Holiday Gift Guide: 5 Dog Sweaters and Coats for Every Kind of Winter Walk
Shopping for a dog who joins every holiday outing? A wool sweater, a fleece-lined blanket coat, and a waterproof suit each come in handy on different days. This holiday gift guide compares five winter dog apparel picks, from hand-knit wool dog sweaters for family photos to fleece-lined blanket dog coats for everyday walks.
Best wool dog sweater for holiday gifting
A hand-knit wool dog sweater is the gift we’d wrap for someone who loves a good cable knit or a classic winter pattern. Chilly Dog sweaters are hand-knit by artisans in South America, and the sheep’s wool styles have the texture and detail you’d look for in a sweater for yourself. Choose the pattern based on what you know about the dog’s person. This is a very high quality dog sweater at a mid range price point.
1.Natural Cable Wool Dog Sweater also by Chilly Dog.
The fisherman cable knit style makes this an easy choice for someone whose style you’re still getting to know. It looks right at home in a holiday portrait and works just as well for a weekend away in January. Shop the Natural Cable Wool Dog Sweater.
2.Reindeer Shawl Dog Sweater by Chilly Dog
It's a classic reindeer motif in gray, white, and charcoal gives this knit a ski-lodge feel. It’s our pick for a family who takes a holiday photo with the dog every year and wants something they’ll still reach for in February. Find the Reindeer Shawl in our dog sweater collection.
3.Fair Isle Patterns in multiple designs.
For someone who wears patterned knits all winter, look for a Fair Isle design with colors that complement their dog’s collar or leash. Check each product’s fiber details if you’re choosing between a sheep’s wool knit and an alpaca style. Browse Chilly Dog’s Fair Isle sweaters.
Chilly Dog wool dog sweaters come in eight sizes, from XXS to XXXL. Take fresh measurements before picking a size, especially if you’re buying for a dog who’s still growing or has a broad chest. For a gift that feels personal, tuck in a handwritten note about the first outing you pictured them wearing it on. Shop Chilly Dog’s hand-knit dog sweaters.
Best blanket dog coat for everyday winter walks
For the person who’s out with the dog before the rest of the house wakes up, we’d give a Chilly Dog blanket dog coat. The blanket-style cut drapes over the back, and adjustable closures make it easy to wrap the coat around the dog and head out the door. The fleece lining adds warmth, and the open cut around the legs is handy for dogs who are reluctant to step into sleeves.
Pick a tartan for someone who likes a traditional country look, or try the Sienna Dog Blanket Coat for a Southwestern pattern in pink, gray, black, and cream. The Sienna makes a good gift for someone who wears a lot of neutrals and likes a little color on the dog. A plaid coat feels especially at home on a walk through town to see the holiday lights. Shop Chilly Dog blanket dog coats.
4.Chilly Dog Blanket Coats
they come in six sizes, from XS to XXL. If you’re gifting a coat and a sweater together, check both size charts. A dog can wear one size in a knit and another in a coat. If the recipient plans to layer them, have them check the fit with both pieces on and watch the dog take a few steps, sit, and turn. The straps should fasten comfortably, and the coat should stay in place as the dog moves.
Three more pet apparel gifts for different winter routines
5.Ruffwear Climate Changer Fleece Jacket
· For the trail dog. The recycled polyester fleece, articulated sleeves, and reflective trim suit the dog who tags along on crisp morning hikes. The full-length zipper makes this a good option for a dog already comfortable in a fitted jacket. See the Ruffwear Climate Changer Fleece Jacket.
6.Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket
For the dog who goes everywhere. A reversible jacket makes sense for the person who wants one layer to keep by the door for park trips, errands, and weekends away. Check the size chart and let the recipient choose which color to wear first. See the Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket.
7.Canada Pooch Waterproof Slush Suit · For messy winter walks. This full-body option is a practical gift for the dog who comes home from wet walks with a splash line up the belly. It’s best suited to a dog who’s comfortable wearing a suit with leg coverage. See the Canada Pooch Waterproof Slush Suit.
How to buy dog apparel as a surprise
Ask for three measurements while the dog is standing comfortably. Measure around the widest part of the chest, around the base of the neck, and along the back from the base of the neck toward the base of the tail. Then follow the instructions on the exact item’s size chart, since brands may measure back length differently. Two dogs of the same weight can have very different proportions. Use the Chilly Dog sweater and coat size charts to compare your measurements with the garment you’re gifting.
If getting measurements would spoil the surprise, wrap a card with a photo of the pattern you picked. You still get to choose the gift, and the recipient gets to confirm the fit before ordering.
Holiday dog apparel FAQ
Is a dog sweater or blanket coat a better gift?
Choose a wool dog sweater for someone who loves textured knits and wants a piece for cool, dry outings and holiday photos. Choose a fleece-lined blanket dog coat for the household that wants an easy layer for regular winter walks.
Which dog sweater looks best in holiday photos?
A cream cable knit pairs well with plaid outfits, patterned rugs, or a room full of decorations. A reindeer pattern works beautifully against a simpler backdrop, such as a front porch or a row of evergreens.
Start with the gift that fits the dog’s favorite winter routine. For a knit that looks as good on a January walk as it does under the tree, shop Chilly Dog wool dog sweaters. For the dog who’s always waiting by the door, shop Chilly Dog blanket dog coats.