Keeping Your Dog Warm This Winter: A Comprehensive Guide

Australia is not all sunshine and warm weather. Ask any dog owner who has lived through a Blue Mountains winter, a Canberra frost, or a Melbourne cold snap. They will tell you that this reputation is only half the picture. Wherever you are in the world—whether your winters are mild or genuinely brutal—if your dog is feeling the cold, this guide is for you.

Understanding Cold Weather Dog Care

Cold weather dog care often catches owners off guard. Not because they do not care, but because dogs are often better at hiding discomfort than we give them credit for. Additionally, finding the right winter clothing for a dog is genuinely harder than it looks. This guide covers everything you need to know: which breeds feel the cold most, what to look for when buying winter gear, how to get the sizing right, and why some popular features in dog clothing are worth avoiding.

Does My Dog Actually Feel the Cold?

Yes, more than most people realize. Dogs regulate their body temperature differently from us, and they are absolutely susceptible to cold. Some breeds are far more vulnerable than others.

A Siberian Husky or Bernese Mountain Dog has a dense double coat built for extreme conditions. In contrast, a Chihuahua, Greyhound, Whippet, Dachshund, or Italian Greyhound has very little insulating coat. In cold or wet weather, their body temperature can drop quickly and uncomfortably. Short-coated breeds, long-bodied breeds, toy breeds, and small Oodles—Cavoodles, Toy Labradoodles, and similar—are all more vulnerable to cold than their fluffy appearance might suggest.

Age matters too. Puppies and senior dogs regulate temperature less efficiently than healthy adults. Dogs recovering from illness or surgery are similarly at risk. If your dog is shivering, hunching their body, tucking their tail tightly, or showing reluctance to go outside on a cold morning, they are telling you something. Listen to them.

Bonnie - 18yrs young - loving our XS Limited Edition Mustard Cactus Luxury Polar Fleece Snug to keep warm in Melbourne Australia.

Which Dog Breeds Need a Winter Coat?

The breeds most likely to benefit from a dog coat or jumper include small and toy breeds such as Chihuahuas, Maltese, Toy Poodles, and Toy Cavoodles. These breeds have small body mass and lose heat rapidly. Short-coated breeds, including Greyhounds, Whippets, Italian Greyhounds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Boxers, and Dobermanns, have minimal coat insulation and are particularly sensitive to cold and wet conditions. Long-bodied breeds—especially Dachshunds—carry significant heat-loss risk due to their elongated body, short legs, and proximity to cold ground. Any dog over seven or eight years old may benefit from an extra layer in winter, especially during the early morning and evening when temperatures drop sharply.

What to Look for in a Dog Coat or Jumper

Not all dog winter clothing is created equal. Buying the wrong item—or the wrong size—can be frustrating for everyone involved, including the dog.

Sizing is Everything

This is the single most important thing to understand before you buy. Pet sizing varies enormously between brands and even between different products from the same brand. A size Medium from one label will not be the same as a size Medium from another. Do not shop by breed name alone, and do not assume your dog wears the same size across different products. Always measure your dog—neck, chest, and back length—and always check the size chart for the specific product you are buying. When in doubt, contact the brand directly. We are always happy to help.

Grooming Considerations

If your dog has a thick coat that gets groomed regularly, always measure them for winter clothing when they are in their full winter coat—not after a summer clip. A measurement taken post-groom will likely result in a coat that does not fit when you actually need it. If your dog is ever shaved down by the groomer—sometimes unavoidable when matting has taken hold—take a coat with you to collect them. They will feel the cold immediately and significantly. Do not assume otherwise.

The same logic applies to harness fitting. A harness fitted snugly on a thick winter coat will be too loose once that coat is clipped in summer. A loose harness is unsafe both on walks and in the car. A fully adjustable harness can be refitted accurately as your dog's coat changes throughout the year.

Machine Washability

Dog garments encounter mud, drool, grass, and all manner of outdoor life regularly. For a jumper or coat your dog wears on walks and daily outings, machine washability is a genuinely valuable feature. It makes life considerably easier and ensures the garment gets cleaned as often as it should. Some more couture or special occasion pieces may be hand wash only, which is perfectly fine for garments worn less frequently. But for your dog's everyday winter wardrobe, machine washability is worth prioritising.

Look for quality products that wont only last one winter and for every day use opt for machine washable clothing and leave special couture pieces for special wear. These are our polar fleece snugs.

Warmth Without Bulk

A heavy, stiff garment restricts movement and makes dogs anxious and reluctant to wear it. Fleece and quality knits achieve genuine warmth while remaining lightweight and flexible. This is exactly what you want for a dog who needs to move comfortably and confidently in their winter gear.

A Word on Leash Openings

Some brands build a hole into their knitwear for lead attachment. We do not, and for good reason. Attaching a lead through a knitted opening places repeated friction and stress on those fibres every single time your dog moves. The garment will eventually break down at that point—often quickly. Many brands that offer this feature list damage at the lead hole as normal wear and tear, not covered under any return or refund policy.

The correct approach is to use a fully adjustable harness worn over the top of the garment. This harness should adjust at both chest and neck, be padded with breathable mesh for comfort, and sit comfortably over a knitted jumper without causing pressure points or rubbing. This protects both the garment and your dog. All harnesses at Hendricks & Maple are fully adjustable at both chest and neck—fully lined with breathable mesh and car safe because we believe that is simply the correct standard.

Opt for sweaters which do not have leash holes or even if they do - wear sweaters under harnesses instead as the yarn will wear at this point and ruin your sweater really quickly.

Dachshunds — Why Nothing Ever Fits (Until Now)

If you own a Dachshund, you already know the problem. Their elongated spine, short legs, deep chest, and distinctive proportions mean that standard dog garments simply do not fit. They are often too short in the back, too wide in the chest, or fall off the shoulders before you have even stepped out the door.

