Best Dog Winter Coats and Sweaters

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Not every dog needs a winter coat, but for a small, thin, short-coated, young or older dog, the right coat or sweater can turn a miserable cold walk into a normal one. This guide covers which dogs need one, how to measure, coat or sweater, what to look for, and the four winter layers in our catalog, each tested hands-on by a named review site.

How we wrote this: hands-on notes come from Treeline Review, where dog trainer Jae Thomas tested 15 cold-weather coats on Miso, Dashi and other dogs in temperatures from minus 2 to 45 degrees F (updated January 2026), from Business Insider, which tested 12 coats with four dogs and quotes Dr. Brian Collins of the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center (updated October 2026), and from PetsRadar (updated February 2025). Advice on which dogs need a coat comes from the AKC, the RSPCA, the PDSA and Dogs Trust. Product facts come from each maker’s page. We did not test these coats ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings.

Does your dog need a winter coat?

Many dogs do not. The PDSA says most dogs are fine for short periods in the cold without an extra layer, and a fit, healthy dog with thick fur should be fine outside without a coat while active. The RSPCA notes that breeds with a double coat are better adapted to cold weather.

Others feel the cold fast. The RSPCA says dogs with no fur or a thin or short coat are more susceptible to cold, and that older dogs, smaller dogs, short-coated dogs and puppies are more at risk of hypothermia. The PDSA adds dogs that are very young, underweight, old or unwell. The AKC points to naturally lean, short-coated breeds, dogs whose coat has been shaved or clipped, and short-legged dogs whose bellies touch snow and ice. In Business Insider’s guide, Dr. Collins lists elderly dogs, underweight dogs, dogs with medical problems or arthritis, small and toy breeds, and dogs with short, thin or clipped coats, and says thick-coated breeds like huskies and malamutes may get too warm in one.

There is no single temperature. Collins told Business Insider: “There isn’t a specific temperature, but I think it’s helpful to consider a coat when the temperature drops below freezing.” He also weighs wind chill, rain or snow, time outside and activity. If you are not sure, the AKC suggests talking to your vet about your dog’s needs.

Coat, parka or sweater?

• Insulated coat or parka: the PDSA describes a winter coat as waterproof, windproof and lined with fleece or padding. This is the choice for snow, freezing wind and long walks.
• Fleece or sweater: breathable and cozy for cold, dry days, per the PDSA. Treeline Review’s tester puts it the same way: sweaters for dry, slightly chilly weather, insulated coats for extreme cold, wind and snow, rain jackets for wet weather.
• Raincoat: a waterproof shell with little or no insulation. See the best dog raincoat guide.

A fleece can also go under a shell, though Treeline Review warns that layering two coats on a very active dog can restrict movement and cause chafing.

How to measure your dog

1. Back length: with your dog standing, measure from the base of the neck (where the collar sits) to the base of the tail. The PDSA lists this first, and Business Insider calls it the primary measure for most coats.
2. Chest: measure around the widest part of the rib cage, just behind the front legs. Ruffwear sizes its jackets by chest girth alone, so this one decides your size there.
3. Neck: measure where the collar normally sits.

Then use the maker’s own chart, not a breed guess. Business Insider suggests going up a size when between sizes unless the brand says otherwise, but brands differ: Treeline Review found the Hurtta Extreme Warmer runs about one size big. The PDSA says your dog should be able to run, jump and go to the toilet normally in the coat; biting at it or rubbing against furniture is a sign it does not fit.

What to look for

Warmth that matches your winter

More fill is not always better. Treeline Review found its warmest coat, the Hurtta, would be overkill for double-coated dogs or mild winters, while in its warmth test a light fleece held heat about as well as the much heavier WeatherBeeta parka.

Belly and chest coverage

Short-legged dogs pick up snow and slush on their undersides. A belly wrap, like the WeatherBeeta’s, or insulated belly panels, like the Powder Hound’s, keep that area covered.

Waterproof or water resistant

Wet fur makes a dog colder, and the RSPCA lists wet fur as a hypothermia risk. Check whether the maker says waterproof or water resistant, and whether it gives a rating. In Treeline Review’s soak tests, coats sold as waterproof without a rating still held water out, but a water-resistant jacket’s sleeves got wet in melting snow.

Harness and leash opening

The AKC says a leash opening makes it easy to put a jacket over a back-clip harness. Check the maker’s page: the Powder Hound has chest and back leash portals in its current version, and the WeatherBeeta has a leash hole in the collar.

Reflective trim

Winter walks are often in the dark. Dogs Trust suggests a coat with high-visibility reflective features, a flashing collar or a light attachment. For more, see how to walk a dog in winter.

Easy on, easy off

A coat that pulls over the head and closes with straps is quickest. Treeline Review found the WeatherBeeta the easiest in its test, while zip-up jackets with sleeves, like the Powder Hound, took a few tries in both hands-on tests.

