The Best Coat for Spaniels: Cocker, Working Cocker & Springer Spaniels
If there's one thing we know about Spaniels, it's that a little bit of bad weather isn't going to stop them.
Cocker Spaniels, Working Cockers and Springer Spaniels are wonderfully energetic dogs. They love a proper walk, a bit of sniffing, a run through the woods and, quite often, a swim that you definitely didn't approve beforehand.
But their enthusiasm for adventure doesn't necessarily mean they enjoy being cold and wet.
So, what's the best coat for a Spaniel?
The answer depends on the weather and what you're doing. For most Spaniel owners, we'd recommend thinking about three different types of coat:
- 🌧️ A waterproof coat for rain and wet walks
- ❄️ An insulated coat for cold winter weather
- 🧡 A fleece for chilly but dry days
At Be More Bob, the two coats we see Spaniel owners choosing most often are the Ruffwear Sun Shower and Ruffwear Powder Hound, with Ruffwear fleeces also proving very popular when the weather is cold but dry.
Let's look at why.
Why might a Spaniel need a coat?
Spaniels are active dogs with plenty of natural coat, so it's easy to assume they don't need any extra protection.
But a dog's coat isn't the same thing as a waterproof jacket.
A wet Spaniel can become surprisingly cold, particularly during a long winter walk. And if you've ever had to towel-dry a Cocker after a muddy, wet woodland adventure, you'll know that keeping some of that water and mud off in the first place can be a very good idea! Also, you may not want a soaking wet dog twice a day (that's certainly why we use coats with our dogs.)
A good dog coat can also be useful for:
- Long walks in persistent rain
- Cold and windy weather
- Dogs that feel the cold
- Older dogs who don't regulate their temperature quite as well
- Dogs with a shorter or thinner coat
- Keeping mud and water off the body
- Dogs that are active outdoors for long periods
- Winter adventures when you don't want the weather to dictate the walk
Best waterproof coat for a Spaniel: Ruffwear Sun Shower
Ruffwear Sun Shower™ Dog Raincoat
If you're looking for a raincoat for a Cocker Spaniel, Working Cocker or Springer Spaniel, the Ruffwear Sun Shower is one of our first recommendations.
It's designed specifically for wet and windy conditions, with a waterproof and windproof shell, extended coverage over the hips and thighs and an oversized storm collar for additional protection. It can also be worn over most harnesses thanks to the lead portal on the back.
And for Spaniels, that extra coverage can be particularly useful.
Why we like the Sun Shower for Spaniels
It keeps the rain off without adding insulation.
That's important because not every wet day is a cold day.
On a mild but absolutely tipping-it-down day, you don't necessarily want to put your dog into a heavily insulated winter coat. You simply want to keep the rain off.
The Sun Shower does exactly that.
It's also a great option for dogs who run hot when they're exercising, because it's a waterproof shell rather than a thick padded winter jacket.
Particularly good for:
🐾 Cocker Spaniels
🐾 Working Cockers
🐾 Springer Spaniels
🐾 Active dogs
🐾 Dogs who run hot
🐾 Rainy woodland walks
🐾 Wet-weather hiking
🐾 Keeping mud off the body
Our verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for: Rainy days when you want your Spaniel to stay dry without overheating.
Need Extra Coverage For Really Wet & Muddy Days?
If your Spaniel has a particular talent for finding every single muddy puddle, wet hedge and patch of long grass within a five-mile radius, you might want to take a closer look at the Ruffwear Sun Shower Coverall.
It's essentially the Sun Shower taken up a notch: a full-body waterproof and windproof rain suit designed to give considerably more coverage than a traditional dog coat.
And for Cocker Spaniels, Working Cockers and Springers who spend a lot of time charging through wet grass, woodland, fields and muddy trails, that extra coverage can make a surprisingly big difference.
Why choose the Sun Shower Coverall?
The biggest difference is coverage.
The Coverall protects not just your dog's back and body, but also provides coverage down the legs and underneath the body. The articulated stretch StormSleeves™ are designed to allow a natural range of movement, so your Spaniel can still run, sniff, jump and generally get on with being a Spaniel.
It's also uninsulated, so this isn't really a winter coat. Think of it as a waterproof outer layer for wet and muddy adventures.
That makes it particularly useful for those classic British days when the temperature isn't especially cold, but everything is wet.
Why Spaniel owners love the extra coverage
Spaniels have a habit of getting wet from the ground up.
