The 10 Best Dog Raincoats

If your dog walks in steady rain, the Ruffwear Sun Shower is built like a hiker's shell. Its ripstop nylon has sealed seams, and Ruffwear publishes a waterproof rating for the fabric, which few dog coat makers do. A tall collar folds up around the neck, leg loops keep wind from lifting it, and a slot on the back lets the leash reach a harness underneath. There's no hood, and the belly gets a strap rather than full cover.

For dogs that won't put up with a hood, the Spark Paws Breatheshield keeps the neck and lower face dry with a soft wrap instead. The waterproof shell has a mesh lining that lets body heat out, and it buckles on at the sides, so nothing goes over the head. A toggle by the back legs keeps bathroom breaks clean. Sizes run from toy breeds to giant dogs. The legs stay bare, so muddy walks still end with a wipe-down.

The Hurtta Downpour Suit covers all four legs, which makes it the one to get for muddy trails, wet snow and dogs with long, feathered coats that hold dirt. Hurtta is a Finnish brand, and the fabric carries a breathable waterproof layer that also sheds grime. Reflective prints wrap all the way around. Getting a dog's legs into the sleeves takes practice, and the suit is sized by back length, so measure before you order.

Built for trail days, the Wilderdog Raincoat folds into its own back pocket, and that same pocket carries poop bags and treats once the coat is on. Under the waterproof outer layer sits a mesh lining that breathes. The hood comes off when it isn't needed, and the leash hole works with a collar or a harness. Hook-and-loop straps hold everything in place, and they can collect fur and lose grip with age.

The Tuff Pupper Raincoat comes from a young brand, yet it packs in sealed seams, a hood that cinches around the face, a neck wrap and a mesh lining. It buckles at the side, and an opening on the back reaches a harness ring, so the coat stays on for the whole walk. The company backs it against defects for life. Its track record is short, though, so how it holds up after a few winters is still unknown.

From the workwear brand, the Carhartt Nylon Rain jacket tapes its seams at the spots where water tends to sneak in. A splash apron guards the chest, a split tail covers the rump without slowing the stride, and the leash slot fits over a harness. Elastic leg loops stop it from twisting. It slips on over the head, which some dogs fight, and it's too new to have a long record.

The Lukovee Clear Hood has a see-through hood that keeps rain off the head without blocking the dog's view. The brim has a reflective edge, the inside is lined with mesh, and the whole coat folds into a pouch on its back that doubles as a cover for the leash hole. Neck and belly straps set the fit. Dogs that dislike anything on their heads may fight the hood, so try it indoors first.

The HDE Slicker is the classic yellow hooded raincoat, simple and owned by a huge number of dog people. It's polyester with a coating that sheds water, plus reflective bands, a belly strap and an opening for a harness clip. For a quick walk in light rain, it does the job. HDE calls it water resistant, not waterproof, so a long soaking will get through, and the belly stays open to splashes.

Standard coats tend to stop halfway down a long back, so the Hudson Hound Long Dog is cut longer and narrower for dachshunds and other long, short-legged breeds. Two hook-and-loop straps close it at the chest and belly, a mesh lining sits inside, and a flapped opening lets a harness clip through. The shape is a poor match for deep-chested or stocky dogs, so it really only suits the body type it was made for.

Two coats in one, the Kimee Reversible flips inside out from a solid color to a printed pattern. Reflective strips run along the edges, a belly strap adjusts the fit, and elastic loops around the legs and tail stop gusts from flipping it up. The leash hole sits at the collar, not over a harness. The warranty lasts only 60 days, and the same design is sold under several other store names.