The 6 Best Dog Coats Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2023

As responsible pet parents, we usually want to treat our canine companions just as we would treat a human child. That means not only showering them with love but also making sure they are always warm and comfortable!

Well, sometimes a coat is necessary to achieve that. However, good dog coats (and clothes in general) can be surprisingly difficult to find. Our Best Dog Coats Australia list is here to solve that problem for you!

To discover the best of the best, we teamed up with professional groomers, veterinarians, and dog parents alike to form an independent panel of experts. Over the course of several wintertime weeks, we tested out dozens of the most popular dog coats with our own precious pups. After plenty of heated (see what we did there?) discussion, we finally agreed on the list below.

Let's get cozy and learn whether our dogs really need a coat, jacket or jumper, what to look for when buying a coat and finally, our list of Australia's best dog coats.

Australia's Best Dog Coats & Jackets Reviewed

Together with our panel of independent experts, we’ve done the research and have separated the quality products from the cheap knock-offs. No matter if you are trying to find some of the best waterproof dog coats in Australia, or you want something to keep your dog warm in the winter, you should be able to find it on this list.

Owners of Dobermans, Hounds and other long-neck breeds know that finding a proper coat for their pooch can be a struggle. These short-haired dogs need protection from cold weather, but "one size fits all" certainly doesn’t work with these breeds. After all, you need a scarf during freezing months, so why should your dog be any different?

This winter coat from SlowTon is one of the best coats for dogs who need that extra warmth during winter. The first thing that stands out on this jacket is the turtleneck collar. It’s long enough to protect your long-neck canine friend, but it can also be rolled down, which makes it a great option for just about any dog. The coat comes in sizes from S to XXL, so no matter if you own a Maltese or a Greyhound, you’ll find one that fits. My toy Poodle, whom I think has a surprisingly long neck, is happy as a clam in a size M.

This jacket features a soft fleece lining that protects the dog’s skin from cold. The exterior is made out of a durable polyester that is wind repellent and water resistant. However, for the coat to keep the dog warm, it has to be a good fit. The zipper under the neck and the cord around the collar allow you to further adjust the jacket. Unlike other coats on this list, these details made it easy for us to dub this jacket number one.

Our team of independent pros absolutely love the following features too. Elastic leg straps make sure that the coat doesn’t fly up when it’s windy, and they don’t restrain your pooch’s mobility at all. The chest strap closes with snaps, which means it doesn’t come undone easily and it doesn’t pull the fur as Velcro does. This coat also features a hole in the back so you can easily attach a lead to the dog's collar underneath. In addition to the reflective stripe, it makes it a great all round jacket for both home and on walks. Overall, it’s one of the best dog winter coats in Australia.

This jacket is specifically designed for smaller dogs. Gooby wanted it to fit all small dogs perfectly, so they made it in five different sizes with varying chest sizes. The smallest one is suitable for Chihuahuas while the largest size is perfect for Beagles and Shiba Inus. But, besides accurate sizing, what’s so great about this simple-looking dog jacket?

The soft fleece is the perfect material for all-day wear that provides your pooch with extra warmth. It’s durable but lightweight, and it’s a great heat-retainer - just what you need in a good vest. It has a pullover design, so while you don’t have to trouble yourself with Velcro and zippers like with our first option, it may not work for all dogs. The bottom opening is large enough to not get in the way of your canine companion when taking a leak.

Another neat thing our team of independent experts liked about this jacket is that it features a built-in leash attachment, so you don’t have to put a collar or a harness on your dog when going for a walk. That is unless your canine friend is a strong puller. Oh, and let’s not forget that the jacket comes in over 20 colours! And since it’s so affordable, there’s no reason to not get more than one of these for your pooch.

While dog jackets in vivid colours are adorable, they easily get dirty. The best thing about this vest is that it's safe to wash in the machine and tumble-dry, so your dog can enjoy some playtime in the mud without you biting your nails over it.