A normal raincoat can keep the back dry, but your dog's legs, chest and underside can still end up covered in mud and soaking wet.
The Sun Shower Coverall helps reduce that.
It's particularly useful for:
🐾 Cocker Spaniels who love woodland walks
🐾 Working Cockers spending lots of time outdoors
🐾 Springer Spaniels running through long grass and fields
🐾 Very muddy dogs
🐾 Wet-weather hiking
🐾 Dogs who regularly get wet from the ground up
🐾 Keeping the car a little less disgusting after a walk!
And there's a practical bonus: less mud and water on the dog means less cleaning up when you get home. That's a win for everyone.
Sun Shower or Sun Shower Coverall?
This is probably the easiest way to think about it:
Sun Shower:
Great when you want waterproof protection over your dog's main body, with a lightweight, easy-to-use design.
Sun Shower Coverall:
Choose this when you want maximum coverage and particularly want to protect your dog's legs, chest and underside from rain, wet grass and mud.
For a Spaniel who spends most of their walks running through fields and woodland, the Coverall can be a brilliant option.
It's also worth remembering that the Coverall isn't designed to provide extra warmth. If it's genuinely cold as well as wet, we'd look towards an insulated coat such as the Ruffwear Powder Hound instead.
Our verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for: Spaniels who regularly encounter rain, wet grass and serious quantities of mud — and owners who would quite like to see the back of some of that mud before it reaches the car.
In other words: if your Working Cocker thinks every puddle is an invitation, this might be the coat for them.
Best winter coat for a Spaniel: Ruffwear Powder Hound
Ruffwear Powder Hound™ Dog Jacket
When the temperature drops, the Ruffwear Powder Hound is a completely different proposition.
This is the coat we'd look at when you're thinking about keeping a Spaniel warm as well as protected from the weather.
The Powder Hound combines insulation with a weather-resistant or waterproof outer. The Powder Hound is designed for wet, cold and windy conditions and uses high-loft recycled polyester insulation.
That's a very useful combination for an active Spaniel.
Because let's face it: a winter coat isn't much use if it restricts your dog's ability to charge through the woods.
Why we like the Powder Hound for Spaniels
The big difference is warmth.
The Powder Hound has high-loft insulation and a sleeved design that helps retain core heat while still allowing your dog to move naturally.
For a Spaniel who loves a winter adventure, that's a pretty compelling combination.
It's particularly useful for:
🐾 Cold winter walks
🐾 Cold and windy weather
🐾 Dogs who feel the cold
🐾 Older dogs
🐾 Long outdoor adventures
🐾 Dogs waiting around between activities
🐾 Very cold mornings and evenings
Our verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for: Cold winter adventures when your Spaniel needs genuine warmth as well as weather protection.
Best fleece for a Spaniel: Ruffwear fleece jackets
Not every cold day is wet.
Sometimes it's simply crisp, cold and dry.
That's when a Ruffwear fleece can be the perfect option.
Ruffwear's fleece jackets provide a warm layer without the bulk of a heavily insulated winter coat. The range is particularly popular with dogs who need some extra warmth but don't necessarily need a waterproof shell.
Think:
Cold morning + dry weather + big walk = fleece weather.
They're also useful as an extra layer underneath a waterproof coat when the weather is particularly unpleasant.
Fleece or winter coat?
A simple way to think about it:
Dry + chilly → fleece
Wet + mild → Sun Shower
Cold + wet + windy → Powder Hound
That's not a hard-and-fast rule, of course, but it's a good starting point.
We have a variety of brilliant fleece options, including the Timberline Fuse with integrated harness.
What's the best coat for a Cocker Spaniel?
For a typical Cocker Spaniel, we'd generally start with the Ruffwear Sun Shower if your main concern is rain.
Cockers are energetic, inquisitive and very good at finding wet vegetation, puddles and mud.
The Sun Shower gives you a lightweight waterproof layer without adding lots of warmth.
If your Cocker gets cold easily, particularly during winter, the Powder Hound is the better option.
And for those crisp, dry winter mornings? A Ruffwear fleece is a great middle ground.
Our Cocker Spaniel coat guide:
| Weather | Our choice |
|---|---|
| Mild & rainy | Ruffwear Sun Shower |
| Cold & dry | Ruffwear Fleece |
| Cold & wet | Ruffwear Powder Hound |
| Cold & windy | Ruffwear Powder Hound |
| Warm but wet | Ruffwear Sun Shower |
| Rain + mud + wet grass | Ruffwear Sun Shower Coverall |
What's the best coat for a Working Cocker Spaniel?
