Do Labradoodles Need Coats in Winter? + Best Coats for Labradoodles

Labradoodles are a genetic mix between Labradors and Poodles which is why they can have 3 types of natural coats that vary in texture and thickness.

These coats can offer them a small degree of insulation against cold temperatures, but they might not be enough to keep the Labradoodles sufficiently warm in winter.

So, do Labradoodles need coats in winter? Labradoodles do need coats in winter because their natural coats might be too thin to keep them warm. They will need to wear a multi-layered winter coat that’s made of high-quality windproof and waterproof materials to provide them with enough insulation and protection against the cold weather.

Keep reading to learn more about how much Labradoodle can tolerate cold temperatures, how to tell when your labradoodle is getting too cold, which Labradoodles need winter coats, and how to choose the best winter coat for your Labradoodle.

Can Labradoodles Tolerate Cold Temperatures?

labradoodle in snow to answer do labradoodles need coats in winter

Labradoodles can’t tolerate exposure to cold temperatures for extended periods of time very well due to multiple reasons.

The main reason they can’t tolerate cold temperatures is that they might have thin coats, hair, or fleece, that provide little to no protection against the weather.

Another reason is that certain areas of their bodies, such as their ears, nose, belly, and paws, are highly sensitive to cold temperatures.

Keep in mind that the extent of their ability to tolerate cold temperatures will depend on various factors including the dog’s age, health, size, coat type, and even coat color.

Factors that Affect How Much Labradoodle Can Tolerate Cold Temperatures

As mentioned earlier, the ability to withstand cold temperatures will vary from one Labradoodle to another depending on various factors.

So, let’s take a closer look at these factors:

The Dog’s Age and Health

Older dogs are more susceptible to developing health issues that could cause their bodies to become weaker and their coats to thin out which will lead them to tolerate cold temperatures a lot less compared to younger dogs.

The Dog’s Size

Smaller dogs usually have less fat and muscle mass which means their bodies don’t have enough insulation and they will tolerate cold temperatures less compared to bigger dogs.

The Dog’s Coat Type and Color

Dogs with thinner, straighter coats won’t have enough insulation which will lead them to tolerate cold temperatures less compared to dogs with thicker, curlier coats.

Also, dogs with lighter-colored coats tend to absorb less heat on warm days which means they will tolerate cold temperatures a lot less compared to dogs with darker-colored coats.

You can learn more about how cold is too cold for Labradoodles here, where I also discuss how to keep your Labradoodles warm in winter and how to recognize any future problems.

How to Tell When Your Labradoodle Is Getting Too Cold?

You should be able to tell when your Labradoodle is getting too cold in order to quickly warm it up and prevent it from developing any health problems.

So, here are the common signs you should watch out for to tell when your Labradoodle is getting too cold:

Shivering and trembling excessively
Barking or whining loudly for no specific reason
Low energy levels accompanied by an increased appetite
Preferring to stay indoors where it’s warm and refusing to go outside even for a short time
Spending most of its time burrowed in bed or in the warmest areas of the house
Pacing and lifting its paws off the ground if it was taken outside

What Are the Types of Natural Coats That Labradoodles Can Have?

There are 3 types of coats that Labradoodles can have and they are hair coats, fleece coats, and wool coats.

These coats are in length, texture, and thickness which means they will provide Labradoodles with varying degrees of insulation and protection against cold temperatures.

So, let’s take a closer look at the different types of Labradoodle coats and how much insulation they can provide against the cold:

Hair Coats

Hair coats are also known as flat coats or straight coats.
They tend to be long, completely straight, and moderately thick which doesn’t provide Labradoodle with enough insulation against the cold.
They also cause the most discomfort when they get wet and they take longer to dry.

You can learn more about Labradoodles with hair coats in this guide to straight-hair Labradoodles here.

Fleece Coats

Fleece coats are also known as wavy coats.
They are shorter compared to hair coats with a softer and looser texture. They are also moderately thick which doesn’t provide Labradoodles with enough insulation against the cold especially when there’s wind, rain, or snow.

Wool Coats

Wool coats are also known as curly coats or teddy bear coats.
They are the shortest in length with a coarser and curlier texture. They are also a lot thicker which provides the most insulation against the cold as they can prevent any wind, rain, or snow from reaching through to the dog’s skin.

Which Labradoodles Need Winter Coats?

Labradoodles that have hair and fleece coats might need to wear winter coats since their coats will be too thin to provide sufficient insulation against cold temperatures.

