The 6 Best Dog Jumpers Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2023

Today we are entering the world of dog clothing. If you have a dog that is struggling with the cold, then you are in the right place!

Puppies, elderly dogs, short-haired and small dogs can all struggle with maintaining their body temperature in colder weather and environments.

A good sweater can infinitely improve their quality of life.

So, we are going to discuss all aspects of purchasing the right dog jumper for your pup. But what makes us such experts? We teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and dog parents to form a panel of independent researchers. We then tested the most popular dog jumpers Australia offers with our beloved dogs. After several weeks of research and debate, we were finally able to agree on the contents of this guide.

We’ll discuss the merits of dog jumpers, the properties to look out for, and finally a round-up of our favourite dog sweaters on the Australian market.

Stick with us and you’ll find the perfect option for you!

Australia's Best Puppy Jumpers Reviewed

So, we know why we need a jumper and the properties of a stellar option for your pooch. Let’s dive into some reviews now. Below, we share a round-up of dog jumpers on the Australian market that our team of independent experts can recommend first hand. We loved each of these products, as did our dogs!

Dog Nation brings their high-quality standards to the dog clothing world. We are happy to present their cute fish print dog jumper as our best overall option. It’s everything you need in a dog jumper.

First materials. This is a polyester jumper that feels lightweight while still being insulating. The material did not feel scratchy at all, so I could be sure my dog would feel comfortable wearing it for long periods of time.

Everyone on our panel also appreciated that it comes in two colours - a true blue and a soft grey that is universally flattering. And again, that adorable print! Our number four choice below is close in terms of how cute this print looks on a dog jumper.

It also comes in five sizes. The smallest size is tiny. It has a 26 cm neck, 30 cm chest and 23 cm length. The largest size is suitable for a medium dog. It has a 41 cm neck, 50 cm chest, and 41 cm length. A wide range of dog breeds will be able to fit into this jumper.

Finally, it has a great price point and ships from within Australia. You know what that means folks - free shipping!

If you are after a cheap and cheerful dog sweater to keep your pup toasty, look no further than this adorable dog fleece!

This fleece comes in four different colours; blue, red, brown and baby pink. It is the cutest design. Your dog will be just as snuggly as they’ll look wearing this.

There are 5 sizes in total. The smallest is 32 cm chest and 20 cm back. The largest size, the XXL, has a 52 cm chest and 40 cm back. So, it has a similar size range to the Dog Nation sweater in spot number one, which we love to see.

You slip this on over your dog’s back and clip at the front for a snuggly fit.

As for maintenance, the fleece is completely machine washable. That is a huge bonus overall as it means far less work for you. You can allow it to air dry before letting your dog wear it again.

Best of all, the price of this dog fleece is low, making it the ideal economical option.

A con here, according to our panel of independent experts, would be durability. This fleece is not chew-proof so be sure to supervise your pup as they use it.

Overall, in the budget category, we think this is a great product with a decent size range and nice colour options.

Onto the puppies and we recommend the Stinky G Happy Stripes Hoodie. This is a sweet little jumper than comes in a very small size that will suit puppies.

The smallest size can only fit a dog of 1.3-2.4 kg. It will suit a puppy with a 20-25 cm neck girth and 25-33 cm chest. So very very small.

The size up is suitable for a dog with a neck girth of 25-30 cm and 33-40 cm chest.

The largest size is suitable for a dog with a neck girth of 30-35 cm and 40-48 cm chest.

I love how the rainbow design is universally flattering. The sweater is soft to the touch and neatly woven for a lightweight but snug feeling.

Fortunately, it is machine washable and should hold up to gentle machine drying too.

Good reviews from our panel of experts can attest to the quality and attractiveness of this project. I loved it. They loved it.  We love it. You’ll love it!

Turtlenecks are my favourite type of sweater, so I just had to feature a nice one here!

The BINGPET turtleneck has a sensible design. Elegant. Classy. While still being fun with the large brown paw print on the back, similar to the print on our number one jumper.

This only comes in one design and colour scheme but it’s not a bad one. The beige look will suit any breed.

