Dog Jackets Aren’t Just for Winter: The Lightweight Windbreaker a Red Doberman Loves, Rain or Shine

When most people think of dog jackets, they picture thick winter coats. But Priscilla chose the PETT2GO Lightweight Windbreaker for Sam for very different reasons. Sam is a red Doberman with a short, thin coat: sunny days are rough on his skin, rainy days leave him soaked, and night walks call for better visibility. “The reason why I got this was because it was a total body,” she says. Here’s how she uses the PETT2GO Lightweight Windbreaker.

💬 Why does a short-coated Doberman need a jacket all year?

“With it being so sunny right now, I really like it because it’s lightweight and he can wear it, and he won’t get sunburnt because he doesn’t really actually have a lot of fur.”

— Priscilla, Sam’s owner

Dobermans have a short, single coat with skin right underneath. For Priscilla, the jacket isn’t just about warmth — it’s a layer of cover Sam uses all year:

• Sunny days: the dark, tightly woven fabric covers most of his skin and blocks direct sun, while staying light and breathable.
• Grass and trails: “Ticks and stuff won’t be all over him as easily because it’s covering most of his body,” Priscilla says. You should still check for ticks after outdoor play.
• Rainy days: the full-coverage suit covers about 80% of the body, and the hood wraps his ears well, so he comes home from rainy walks much drier.
• At night: it’s designed with reflective piping, plus a reflective logo, so he’s easier to spot on after-dark walks.

👐 First time on? Start with the hood

Here’s how Priscilla does it — a good routine for the first try:

1. Unzip the back first: take it out of the pouch and lay it open.
2. Slip the hood over the head: let your dog put their head through the hood — a good moment for a treat.
3. Then the legs: front legs first, then the back legs.
4. Zip up and snug the hood: the hood covers the ears well, and there’s a cinch on top so it doesn’t fall off.

“Done already!” Then she takes Sam outside to run up and down the stairs to check his range of motion in the shoulders and legs, and they stand in the sun for a bit to make sure it isn’t too hot. Taking it off is just as easy as putting it on, and it folds right back into its little pouch.

📏 What size does a 70-lb Doberman wear?

Dobermans are deep-chested, and Priscilla says the chest is usually the tightest spot when Sam wears anything. She first bought an XL — it went on, but it looked a little tight across the chest, so she switched to a 2XL, which fits just right. If your dog has a deep, solid chest, measure the chest girth along with weight, then check it against the PETT2GO Size Assistant on the product page.

🔗 Collar or harness: where does the leash go?

Sam sometimes wears a collar and sometimes a harness, and the windbreaker works with both:

• Collar: there’s a standard leash opening at the back of the neck — just clip onto the collar.
• Harness: use the 3-way zipper on the back. One zipper opens and closes the whole jacket; a second opens just the middle section while the jacket stays on, and you can move that opening to line up with your harness D-ring.

“That’s super neat for the different types of harnesses that everybody has,” she says.

Four-Season Pick | PETT2GO Lightweight Windbreaker

About 80% full-body coverage, light and breathable, water-repellent in the rain and reflective at night. The 3-way zipper lines up with your harness D-ring, and the hood covers the ears.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will my dog get too hot wearing a windbreaker on sunny days?

The Lightweight Windbreaker is light and breathable, and Priscilla even stood Sam in the sun to make sure he didn’t get too hot. On hot days, still watch your dog closely — if they keep panting or seek out shade, it’s time to rest and cool off.

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 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.

Can male dogs pee comfortably in a full-coverage suit?

Yes. The windbreaker uses a dedicated Male Cut: the belly line is raised, and an optional opening runs along the black binding on the belly that you can cut open if needed — so male dogs can relieve themselves naturally without splash-back or wetting the suit.

How do I find the right size?

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.

Related Reading

• Spring Camping Tick Prevention: Complete Guide for Dogs and Their Owners
• How to Get Your Dog Used to Wearing a Coat
• After the Rain: Is It Really Safe to Walk Your Dog Yet?

Jackets aren’t just for winter. For short-coated dogs, it’s the layer that comes along on every walk, all year round.

Video and Sam’s details shared by Priscilla in the U.S. and used with permission. Quotes are from the original video audio.