However, you can also put Labradoodles with wool coats in winter coats for extra insulation

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Putting Your Labradoodle in a Winter Coat

There are some benefits as well as drawbacks to putting your Labradoodle in a winter coat, so let’s break them down in more detail.

Benefits	Drawbacks
It will provide enough insulation to keep the dog warm in cold temperaturesIt	It might cause the dog to become overheated if the temperature suddenly gets warmer
will help reduce the risk of the dog developing any health problems due to cold temperatures	It might make the dog feel confined or restrict its movement
It will give the dog a cuter and more unique look	It might get caught on different objects which can be very unsafe for the dog
	It might take a long time to train the dog to wear it properly

How to Choose a Winter Coat for Your Labradoodle?

When choosing a winter coat for your Labradoodle, there are some things you need to keep in mind to ensure that it will provide your dog with enough insulation.

The coat should be multi-layered and made of water-proof, and wind-proof materials to prevent any wind, rain, or snow from getting through to the dog’s skin.
The coat should cover the dog’s belly and other sensitive areas like its neck and ears.
The coat should be secure on the dog’s body with easy-to-use attachment methods like Velcro straps or zippers.
The coat should also be adjustable and comfortably fitting so it wouldn’t confine your dog or restrict its movement too much.
The coat should have reflective strips to increase the dog’s visibility in case of a storm or if it’s worn during nighttime

The Best Winter Coats for Labradoodles

To help you choose the best winter coat for your Labradoodle, here are some of the highest-rated coats that you can purchase on Amazon:

ThinkPet Reversible Dog Coat

This dog coat from Thinkpet is one of the best winter coats for Labradoodles on the market.

It’s made from Polyester fabric that’s waterproof and windproof. It’s also lined with linen fabric and padded with layers of fleece to provide enough insulation to keep the dog warm.

It’s designed to be reversible so the dog can wear it on either side depending on the weather.

It’s very easy to put on and take off as it’s stretchy and comes with secure Velcro attachment methods. It also has a zipper opening on the back for the dog’s leash to fit through.

It has reflective straps on the back and along the sides to increases the dog’s visibility during storms or at night

It comes in seven different sizes, starting from XS and up to 3XL, so it can fit dogs of any size. It also comes in different colors including blue, green, purple, red, and yellow.

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JoyDaog Fleece Dog Hoodie

This fleece hoodie from JoyDaog is another excellent winter coat for Labradoodles.

It’s made of multiple layers to provide enough insulation to keep the dog warm in cold temperatures. This includes inner fleece padding and lining layers as well as an external polyester layer that’s waterproof and windproof.

It comes with a high collar to cover the dog’s neck and a detachable hood to cover the dog’s ears for added protection against the cold.

It’s easy to put on and take off as it’s designed with an elastic belly strap and Velcro attachment methods.

It also has elastic bands to secure for the dog’s hind legs to fit through to make it more secure as well as a zipper opening on the back for the dog’s leash.

It comes in six different sizes, starting from XS and up to 2XL, so it can fit dogs of any size. It also comes in different colors including dark denim, green camo, white camo, gray, and red.

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If you want even more options, check out my guide to the best winter coats for Golden Retrievers as most of the recommendations I make there have smaller sizes that will fit your Labradoodle as well and they serve the same functions.

In fact, I have some coats that both my Golden Retrievers and Labradoodles use frequently and there has not been a problem so far. I also make some boots recommendations there in case you’re planning on taking them walking in the snow or on the sidewalks where there may be salt that can hurt their paws.

How to Train Your Labradoodle to Wear a Coat?

Wearing a coat might not be comfortable for your Labradoodles and it will take some time for your dog to adjust to having it on for extended periods of time.

So, here are the steps you need to follow to train your Labradoodle to wear a coat:

Allow your dog to sniff the coat in order to familiarize it with the scent of the material.
Gently rub the coat along your dog’s body in order to familiarize it with the texture of the material and how it would feel on its skin.
Once your dog is familiar enough with the scent and texture of the coat, try getting it to wear the coat for a few minutes before taking it off.
Repeat the previous steps while gradually increasing the amount of time that your dog is wearing the coat until your dog is completely comfortable with wearing it for extended periods of time.
Make sure to praise your dog and give it treats throughout the whole process as this will help it associate positive feelings with wearing a coat and encourage it to continue wearing it in the future.