This is the first jumper on our list to be made of acrylic. It has been softened by the manufacturers to avoid the scratchiness you can get wight certain acrylics. Our team of independent experts note that it is heavier than polyester though so bear this in mind.

This is a slip overhead jumper that fits perfectly to your dog’s shape. As for maintenance, it is machine washable on a cool wash. But as with all acrylics, we wouldn’t recommend using a dryer. Allow it to air dry.

The BINGPET is a little pricier than the polyester options we have been discussing so far but that is because of the higher quality fabric. You get what you pay for here with a soft touch, fashionable, warm jumper that your pooch will love!

If you are after a winter dog jumper with a wintery vibe, we love these designs from Blueberry Pet. They are called Christmas jumpers, but some are more Christmassy than others. At first glance, they just look like neat, festive, Fairisle designs in fun, bright colours.

There are four main designs that will flatter any pup with any colouring. Everyone on our team also loved how there are 6 sizes that are defined by back length. The smallest size has a 25 cm back and the largest has a 50 cm back.

This is another jumper that is 100% acrylic, which adds a touch of premium feel to it as opposed to polyester. This acrylic has been processed to be soft to the touch so no itchiness here, just like our number four choice above. The fabric is very durable and fully machine washable on a cool wash.

If you want a fancy sweater for your pup during the colder months, this is the one for you!

No product review page for dog jumpers would be complete without an ugly Christmas jumper!

The NACOCO Christmas Dog Sweater is adequately kitsch and ugly to excel with flying colours in this category. It is an elf design - very sweet and more comedically festive than our number five pick.

It is made of woven acrylic fibres so it is breathable, soft and durable. Though durability is less of an issue here as I’m sure your pup will only be wearing their Christmas jumper for a limited time. Maybe only for one family photo!

There are 7 sizes from XXS to XXL, though our panel noted that the XXL size is better suited for medium dogs.

This model is machine washable too, though we recommend a cool wash and air dry as acrylic is susceptible to shrinking.

If you want an economical ugly Christmas sweater for your dog, I think this could be a good option for you.

Do Dogs Really Need Jumpers?

I have a Podengo at home. A medium-sized short-haired dog who suffers in the winter months and during cold summer nights. In honesty, I was always sceptical about dog clothes until I saw my pup curled in the tightest coil he could muster, shivering by the fireplace to attempt to keep warm. Our long-haired flat-coated retriever had no issues at all, wrapped up in her naturally dense coat.

Some dogs just have natural fur coats that can withstand more varied weather conditions. Think double-coated breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds. But shorter-haired, smaller breeds aren’t so lucky.

The experts back up my experience with my two doggies.

It’s worth noting that it’s not just short-haired breeds that enjoy a good jumper. You probably consider a Yorkshire Terrier as a long-haired beast but because of their size, they often struggle with the cold too. (2)

Another reason your dog may need a jumper is because of their specific health needs. There are dogs with diseases like Cushing’s disease or simply old age that can’t control their internal temperature as well. (3)

If you have a pooch at home that needs a little extra warmth sometimes, a dog jumper is not a bad idea at all. My dog loves his!

What I Look For In A Good Dog Jumper

So, we have established that your dog is cold and may need an extra layer. What should you be looking out for? This is what our team of independent experts suggest you keep a look out for:

Sizing

This is the biggest thing when considering purchasing clothing for your dog. Just as you would when purchasing clothes for yourself, the perfect fit is everything. And, no, the shaggy oversized jumper look does not translate well to dogs. It will just irritate them to have large pieces of fabric hanging from them. They would rather curl up with a blanket if the jumper is going to be that loose.

Now, if you have read my reviews before, I complain about sizing constantly. Annoyingly so. I’m just passionate! I think sizeism of all kinds is an abomination. Jumpers are no exception. Though many manufacturers offer a decent range of four to six sizes, it’s more of a size range of small to smaller.

That’s not to say that it isn’t possible to find large dog jumpers. They are possible to find but very few and far between.

In fairness to the manufacturers though, it is true that the thinner, smaller dogs are the primary market as they are most likely to feel the winter chill. Larger dogs can regulate their temperature a little better.

To properly fit your dog for their jumper, you need to measure their neck girth, chest and waist. Make sure they are standing when you take these measurements. Laying down can distort your measurements. 

