It's August. It's raining. Welcome to a British summer. If your walk starts with a hopeful glance at the sky and ends with a soggy, shivering dog on the doormat, a proper waterproof coat is one of the small things that quietly changes everything. Here's our 2026 guide to choosing one — and the coats we'd reach for first.
The quick answer: The best waterproof dog coat is one that keeps the chest and back dry, moves with your dog rather than against them, and dries fast so it's ready for the next downpour. For most UK dogs we'd start with the Eco-Friendly Sarah Raincoat (£39.99, made from recycled ocean plastic) for wet-but-mild days, and the reversible "Francis" Bomber Jacket (£34.99) once it turns cold and wet. Both are handmade by The Painter's Wife. Free UK delivery over £30.
Do dogs actually need a coat in the rain?
Not every dog, and not every shower. A quick trot round the block in light drizzle won't trouble a healthy, thick-coated dog. But a coat earns its keep more often than people think — and especially in a wet British autumn.
Consider one for your dog if they are:
- Small, slim or short-coated — whippets, Italian greyhounds, dachshunds, staffies and toy breeds lose heat fast and have little natural insulation against cold rain.
- Older, very young, or recovering — puppies and senior dogs regulate their temperature less easily, so a chilly soaking takes more out of them.
- Prone to that deep, damp chill — if your dog comes home shivering and takes an age to warm up, a coat that keeps the core dry makes a genuine difference.
- A magnet for mud and mess — a coat that sheds water also sheds a good deal of the towel-off, driveway-hose, why-is-there-mud-on-the-ceiling routine.
Thick double-coated breeds — huskies, some spaniels, many retrievers — are better equipped and often happier bare. As ever, you know your dog: if they're miserable and cold in the wet, that's your answer.
What to look for in a waterproof dog coat
A few things separate a coat that works from one that lives crumpled at the bottom of the lead drawer:
- Genuinely waterproof, not just "water-resistant". A technical outer fabric that makes rain bead and slide off will keep your dog far drier than a soft shower-resistant shell that eventually soaks through.
- Coverage where it counts. The chest, back and belly-line are what you want protected. A coat that guards the trunk and front legs keeps the core warm even if the paws get wet.
- Freedom to move. A good coat should let your dog run, sniff and squat naturally. If it restricts the shoulders or rides up, they'll fight it.
- Quick-drying and washable. British weather means a coat rarely gets one day off. Fabrics that dry fast and machine-wash at 30°C are the ones you'll actually keep using.
- The right fit. Too loose and rain runs straight in; too tight and it chafes. Measuring properly (see below) matters more than the size on the label.
The best waterproof dog coats & raincoats (UK 2026)
Every coat below is in stock, handmade, and chosen because it does the one job a rain coat should: keeps your dog dry without getting in their way.
1. Eco-Friendly Sarah Raincoat — best all-rounder for wet days (£39.99)
Our first pick for the classic British "it's not cold, it's just relentless" kind of rain. The Sarah Raincoat is handmade by The Painter's Wife and inspired by the fishermen's raincoats of the Spanish Atlantic coast — so it's built for real weather, not just a light spritz.
The clever part is the fabric. It's a technical waterproof made from recycled polyester reclaimed from ocean plastic, fishing nets and textile waste — rain simply slides off, and it dries very quickly, ready for the next round. It's cut to protect the front legs and trunk while leaving the shoulders free to move, and the neck is generously sized so a collar sits comfortably underneath. There's no dedicated harness opening, so pop it on over the harness for full coverage. Comes in yellow, red and blue, in seven sizes from 25cm/10" up to 55cm/22".
Best for: most dogs, most of the time — mild, wet days and dogs who need to stay dry without overheating. A genuinely sustainable choice, too.
