The Best Greyhound Coats
What are the Best All-Weather and Winter Coats for Greyhounds?
Where I live, in northeastern Canada, most of our greyhound pets come off the tracks in Florida, so our winter weather is an extra shock to these dogs!
Greyhounds just don't have the body fat to help them withstand a northern winter, and they also have a very thin coat - almost no undercoat to their fur at all, and bare skin on the underparts - so their resistance to the cold is quite limited.
No worries, though, if you've just adopted a greyhound and you're wondering about what the best coat might be. I've given a ridiculous amount of time and thought and energy to ensuring my own greyhounds have a proper winter wardrobe, so here's what I've learned about the best winter coats for greyhounds. And if you've got questions, I'd be happy to try to answer - just leave a question in the comment section.
Photographs © Flycatcher unless otherwise noted
Best Winter Coats for Greyhounds
are Dog Coats Designed for Greyhounds
This is a picture of one of my greyhounds modelling his fleece-lined nylon winter coat - I call it a "ski jacket for greyhounds" and both of my current greyhounds have one, too cute when they're together!
This coat is the Great White North design, "Long & Lean" style made especially for greyhounds, by Chilly Dogs of Ottawa, Canada. (Up here in Canada, we do know a thing or two about winter weather!) I really do believe Chilly Dogs makes the best greyhound coats you'll find anywhere, especially if you've got a couple of active dogs who like to play in the snow. The coats stay on nicely when they rampage in the snow, with the high fleece collar and chest protector helping to maintain their body temperature, and the nylon shell keeps off the snow and rain.
Y-Front All-weather / Winter Greyhound Coats
Water-Repellent Nylon Shell with Cosy Fleece Fabric Lining
Made in USA
Scooter's Friends Greyhound Coats
Again, we've got a cosy fleece inside a nylon shell, with the Y-front that protects the chest and comes back between the front legs to fasten securely over the dog's back, protecting that almost hairless under-side from contact with snow and cold.
I'll go one about some other options in a minute, but I'll save you some time and tell you right now - if you live in a place where you get any amount of snow in the winter, and you've got fairly young or active greyhounds who like to get their exercise no matter what the weather, I don't think you can do better than the Chilly Dogs or Scooter's Friends greyhound coats.
Large 31" Greyhound Coats
Made in USA
Medium 29" Greyhound Coats
Made in USA
Small 27" Greyhound Coats
Made in USA
Other Dog Coats for Greyhounds
Coats that seem to be a good fit for Weimeraners, Dobermans, and other deep-chested breeds are usually your best bet, though you may find - depending on how long your greyhound is - there may be a bit more tail sticking out than is ideal.
Dog Rain Coat - Yellow w/Reflective Stripe - XX-Large (XXL)
Most greyhounds don't like a cold rain, so they appreciate a rain coat. Warm rain, it's not necessary. It's all about the dog's body temperature, after all.
Watch the Fit!
Width of the Greyhound's Chest is as important as the Girth
Muttluks 3-Layer Belted Winter Dog Coat, Size 30, Blue
A great brand, but the width across the chest may be too wide for your greyhound's narrow chest.
Greyhound in a Blanket Coat
A Warm Coat for a Winter Walk
This is a blanket coat I made for Flycatcher, my first greyhound. It is cotton corduroy on the outside, with a double layer of fleece fabric on the inside, very simple - I made the sewing pattern right on him, by draping an old sheet over him and cutting it to size then using that as a pattern to cut the coat materials. It just ties closed under the belly.
Blanket Coats for Greyhounds
Measure the length of your greyhound from base of neck to the tail, to choose the coat size, and be prepared for the possibility that you may need to take a tuck in the belly band to shorten it up, as greyhounds have such a slim waist.
Casual Canine Polyester Fleece Barn Dog Coat, XX-Large, Hunter Green
Fleece blanket coat with a wind-repelling outer shell of slick polyester.
Muttluks 3-Layer Belted Winter Dog Coat, Size 30, Red
Nylon outside, faux Sherpa inside, and a lofty layer in between for added warmth.
Zack & Zoey Polyester Nor'easter Dog Blanket Coat, XX-Large, Chive
Reversible waterproof shell with a reflective stripe for safety and visibility, and a soft plaid fleece inside.
Greyhound Coats for Sale on eBay
Find coats and other warm clothing for Greyhounds
First, check out your local greyhound rescue group or greyhound adoption agency to see if there's anyone in the membership who makes greyhound gear as a fund-raising effort for the group. (I got a wonderful double-fleece blizzard coat custom-made for my over-sized male greyhound by that route.)
Similarly, keep an eye on eBay for greyhound coats for sale (and jammies, sweaters, and other gear), as a lot of greyhound owners who are skilled with the sewing machine have a little sideline in greyhound apparel. Dog clothing companies, too, sometimes put up lots of discontinued lines for auction on eBay just to clear their stock, so you can often find quite a good deal.
Here are some of the current eBay listings for greyhound coats - but do check back in a day or so, if you don't find what you're looking for right now.
Comments are welcome!
What kind of greyhound coats do you prefer?
I like the active "ski jacket" style of the Chilly Dogs or Scooter's Friends greyhound coats, because my dogs and I have a pretty active lifestyle, but blanket coats are very elegant for walking in town. Which greyhound coats do you like best?
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squidoopets Mar 31, 2013 @ 7:26 pm | deleteI always thought the Greyhound to be very elegant looking, they look almost human in these coats :D -
A nice collection of sweaters. I've always seen sweaters for the smaller dogs and wondered if the bigger dogs ever got sweaters. So, i'm glad they do. Great lens!
Greyhound Coats
Table of Contents
- Best Winter Coats for Greyhounds
- Y-Front All-weather / Winter Greyhound Coats
- Made in USA
- Large 31" Greyhound Coats
- Medium 29" Greyhound Coats
- Small 27" Greyhound Coats
- Other Dog Coats for Greyhounds
- Watch the Fit!
- Greyhound in a Blanket Coat
- Blanket Coats for Greyhounds
- Greyhound Coats for Sale on eBay
- Comments are welcome!