Working Cockers can be a slightly different proposition.
They're often exceptionally active, spend lots of time outdoors and aren't particularly interested in whether it's raining.
For a Working Cocker, we'd prioritise freedom of movement alongside weather protection.
That's one of the reasons Ruffwear works so well for active Spaniels.
The Sun Shower is an excellent choice for wet-weather adventures because it provides waterproof protection while leaving your dog free to move.
For winter, the Powder Hound offers considerably more warmth and coverage while still being designed for an active dog.
If your Working Cocker is constantly on the move, you may also find that a fleece is enough on cold-but-dry days.
Our Working Cocker coat guide:
Rainy training day? Sun Shower.
Cold winter adventure? Powder Hound.
Cold and dry? Ruffwear fleece.
Absolutely hammering down? Sun Shower.
Freezing, wet and windy? Powder Hound.
Rain + mud + wet grass? Sun Shower Coverall
What's the best coat for a Springer Spaniel?
Springer Spaniels are another breed where we tend to recommend thinking about what the weather is doing rather than simply buying "a winter coat".
A Springer who is charging around the countryside may generate plenty of body heat.
A Springer standing around on a cold day may need considerably more insulation.
For wet walks, the Ruffwear Sun Shower is a great option. Its extended vest provides additional coverage over the hips and thighs, while the waterproof shell helps keep the worst of the weather off.
For really cold weather, we'd move towards the Powder Hound.
And for those beautiful, frosty but dry mornings, a Ruffwear fleece can be just the ticket.
For those horribly muddy days when you just don't want to have to bath your dog, the Ruffwear Sun Shower Coverall
What size coat should I get for my Spaniel?
This is one of the most important things to get right.
Don't choose your Ruffwear coat size based purely on your dog's breed.
A Cocker Spaniel can vary considerably in size and shape, and Working Cockers in particular can have quite different builds.
Ruffwear sizes its apparel primarily according to chest girth, measured around the widest part of the rib cage.
So grab a tape measure and measure your dog before ordering.
And remember: a coat needs to allow your dog to run, sniff, jump, roll and generally Be More Bob.
Too tight isn't comfortable. Too loose can affect the fit and coverage.
If you're unsure, drop us a message or pop into the shop with your dog. We're always happy to help you find the right fit.
| Girth | Back Measurement | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 13 - 17 in (33 - 43 cm) | 10.5 - 14.5in | XXS |
| 17 - 22 in (43 - 56 cm) | 13.5 - 17.5in | XS |
| 22 - 27 in (56 - 69 cm) | 17 - 23in | S |
| 27 - 32 in (69 - 81 cm) | 20 - 26in | M |
| 32 - 36 in (81 - 91 cm) | 22 - 28in | L |
| 36 - 42 in (91 - 107 cm) | 26 - 32in | XL |
So, what's the best coat for a Spaniel?
If you're looking for the short version, here it is:
🌧️ Best Spaniel raincoat
Ruffwear Sun Shower
Lightweight, waterproof and windproof — our go-to choice for wet walks.
🌧️ Best Spaniel full coverage waterproof
Ruffwear Sun Shower Coverall
Lightweight, waterproof and windproof — our go-to choice for muddy walks.
❄️ Best Spaniel winter coat
Ruffwear Powder Hound
Warm, insulated and designed for cold-weather adventures.
🧡 Best coat for cold but dry weather
Ruffwear fleece
A warm, versatile layer for chilly days when you don't need waterproof protection.
The Be More Bob rule for dog coats
We don't think dogs need a wardrobe full of coats.
We think they need the right coat for the adventure they're going on.
Rainy walk? Keep them dry.
Cold walk? Keep them warm.
Cold and wet? Do both.
And then get outside and enjoy yourselves.
Because, as Bob would probably tell you, there's no such thing as bad weather. Just the wrong coat.
Looking for a coat for your Cocker Spaniel, Working Cocker or Springer Spaniel?
Explore our collection of Ruffwear dog coats and fleeces, or get in touch with us if you're not sure which one is right for your dog. We're always happy to help.
🌧️ My Spaniel gets wet → Shop Sun Shower
My Spaniel gets wet & muddy! → Shop Sun Shower Coverall
❄️ My Spaniel gets cold → Shop Powder Hound
🧡 My Spaniel needs a warm layer → Shop Ruffwear Fleeces
Now go and get muddy. 🐾