Dog Sweaters and Jackets for Fall: Which Dogs Need One, and 8 Worth Buying

Not every dog does, and the answer depends on the dog more than the calendar. Most published advice is written with winter in mind, so treat what follows as a guide to which dogs feel the cold first. Those are the dogs likely to want a layer in autumn.

Dogs that tend to get cold first

• Small and toy breeds. The AKC notes that small dogs have a harder time holding on to body heat.
• Short-coated or lean dogs. Rover's veterinary sources name Chihuahuas, Boxers and Pugs among short or sparse coats, and skinny dogs like Greyhounds and Whippets. PetMD adds that some large short-haired dogs, including Great Danes and some pit bull types, may benefit too.
• Low-to-the-ground dogs. Dachshunds and Basset Hounds are the usual examples, because their bellies get wet and cold. The AKC says even thick-coated Corgis can benefit for the same reason.
• Hairless and clipped dogs. Chinese Cresteds, Xoloitzcuintli and American Hairless Terriers, along with Poodles who are kept clipped, have little natural insulation, according to the AKC.
• Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions. The AKC says young puppies and senior dogs feel the cold more than healthy adults, as can dogs with arthritis. Rover's sources add conditions like hypothyroidism and diabetes. If you are unsure, ask your vet.

Dogs that usually do not

Double-coated northern breeds such as Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Newfoundlands and Chow Chows were built for cold, and Small Door Veterinary notes they are largely unaffected by it. Saint Bernards and Akitas belong in the same group, according to Rover and Dogster. DogHealth.com warns that these dogs can overheat if you put clothes on them, and that matters more in autumn than in deep winter. More generally, Rover's veterinarian says most large dogs with normal to thick coats do not need one unless it is very cold or wet, or they are outside for a long time.

For a heavily coated dog, a light rain shell may be the better purchase. Its job is to keep the coat from getting soaked, not to add warmth.

Sweater or jacket?

It is not always one or the other. PetMD quotes a veterinarian who says her muscular French Bulldog is comfortable in a sweater and does not need a thick jacket, while a Chinese Crested needs a heavy one. A Shih Tzu may only need a sweater, depending on coat length.

Your dog cannot say so, which means looking for a pattern. Veterinary sources describe much the same set of signs.

Posture and behavior. Zoetis Petcare lists shivering, curling into a ball, hunching and whining. A hunched back and tucked tail help a dog hold in heat. PetMD's veterinarians add that some dogs lift their paws off the ground or simply refuse to keep walking. Others slow down, look for a warm spot, or press against you.

What you can feel. Some veterinary guides suggest gently touching the ear tips, paw pads and base of the tail, which tend to feel cool when a dog is chilled (Webvet). Treat that as one clue alongside behavior, not a test on its own.

Whether it settles once your dog is warm. The same Webvet guide makes a useful distinction. Shivering from cold eases within minutes once a dog is dry and warm. Shivering that carries on indoors, or comes with panting, vomiting, lethargy or not eating, is not a temperature response, and is worth a call to your vet. It also notes that a small dog shivering in a comfortably cool house is often simply cold.

A gentle way to check. If you are unsure, try a light layer on a few cool walks and see what changes. A dog who stops shivering, keeps a normal pace and stays willing to walk was probably cold. Give a new coat a few short sessions before deciding your dog dislikes it.

When it is more than chilly. Cold in autumn is rarely dangerous, but Chewy's veterinarian-reviewed guide says severe shivering, weakness, confusion, collapse, or a dog who does not warm up after coming indoors should be seen by a vet right away.

And when the answer is no. Small Door Veterinary adds that a coat should not be forced on a dog who dislikes it, and that coats do not belong on mild days or indoors.

Cold tolerance is not fixed. It shifts across a dog's life, and the dog who needed nothing at three may want a layer at twelve.

Puppies. The AKC says young puppies are more susceptible to cold than healthy adult dogs, and Small Door Veterinary groups them with the dogs that generally need a coat sooner. They also grow quickly, so a size that fits in September may not in November.

Adult dogs. In adulthood, coat, size and body condition decide most of it, but adult needs can still change. A dog who has just been clipped loses insulation, as the AKC notes for Poodles and other clipped breeds. Health conditions can lower tolerance too. Rover's veterinary sources mention hypothyroidism and diabetes, and DogHealth.com adds cancer and heart problems. If your dog suddenly seems colder than usual, it is worth raising with your vet.

Senior dogs. Veterinary clinics describe a consistent set of changes. Coronado Veterinary Hospital lists reduced muscle mass, joint stiffness and a slower metabolism, which together make it harder for older pets to regulate their body temperature. VEG ER for Pets adds that in arthritic dogs, cold thickens the fluid in the joints and tightens the muscles around them, which increases stiffness and pain. Muscle produces heat, so less muscle means less warmth to hold on to.

That is why a senior dog may start hesitating at the door, moving more slowly in the morning, or shivering on walks that never bothered them before. These changes have several possible causes, and cold can be one of them, so it is worth mentioning to your vet before assuming it is simply age. For a stiff dog, a coat that goes on with as little lifting and twisting as possible matters more than it does for a young one.

Match the layer to the weather. Fleece and knit sweaters suit cool, dry days. A light jacket adds wind and damp protection. A waterproof shell is for rain, and most are not insulated. Treeline Review, a trainer-led gear site, points out that layering several coats can restrict an active dog and is best kept for calm, leashed walks.

Measure, do not guess. Sizing is not standard across brands. Treeline recommends measuring the back from between the shoulder blades to the base of the tail, plus the widest part of the chest and the neck. If a coat's back length and chest measurements do not both suit your dog, try another brand. Long-bodied dogs and deep-chested dogs are the ones most often caught out.

Check the coverage. Chest and belly coverage helps small dogs and low-to-the-ground breeds. The catch, per Treeline, is that male dogs can pee on full-coverage coats if they fit loosely, so a snug belly fit matters.

Look for harness access. If your dog walks in a harness, look for a leash portal or zipper opening. Treeline considers a harness opening more important than a collar hole.

Think about getting it on. Some coats go over the head. Others step in or close with hook-and-loop tabs. Dogs who dislike things over their heads do better with the last two. On raincoats, Treeline also advises skipping hoods, which many dogs dislike because they cover the eyes.

Introduce it slowly. Let your dog wear the coat for a short time indoors first, with a treat, then build up to a walk.