The Dog Bodysuit Guide › Do Dogs Need Clothes in Winter? A Guide for Thin-Coated Breeds
From Houndz in the Hood, based on the fitting notes of founder Terri Goodwillie, who has made breed-fitted dog clothes in New York City since 1999. Updated October 2026.
Short answer: many do, especially thin-coated, slim or very small dogs. Italian Greyhounds, Whippets, Dachshunds and toy breeds get cold quickly, and a four-leg bodysuit that covers the chest, belly and legs is the better way to keep them warm on winter walks.
Which dogs feel the cold
We make clothes for six breed lines, and each has its own reason to need winter cover:
- Italian Greyhounds and Whippets. A slim shape, long legs and low body fat mean they get cold quickly, even indoors.
- Dachshunds. A rounded chest and short legs keep them low to the ground, and they get cold quickly.
- Miniature and Toy & Teacup breeds such as Miniature Pinschers, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and Teacup Yorkies.
- Pugs, Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs, which are hard to fit because of their shape, so their line is sized just for them and covers the whole body, including the legs.
Our founder’s Italian Greyhound, Matisse, shivered on every New York City winter walk. That is how Houndz in the Hood began. If your dog shivers outside or doesn’t want to go out in the cold, it is time for a bodysuit.
Why cover the legs?
A coat covers the back. Our category pages say it simply: covering the legs, especially in winter, helps these dogs stay much warmer. That is why our winter wear is built as a four-leg bodysuit rather than a coat. See bodysuit vs coat for the full comparison.
Which winter bodysuit?
Choose by your usual winter walk. Temperatures below are the ones printed on our product pages:
- Mild winters: an Indoor/Outdoor Bodysuit, made for fall and spring in northern climates and all winter in mildly cold regions.
- Cold, windy winters: Heavy Fleece, for temperatures below 45°F (45°F down to the 20s on the Italian Greyhound page). It resists wind and snow.
- Freezing days: Extra Heavy Fleece, a very thick velour fleece; the hooded styles are made for weather below 35°F.
- Wind and snow below freezing: Windblock Fleece, wind-blocking and water-repellent, into the 20s.
- Severe cold: Extra Heavy Windblock, down to single digits on most lines.
Every winter fleece (Heavy, Extra Heavy and Windblock) is for outside wear only. Take it off when you come in. For a cool house, the Indoor/Outdoor Bodysuit or Jammies are made to be worn inside.
Winter picks by breed line
| Breed line | Example winter bodysuit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Italian Greyhound | Windblock Fleece Bodysuit | $78 |
| Dachshund | Windblock Fleece Bodysuit | $68 |
| Whippet | Heavy Fleece Bodysuit | $84 |
| Miniature | Heavy Fleece Hooded Bodysuit | $55 |
| Toy & Teacup | Heavy Fleece Bodysuit | $45 |
| Pug, Boston & Frenchie | Heavy Fleece Bodysuit | $60 |
Not sure of the size? Start with how to measure your dog for a bodysuit.
Ready to find your dog’s bodysuit?
Browse the breed lines (Italian Greyhound, Dachshund, Whippet, Miniature, Toy & Teacup, Pug, Boston Terrier & French Bulldog), compare the size guides, or send us your dog’s measurements and we’ll help you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Do dogs need clothes in winter?
Many thin-coated, slim or very small dogs do, including Italian Greyhounds, Whippets, Dachshunds and toy breeds. A four-leg bodysuit that covers the chest, belly and legs keeps them warmer than a coat.
Can my dog wear a winter bodysuit indoors?
No. Heavy, Extra Heavy and Windblock fleece are for outside wear only. Indoors, choose an Indoor/Outdoor Bodysuit or Jammies.
What should my dog wear below freezing?
A Windblock Fleece Bodysuit, which is wind-blocking and water-repellent and made for temperatures into the 20s, or Extra Heavy Windblock for colder days, down to single digits on most lines.