Our picks

Hurtta Extreme Warmer III: warmest for bitter cold

The Hurtta Extreme Warmer III has a head-to-tail foil lining, ball fibre insulation, a soft high hood, a wide belly flap and a hem you can tuck up and snap shorter. It comes in back lengths from 25 to 65 cm, and the 25 cm size has a built-in harness and leash loop (Hurtta).

In Treeline Review‘s test it lost the least heat of any coat and water did not leak through. Thomas called it beautifully made, but found it runs about one size big and the new metal belly closure harder to use than the old plastic buckle. It is best for dogs that feel the cold in sub-zero weather.

Ruffwear Powder Hound: best for snow play

The Ruffwear Powder Hound is a zip-up jacket with 250 g of recycled insulation in the back and belly panels, 4-way stretch sleeves, a 10,000 mm waterproof shell, leash portals and reflective accents. It is sized by chest girth (Ruffwear).

Treeline Review named it best for snow and found it warm, light and easy to move in, but short in the rear on long-bodied dogs. Business Insider named it best for belly coverage. Both found it fiddly to put on, since paws go through the sleeves. Both tests used the earlier water-resistant version; Ruffwear now lists the shell as waterproof.

WeatherBeeta Premier Free Parka Deluxe: easiest on and off

The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Free Parka Deluxe has a 1200 denier shell the maker calls waterproof and breathable, 220 g polyfill, a full chest and belly wrap with touch-tape closures, leg straps, a leash hole and reflective piping (WeatherBeeta).

Treeline Review named it best affordable and found it the easiest coat in the test to get on and off. It kept dogs warm and dry, but felt bulky and stiff on slim dogs, and the leash hole was small for thick nylon leashes.

Gold Paw Stretch Fleece: the sweater pick

The Gold Paw Stretch Fleece is a light, stretchy, breathable pullover with no zips or buckles, made to layer under a harness, vest or coat. It is machine washable, in sizes 2 to 30 (Gold Paw).

PetsRadar named it the best fleece. Its tester found it soft and light and said it slipped over the dog’s head with ease, but recommends sizing down for a snug fit. It is not waterproof, so it suits dry, chilly days or layering.

Other coats reviewers tested, not in our catalog

• Non-stop Dogwear Glacier Jacket 3.0: Treeline Review’s best overall, for warmth, weather resistance and range of motion.
• Non-stop Dogwear Fjord Lined Raincoat: Treeline Review’s best for rain, an insulated coat that is also waterproof.
• Ruffwear Climate Changer Fleece: Treeline Review’s best lightweight sweater, with leash portals and reflective trim.
• Hurtta Expedition Parka: Business Insider’s best overall, in 16 sizes including wider-chested fits.
• Ruffwear Quinzee and Carhartt Insulated Dog Chore Coat: also in Treeline Review’s test.

Getting your dog used to a coat

A coat is a new feeling for many dogs. Dogs Trust says to introduce it gradually and positively. Put it on for a few minutes indoors, reward calm behavior, then try short walks. Once you are back inside, take it off: the PDSA says most dogs do not need a coat indoors and can overheat in a heated home. If the coat gets wet or muddy, dry your dog fully; see how to dry a wet dog. For paws, see the best dog boots.

When the cold is a vet problem

Business Insider’s guide lists signs that a dog is cold: shaking or shivering, a hunched posture with a tucked tail, reluctance to move, and lifting paws while standing still. If you see them, head home. If your dog stays shivery, weak or sluggish after warming up, or a puppy, senior or unwell dog has been out too long, call your vet. A coat helps a dog stay comfortable; it does not treat or prevent illness.

FAQ

Do dogs really need coats in winter?

Some do and some do not. The PDSA and RSPCA say healthy dogs with thick or double coats usually manage, while small, thin, short-coated, young, old or unwell dogs feel the cold faster and benefit from a coat. Ask your vet if you are unsure.

At what temperature does a dog need a coat?

There is no fixed number. Dr. Collins told Business Insider a coat is worth considering once it drops below freezing, adjusted for wind, rain or snow, time outside and your dog’s breed, size, fur and health.

Should my dog wear a coat or sweater indoors?

Usually not. The PDSA says most dogs can quickly overheat in centrally heated homes, though some appreciate a breathable layer in a chilly house. Check that your dog is not too warm.

How do I know what size coat to get?

Measure back length, chest and neck, then use the maker’s chart. Sizing differs by brand: Ruffwear sizes by chest girth, Hurtta by back length, and Treeline Review found the Hurtta runs about a size big.

Can my dog wear a coat over a harness?

Yes, if the coat has a leash opening or portals, as the AKC notes. Otherwise a slim coat can go under the harness: Business Insider found a harness fit easily over the earlier Powder Hound.

Is a sweater warm enough for winter?

For dry, slightly chilly days, often yes. For snow, wind or freezing rain, Treeline Review recommends an insulated coat, since a fleece is not waterproof.

For more winter gear, see the dog leash, harness and carrier buying guide, the best dog raincoat, the best dog boots and how to walk a dog in winter.