Dog Winter Clothes and Sweaters

Winter Sweater for Dogs: Our Knit Turtleneck

Richpet makes one sweater for dogs: a turtleneck pullover in stretchy acrylic cable knit. It comes in five colours (dark red, green, black, red and mustard) and seven sizes, from S (14 inch) to 4XL (26 inch).

• A high ribbed turtleneck for neck coverage, with a ribbed hem.
• A closed knit body that stretches with your dog, with room at the shoulders and soft-edged armholes, so the legs move freely.
• A shorter cut under the belly, so it suits male and female dogs and stays out of the way at toilet time.
• Machine washable on a gentle cycle.

Every size and colour costs the same: ₹999.

Dog Sweater Size Chart

Our sizes go by your dog's back length. Measure your dog from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, then pick the matching size in the table below.

How to measure your dog for a sweater

1. Length: with your dog standing, measure from the base of the neck to the start of the tail.
2. Chest: if your dog is broad or deep-chested, like a Labrador, Boxer, Beagle or Dachshund, take the next size up.
3. Between two sizes: take the bigger one. The knit stretches, but a tight chest rubs under the front legs.

Use a soft inch tape, and measure while your dog stands.

Breeds are only a starting point. A lean Indie and a stocky Labrador can have the same back length and very different chests, so always measure your own dog. If your dog is longer than 26 inches, this sweater won't fit yet.

Do Dogs Need Sweaters in Winter?

Not every dog does. Dogs with thick double coats, like Huskies, Malamutes and Saint Bernards, are built for the cold and can overheat in a sweater. These dogs feel the cold the most:

• Toy and small breeds such as Chihuahuas, Maltese and Pugs, which lose body heat fast.
• Short-coated dogs such as Dachshunds, Beagles, Boxers and many Indies.
• Puppies, which can't hold their body heat well yet.
• Senior dogs, especially those with stiff joints.
• Lean dogs with little body fat, such as Whippets and many Indies.

In North India, a cold wave (4°C or below in the plains, by IMD's measure) can take Delhi close to freezing: it touched 1.1°C on 1 January 2021. Dogs used to Indian summers feel that more than dogs in colder countries. A sweater helps most on early morning and late evening walks; at night, a raised bed and a blanket away from draughts work better. In South India and along the coast, most healthy adult dogs are fine without one, though puppies, seniors and short-coated dogs may still want one on cool nights and hill station trips.

Signs your dog is cold

Shivering, whining, or slowing down and wanting to turn back on a walk. A simple rule vets use: if you need a jacket to step out, a toy breed like a Maltese, a thin-coated dog, a puppy or a senior probably needs a sweater too.

Puppy Sweater

Puppies lose heat faster than adult dogs, so a puppy sweater makes a real difference on cold nights and morning walks. Our smallest size is S (14 inch). Many toy-breed puppies, like Maltese and young Shih Tzus, are shorter than that, so measure first and wait until your puppy reaches 14 inches.

• Measure the length every 2 to 3 weeks, because puppies grow fast.
• Between two sizes, take the next one up, but don't go further up for a puppy to grow into. A loose sweater slides down and gets under the front legs.
• For a Labrador or German Shepherd puppy, buy the size that fits today and expect to size up within weeks.

Dog Sweater by Breed: Labrador, Beagle, Pug, German Shepherd

Labrador sweater

Most adult Labradors take 3XL (24 inch) or 4XL (26 inch), so measure the length before you choose. A healthy adult Lab's double coat copes with a mild winter. A sweater helps senior Labs, lean Labs and Labs in North India during a cold wave.

Beagle sweater

Most Beagles take 2XL (22 inch). Beagles have a short coat, so many feel the cold on North Indian winter walks.

Shih Tzu and Pug sweaters

Most Shih Tzus take L (18 inch); Pugs take L or XL (18 to 20 inch), depending on build. Pugs are flat-faced, so check that two fingers fit easily under the turtleneck.

German Shepherd sweater

Smaller German Shepherds, mostly females, fit 4XL (26 inch). Many adult males are longer than 26 inches, so measure before you order. Most healthy adults have a thick enough coat for an Indian winter, so a sweater is mainly for seniors and dogs with a shorter coat.

Sweater for Indie dogs

Indies vary a lot in size, from 2XL to 4XL, so measure first. Their short coat means they feel a North Indian winter.

How to Fit and Care for a Dog Sweater

1. Stretch the neck open and slip it over your dog's head.
2. Guide one front leg, then the other, through the armholes.
3. Pull it down over the back and chest and smooth out any folds.
4. Check the fit: two fingers should slide under the neck and chest, and the armholes shouldn't rub.

The first time, let your dog sniff the sweater, put it on for a few minutes with a treat, and build up from there. If your dog stays upset and keeps trying to pull it off, don't force it.

• Take it off indoors if the room is warm or your dog starts panting. Dogs overheat quickly in a sweater.
• Take it off when you can't keep an eye on your dog, including overnight.
• Take off a wet sweater straight away. A knit isn't waterproof, and a wet dog loses heat fast.
• Check under the front legs for rubbing after the first few walks.

To wash it, use a gentle machine cycle and dry it flat in the shade, so the knit keeps its shape.

Winter Care for Dogs, Beyond a Sweater

• Bathe less and dry fully. Bathe less often in winter, use lukewarm water and dry the coat right down to the skin before going out. Find a mild shampoo in our dog shampoo range.
• Watch for dry, flaky skin. Dry winter air and heaters dry out the skin. Omega fatty acids can help, and you'll find them in our dog supplements.
• Keep up tick protection. Ticks don't stop in winter, so keep the tick protection going. See our tick and flea treatment range.
• Raise the bed. A bed off the floor and away from doors and windows keeps your dog out of cold draughts.

Why Buy from Richpet

• One price for every size and colour: a Labrador's sweater costs the same as a Shih Tzu's.
• Sized by back length, with a breed guide.
• Our own brand, sold direct.

FAQs