Chilly Texas Mornings: What Should a Short-Coated Dog Wear? Yanis’s Africanis Takes a Park Walk

Chilly Texas Mornings: What Should a Short-Coated Dog Wear? Yanis’s Africanis Takes a Park Walk

In late November in San Antonio, Texas, afternoons still reach the high 60s°F (around 20°C), but mornings and evenings often drop below 50°F (10°C). Yanis’s dog is an Africanis with a short, close coat — and short-coated dogs tend to feel the cold, so early and late walks call for a layer of cold-weather protection. Yanis zips the dog into a PETT2GO Lightweight Windbreaker: light, easy to put on, with a hood that cinches down, and wearable all year. Out on a leaf-covered park lawn, the dog sits tall, big ears up, taking everything in.

PETT2GO Field Report

  • Dog Profile: Yanis’s dog is an Africanis: short-coated, lean and muscular, highly heat-tolerant and remarkably adaptable, with a pair of big upright ears
  • Location: San Antonio, Texas
  • Season: Late November, early winter in South-Central Texas: around 68°F (20°C) in the afternoon, often below 50°F (10°C) in the morning and evening, and a passing cold front can drop temperatures by 20°F or more in a day. The grass turns gold and leaves pile up. For a short-coated, lean dog, morning and evening walks are when the wind bites most
  • PETT2GO Gear: PETT2GO Lightweight Windbreaker · Coal Black
  • Test Setting: Yanis takes the dog out to a wide park lawn, wandering through dry grass and fallen leaves and sitting down now and then to take in the view

💬 Can a short-coated dog still enjoy walks when early winter mornings turn cold?

“As you can see, this jacket right here is stylish, it’s durable, you can wear it year-round. I highly recommend it.”

— Yanis, the dog’s owner

The Africanis is a landrace dog that developed naturally across southern Africa. Short-coated and lean, it handles heat with ease — but has little protection against a cold Texas wind. When a cold front blows through, the temperature and the wind drop together, and a short-coated dog that heats up fast also loses heat fast, chilling quickly once it stops moving.

The Lightweight Windbreaker’s first job is to keep that wind out. The fabric is light and breathable, so it doesn’t feel stuffy on a walk, and the full-coverage suit covers about 80% of the body — all four legs and the belly included — so even sitting on damp grass, the dog isn’t pressed right against the cold ground. When the afternoon warms up, it’s light enough not to get in the way, which is exactly why Yanis says you can wear it year-round.

👂 Big ears, a slim face — will the hood keep slipping off?

“It’s so easy to put on, it comes in its own bag, and it has an adjustable tie where the hoodie is.”

— Yanis

An Africanis has big, upright ears and a slim, delicate face, so a loose hood slides right off. The Lightweight Windbreaker’s hood has a drawcord on top: pull it snug and the hood sits close to the head, shielding the base of the ears from the wind too. When the hood isn’t needed, just flip it back.

To put it on, open the back zipper, guide the front legs in, then the back legs, and zip up. There’s a leash opening at the back of the neck, so the collar stays on. When you’re not using it, the whole suit packs back into its little pouch and takes up almost no room in your bag.

PETT2GO Lightweight Windbreaker in Coal Black

Early Winter Walk Pick | PETT2GO Lightweight Windbreaker

Light wind protection that’s water-repellent and breathable, about 80% full-body coverage, and a drawcord hood that cinches down. Coal Black is made from 100% recycled polyester.

Shop Now →

At the end of the walk, Yanis has a message for everyone:

“Guys, you gotta get this for your pet. It’s so nice.”

— Yanis

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Early winter mornings are chilly. Is a windbreaker warm enough on its own?

The windbreaker’s job is to block wind and shed drizzle — it isn’t an insulating layer. On damp, windy days around 41–64°F (5–18°C), layer a PETT2GO Motion Fleece Vest underneath and the windbreaker on top; the two together still stay light and easy to move in.

Can my dog wear the Lightweight Windbreaker in the rain? Is it waterproof?

It has a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish and passed the AATCC 35 rain test, so drizzle and brief showers are no problem. If you expect steady rain for more than 20–30 minutes, switch to the PETT2GO Breathable Raincoat.

My dog wears a collar or harness. Can the windbreaker go over it?

Yes. It’s designed to go over your dog’s existing collar or harness. There’s a leash opening for collars, and the 3-way waterproof zipper on the back lets you line the opening up with your harness D-ring — no need to change your walking routine.

How do I choose a size for a small or medium dog?

PETT2GO sizing is based on your dog’s weight and body measurements — not breed. Use the PETT2GO Size Assistant on the product page: enter your dog’s weight and coat length for a personalized recommendation. If your dog lands in an XS or S, those two sizes currently come in Dark Olive only.

Is the fabric safe for dogs with sensitive skin?

The fabric comes from a bluesign® system partner and an OEKO-TEX®-certified mill, and the finished windbreaker was tested by a third-party lab with PFOS/PFOA not detected. It’s also naturally breathable, so active dogs are less likely to overheat.

Related Reading

Cooler weather doesn’t have to mean shorter walks. With just the right layer, your dog can keep you company every step of the way.

Video shared by Yanis in Texas and used with permission. Quotes are from the original video audio.

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