Dogs haven't used clothes in the past either.

"Dogs never used to wear clothes in the past either."

This is a sentence you hear every now and then whenever dog clothing is discussed. And to start off, it must be said: the statement is completely true. Dogs didn't use to wear clothes in the past.

However, it is also true that many other things are no longer the way they used to be. Over the last 50 years, dogs' lives, their role in the family, and even the most popular dog breeds have changed significantly. At the same time, the needs of dogs have changed too.

If we look back at Finland in the 1970s and 1980s, popular breeds were often practical working dogs and hunting dogs.

Among the most common breeds were, for example:

Many dogs lived an active outdoor life in the yard, on farms, out hunting, or working. Their daily routine was different, and their purpose was often very clear.

Today, the list of Finland's most popular breeds looks slightly different. In recent years, top breeds have included:

At the same time, sighthounds, small companion dogs, and many short- or thin-coated breeds are much more visible in urban settings than before.

In short:

In the past, a dog was more often a working companion — today, it is very often a family member.

And that matters.

A dog's daily life looks very different today compared to a few decades ago.

A dog sleeps on the sofa, travels in a heated car, goes outside for a walk, and returns to a warm home.

In the winter, it steps straight from a +22 °C living room into freezing temperatures.

In the autumn, straight from a dry hallway into rain and wind.

Many dogs spend most of their time at indoor temperatures — and do not adapt to the cold in the same way as a dog that lives outdoors continuously in varying weather conditions.

This factor alone changes their experience of the cold.

There are also vast differences in the build of different breeds.

For instance, in sighthounds:

Meanwhile, a Finnish Lapphund or another thick-coated northern breed has a completely different level of natural protection against the cold.

When it comes to sighthounds, this discussion arises particularly often. Whippets, Greyhounds, and other sighthounds have been bred to be fast runners, not to endure long periods in cold, damp, or windy weather. That is why many sighthound owners recognize the scenario where the dog quickly wants to head back inside or avoids stopping in cool weather.

This is why there is no single right answer to whether a dog needs clothing.

Some dogs do not need clothes at all, but others clearly benefit from them in certain conditions, such as:

The need depends on the breed, the individual, health status, and external conditions.

Perhaps the biggest change, however, is how much more we understand about dogs today.

We know more about:

Many things that were previously seen as "just coping" are now viewed from the perspective of comfort and well-being.

And rightly so. Because the fact that a dog can endure something does not always mean it feels comfortable.

At its best, a dog's coat is not an ornament.

It can be a practical help for everyday life:

Not all dogs need clothing, but some do.

And sometimes, even a little extra warmth can make a huge difference to a dog's well-being.

Even though "dogs never used to wear clothes in the past" is completely true...

...there is one thing that always amuses me a little.

Horse rugs have been considered completely necessary for decades — and hardly anyone has ever been particularly concerned about that.

Perhaps with dogs, we have simply joined the conversation a little later.

– Laura