Best Dog Sweaters 2024

Written by Ralph Jones

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 02/28/2024, edited: 02/28/2024

The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.

So — you’d like to buy a dog sweater, or more accurately, a sweater for your dog to wear. You probably want something warm, durable, and not too expensive. And, you want your dog to look good but you’re also practical: first and foremost you want him or her to walk comfortably around your favorite park without shivering. You’ve probably already considered shopping for the best dog sweaters for winter.

You might ask, “Does a dog need a sweater?” The answer is yes. In many parts of the world, including here in the US, the winters can get so bitterly cold that a dog is just as vulnerable as us humans. Remember that without a jumper, a dog is naked. When you’re walking outside in negative temperatures you put on several extra items of clothing. Is it fair that your dog would be as naked as during the sweltering summer months? No. Sweaters for dogs are essential.

With that in mind, then, here we have lovingly curated a list of the best dog sweaters on the market. We’ve included a range of prices, including some simple yet stylish options and one or two that are on the pricier yet arguably more striking side. There’s a sweater to suit all tastes, so let’s dive in and take a look at them all.

Maxbone Feathered Jumper

This is, to put it mildly, a showstopper of a dog sweater. A Maxbone collaboration with a British designer called Christian Cowan, this may well be the most Instagram-friendly of the dog sweaters on this list. Coming in sizes from small to extra-extra-large, this fluffy fella will probably fit every dog out there.

Maxbone Feathered Jumper

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Why Wag! loves Maxbone Feathered Jumper

Maxbone offers not one, not two, not three, not four, but five different colors of this jumper: yellow, lilac, mint green, gray, and, of course, hot pink.
Precious few dog sweaters come in hot pink, and it’s great to see a company unafraid to make a product for the pet parents who really want to make a fashion statement through the medium of their furry friend’s clothing.
Acrylic as a material has plenty of benefits, including being resistant to things like oil, moths (no small consideration!), and chemicals.

Considerations & concerns

This is an acrylic product and Maxbone recommends hand-washing it cold. This is more maintenance than some people might like, and it might result in you always putting off washing and therefore using the jumper. We should note, however, that other retailers aren’t as strict about this (If you machine-wash it cold, it will probably be fine).
Because this is feathery, Maxbone notes there may be some shedding, which could be irritating in a number of ways.
At $95, this is on the very high end of the cost spectrum — certainly something to think about.
Finally, of course, your pup might feel self-conscious wearing this feathered sweater. If you have a tiny and fluffy dog this might be an obvious choice. If you have a larger breed, you might think twice about popping one of these over your pup’s head.

What pet parents say about the Maxbone Feathered Jumper

“My mom will spoil her fur babies all day long. She has gotten my dog some clothes from Max Bone and they are all well made and high quality.”

Pendleton Harding Dog Sweater

When it comes to sweaters for dogs, it can sometimes be easy to neglect the little guys. Often the sweaters are too big, leaving small pups drowning in fabric and tripping over their wool cardigan as they try to impress their friends. Where are the best small dog sweaters? Well, the Pendleton is available in extra-small sizing and comes highly recommended as a perfect sweater for petite doggos.

Pendleton Harding Dog Sweater

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Why Wag! loves the Pendleton Harding Dog Sweater

This is a stylish look inspired by Jeff Bridges’ character The Dude in the cult movie The Big Lebowski, so expect knowing nods from film buffs when you and your dog are out and about.
This is a really soft sweater option — you’re going to find a lot of admirers stopping to stroke this bad boy.
You’ll never have to worry about moths with this sweater, as it’s made from acrylic.

Considerations & concerns

This isn’t the cheapest option, especially when you consider the amount of material you’re paying for if you have a tiny dog. There are more expensive dog sweaters out there, certainly, but this isn’t particularly cheap.
Multiple pet parents have complained that they needed to get their pup a size larger than they were led to believe. Buying too large a dog sweater isn’t too bad because of the tendency for clothes to shrink over time, but too small is frustrating because there isn’t much you can do.
Being an acrylic sweater, the material can ‘pill’, especially after washing. This means that unattractive balls of fabric can collect on the outside of the garment, spoiling the look.

What pet parents say about the Pendleton Harding Dog Sweater

“Love the sweater, looks great on my 5 pound yorkie. I bought him a Small and it fits great. Not too tight or too loose. The little dude looks adorable.”

