Stylish Dog Walking Coats To Add To Your Wishlist

By Charlie Colville

2 years ago

Hiking with the hounds never looked so good


Now that spring has officially sprung, dog owners across the UK can breather a sigh of relief: the days of frosty winter walks are behind us. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be layering up for a daily excursion with your pooch – especially when you think about how much it rains here. Good thing we’ve rounded up the best dog walking coats for every season. No more excuses to your canine companion about poor weather now…

The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

As always, keep the planet in mind when shopping. Re-wearing old clothes is the best way to be sustainable, but if you can’t avoid it then shop consciously at responsible retailers, as well as rental and resale sites.

What To Consider Before Buying A Dog Walking Coat

Weather

It’s important to consider the time of year; walk with the seasons. You don’t want a hulking, fluffy coat in the middle of summer and the last thing you want during winter is a flimsy scrap of fabric. Think about the kind of walks you’re going to be doing (a quiet stroll, a jog or a countryside hike?) and when you’ll be doing them: lightweight layering pieces work well for spring and autumn, while you’ll want something cosier for winter and probably no coat at all in the summer.

Is It Waterproof?

And speaking of weather, you’ll need to make sure you’re geared up for the (likely) occurrence of British showers. There are 365 days in a year, and it rains on almost half of them in the UK – meaning you’ll more than likely be taking your canine companion out for a drizzly stroll multiple times throughout the year. A good transeasonal dog walking coat will be waterproof or water-resistant, so you can get through the rain unscathed (although the same can’t be said for puddle-jumping pups).

Two dogs wearing coats outdoors in autumn

(c) Alvan Nee, Unsplash

Timelessness

Lastly, think about the style of your coat. Ideally you want to keep this item in your wardrobe for a long time – as long as possible, even. Buy less, buy better and opt for something timeless in style; a Barbour wax jacket, a Burberry trench or a Fairfax & Favor gilet will fall back in style year after year, without fail.

Functionality

Regardless of whether your excursion is a hike across the UK or a quick trip up the shop, you’ll need to make sure you’re wearing something that is as functional as it is stylish. Things you might want to find in a dog walking coat include:

  • Pockets (the more the merrier)
  • Detachable features like a hood or storm fastenings
  • Buttons or zippers (you don’t want your coat flapping open in the wind, do you?)

The biggest thing we’d recommend looking for is, obviously, pockets. The last thing you want to do is juggle the lead, poop bags, fetch toys and your phone if you’re dog is quite hyperactive (and if not, then it’s just a plain hassle).

Stylish Dog Walking Coats To Add To Your Wishlist

Green jacket

Featured image: Jamie Street, Unsplash