Dog Jackets- Finding The Perfect Fit

Fall is here and you may need to take the chill off of your dog with cute, yet functional dog jackets. I can’t stress how important it is for you to get the jacket in a size that properly fits. Not only is a great fit necessary for the comfort of your dog, but when buying jackets for dogs, you also need to keep in mind that your pup needs to be able to be active and agile while sporting his new look.

I know, I know, I just wrote a post about how oftentimes we get a bit carried away when it comes to dressing our dogs. You can read that here , but dog jackets, sweaters and coats fall into a different category. Sometimes our short-furred friends need a little extra warmth when a cold day rolls ‘round.

When buying a new jacket for your pooch, you need to take measurements to make sure that you will get the proper fit.  Too often, we look at a size and think, “Yep. I have a medium dog.”  We don’t take into account that we feed him extra treats from time to time and he’s carrying a little extra weight around the middle.  Sometimes, you just have to size up!  You won’t know for sure until you get that tape measure out.  Measure your dog, if for no other reason than keeping yourself from having to go back to the store!  Or paying for shipping a second time to return it.

Here’s the measurements that you’ll need:

Back- This measurement is based on the length from the dog’s neck (where the collar sits) to the spot where your dog’s tail starts.

Chest- Sometimes the chest measurement is also called girth.  That measurement is taken at the widest part of your dog’s chest.  Here’s the measurement that we usually widely underestimate.  Let’s face it, some dogs are just more ‘full-figured’ than others.

Neck- This one’s pretty obvious. A good trick to ensure maximum comfort is to add an inch to the measurement.  A lot of times, this measurement isn’t required when choosing a dog jacket, but if you’re looking for a turtleneck sweater, for example, you may want to know what it is.

Things to remember:

-If you don’t remember any other measurements when you go shopping for the latest designer dog jackets, keep your dog’s girth in mind.  That’s the widest part of your pet.

-If your dog’s measurements cause him to fall in between 2 sizes, always go for the larger of the two.

-When shopping online, make sure to compare the description of the jacket with the item pictured.   The only real difference between a dog jacket and a dog coat is the length.   Hint: Dog jackets are shorter.

-Don’t buy a size based on what you think your dog weighs.  Unless we just got back from a trip to the vet, we are usually wildly off.

-Think about the fabric choice you’re making.  If you want to use the jacket as a rain coat, make sure that the fabric will be waterproof.  Is the jacket just for extra warmth?  Fleece dog jackets tend to be warmer than their flannel counterparts.   Is it washable?  You really want to be able to throw it in the washer every once in a while.  I don’t know about you, but my dog gets a little ripe from time to time.

Go out and get your dog a cute dog jacket.  Just keep those measurements handy when you do.   All we ever really want is for our babies to be happy, right?

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Related Posts:

• A Dog Life Jacket Will Save Your Dog’s Life
• Winterizing Your Dog: Dog Shoes