Dachshunds are particularly hard to size - check out our WOOLLY WEENS Dachshund Sweaters and our Luxury Polar Fleece Tankies for your hound.

This is exactly why we developed the WOOLLY WEENS—a hand-knitted wool-blend sweater designed specifically for Dachshund body proportions. It features an extended back length that provides genuine coverage from neck to tail, rather than leaving the lower half exposed to the cold. They are also sleeveless—a deliberate design decision for short-legged breeds whose legs simply do not reach standard sleeve openings comfortably. If you have tried sleeved dog jumpers on your Dachshund and found them frustrating to put on or uncomfortable for your dog to wear, a sleeveless design may be the answer.

WOOLLY WEENS Dachshund Sweaters perfect for Dachshunds but fit many other breeds as well!

The WOOLLY WEENS come in three sizes. However, as with all dog clothing, measure first and check the size chart. As a general guide: XXS/XS suits Miniature Dachshund puppies, very small Miniature Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Toy Cavoodles. XS/S suits most Miniature Dachshunds and Cavoodles. S/M suits Standard Dachshunds, larger Miniature Dachshunds, Mini Labradoodles, and Westies. Available in Eucalyptus, Chilli, and Hazelnut—hand-knitted in an 80% wool, 20% acrylic blend that is machine washable, non-pilling, and built to last.

The Full Winter Wardrobe — Something for Every Dog

Beyond the WOOLLY WEENS, the Hendricks & Maple winter range covers everything from everyday warmth to genuinely show-stopping fashion pieces. Keeping warm and looking fabulous are not mutually exclusive.

Our Chunky Cable Knit Dog Sweaters are a perennial favourite. They are beautifully textured and available in small sizes for toy breeds right through to larger sizing. Hand-knitted in a soft, warm yarn, they offer both comfort and style. Our Icelandic Yarn Chunky Cable Knit Dog Sweater uses a supremely soft, stretchy 100% acrylic Icelandic-style yarn that is wonderfully warm and runs on a larger size chart than our standard cable knits. An XS in this style fits a Dachshund, and our Labradoodles wear a size M, making it one of our most versatile sizing options. Our Fluffing Fabulous Knitted Dog Jacket is knitted in extraordinarily soft yarn—a genuinely luxurious piece that feels as good as it looks.

Wool Blend Cable Knit Hound Dog Sweater for Whippets

For sighthound owners, our Wool Blend Cable Knit Hound Dog Sweater is designed specifically for the Whippet's narrow body and deep chest. It may also suit some Standard Dachshunds. Our Wool Blend Knitted Dog Poncho is a wonderfully relaxed option—easy to put on, stylishly oversized, and beautifully warm.

Wool Blend Poncho with tassels fringe - one size only - check if it will fit your pup - like a wearable blanket with tie up strings around waist.

Then there is The Pampered Pawdrobe—our couture collection for dogs who take their wardrobe seriously. The viral Couture Feather Dog Sweater is a genuinely spectacular piece—a fashion statement as much as a winter garment. It is hand wash only and worth every bit of the care it requires. The Wool Button Dog Scarf adds a sophisticated finishing touch to any cold weather outfit. The Toggle Button Cotton Knit Dog Sweater is a beautifully finished cotton knit that is machine washable and perfect for the dog who appreciates refined simplicity.

Two adorable customers in their Feather Couture Sweaters by Hendricks and Maple - Chilled Ice Blue and Fairy Floss Pink - we also have Lavender Haze as well. These are washable and real feathers.

Hazelnut a Chocolate Merle Labradoodle in her wool button scarf and designer hair clips.

Maple a golden labradoodle in the Toggle Button Cotton Knit Dog Sweater.

For fleece lovers, our hugely popular Luxury Polar Fleece Snugs run from XXS through to 4XL. They are machine washable, embroidered, and built to last multiple winters—making them one of the most size-inclusive options available for any breed from Chihuahua through to Great Dane. The Luxury Polar Fleece Tankies are designed for our Dachshunds, Whippets, and Greyhounds in sizing from XS-XL.

Many of our snugs match our printed neoprene and some of our luxe fabric harness ranges too so you can totally update your pets wardrobe with stunning fabulous new looks.

Luxury Polar Fleece Tankies are for Dachshunds, Whippets and Greyhounds.

A Final Note on Fit

The most common mistake dog owners make when buying winter clothing is purchasing by weight or breed name alone without measuring. Two Miniature Dachshunds of the same age and weight can have meaningfully different chest circumferences and back lengths. Two Cavoodles can be the same weight but completely different shapes depending on whether they take more after the Cavalier or Poodle parent.

Always measure your dog. Always check the specific size chart for the product you are buying—not just the general brand size guide. For male dogs, pay particular attention to the front length of any garment. A sweater or fleece that is too long at the front will get urinated on every single time your dog goes to the toilet. This makes the garment unpleasant to wear and frustrating to own. Check the front length against your dog's measurements before you buy. If you are genuinely unsure, contact us directly. We are happy to help you find the right fit for your dog's specific measurements and body shape. This is the kind of personalised service that only a small business can offer, and it is one we genuinely enjoy providing. 🍁

Check the PAMPERED PAWDROBE out for even more lovely sweaters, jackets and warm options for your four-legged friends. We literally can not list them all here in this blog.

Shop our full winter dog clothing range—including the *WOOLLY WEENS, Chunky Cable Knit Sweaters, Icelandic Yarn Sweaters, Fleece Snugs, Fleece Tankies, The Pampered Pawdrobe couture collection, and more—at www.hendricksandmaple.com. We ship worldwide.