Some dogs love getting wet and dirty, but some would much rather stay at home all day than feel a few raindrops on their fur. This raincoat is designed with the latter in mind. With this stylish coat, your pooch will be warm, dry, and looking their best at all times.

This raincoat from Ellie Dog Wear comes in a beautiful navy colour that compliments any fur colour and patterns. The raincoat has two layers: a waterproof cover on the outside, and black-and-white striped soft fabric on the inside.

Related: Best Dog Raincoats.

It comes with a removable hood that protected my dog’s ears from the wind. There are drawstrings on each end that allowed me to further tighten it around my dog’s head as needed. At the back, there’s an opening through which I could connect his leash to a harness.

The raincoat has sleeves for dog’s forelegs, which makes it somewhat trickier putting it on. But once it’s zipped up you can rest assured that it won’t move a bit no matter how playful your pooch gets. Don’t worry, its tight fit won’t restrain your dog’s movement in any way. Lastly, there are two tiny pockets at the back of this raincoat that allow you to put poop bags or treats inside.

Surely all big dog owners know the struggle - you’ve seen a coat, a collar, a bed or any other dog accessory online that you fell in love with, but… it doesn’t come in your pooch’s size. This is such a common scenario. The larger your dog is, the harder it is for you to find a suitable product. This is even more true for large dog jumpers.

Luckily, PAWZ thought of our big furry babies, and they made this hoodie that comes in eight sizes! After all, a Great Dane deserves to be warm no less than a Pomeranian.

This coat has a plaid design and comes in four different colours. The material is a combination of 65% polyester and 35% cotton, which means it’s durable and cozy, exactly what’s necessary for harsh weather. Everyone on our panel of independent testers also loved how this material is safe for machine washing, so you can let your pooch play in dirt carelessly.

The coat is convenient to put on with snap button closures on the dog’s chest. Ribbed cuff and bottom assure that no wind blows inside the jacket. There’s also a hat that can be detached when unneeded. Also, what hoodie doesn’t have pockets? This jacket features a Velcro pocket on the backside where you can store a toy or snacks, similar to our number three choice.

Lots of dogs aren’t bothered by low temperatures, mud, snow and other accompanying elements. However, when you add the wind into the equation, the level of enjoyment lowers quite a lot. But that’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a piece of proper equipment. In this case, that’s a windproof jacket. The one that really caught our eye is this vest from Creation Core, and here’s why.

The vest is made out of polar fleece, which is a soft napped insulating fabric made from polyester. This material is quite durable, so it will withstand bites and abrasion. It’s also highly hydrophobic, which means that it will still provide great insulation even when it gets wet. With this vest, I was able to rest assured my dog would be warm and comfy during our outdoor activities.

The vest uses Velcro closure, which can be handy when you need to take your pooch outside in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. There’s also a reflective strip around the neck which is always a good safety detail.

Our team of independent experts appreciated the size range as the vest comes in sizes from XS to 3XL. It also comes in three beautiful colours: blue, yellow and grey. The first two colours are very bright, so dirt will be visible, but don’t worry. You can wash the vest in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.

Even the furriest of dogs can be cold during winter. But owners of short-haired pooches need to warm their furry children whenever the temperature drops below a certain point. And if you’re going to have your dog dressed for such a long period, you might as well get him something fancy to wear. Blueberry had our dogs’ stylings in mind when they designed these pullovers.

This jumper is done with a cable knitting technique, which will never go out of fashion. It comes in four beautiful vivid colours, so you can find the one that suits your dog’s fur colour the best. It’s made out of 20% wool and 80% acrylic.

It’s soft and will keep your pooch warm, but it’s not advisable to be worn during the rain (though of course, we have our number three pick for that!). We also appreciated how this fabric is easy to wash. You can put it in the washing machine, along with items of similar colours on a gentle cycle. Once it’s washed, you should let it air dry.

