Has anyone else had trouble fitting

[Putermom]

their babies for coats?

Otis already has a water repellent fleece lined coat that has a strap that goes under his belly and velcros across the back of the jacket. I thought for the fall, it was a bit too heavy (warm) so I wanted to get a lighter fleece jacket. With his coat, Otis has figured out that if he twists around, he can unvelcro himself and actually take off his coat. Silly Otis!!! Too smart for his own good.

So, I was in Petsmart yesterday during my lunch hour, and found some really nice jackets and stuff. I picked out this really nice plaid fleece that you slip his front legs into and then pull up the jacket and it velcros all along his back. No straps for Otis to pull on! Well I bought 2 sizes, x-large and xx-large. Going by the sizing, Otis is 22 inches from his nape to the base of his nubby. Puts him into the x-large but I also bought the xx-large because I was afraid his chest wouldn't fit. Sure enough, NEITHER fit. Well, the xx-large was better but I still had to yank the ends together to get the jacket closed. His chest is just too big!! I believe this was the largest size they had.

Has anyone else encountered this problem? Or, where did you find a jacket that would fit their larger chest better? Everywhere else on the jacket fit ok, a bit big or loose but that I can take in and fix. I just would like to be able to get a jacket that fits him better.

Any suggestions?? Thanks!!!!
Cathy

 

[Kenosmom]

We're having the same problem with finding sweaters & things for Keno ! We bought a large and xtra large but neither were big enough...his chest is so big that it makes everything too tight on him ! :( I want to get him a winter jacket and a couple of sweaters but can't find anything big enough ! :rolleyes:

 

[kit02]

I got Owen these hooded sweatshirts from Drs Foster and Smith. I liked it so much I wound up getting a second one - in XL. I have to take a picture with him wearing it . It fits great. It's big on him now so he still has room to grow into it. He is still growing and with winter coming I'm not sure what to do about a coat. I remember Finley had the same problem though, it was either way too tight on him or way too long. It seems you have more options in sizes though if you order from online, rather than in the stores. I heard these coats are supposed to be good and I'm going to eventually get one but want to wait until Owen is full grown since its $60. So I'm going to have to find something for this winter also...

 

[ladyluck_t]

had the same problem with every one that i bought. finally broke down and bought a pattern and made my own coats for katie. that way they are custom fitted. i just made some polar fleece ones for the ABQ rescue to use on the emaciated babies, it cost me about 20.00 all together and about 1hr in time. Not a bad investment. Katie has her own wardrobe!

 

[newilli]

Hello everyone. We had the same experience as PuterMom, regarding the fitting of the coats. I was hoping that some website has coats made to accomodate a boxers barrel-chest, so I guess I will have to go with the ruffwear coats or find someone who sews!
If anyone gets updated info on this, please email me.

 

[magoo's_mama]

where did you find a pattern for making your own? I'd love to make one for Magoo.
~ Sunny

 

[Bellas Mom]

No trouble here...

Putermom,
I bought one of those for Bella but I put the velcro under her tummy. Did I put it on wrong?!? Hhhmmm... It fits really well. I should say it fit really well, she's grown out of it! She now wears one of the ones with the strap that goes around and she's really good about it... no fussing or trying to get out of it.

 

[Jan]

where did you find a pattern for making your own? I'd love to make one for Magoo.
~ Sunny

If you look in the regular pattern book for people you will find patterns for dogs. They even have patterns for beds etc.

Markus has a gortex raincoat that I bought for him, but I have used it as a pattern to make a liner for it so that it is warmer on cold days. You can check out his coat in my gallery.

 

[peanutsmom]

I have had a problem fitting Peanut also. I found a lady who custom made him some coats for me.

 

[Putermom]

Thanks Kit02 for the RuffWear site. I'm going to take a closer look at those!
I'm just kind of scared of the price as Otis is still growing (he's 15 months old). I'm thinking his chest will fill out even more.

ladyluck_t - I wish I were talented in the sewing arena! Although I do own a sewing machine (I don't know what crafty demon possessed me to purchase one! ), I can't sew for beans! I tried to make some big pillow beds and although they turned out ok at first but apparently, I used the wrong bobbins and the seams didn't hold so they fell apart! What's worse is that I didn't even know I used the wrong bobbins until SIL borrowed the machine and saw that I had it all wrong. Yup, she's still laughing at me!

Bella'sMom - You've got ME thinking now! Maybe I had it on wrong! But the more I think about it, hmmm...the cutout for where they go pee was in the right position....
Good thing I didn't return it yet...I'll try them on Otis again tonight.

Jan - that coat Markus has on looks great!!! Where did you get that one?

Also, does anyone else's Boxer know how to "undress" themselves?? I'll put him out in his other coat and when I go to let him in again, he's naked and his coat's in the middle of the yard! Silly Boy!