How to choose the best clothes for your dog
Learning how to choose dog clothes comes down to one question: what do you need to solve? Because keeping a cold-sensitive dog warm in winter isn't the same as protecting it from the rain or, simply, giving it a touch of urban style. Each need has its ideal garment, and getting it right means identifying yours before you buy. In this guide we help you decide sensibly: which garment to choose depending on what you're after, which dog each one is for and how to make sure it fits. No fuss: you tell us what you need and we tell you what suits your dog.
Start with the right question: what do you need to solve?
Before looking at colours or models, stop for a moment to think about what problem you want to cover. It's the starting point that orders everything, because the best garment isn't the prettiest or the best-selling, but the one that answers your dog's specific need.
There are basically three needs, and each points to a different garment. If your priority is keeping it warm, start with a sweatshirt. If you need it to get home dry, look for a raincoat. And if it doesn't need protection and you just want to dress it with style, a jersey is enough. Sometimes your dog will need just one garment; other times, a combination. Let's go through each case in detail.
If you're after warmth: the sweatshirt
If your dog feels the cold —it's short-haired, a small breed, senior, or simply shivers on winter walks—, the garment you need is a coat sweatshirt. Our hoodies, with a soft, warm sherpa lining in a cotton and polyester blend, trap heat in the chest and back, which is where it's needed most. It's the winter star garment for cold-sensitive breeds, and in the smallest —like the chihuahua— it's almost essential.
Not sure whether your dog is cold? We help you spot it in is my dog cold?. And remember that double-coated breeds, like the husky, don't need extra warmth and can overheat in it.
❄️ Is your dog cold? Sherpa-lined sweatshirts, warm and with urban style →
⭐ Our pick: Bubble Gum Hoodie — soft, warm sherpa lining · cotton and polyester.
If you're after protection: the raincoat
If the problem is rain, the answer is a raincoat. A wet dog feels the cold and takes a while to dry, so keeping it dry on the walk is pure comfort, especially in rainy areas or in small, short-haired breeds that soak through instantly.
The key in a raincoat is the fit: a good one has a front zip to put it on without a fight and a fit at the neck and back that stops water coming in at the sides. If you're unsure whether your dog needs one, we clear it up in does your dog need a raincoat?, and if you're already sure, we help you choose it in the best raincoats for dogs.
🌧️ Is rain your problem? Technical raincoats with a front zip and good fit →
⭐ Our pick: Lobeira Raincoat — technical raincoat · front zip · neck and back fit.
If you're after style: the jersey
If your dog doesn't need warmth or protection but you want it to go with attitude, the garment is a jersey. Lightweight, for mild days and to show off a look without overheating, it's the ideal option when the function is purely aesthetic. But FARA's football jersey goes a step further: you personalise it with your dog's name and number, so it's not just style, it's identity. And it works just as well as a gift for any football fan who has a dog.
It's the perfect garment for mid-season, mild summer and the occasions when your dog is the star.
⚽ Want your dog to have its own jersey? Personalisable football jerseys with its name and number →
⭐ Our pick: Three Stars Football Jersey — vintage style with a polo collar · personalisable with name and number.
The factors that matter for any garment
Whatever garment you choose, there are three things you should always check, because they apply to all of them. The first is comfort and mobility: the cut must leave the legs free, not squeeze the chest or cover the peeing area. The second is the material suited to the function: warm insulation for cold, technical fabric for rain, lightness for summer. And the third, the most decisive, is the fit: the best garment in the wrong size is a bad buy.
To get the size right you only need two measurements —chest girth and back length— and our size guide; if you've never taken them, here's how to measure your dog. If you want to dig deeper, you've got the full list of everything to check in the 10 things to look at before buying clothes.
What clothes does my dog need by breed?
Every dog is different, but its type and breed give very reliable clues about what it needs. This table gives you a quick orientation:
| Type of dog | Usual need | Garment |
|---|---|---|
| Short-haired | Cold | Sweatshirt |
| Small dog | Cold / rain | Sweatshirt + raincoat |
| Greyhound / podenco | Cold | Sweatshirt |
| Double-coated dog | Depends on the climate | Doesn't always need a coat |
| Dog that goes out in the rain | Protection | Raincoat |
It's a guide, not a rule: what always rules is your particular dog and your climate. Not sure what yours needs? Check our full guide in do dogs need clothes? myths and facts.
How to combine garments by season
Many dogs don't need a single garment, but a small wardrobe that covers the year. In winter, the sweatshirt for dry cold and the raincoat for rainy days are the winning combination —we settle that question in sweatshirt or coat, which one?. In mid-season, the thin sweatshirt or the jersey depending on the day. And in summer, little or nothing: at most a light jersey for style, always watching it doesn't overheat.
Depending on your climate and your dog's needs, one garment may be enough or it may make sense to combine two over the year. No more and no less than it really needs.
Conclusion: the best clothes are the ones that solve your need
Knowing how to choose dog clothes isn't about guessing, it's about identifying what you need: warmth, protection or style. Once the need is clear, the garment almost chooses itself —sweatshirt, raincoat or jersey—, and all that's left is to check comfort, material and, above all, get the size right. With that approach, every purchase is a hit and your dog always goes comfortable and with attitude. Looking for outfit ideas? Check the dog clothing trends 2026.
Ready to choose yours? Discover all our garments —sweatshirts, raincoats and jerseys— in the shop and find the one that solves your dog's need. Comfort first, attitude second.
📸 Show us your dog's look on Instagram: @fara961dogwear.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the best clothes for my dog?
Start by identifying what you need to solve: warmth (sweatshirt), rain protection (raincoat) or style (jersey). Once the need is clear, check comfort, material and, above all, the size.
What garment does my dog need?
It depends on your goal. For cold, a coat sweatshirt; for rain, a raincoat; for style on mild days, a jersey. Depending on your climate one may be enough or it may make sense to combine two over the year.
How do I know which size to choose?
Measure your dog's chest girth and back length and compare them with the size guide. If it falls between two sizes, go up to the larger one. The fit is what decides whether a garment is a hit.
Do all dogs need clothes?
No. Short-haired, small or senior breeds appreciate warmth and protection; double-coated ones, like the husky, don't need it for warmth and can overheat in it. Choose based on your dog's real need.