The jumper comes in a variety of sizes ranging from small to medium dogs. Since the material is stretchy, there’s little chance you can go wrong with sizing. The bottom opening is designed in such a way that doesn’t restrain your dog’s movement, even when taking a leak. Members of our team of independent experts also loved that it features a leash hole on the back, which allows you to put it over the dog’s harness.

Do Dogs Really Need a Coat?

Some dogs never need coats. If you have a Husky or an Alaskan Malamute, you will realise this immediately when you see them rolling happily around in snow. However, some breeds don’t do very well in cold weather, and there is no reason why you shouldn’t help your dog with some additional layers if that is the case.

Breeds that are naturally skinny and have a short coat (no matter if big or small), are perfect candidates for suffering from cold weather. These include Chihuahuas, but also Vizslas, Weimaraners, Whippets, and all kinds of hound-breeds. Small and tiny breeds also tend to be sensitive to the cold more often. If you have a Shih Tzu or a Yorkshire Terrier, you might realise they do need clothes despite their long coats (2).

In short, dogs often do need outdoor clothes, and that’s completely fine. However, dogs should only wear clothes if it makes them more comfortable, not less. RSPCA urges pet parents not to dress up their dogs for fun or for social media, and we agree with that (3).

What I Look for in a Dog Coat?

There is no one single best coat for dogs. Just like when shopping for human clothes, you need to take into consideration where you will be using the dog coat. Is the weather wet or dry where you are? Will it be extremely cold? These are the features our team of independent experts suggest you consider:

Comfort and Fit

The most important thing in a dog coat is the fit. If the dog is not comfortable, they will most likely refuse to wear the coat. Even worse, you don’t want to make your pet suffer from an uncomfortable coat, don’t you?

You will find lots of different fits if you look at all the dog clothing options on the market. From vests and throws that only cover your dog’s back to parkas and snowsuits that cover every inch of your pet’s body. In general, what you want to look for is a comfortable fit that creates enough space for your dog to move naturally.

Warmth

A good winter coat needs to be warm. If warmth is your only concern, going with something made of fleece or a good old sweater is probably a good idea. For breeds with short legs, it’s also important to choose a coat that covers their stomach too, since their bellies can be really close to the ground.

Is it Waterproof?

No matter how thick your dog’s fur is, once it gets wet, it loses the insulating properties it otherwise has (4). If the temperature outdoors is below freezing, you have a disaster on your hands and the dog is facing a very real danger of hypothermia. This is why, if you want dog clothes that are protective during long walks in the cold, you should also look for a waterproof coat.

My Final Verdict

Clothes for dogs can be useful and they are definitely fun to shop for! If you are facing some seriously cold weather where you live and need a coat that provides as much protection from the elements as possible, our team of independent experts suggest you consider the SlowTon Winter Dog Coat.

However, if it’s not that cold and you just want something to protect your pooch from the rain, we think the Ellie Dog Wear Navy Blue Zip Up Dog Raincoat might just be what you need.

Also, check out our Best Dog Cooling Coats guide for those hot days.

References

1. “Do Dogs Need Sweaters in Winter?”. January 19, 2011. PetMD. Retrieved July 5, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_dg_sweaters_for_dogs
2. Boyce, T. December 15, 2016. “The most popular dogs that can't handle cold weather”. Chron. Retrieved July 5, 2023. https://www.chron.com/life/pets/article/The-most-popular-dogs-that-can-t-handle-cold-10798356.php#photo-12048293
3. Fisher, A. May 28, 2018. “Don't dress up dogs and cats for Facebook, Instagram: RSPCA” . ABC News. Retrieved July 5, 2023. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-28/dressing-up-animals-for-social-media-cute-or-cruel/9796902
4. "Hot and Cold: How Your Dog's Coat Works". January 25, 2017. Isle of Dogs. Retrieved July 5, 2023. https://iodogs.com/blogs/news/hot-and-cold-how-your-dog-s-coat-works