Whippet Clothes Guide › Bodysuit vs Coat: Which Is Better for a Whippet?
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: a four-leg bodysuit is the better choice for a Whippet. It covers the chest, belly and all four legs, where Whippets lose the most heat, it stays in place when your dog runs, and it works with a harness. A coat covers the back and leaves the rest of the dog bare.
Side by side
| Four-leg bodysuit | Back-only coat | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Chest, belly and all four legs | Back and sides; chest and legs often bare |
| Stays in place | Yes, the legs anchor it through running and play | Can twist or slide on a deep-chested dog |
| Fit on a Whippet | Contoured for a deep chest, high tuck and long legs | Often sized by back length only |
| Closures | None on ours: it stretches to go on | Usually velcro, buckles or zippers |
| Harness and leash | Discreet opening on the back (and on the hood of hooded styles) | Varies |
| Bathroom | Cut to allow all bodily functions | Not an issue |
| Care | Machine washable | Varies |
Why coverage matters for a Whippet
Whippets have a slim shape, long legs and low body fat, so they get cold quickly. Covering their legs, especially in winter, helps them stay much warmer. A coat simply can’t do that, however thick it is.
What about sweaters and sweatshirts?
Our Heavy Fleece Sweaters cover the entire chest and front legs and fit closely, and Heavyweight Sweatshirts give full chest coverage in heavy fleeced cotton. They are good extras for a chilly house or a quick errand. But they leave the belly and back legs open, so for any real time outside the bodysuit is still the better choice.
A bodysuit for every kind of weather
Because there is a bodysuit for every season, you never have to fall back on a coat:
- Mild days, fall and spring: Indoor/Outdoor Bodysuits ($70), wearable inside and out
- Cold, windy winter: Heavy Fleece Bodysuits ($84)
- Wind and snow: Windblock Fleece Bodysuits ($90) or with a hood ($95)
- Sleeping: Jammies ($56)
- Heat, sun, travel and air-conditioning: Rompers ($54), a stretch cotton bodysuit
Will my Whippet put up with a bodysuit?
Our bodysuits are styled for movement, for walking, running in the snow and going to the bathroom. They stretch to go on and off with no velcro, zippers or clasps. Putting one on takes a little practice at first; see how to put on a Whippet bodysuit.
Made to last
Every Whippet bodysuit is sewn in New York City’s garment district and checked by hand before it ships. Patterns start from AKC breed measurements and are refined on real dogs, and the Whippet line comes in sizes 20, 22 and 24.
Next: which bodysuit for which weather.
Ready to find your Whippet’s fit?
Browse all Whippet clothes, check the Whippet sizing guide, or send us your dog’s measurements (or email admin@houndzinthehood.com) and we’ll help you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bodysuit or a coat better for a Whippet?
A bodysuit. It covers the chest, belly and all four legs, where Whippets lose the most heat, and the legs keep it in place when your dog runs. A coat covers only the back and sides.
Can my Whippet wear a harness with a bodysuit?
Yes. Houndz in the Hood bodysuits have a discreet opening on the back for a harness or leash, and hooded styles add a second opening on the hood.
Can my dog go to the bathroom in a bodysuit?
Yes. The bodysuits are cut to allow all bodily functions.
Is a sweater a good alternative to a bodysuit?
A sweater makes a nice extra layer, but it covers only the chest and front legs. For time outside, a four-leg bodysuit is the better choice.