Dog Christmas jumpers: how to size one, and the dogs that shouldn't wear one

Dog Christmas jumpers are bought for the photograph. That is a perfectly good reason and we are not going to pretend otherwise. But more of them get returned than almost anything else we sell, and it is nearly always the same cause: nobody measured the dog.

So this guide is mostly about fit, with an honest section on the dogs that should not be wearing one at all.

Measure first — it takes two minutes

Pet clothing sizes are not standardised. An XL from one supplier is a medium from another, and a breed name on a size chart means very little when two cocker spaniels can be 4 kg apart. Take these three measurements with a soft tape and keep them on your phone:

  • Neck — right around where a collar sits.
  • Chest — around the widest part, just behind the front legs. This is the one that decides the size.
  • Back length — from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Not to the tip.

Keep the tape snug but not tight, and add a couple of centimetres for a thick-coated breed in full winter coat. If your dog is between sizes, go up. A slightly loose jumper is a jumper they will tolerate; a tight one comes straight back off.

How to tell whether it actually fits

Once it is on, run through this before you decide to keep it:

  • Two fingers should slide comfortably under the neck and under each leg opening.
  • All four legs move freely. Watch them walk a few steps, not just stand.
  • Nothing is rubbing in the armpits. This is where pet clothing chafes first and you will not see it until the hair goes.
  • The tail and the back end are clear. They need to be able to go to the toilet without the jumper getting in the way, which is a more common problem than people expect.
  • They can lie down and get up again without it bunching under the chest.

The dogs that should not wear one

Most dogs are fine in a jumper for an hour. Some are not, and it is worth knowing which before you buy.

  • Flat-faced breeds. Pugs, French bulldogs, boxers and similar already struggle to cool themselves by panting. A fleece jumper in a centrally heated living room is a genuine overheating risk for them, not a minor one.
  • Dogs that chew their own clothing. If the first thing they do is get their teeth into it, take it off. Swallowed fabric and trim causes blockages.
  • Dogs that freeze. Some dogs go completely still and refuse to move when dressed. That is not them being funny, it is them being unhappy. Take the photo off and leave it.
  • Thick double-coated breeds. Huskies, malamutes, German shepherds and the like are already carrying their winter coat indoors. They do not need another layer.

A jumper is not a coat

This catches people out every December. A knitted or fleece jumper is an indoor garment. It is warm, it is soft, and it soaks up water like a sponge. Put one on a dog for a wet walk and within ten minutes you have a cold, damp dog wearing a cold, damp jumper — which leaves them worse off than wearing nothing.

For outdoors in British weather you want a proper waterproof outer layer. Our dog coats and raincoats are made for that, and we have written separately about whether your dog actually needs a coat and how to measure for one.

Watch for overheating indoors

A dog in a jumper in a room with the heating on and the oven going on Christmas Day can get hot surprisingly fast. The signs are heavy panting, restlessness, moving away from the fire or radiator, and trying to lie on a cold floor. If you see any of that, the jumper comes off. There is no reason for a dog to stay dressed once the photographs are done.

Getting them used to it

Do not save the first fitting for the day you want the picture. Put it on in stages over a few days: front legs in, treat, straight back off. By the third go most dogs will stand there while you do it up. Keep the sessions short and cheerful, and never hold a dog down to dress it.

If your dog is nervous around the noise and disruption of Christmas generally, a jumper will not help with that. What does help is something to do — a snuffle mat or a lick mat gives them a job while the house is busy. For noise-sensitive dogs, a stretch ear snood takes the edge off without covering their whole body.

What to avoid

  • Anything with small attached decorations. Bells, buttons, pom-poms and plastic baubles come off and get swallowed.
  • Hoods and anything over the ears on a dog that has not worn clothing before. Covering the head is a big ask for a first outfit.
  • Leaving it on unsupervised. Clothing snags on crate bars, furniture and door handles. It comes off when you leave the room.
  • Buying on breed name alone. Measure. Every time.

When to order by

Pawbrio orders are processed in one to three working days and usually arrive within four to nine working days. Order by the first week of December to have comfortable margin for a size swap if the first one is wrong. Delivery is free and tracked on every order, and unused items can be returned within 30 days.

Dog Christmas jumper FAQs

What size Christmas jumper does my dog need?

Measure neck, chest and back length and size on the chest measurement, because that is the one that fails first. Breed-based sizing is unreliable. If you are between sizes, go up.

Can my dog wear a jumper all day?

We would not. A dog in a warm room in a fleece jumper can overheat, and clothing left on unsupervised can snag. Treat it as something they wear while you are with them, not all day.

Is a Christmas jumper warm enough for a walk?

Only in dry cold. A knitted or fleece jumper holds water, so in rain it will make your dog colder rather than warmer. For wet walks you want a waterproof coat.

My dog hates being dressed. What can I do?

Accept it. Some dogs genuinely dislike clothing and no amount of treats changes that. If yours freezes, cowers or tries to back out of it, take it off. A festive collar or bandana gets you most of the photo with none of the stress.

Are dog Christmas jumpers safe for puppies?

A puppy grows out of a size in weeks, chews more than an adult, and is less able to tell you it is uncomfortable. If you do dress a puppy, keep it brief and stay with them. Our guide to a puppy's first Christmas covers the rest of the season.

You can see what we stock in dog jumpers and Christmas outfits, and everything under £25 is in our pet gifts collection. Not sure on sizing? Send us your dog's three measurements and we will tell you which size to order.

Related guides

Back to blog