OK I am the last person I would ever  have thought of putting one of my labs in a dog coat BUT

we live in Wales on the mountain so it is very cold out on walks. The labrador concerned has been ill for a long while and although she has recovered from most of her probs she has been left with lung problems meaning that she needs to be kept warm and dry. At the same time I want her to have as normal a life as possible and so hence the question about a dog coat. The exercise daily loosens the mucus on her chest so actually helps.

I need a coat which is going to cover her chest completely but which is not going to allow her to overheat as she likes to run about. I don't think she would like an all in one suit which covers her legs as well!!! Very often she will find a mountain bog or water so needs to be something that could stand up to alot of abuse from a 10 year old labrador and her naughty habits.

Anyone know anything that might fit the bill and isn't gonna spoil her street cred too much bless her.

I had a coat for one of my Labs, in hindsight it was probably the start of him becoming ill, but he became very sensitive to the cold.  I got him a hotterdog fleece (a jumper sort of style), which is supposed to be water resistant and certainly kept him warm.... we never had any problems with over heating either.  And I personally think he looked rather smart in it :-D

I can recommend Cosy Coats.  I have two of their 'greyhound' coats for my medium/large working breed.  Waterproof outer and fleece lining. No front fastener, just pop them over the dog's head. They are secured with a wide, velcro'd bellyband.  I bought my first 'off the peg' but found that the neck opening was a bit tight for my old boy.  I rang up and explained and was asked to send them a rough drawing of the one I had (which fitted the younger lad) with measurements and they made one 'made to measure' at no extra cost.  I've had them for ages and they still look good as new.  Telephone 0208 9533026

I can also highly recommend the Hotterdog fleeces. They are a great comforter for sick dogs, too.

Jemima

Last year I bought my elderly lab a faux suede,thick fleece lined coat from pets at home,it was a godsend with the severe winter we had last year,its very cosy in deed,unfortunatly they have none in stock,however if you have a look on ,paws pet supermarket they stock them also

Sheila.

Have a look at Equafleece http://www.equafleece.co.uk/store/dog_jumpers.html

Their dog jumpers are great, wick the wet away and mine are on their second set :)

go to http://www.equafleece.co.uk/store/dog_jumpers.html and have a look at their dog jumpers--they are hard wearing, keep your dog dry by wicking damp away and even my oldest dog now loves his (he did look mortified the first time he wore one), the other two run up to get theirs on.

i;'ve just bought one of the these.  http://www.petrange.co.uk/breathe-comfort-dog-coat-with-a-padded-lining

not cheap but excellent quality

my older bitch suffers fron bronchitis   and we bought the  "tankie" for her from equafleece to keep her chest warm

I can recommend the Equafleece, my HV bitch loves hers. She is working and I just pop it on her at lunchtime and after shooting to prevent her getting too cold. It takes away all the moisture and is easily washable (and very quick to dry). She seems to love wearing it (Vizsla's hate the cold!).

I would also recommend the a equafleece, they are easy to put on, don't fall off as lots of the half coats do.  Apparently, to keep a dog warm someone on here mentioned that they need to have their neck and chest covered and this is exactly what the equafleece jumpers do : http://www.equafleece.co.uk/store/dog_jumpers.html

My collie/retriever cross has one for the winter as he really feels the cold, my retriever however, loves lying in the snow, the colder the better!

how easy are these to put on the dogs, i've been looking at them for a whil and considering one to put on my lab after a shoot day so by the time i get home sh'll be warm and dry. i also have a particularly wimpy Border terrier who would like one :)

Have spoken to the lady at Equafleece today and will probably get one and try it. I also found this coat and although expensive they look and sound ideal. Found the coat reviewed by a mountain rescue group on dogs and they said they were very good. Will have to save the penies for this one though so we will get the equafleece for now and then maybe get this ne for harsh weather. http://shop.textalk.se/en/shop.php?id=6294

Thanks everyone am off to measure Brooke and choose a colour.