“This sweater fits great and the customer service was fantastic!”

“I've had this sweater [on] my wish list for ages. My dog's name is The Dude so it just tickles me pink to see him in the sweater. There was a tiny mishap, I was shipped the wrong size but after contacting customer service they had the entire situation rectified in less than 3 days. What a wonderful experience. And The Dude loves his sweater.”

Frisco Fair Isle Snowflake Dog Sweater

Best Christmas dog sweaters, you ask? We’ve got you covered. This Frisco Fair Isle Snowflake Dog (and cat) Sweater is adorable. An acrylic product that has a festive red snowflake pattern, it’s recommended for pups weighing between 10 and 22 lbs but does go up to extra-extra-large, which would fit a dog who weighed in the 60- to 85-lb range.

Frisco Fair Isle Snowflake Dog Sweater

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Why Wag! loves the Frisco Fair Isle Snowflake Dog Sweater

Frisco confirms that it’s machine-washable, which is convenient.
This is a super-warm option, so it’s great for any pups who are less well endowed in the fur department.
At $15.99, this is a very affordable dog sweater, so it’s great for those on a budget.

Considerations & concerns

There is no leash hole in this sweater. This is true of a lot of sweaters, granted, but it’s a minor blemish on the scorecard here nonetheless.
Being acrylic, this is still a bit more fiddly to wash than some other materials; although it is machine-washable, it is vulnerable to pilling (fibers from the material forming as annoying balls on the garment).
While reviews are generally hugely positive, some pet parents have, unfortunately, reported that the sweater loses shape very quickly.

What pet parents say about Frisco Fair Isle Snowflake Dog Sweater

“Most sweaters look like crop tops on my chihuahua mix, who is a little long. This (fits) perfectly and goes to his tail. And it looks great.”

“This sweater was for a gift for my son’s schnauzer. I made the purchase based on weight only and it fit great. Good quality. Nice colors. Well made.”

“Love this sweater. It’s festive but classy. My puppy is 20 lbs, and the medium fits him well.”

GF Pet Retro Turtleneck Dog Sweater

When it comes to the best dog sweaters for winter, this is a fantastic option — a warm and stylish garment that is guaranteed to turn heads. Designed primarily for medium-sized breeds, it’s nevertheless available in a staggering range of sizes — from extra-extra-extra-small to extra-extra-extra-large.

GF Pet Retro Turtleneck Dog Sweater

Editor's Choice

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Why Wag! Loves GF Pet Retro Turtleneck Dog Sweater

This comes in two gorgeous colors — navy and lavender — and your pup is sure to look fantastic in both.
Not many dog sweaters come with a turtleneck feature. This will make your pup stand out from the crowd and quite possibly gain a rep as the hippest dresser in the neighborhood.
This is perfectly safe to machine wash, and, because it’s polyester not wool, you won’t have to worry about it being accidentally ruined on the wrong cycle.

Considerations & concerns

As with quite a few sweaters for dogs, there’s no leash hole on this sweater, unfortunately.
It’s made of polyester, which has some drawbacks as a material — it’s less breathable and attracts smells more easily, for a start.
The sweater is made in Bangladesh, not the US, meaning there’s an unnecessary amount of travel involved in getting it to your door.

What pet parents say about the GF Pet Retro Turtleneck Dog Sweater

“This sweater is adorable. My dog looks like he’s going to school. It fits him perfectly which doesn’t happen often with his mixed breed body!”

“Am super happy with this great quality sweater! It is a little bit smaller than the Chalet sweater I bought from them last year, which makes sense because it is a tight knit and hugs his body closer than the big chunky cable knit on the Chalet model.”

“I bought this as a winter coat for my Pomeranian puppy. I bought it a size too small though lol. It's a really nice sweater though!”

FAQ

Is it OK to put a sweater on my dog?

Yes. Absolutely. Just like humans, dogs are vulnerable to all sorts of physical problems that come with being outside in the cold for too long. They can get hypothermia, pneumonia, even frostbite. Don’t listen to anyone who mocks you for wrapping your dog up warm with a sweater; you’re doing the right thing.

Is a dog sweater the same thing as a dog coat?

No. They’re extremely similar, but slightly different. As in human clothing, a coat is more likely to be waterproof and designed for rain or snow; a sweater is designed for warmth and to keep off things like wind and chill.