*I was provided with dog coats from True Fit Dog Coats in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

As a kid, we always had dogs but they were always big dogs. So having two pugs has been a learning experience for me in a few ways. Back in October I started to notice that Frank & Beans would shiver when we went outside in the early morning. Within a few weeks, they were shivering every time we went out. I knew that we would need some sort of coat for them if we ever wanted to go outside with them for very long. I’ve tried clothing or sweaters on them before with the grand majority of anything store purchased not fitting them at all. Pugs in general have large chest sizes compared to their length and neck size, so dogs of similar length and weight but of a different breed would have a thinner chest. Seems how most dog clothing is fit to the average dog, it feels nearly impossible to find store bought clothing that fits my dogs’ chests. This is particularly true for Frank who is really barrel chested, even for a pug.

So, I went online and started looking around at what options there might be for pugs. I found True Fit Dog Coats that makes dog coats that are unique because instead of going on over the head and shoulders (and thus, having a very specific chest measurement) they are closer to what a horse coat is like. They drape over the back and use velcro under the belly to stay on, providing for a much wider range of dogs to fit into the same coat. Instead of being measured on overall size (small, medium, etc) their coats are based on your dogs length only, seems how the chest and belly size is adjustable.

As I dug further, I found that they made a line of coats specifically for odd shaped breeds like french bull dogs, greyhounds, and french bulldogs. Much like pugs, these dog breeds can’t usually fit into traditional dog clothing so I was excited to see that True Fit Dog Coat has specialized products for these hard-to-buy-for breeds.

Pugs are similar to french bulldogs in length and like pugs, french bulldogs are big chested. So I measured my dogs. Beans is 12.5 inches long and has a 14.5 inch neck and a 22.5 inch girth. The 12.5″ French bulldog snuggler coat fits neck sizes 14-16.5 so she fits perfectly into that size on the size chart. Frank is 14″ long and has a 17.5 inch neck and 25 inch girth. This places him perfectly into the size chart for the 14.5 inch bulldog snuggler because it works for neck sizes 15 to 18.5. This is the first time my dogs have ever fit perfectly into any dog clothing size chart. I was so excited!

There are two French Bulldog coat types, the turnout and the snugger. The turnout uses elastic bands that cross under the belly and is designed for really harsh weather. The snuggler is a lined fleece coat that uses velcro on the front of the chest and under the belly. We went with the French Bulldog Snugglers and they have worked out great for Frank & Beans. Unlike most of the other coats at True Fit Dog Coats, the French Bulldog snuggler coats use velcro over the chest and belly instead of elastic bands underneath.

When the coats came, they fit perfectly just like the size chart said they would. My dogs’ tails curl up onto their bag which sometimes gets in the way of the end of the coat but I just pull it on top and then its fine. Most dogs’ tails point downward so it wouldn’t be an issue. I can slip these coats on my dogs in just a couple of seconds per dog and they come off really easily too. There is a strap of velcro that goes across their chest area but otherwise their belly area is uncovered so they do still shiver a tiny bit if we are outside for a long time but much less than before. Their backs are warm to the touch after we come inside where as they used to be ice cold, so I know they help a lot. My dogs don’t seem to mind wearing the coats at all, but Beans is still really hesitant to go to the bathroom with hers on and only will go if she really has to. Frank doesn’t mind at all and goes just like usual.

They coats can be machine washed but should be left to drip dry. The coats are $49.95 a piece and shipping is free which while being more costly than some other options, I find to be a good overall value. I don’t think I could have found a coat to fit my dogs anywhere else that was not custom made. Custom made coats are usually even more costly than these, and then if your dog gains or loses weight or the coat doesn’t fit upon arriving (measuring dogs can be tricky!), the seller likely can’t do returns or refunds seems how the coat won’t fit anyone else’s dogs. True Fit Dog Coats can do exchanges and returns seems how they aren’t made to your specific dog. The coats feel thick and durable that I can’t imagine that they will wear out in my dogs’ life time. I was also really pleased with the friendly customer service that I received, it was clear to me that they care about their customers and pets in general. They offer a satisfaction guarantee, as well!

Buy it: Purchase from True Fit Dog Coats online.

Emily

Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.

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