Yes. A raincoat keeps your dog dry, warm and clean in bad weather — and turns a walk you would otherwise cut short into a perfectly normal one. The difference is most noticeable in dogs with short coats, little body fat, short legs or a few years behind them.
On this page you will find out which dogs benefit most, how to recognise a good raincoat and how to find the right size.
What a Dog Raincoat Does
Your dog comes home dry. No wet coat on the back seat, no damp dog smell in the house, no long towelling session in the hallway.
Coat and skin stay clean. Mud and street dirt end up on the coat instead of in the fur. With light-coloured or long-haired dogs, that saves a noticeable amount of grooming.
Your dog does not get cold. A dense undercoat holds a warming layer of air against the body, while the topcoat above it sheds water. Dogs without an undercoat have no such buffer: rain reaches the skin, particularly when there is wind as well.
You do not have to cut the walk short. With a coat on, the length of the walk is a question of your time again, not the weather.
The Dogs That Benefit Most
- Dogs with short coats and no undercoat – Dachshunds, Whippets, Pinschers, Jack Russell Terriers
- Small breeds with little body mass – Chihuahuas, Maltese, Miniature Poodles
- Short-legged dogs, where spray hits the belly and back directly
- Older dogs, whose circulation and muscles compensate less well
- Puppies, who cannot yet hold their body temperature reliably
- Dogs recovering from illness or in generally weakened condition
- Long-haired dogs – less because of the cold than because of the drying time afterwards
When an Unlined Coat Is the Better Choice
Small breeds can have a dense double coat too: Pomeranians, Welsh Corgis, Shelties and Tibetan Terriers bring more insulation with them than a smooth-haired Dachshund. For them it is more about cleanliness and drying time than warmth.
Temperature matters as well: above roughly 15 °C, a lined coat can cause heat to build up. An unlined rain layer keeps the dog dry without adding warmth. With the Parka you simply take the lining out — what remains is a light rain jacket for spring and autumn.
Why Dachshunds Need a Raincoat
The Dachshund is our benchmark. Hardly any other breed places such particular demands on a raincoat: a long back that wants protecting, and short legs that keep the dog close to the wet ground.
With every step, water sprays up against the belly and flanks while rain comes down from above. A coat that only covers the back falls short here — which is why all our models have belly protection.
Back length is the other decisive factor: the coat should reach from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. If the lower spine is left exposed, the best fabric in the world will not help. Many owners notice that their Dachshund moves more stiffly in cold, wet weather and visibly more freely with a dry, warm back.
All our dog raincoats are cut on this principle. Which model suits your dog is covered further down.
At What Temperature Does My Dog Need a Coat?
As a guide: for dogs without an undercoat or with little body fat, from around 5 to 7 °C, and earlier in wet or windy conditions. Watch your dog — shivering, a hunched walk or wanting to turn back are clear signs.
We have covered temperature and cold protection in detail in our article on the dog jumper for Dachshunds.
Raincoat, Rain Cape or Rain Jacket — What Is What?
The raincoat has openings for the front legs. That keeps it in a fixed position and stops it twisting as the dog moves — which is what makes belly protection possible in the first place, staying where it belongs. It is made to back length and chest girth in a range of sizes.
The rain cape is a loose cover with no leg openings. Quick to throw on and often cheaper, but it does not sit close, catches the wind and slips to one side. For a Dachshund working through wet undergrowth, that is impractical.
The rain jacket usually means a lighter, unlined model with no additional cold protection.
We deliberately build close-fitting coats: with a long back and short legs, fit is what decides whether the dog actually stays dry.
How to Recognise a Good Dog Raincoat
These four points let you judge any model, whoever makes it.
Waterproof or Water-Repellent?
The most important distinction — and the one described most loosely in the trade.
Water-repellent means: water beads off at first, but in sustained rain it eventually gets through. Typical of softshell. Perfectly adequate for showers and short walks.
Waterproof means: the material has a membrane and stands up to prolonged rain. This is measured as a water column — from 1,500 mm a material counts as waterproof, and good outdoor fabrics sit between 5,000 and 10,000 mm. Our Parka reaches 10,000 mm.
If a supplier states neither "waterproof" nor a water column figure, the material is almost always repellent rather than proof. It also matters that the fabric stays breathable, otherwise moisture builds up on the inside.
Back Length and Fit
The coat has to reach from the base of the neck to the base of the tail while leaving the shoulders and front legs free to move. On long-bodied breeds, standard cuts are often too short because they are calculated for compact dogs with the same chest measurements.
An Opening for the Harness
A coat that a harness will not fit under is useless in daily life. We use a back opening with a two-way zip that the harness ring passes through. It works with the harness your dog already knows.
Visibility and Hoods
Rain means poor visibility, so reflective elements are a safety feature. Our softshell coat has a reflective strip along the back; the Parka does not — we recommend a light-up collar alongside it.
We do not consider a hood necessary: it restricts sight and hearing, slips on narrow heads, and the ears stay exposed anyway. The extended collar protects the neck and nape without getting in the dog's way.
Belly Protection: Why It Makes the Difference in Rain
On a short-legged dog, the underside takes the heaviest load. Wet grass, puddles, spray off the ground — all of it hits the chest and belly, not the back.
That is why both our models have belly protection. It runs across the chest and the front section of the belly, exactly where most of the spray arrives on short-legged dogs. The rear belly is deliberately left open so your dog can relieve himself without restriction.
