5 Best Dog Jackets of 2022

Do a little research on where your dog’s breed or breeds (if it’s a mix) originated from to get an idea of whether you should wrap it in a jacket. “There are so many breeds now, and many are not meant to withstand cold and rain,” Conrad says. “Breeds that originate from warmer climates are being owned by people in colder climates and need some extra care when it comes to handling the elements. A great example is the Chihuahua, which originated in Mexico but is owned by people worldwide. Chihuahuas are not built for freezing temperatures!” (Conrad knows this firsthand: Her own pup is a Terrier-Chihuahua mix.) Often you can tell the breeds that originated in warm places just from their name: Australian Cattle Dogs, for instance, and Afghan Hounds.

Other reasons to get a dog jacket:

• Your dog is small. “Many small dogs do need a jacket in the winter, like my small dog,” says Conrad, who lives in Portland. “But not all of them need one. Small dogs with long hair, such as the Pomeranian or the Spitz, may not need a jacket since they already have thick coats.”
• Its hair is short. “Some large dogs with short hair such as Pitbulls, Weimaraners and Greyhounds may get cold and need a jacket for activities in the snow and rain,” Conrad says.
• You’ve got a senior dog. “Dog jackets may be helpful for senior dogs as they age and become more sensitive,” Conrad says. “But some large breeds with heavy enough coats, such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, may not need a jacket even if they are older.” They might generate enough heat on their own!

For some 130 years the engineers and experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested products for homes and families, looking particularly at safety and ease of use. In the pet space, we have recently rated the best cat litter and dog GPS trackers. In textiles, we have reviewed the best down jackets and best bath mats.

This story was reported by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn who spent a decade covering pet products and kid products for Parents magazine. Though she’s got two cats at home, she tested dog coats with friends, family and neighbors who have canines. The dog-jacket textiles were evaluated by Amanda Constantine who is the Good Housekeeping Institute Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst. Her lab ran our rainproof test with the help of Test Engineer Alec Scherma. Lexie Sachs, the Good Housekeeping Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Executive Director, gave the final say in what to look for when buying a dog jacket. Lexie has a degree in fiber science from Cornell University and frequently appears on TV to present the Good Housekeeping Bedding Awards and more.