:) we are dressed in mulberry this year :)

last year we had loden

Equafleeces here - they take a lot of stick from my spaniels in the undergrowth and in mud.  I don't use them all the time but I would think they're the best for the situation you descibe.

I've got an Hotter as well but IMO the Equafleeces are a little better quality fabric.

If you wanted a waterproof that as therapeutic properties I would also suggest the Back on Track waterproof but it's a more conventional dog coat fit but with the benefit of a wide strip of the same fabric that passes between the front legs and back over the back making it easy to put on and protecting the chest.  http://www.k9-massage.co.uk/shop/shop_browse.asp?nShopProdCat_ID={3EC76267-1AF3-4E45-B040-F8A236B235E9}

I have Gillrugs for mine.  Some I've had years from the original manufacturer and a couple I got later when the company changed hands.  All are superb quality, made to measure, easy to put on, and have withstood the test of time (8 years!) of winter wear.  I'd recommend them any day.

I can also give a vote for the Hotterdog fleece, they are the same (even made by the same people) as equafleece but a cheaper version. Less size options, but worked for me. I had an oldie who practically lived in hers (in and out once she got very ill) and didn't over heat and kept her feeling good. We jokingly said it held her together because if we took it off her once she was nearing the end she would start limping much more and struggling to get around, put it back on and one happy as larry dog again.

I can also say they are good at keeping them dry, my young dog has arthritis and HD (although we only knew half the tail then). So when it is very cold she wears her fleece out. Last winter we went for a woodland walk, -2 degrees c and then "splash" she had darted off and into the (deep) stream for a swim. I was worried she would really suffer and was cross because I didn't have a spare coat to warm her back up. Called her out, so she had only managed a short swim and not a marathon session. When she came to me I gave her a good feel, outside of the jumper, very wet, bits of dog not covered, very wet, bits of dog under the jumper, bone dry. I was very impressed. Not saying they would keep a dog dry for a proper good swim, but it did more than I expected of it.

Please do forgive if i'm going off-topic a bit, but I'm on the lookout for a lightweight waterproof coat for my dog.  Seems there are lots of coat experts in this thread! :)

Like a rain mac really, he is double-coated and long-haired, active pastoral breed so he doesn't need it for warmth at all, but maybe something like a doggy Kagoule.... sometimes it would be nice to keep more of him dry, or have the option to.... as they haven't yet made umbrellas for dogs! lol

I have a similar breed and don't need a coat for warmth for him unlike some of the others I have.  I got one from Robinsons (the horse people) and it is a waterproof outer with just a lining - no insulating or padding in between the two layers.  It's been perfect as his coat is so long and thick it takes an age to dry if he should get wet.

incredibly easy to put on Claire_41 it helps if you have a dog that likes to get dressed up though :)

Like a rain mac really, he is double-coated and long-haired, active pastoral breed so he doesn't need it for warmth at all, but maybe something like a doggy Kagoule....

I have seen dogs wearing sort of all in one baby grow type kagoules when I have been at shows, they seem to be waterproof, but not sure where you could buy them - maybe at shows ?  Or google, I am sure someone on here will be able to help :)

Well Brookes tankie arrived today from Equafleece and looks very nice. We have tried it on her and she looks very smart. Had to go for the next size up as her chest is so big but it fits very snuggly on her. Fairly easy to put on too.

When I spoke to the lady yesterday she said they are starting to do the jumpers with zips on the back for dogs with joint problems so that they are easier to put on so thats great too.

Thanks everyone for the advice and looking at this tankie I think it won't be long before she has a few more items!!!

I just need a lightweight coat to protect my Yankee's coat from the undergrowth on long walks - I'm sick of having a 2 hour grooming job after hubby takes him out. I need something that covers legs and tummy, but the problem is he's a buff dog, hubby hates the idea of him having a coat on as he thinks they look daft, so it has to be a buff or beige coat! I have found a lady who thinks she could make one, but she's got a lot of problems on at the mo and it's taking a long time....