The Dog Coat - Why Your Dog May Need One

 

All dogs were not created equal. Some dogs were bred to withstand sub zero temperatures while others were bred to live a little closer to the equator, where it can still get very cold in certain places. There are coats made especially for dogs with a low tolerance for colder climates.

 

Dogs like the St. Bernard and the Newfoundland have lots of meat and fat on their bones not to mention a thick wooly coat to protect them from harsh outdoor conditions. The Alaskan Sled Dogs are amazing when it comes to tolerating the frigid weather. This is what these dogs were made for, extremely cold climates.

 

Most dogs with short hair and a muscular build are not bred for the colder regions. There is virtually no fat on these dogs to protect them from harsh extremeties. These type dogs are the ones that need a coat in the cold winter months. Even with limited exposure certain breeds need extra protection.

 

There are big dogs and small dogs that fit these criteria. A couple great examples are the short haired Chihuahua and the Doberman Pincher. Neither dog has any fat for protection and they surely cannot rely on that short coat to keep them warm.

 

This type of dog suffers in temperatures below 40 degrees. The cold can negatively affect the joints of older dogs that may be suffering from arthritis. If they are going to be outdoors for any length of time, they need some kind of protection. A quality dog coat can provide that protection from the rain and bitter cold temperatures.