Shape

There are several types of dog sweaters. It all depends on your dog’s needs and the style you want to go for.

Turtlenecks are good for breeds like Podengos, Whippets, Chihuahuas, Greyhounds and Great Danes. They are a bit suffocating to dog breeds with shorter necks like English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs.

The classic round neck will suit almost every breed.

If you’re interested in more of a dog coat than a sweater, check out our article all about the best dog coats in Australia.

Material

Most of the warmth of the jumper will come from the material. Of course, wool is extremely warm and insulating. Higher quality wool jumpers will provide much cosiness, but be too overwhelming for some. Wool is also a little scratchy on the skin. When was the last time you wore a 100% wool jumper on your bare skin? Imagine the itch!

A wool blend with cotton is usually better if you do want a wool product.

Polyester can be woven in a certain way to make it very thick and warm for your pup too. It can be made into fleecing which is incredible toasty. Polyester can often be a little more breathable and stretchier than wool and cotton. It will be cheaper too than natural fibres.

In the human world, we have bad associations with polyester as feeling quite cheap, but I promise you that your dog won’t be as particular about the grades of cashmere available to them as we would be.

Washability

It’s vital that your jumper can be easily washed and dried. Of course, machine washing is the preferable option. There is hand wash only jumpers on the market - typically when they are made of more premium materials like wool and cashmere.

You have to be careful with certain fabrics. That’s the other benefit of polyester. It can withstand many wash cycles.

Durability

So yes, I do think polyester is a valuable option here, but not a poor quality one that will have hanging threads and dissolve in the wash. This is where you can bring your discerning human eye while shopping around for dog jumpers. 

Now, every manufacturer will say that their jumper is the best most durable thing in the world. The best place to get an accurate account of what the jumper is actually like is in the customer feedback. There, real-life purchasers will let you in on the product’s dirty little secrets. Rest assured that if the jumper melts in the washing machine, someone will be screaming about it in big caps in the review section.

Design

Yes, call me a vain reviewer but I like beautiful things. I like for my dogs to look beautiful too.

My Podengo has a range of jumpers that suit his caramel colouring. You can be just as creative with your purchases for your dog. Whether you want an ugly Christmas jumper, a cable knit style, bright colours or warm neutral tones, there is a huge amount of variety for your pup’s styling needs.

Of course, bear in mind your dog’s comfort in all of this. I love a good sequin cable knit combo but if sequins make the jumper a bit inflexible or flip up accidentally and stick into the side of my dog, it’s not worth it. He is fabulous as is. Sometimes we can do without the (sometimes literal) bells and whistles.

My Final Thoughts

For a reasonably priced, well-designed warm sweater for your dog, everyone on our team of independent experts could agree that the Dog Nation options are fantastic. They are lightweight but will still provide the insulating layer your dog needs to withstand the colder weather.

For a more premium winter jumper for your dog, the Blueberry jumpers are pretty fab. The acrylic fabric gives it a more premium feel and they have super cute wintery designs you’ll love!

References:

1. “Do Dogs Need Sweaters in Winter?” January 19, 2011. PetMD. Retrieved February 22, 2021. https://www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_dg_sweaters_for_dogs
2. Boyce, Tessa. December 15, 2016. “The most popular dogs that can't handle cold weather”. Chron. Retrieved February 22, 2021. https://www.chron.com/life/pets/article/The-most-popular-dogs-that-can-t-handle-cold-10798356.php#photo-12048293
   
3. M, Weir & E, Ward. “Cushing's Disease in Dogs”. VCA Hospitals. Retrieved February 22, 2021. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cushings-disease-in-dogs 
4. “Don't dress up dogs and cats for Facebook, Instagram: RSPCA” May 28, 2018. ABC News. Retrieved February 22, 2021. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-28/dressing-up-animals-for-social-media-cute-or-cruel/9796902
   
5. Fries, Wendy C. “Pet Winter Safety: Prepping Your Pet for Winter Weather”. FETCH by WebMD. Retrieved February 22, 2021. https://pets.webmd.com/features/pet-winter-safety-prepping-your-pet-for-winter-weather#1