On the softshell coat it unbuttons: after a muddy walk you wash it separately instead of the whole coat. Replacements are available individually in several colours. On the Parka it is sewn in and made from the same membrane material — so the dog is waterproof from below as well, at the cost of not being able to wash that section on its own.
Finding the Right Size
Size is the most common reason for returns — and the one thing you can settle yourself in five minutes.
How to Measure Correctly
Have your dog stand relaxed and upright, not sitting.
- Back length: from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. The lower edge of the collar is a useful reference point for the base of the neck.
- Chest girth: at the widest point of the ribcage, directly behind the front legs. Keep the tape neither tight nor slack.
Size Chart
The measurements apply to both models. If you already know your size in one, you can carry it straight across.
| Size | Back length | Chest girth |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 30 cm | 32–36 cm |
| S | 33 cm | 36–42 cm |
| M | 36 cm | 40–46 cm |
| L | 39 cm | 44–48 cm |
| XL | 43 cm | 46–52 cm |
| XXL | 47 cm | 50–58 cm |
Is Your Dog Between Two Sizes?
The chest girths overlap, and that is intentional. If your dog fits into two sizes on paper, back length decides. It determines whether the coat covers the spine completely, and nothing about it can be adjusted. Chest girth, by contrast, can be set within a certain range using the hook-and-loop fastenings and the belly panel.
If you are unsure, get in touch with both measurements — through the chat on this page or our contact page. It takes a few minutes and saves you a return.
Parka or Softshell — Which Suits Your Dog?
Both models are rainwear, but built for different conditions.
The Softshell Coat: For Showers, Cold and Everyday Use
The material is water- and wind-repellent, and the brushed inner face adds warmth without bulk. The right choice for drizzle, showers and cold, dry days.
Its biggest everyday strength is cleaning: the coat is machine washable at 30 °C, and the belly panel unbuttons to be washed separately. There is a reflective strip along the back as well. All seven colours are in our dog raincoat collection.
Customer reviews from Trusted Shops
"This is now the second softshell coat I have ordered. And again: super fast delivery, the goods are very carefully and nicely packaged!"
"Top quality at a fair price. Our Dachshund girls feel thoroughly comfortable in the loden, softshell and fleece coats."
The belly panel is also available on its own — handy when one is in the wash or you fancy a change of colour.
The Parka: For Persistent Rain
The multi-layer outer fabric with membrane reaches a water column of 10,000 mm and is windproof, waterproof and breathable at once. The belly protection is made from the same material, so the dog is sealed from below as well.
Alongside that come an extended collar, a waterproof two-way zip, elasticated loops at the hind legs to stop it shifting, and a removable Curly lining: with the lining a winter coat, without it a light rain jacket. The material is free of PFCs and AZO dyes. The Parka comes in olive, dark blue and beige.
At a Glance
| Softshell coat | Parka | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather protection | water- and wind-repellent | waterproof, 10,000 mm |
| Belly protection | yes, unbuttons | yes, sewn in, same material |
| Warmth | brushed inner face | removable Curly lining |
| Reflectors | yes, strip along the back | no |
| Cleaning | machine wash 30 °C | wipe the outer fabric, lining washable |
| Price | €80–110 | €150–170 |
In short: for everyday use in changeable weather, for muddy walks and for outings at dusk, the softshell coat is the more practical choice. If you are regularly out in sustained rain or want one coat for the whole year, the Parka is the better fit.
Getting Your Dog Used to a Raincoat
Some dogs let you put a coat on without a murmur; others dig their heels in on the first attempt. Both are normal, and with a little patience it nearly always works out.
- Let him get acquainted. Leave the coat for a few days where your dog lies. He should be able to sniff it without anything happening.
- Lay it on briefly. Just drape it over his back without putting it on. Praise calmly, offer a treat, and take it off again after a few seconds.
- Put it on indoors. Only once step two is relaxed, put the coat on properly — a few minutes in the house, ideally while something enjoyable is going on.
- A short walk outside. The first outing with the coat should be short and familiar, not a big expedition in a gale.
The coat goes over the head first, then the front legs go through the openings. For some dogs that first moment is the real hurdle. Hold the neck opening wide, pull through briskly without hesitating, and praise immediately afterwards. If your dog then walks stiffly or stops, check the fit at the front legs first.
Cleaning and Caring for a Dog Raincoat
The two models are cared for differently. Please check this before putting either one in the machine.
Softshell coat: machine washable on its own, on a gentle cycle at 30 °C. Do not use chlorine, bleach or fabric softener, and do not tumble dry. The belly panel unbuttons and can be washed separately — the better option if you use it often.
Parka: because of the membrane, the outer fabric is not washable. It can be brushed down, wiped with a damp cloth or dry cleaned. Wash the removable lining at 30 °C and do not tumble dry. As the belly protection is part of the outer fabric, the same applies to it. If you expect a lot of dirt, the softshell coat with its interchangeable belly panel is the more straightforward choice.
For both: let the coat dry thoroughly before you put it away. Folded up damp, it will start to smell.
Handmade in Germany
Our coats are made in a German workshop, by hand and in small numbers. We develop the patterns specifically for Dachshunds and small breeds, and all materials are tested for harmful substances. You will find the full range in our dog raincoat collection.
For dry, cold days we also make loden coats, fleece coats and dog jumpers. These are not a substitute for rainwear — you will find them in our dog clothing collection.