold mornings. I had been putting his RC Pets West Coast Rainwear jacket on, but I left it behind at a sheep herding trial.

I found this coat on Amazon in his size for super cheap, so I impulse-bought it. At the time I didn't realize that it was not the RC Pets Venture Outwear, which has a fleece liner. The Venture Shell is purely rain protection, it has a ripstop nylon lining and no insulation at all.

This is definitely a nice coat, RC Pets has some very well-designed products that fit extremely well. Briz doesn't really like wearing his Hurtta jackets, but does not complain about his RC Pets coats. The Venture Shell moves with him and stays in place to keep him dry.

Pros: Comfortable for active extended wear. Lightweight and reflective. Extensive range of sizes. Cut to fit well on long backs. Can be worn over a warm insulating layer.

Cons: A little bit rustly and loud.

Bottom Line: Does the same job as Brisbane's Ruffwear Sun Shower jacket, which is to keep dogs dry in rainy but not cold weather. Unfortunately it doesn't really rain here. I'm having a hard time justifying owning this many dog raincoats.

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.