2. "Francis" Reversible Bomber Jacket — best for cold-and-wet days (£34.99)
When the rain arrives with a proper chill behind it, this is the one. The "Francis" Bomber Jacket, also from The Painter's Wife, is a two-layer coat: the outer technical fabric makes rain and snow slide straight off, while a thermal liner keeps your dog's body warm and dry. Soft 100% cotton backtracks stop any chafing and hold the heat in.
It's fully reversible, so you can flip it to suit the weather — and, conveniently, get two looks out of one coat. Sizes run from 25cm/10" to 55cm/22". If you want a single coat to carry a small or slim dog through a wet, cold autumn and winter, start here.
Best for: cold rainy days, and smaller or short-coated dogs who feel the chill.
3. Strut & Snack Coat Bundle — best value if you're buying anyway (£39.99)
If a coat is going in the basket, the Strut & Snack Coat Bundle is the value play. You choose either the Francis Bomber or the Sarah Raincoat, and it arrives with a trio of Best in Show treats — Crisps for Dogs, Popcorn for Dogs and a 0% "Woof" Dog Beer. Bought separately these would come to £64.99, so at £39.99 it's a genuine saving, not a manufactured one. A nice one to have shipped ahead of the wet season.
Best for: new coat plus a treat stash, in one order.
Don't forget the walking gear underneath
A coat keeps the rain off; the right collar and lead keep the walk safe when everything's slippery and grey. The handmade Rose Wylie Collar (£22.99) is waterproof and hypoallergenic — a small, colourful pop of cheer on the greyest of days, and easy to wipe clean afterwards. For the full rundown, see our guide to the best dog walking accessories.
How to measure your dog for a coat
Fit is everything, and it's quick to get right. You need two measurements:
- Back length: from the base of the neck (where a collar sits) to the base of the tail. This is the number that matches the coat size — a 30cm/12" coat suits a roughly 30cm back.
- Tummy girth: around the widest part of the belly, usually just behind the front legs, to check the coat will fasten comfortably.
A rough size steer from The Painter's Wife guide: 25cm/10" suits a Toy Poodle, 30cm/12" a Yorkshire Terrier, 35cm/14" a Jack Russell, 40cm/16" a King Charles, 45cm/18" a Cocker Spaniel, 50cm/20" a Border Collie and 55cm/22" a Dalmatian. If your dog falls between two sizes, size up — a little room over a jumper is better than a coat that pulls.
Caring for a waterproof dog coat
Waterproof coats are refreshingly low-maintenance. Both The Painter's Wife coats machine-wash at 30°C maximum — no bleach, and no tumble dry (heat damages the waterproofing). They dry quickly on their own, so hang them up after a muddy walk and they'll be ready again by morning. A quick wipe of the inside after a wet outing keeps things fresh between washes.
Frequently asked questions
Do dogs really need raincoats in the UK?
Many do. Small, slim, short-coated, elderly, young or unwell dogs feel cold rain far more than thick double-coated breeds, and a waterproof coat that keeps the core dry helps them stay warm and comfortable on wet walks. If your dog comes home shivering, a coat will help.
What is the best waterproof dog coat?
For most UK dogs we'd start with the Eco-Friendly Sarah Raincoat for mild wet days, and the reversible "Francis" Bomber Jacket when it's cold as well as wet. Both are handmade by The Painter's Wife, shed rain, and dry quickly.
How do I measure my dog for a coat?
Measure the back length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, and the tummy girth around the widest part of the belly. Match the back length to the coat size, and size up if your dog is between sizes.
Can my dog wear a harness under a raincoat?
Yes. The Sarah Raincoat has no dedicated harness opening, so we'd suggest putting the coat on over the harness for full protection. A collar sits comfortably underneath, as the neck is generously cut.
How do I wash a waterproof dog coat?
Machine wash at 30°C maximum, don't use bleach and don't tumble dry — heat can damage the waterproofing. Both coats dry quickly by themselves.
Rain's not going anywhere this month — but a soggy, shivering dog can. Explore the Sarah Raincoat and the Francis Bomber Jacket, and keep them dry all season. Free UK delivery on orders over £30.