[Just Dahlia]

Should they wear them?
I have smaller poodles, 12 and 20 lbs. They are regularly groomed, but not too short of a hair cut, most of you have seen them.
I have heard that it is not good to put coats/sweaters on them and I can't remember why at this point, but it had something to do with sweat.
I have coats for them for the rain, because I didn't want them to get too wet.
We walked this morning in 30 degree weather (which is WAY cold for them) and I put the coats on because I was wearing really warm clothes. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
The coldest it gets here when they would be walking is 30, do they need coats? Is it better or worse for them?
I can't tell by them, because they are just way too excited to realize they are cold (bubble short of plumb):)

[Lucky098]

Think of it this way... If your cold, they're cold. If they are running around being active, they might not need a coat. But I usually stick with the "if your cold, theyre cold" thing.

[Aurora_Bell]

I've never heard about the coats being bad for them. My dogs wear them, I even have little booties for them when we go for long walks. Lady has had frost bite on her ears, so I am looking for some sort of hat to cover her little ears lol.

I am sure your dogs will be just fine with a little extra padding on. It's not like the coats will be soaked in sweat with a walk around the block. After all, dogs pant as a way of cooling themselves, they don't normally sweat from their skin.

[jmjoseph]

I heard an interview on NPR last week with the author of "Good Old Dog". He recommends putting coats or the like on older dogs in very cold weather. If your dogs have thin coats of fur, then they need additional help in very cold weather. Especially if they aren't used to the cold climate. Just take it off as soon as you come in.

If they seem to be sweating under it, then go home and take it off.

This author had some really great suggestions for taking care of older dogs. We take many things for granted when it comes to our four legged friends.

I have an eleven year old lab mix that is showing signs of age. According to this vet, he is about 83 in human years. ( 7 years for smaller dogs, 8 for 50 lbs and up, so I used 7.5 as a factor)

I'll make his remaining time with us as comfortable as possible.

He's family, and we take care of our own.

God bless.

[shazamataz]

Both our poodles have coats, they LOVE them.
I only have to get them out of the cupboard and they start prancing.

I probably wouldn't put the coats on them when they go for a walk, even clipped off short poodle hair is still very warm.
Fun fact: dog hair is 70% warmer than wool, that's why when they make sweaters out of poodle hair (yes, it is done) they have to blend it with wool so it's not too hot!

[Sariss]

My dog (poodle shih tzu mix) has a coat, but it's for the rain and hiking so he doesn't get soaked/filled with burs.
I live in Canada and it gets pretty cold. I have a winter coat but rarely uses it because he doesn't seem to enjoy the snow as much with it on..