Blog 

A dog raincoat that does not fit is worse than no raincoat. Too small and it restricts the shoulders and rides up the back. Too big and it lets water straight in at the neck and chest, which is the exact thing you bought it to stop.

Dogs are also not scaled versions of each other. A dachshund and a beagle can weigh the same and need completely different coats. So weight alone will not get you there — you need a tape measure and about ninety seconds.

The sizes we carry

Our dog raincoats run Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large and XXX-Large. That is six steps, which is a wider ladder than most pet outerwear offers, and it exists because the difference between a mid-size and a giant breed is not one size.

Individual styles may carry a subset of the ladder — the Double Layer Zip Up Dog Raincoat with Hood, for example, does not offer every step in every colour. Always check the size selector on the product page for the colour you want.

How to measure your dog

Use a soft tape measure. Have your dog standing on all four legs — not sitting, not lying down. Measurements taken on a sitting dog will read short.

1. Back length

Measure from the base of the neck, where a collar sits, straight along the spine to the base of the tail. This is the primary measurement and the one that determines size on almost every coat.

2. Chest girth

Measure the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs, all the way around. This is the measurement that catches barrel-chested breeds who need a size up from what their back length suggests.

3. Neck girth

Measure where the collar sits. On a hooded coat this determines how the hood sits and whether rain runs in at the front.

4. Then read the chart on the product page

Match your measurements against the size chart on the specific product. Do not carry a size across from another brand or another one of our styles — a zip-up and a reversible pull-on fit differently by construction.

When your dog is between sizes

Size up. A coat slightly long in the back is a coat your dog can still move in; a coat slightly short binds at the shoulders and rides up. If back length and chest girth point at different sizes, follow the larger one — you cannot add chest room, but a little extra length is manageable.

Choosing the style

Reversible pull-on

Our reversible raincoats — Yellow & Ducks, Orange & Camo, and Red & Buffalo Plaid — give you two looks in one coat and run the full Small to XXX-Large ladder. Bright orange or yellow on one side is genuinely useful on a dark, wet evening walk.

Zip-up

The Double Layer Zip Up is the easier option for dogs that dislike having things pulled over their head, and the double layer construction suits colder rain.

Classic hooded

The Dog Raincoat with Hood comes in the widest print selection — ducks, sharks, dinosaurs, plaid and camo among them — for dogs who tolerate a hood.

About hoods

Not every dog will accept one. If yours is unsure, put the coat on indoors with the hood down first and let them wear it for a few minutes before you take it outside in the rain. A dog that associates the coat with a walk will put up with far more than one that first meets it in a downpour.

Fitting it on the day

Check that the coat ends before the base of the tail, that the leg openings are not rubbing the armpit area, and that you can slide two fingers under the neck opening. Watch your dog walk a few steps in it before you commit to a long walk.

Browse the full range in Dog Raincoats, Dog Outerwear and Dogs.

FAQ

What sizes do ShopHDE dog raincoats come in?

Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large and XXX-Large. Size availability varies by style and colour, so check the selector on the product page.

How do I measure my dog for a raincoat?

With your dog standing, measure back length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, chest girth around the widest part of the ribcage behind the front legs, and neck girth where the collar sits. Then match those to the chart on the product page.

Which measurement matters most?

Back length determines the size on most coats, but chest girth is what catches broad-chested breeds. If the two disagree, go with the larger size.

My dog is between two sizes — up or down?

Up. A slightly long coat still allows free movement; a slightly short one binds at the shoulders and rides up the back.

Can I use my dog's weight to pick a size?

Not reliably. Two dogs at the same weight can have very different back lengths and chest depths. Measure instead.

Do the raincoats have hoods?

Yes, all of the raincoat styles here include a hood. It can be worn down if your dog prefers.

What is a reversible raincoat for?

Two colours or prints in one coat. The high-visibility side is useful for low-light walks.