The Best Dog Coats and Boots for Winter

Liam looks super cozy in his new coat...perfect for the long Boston winter!

We are now in the middle of January...the deepest part of winter.  If you haven't noticed, not all dog breeds are equipped to handle the cold as well as others.  For instance, the Labrador or Collie grows a thicker outer coats for the winter and also have a super dense undercoat  These breeds with thick double coats rarely seem to feel the cold at all.   But Schnoodles fur does not offer the same kind of protection against the elements.  And whether or not we keep their fur cut short, they still rely on an extra layer of protection when the temperatures dip below freezing.

The rain also can penetrate down to their skin fairly quickly.  And every time the Schnoodles fur gets wet it is more likely to start matting.  So it is worth having a coat for the rain as well.  

My rule of thumb is that I will put a coat on my dogs for a walk anytime it is raining or when the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recently, I received a note from Liam's Mom with her recommendations for Winter Coats and dog Booties.  Liam lives in Boston, where winters are colder and longer than Virginia...so I am so glad that Erin was looking out for Liam.  I am thrilled to share her recommendations with you.

Here is Erin's note:

We highly recommend the winter dog coat from VoyagersK9 Apparel that we bought for Liam.  It is absolutely freezing in Boston right now, and we are so happy with our purchase.  The coat is very well made and the customer service was excellent.

 It was a little pricey, but it will definitely last us a few winters.  Best of all there are no snaps, buttons or zippers!!!

We also highly recommend the PAWZ dog boots in your store*.  They are fantastic for dogs in the city to protect them from salt and chemicals put on the roads.  They also are great for muddy rainy days.  They take some practice to learn how to put them on, but Liam doesn't even notice he's wearing them.  They are not totally waterproof as sometimes his paws are a little wet (like if he goes into a deep puddle or snow bank).  But it's a wonderful product you can pick up online or at Petco (3 sets of 4 booties in each box).  Liam wears the small red ones.

Yours,

Erin

* Note from Mary:  These booties were also recommended by one of my blog readers as a big favorite of theirs.  I added these booties my store so they will be easy to find.   I can't wait to try them!

I also will resend Liam's measurements from a previous post.  Every puppy is different...but it may help someone to know the average 7 month old schnoodle measurements.

Weight:  14.8 lbs
Chest:  17 1/4"
Shoulder to beginning of tail:  16 1/2"
Floor to top of shoulder:  15"
Floor to top of head:  18"

Thanks again, Erin!