Drying your dog after a muddy walk can be a nightmare, particularly in winter when it’s cold! Drying coats have increased in popularity over recent years, inspired by similar products for humans. Despite growing up with spaniels all my life, I’d never heard of using a drying coat for your dog, until I adopted Woody. There are so many different types of drying coat on the market, in a variety of sizes, colours and price points. Woody and I have been trying a few brands over the past few months and thought we’d share with you what we think!
DOGSCLOSURE: We were gifted a Paws and Presto drying device in exchange for this post. I have since donated it to StreetVet, as it wasn’t the product for us. Woody was gifted 3 Dogrobes in exchange for ecommerce photographs on their website. I purchased everything else featured in this blogpost myself.
Drying your dog after a muddy walk can be a nightmare, particularly in winter when it’s cold! Drying coats have increased in popularity over recent years, inspired by similar products for humans. Despite growing up with spaniels all my life, I’d never heard of using a drying coat for your dog, until I adopted Woody. There are so many different types of drying coat on the market, in a variety of sizes, colours and price points. I have tried a few brands over the years and thought I’d share my thoughts.
Why use a Drying Coat for Your Dog?
A common question I get asked is why use a drying coat for your dog in the first place? Initially I was a sceptic too, coats are far more expensive than a traditional towel. However, I’ve since become a real advocate for these products. They replace the need for towels completely, saving time drying dogs by hand and are a great way of keeping your house and car clean during winter.
Drying coats are definitely an investment piece for your dog. They typically start at around £30 depending on size, material and brand. Once purchased, they last for months, take up little space and are easy to maintain. I find towels can be bulky to store, however all of Woody’s drying coats fold neatly into his storage drawer. We get plenty of use out of them too, at the moment we’re using at least one everyday after our walks.
Barker and Browns Dinosaur Fleeces
DOGSCLOSURE: Barker and Browns were one of my clients.
I love the fun designs Nicki creates, especially her dinosaur fleeces and her products are always finished to an incredibly high standard. Each product is made to measure, ensuring the perfect fit for your dog, as well as providing a range of options in terms of fastenings. We prefer the jumper style that goes over the dog’s head but her default designs include a chest piece that fastens with velcro around the dog’s tummy. Nicki’s designs are also available with or without legs, depending on your preference.
Barker and Browns also create an incredible range of bespoke designs where the only limit is your imagination! We always get compliments about our Barker and Browns fleeces from other dog owners and it’s great to see how many smiles Woody and Hen get when they’re transformed into spanielsauruses!
Equafleece Dog Suit
Equalfeeces are also a great option for drying the dogs out after our walks. I opted for the Dog Suit design, which covers all four legs and leaves a cut out so your dog can still go to the toilet. There are a range of styles available, including the Dog Jumper, which covers the front legs or a Tankie, which just covers your dog’s body. I put Woody and Hen in them after we’ve been out, however you can use it to keep your dog warm and dry while they’re walking if you prefer.
Toby and Alexander Dog Robes
DOGSCLOSURE: Toby and Alexander Dog Robes are one of my clients.
Toby and Alexander Dog Robes are based in Cornwall and create dressing gown style drying microfibre robes for dogs. The robes pop over your dog’s head and tie around their middle. They’re perfect for after days at the beach or the dreaded bath at home. If your dog likes to roll around as they dry (like Woody does!) the fastening can come loose but it’s still one of our go to products, as they’re so easy to slip on and off. The robes are available in a range of colours, including red, blue grey, seafoam and mizzle. They’re available in sizes XXS to XXXL making them the perfect choice for all sorts of breeds. The microfibre is quick drying and these
Dogrobes | GIFTED
DOGSCLOSURE: Dogrobes sent us 3 complimentary products when Woody modelled for their e-commerce photos in 2018.
Dogrobes are a small business based in Scotland that create similar dressing gown style products for dogs. Their products are primarily made using a traditional towel material compared to Toby and Alexander’s microfibre fabric. They’re easy to use, simply wrap the robe around your dog’s body and secure it using the ties on their back. Unlike the Barker and Browns and Equafleece suits, Dogrobes don’t cover your dog’s legs, however they are available in a variety of bright colours.
Dogrobes are sold in two parts, the main body and a snood. You can also purchase them as a set, which saves you some money. The towel-like fabric is slightly thinner than Woody’s Equafleece, making it a great choice for summer. It’s great to use at home too, though Woody tends to shake the drawstring off during his post-bath zoomies!
These are just some of the drying coats available on the market. There are plenty of brands creating drying solutions for your dog, so be sure to do your research!
Do you use a drying coat for your dog? Which style do you prefer? We’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments!
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