Does My Dog Need to Wear a Coat at Daycare?

Doggy winter coats are adorable and, for the most part, they can keep your pup dry and warm. What’s not to love? As the saying goes, “If you’re cold, they’re cold,” right?

While there are breeds that can be more susceptible to discomfort during snow days than others, there are also dogs who have their own built-in winter coats that can keep them cozy during chilly days.

If you have a dog with a thick, double coat, it is best to leave their jackets at home. Doggy daycares like Canine to Five limit outdoor exposure during freezing temperatures, and double coated dogs can easily become overheated if they wear sweaters inside.

 

 

Common breeds that don’t need a winter coat:

• Siberian Huskies
• Newfoundlands
• Golden Retrievers
• Bernese Mountain Dogs
• Australian Shepherds

There are also a few small breeds that, if not shaved down, can keep warm on their own, too!

• Pomeranians
• Shih Tzus
• Havanese
• Shiba Inu
• Shetland Sheepdogs

If you’re unsure if your dog has a double coat, check out this complete list here!

 

 

If your dog naturally has short hair, or recently received a short haircut, you may be in the market for a cute winter coat!

Common breeds that could use a winter coat:

• French Bulldogs
• Chihuahuas
• Greyhounds
• Pit Bulls
• Weimaraners
• Great Danes

You are encouraged to bring a coat or sweater to our dog daycare in Detroit and Ferndale for your short haired dog, but here are some guidelines when it comes to gearing up your pup for the snowy season at Canine to Five:

• Label your dog’s coat with their first name and last initial. If our Pack Leaders think your dog may be too warm, they will remove their coat to make them more comfortable, and we don’t want to mix up your pup’s coat with another’s!
• When getting ready to go, put your pup’s harness on over the sweater. This will help speed up drop off times in the morning.
• Be aware of wear and tear! Since your dog will be playing with others all day, it is very possible their cute sweater may become ripped by another enthusiastic playmate. It’s best to leave expensive winter coats at home and have a designated daycare sweater.
• Remind our desk team that your pup has a sweater at pick up time. In the event your dog’s coat does get removed, it may be left behind when it’s time to gear them up to go home. Letting our desk team know your dog had a coat with them will allow us to alert our staff and bring everything up to you at once.

Canine to Five’s Pack Leaders are trained to understand doggy body language. If our team believes your dog may be uncomfortable due to the weather, they may elect to give them a nap in one of our warm, climate-controlled overnight dog boarding rooms. If you know your dog is sensitive to this chilly weather, let us know! We will be sure to keep an extra eye on them for you.