Italian Greyhound on a city sidewalk in a blue rubber duck print raincoat with a yellow collar

Italian Greyhound Raincoats: How to Keep a Rain-Hating Iggy Dry

October 29, 2026

A good Italian Greyhound raincoat does three jobs: it covers the back from the neck to the tail, it stays snug at that narrow waist so it cannot swing open, and it protects the neck and head, which are the spots a rain-hating Iggy minds most. Get those right and the standoff at the back door gets a lot shorter. This guide explains why Iggies balk at wet weather, what to look for in a raincoat, and exactly what our blanket style raincoat is made of.

Key takeaways

Iggies have a very short coat and little body fat, so rain chills them fast.
Look for back coverage, a snug strap at the waist, and a hood or collar at the neck.
Our raincoat body is waterproof fabric, with a cotton knit lining and collar for comfort.
Short, rewarding trips beat long soggy ones, especially for potty training.
Towel off as soon as you are back inside, even if the coat did its job.

Why Iggies Refuse to Go Out in the Rain

If your Italian Greyhound plants all four feet at the sight of a drizzle, you are in good company. An owner guide from the Italian Greyhound Club of America notes that because the breed has such a short coat, IGs react badly to extreme cold and rain, and that they dislike rain in their faces even though they do not seem to mind playing in snow (IGCA owner guide). The same guide adds a hopeful note: brief exercise is still enjoyed even in bad weather.

The discomfort is not just in their heads. The AKC points out that some dogs dislike the feel of rain hitting their bodies, and that small dogs and dogs with low body fat can struggle to stay warm when it is wet (AKC on walking in rain and snow). PetMD adds that any dampness that soaks through the fur can chill a dog quickly even when the air temperature is mild (PetMD on cold and wet weather).

Put those together and an Iggy's reluctance makes sense. A very short coat over a lean body leaves very little between your dog and a cold, wet morning.

What Makes a Good Italian Greyhound Raincoat

The AKC's raincoat advice notes that many sighthounds have little fat to keep them warm, and that a raincoat helps keep the skin dry (AKC guide to dog raincoats). For an Iggy, the shape of the coat matters as much as the fabric. Here is what to look for:

Back coverage from neck to tail. Rain lands on the back first, so a blanket style body that drapes the whole topline does most of the work.
A strap that holds the waist. Iggies have a deep chest and a tiny waist. Without a strap, a raincoat slides sideways and lets water run underneath.
Something at the neck and head. A collar or hood keeps rain off the long neck, and the AKC notes a detachable hood can help keep water out of the ears.
A leash opening that matches your gear. Clipping to a harness or collar through the coat keeps the coat closed while you walk.
A fit that allows movement. The AKC warns that a raincoat that is too tight restricts movement, and suggests you be able to slide two fingers under the straps.
Visibility. Rainy days are often dark days. Reflective trim helps drivers see you and your dog, according to the AKC's winter coat guide, so add a reflective leash or a light if your raincoat print is dark.

Italian Greyhound on grass in a yellow cherry print blanket style raincoat with a red houndstooth hood at the neck — A yellow cherry print blanket style raincoat on an Iggy, with the red houndstooth hood resting at the neck.

Our Italian Greyhound Rain Coat, Feature by Feature

Our custom Italian Greyhound blanket style raincoat is made for spring rains and built around the points above. Every feature in this table comes straight from the product description.

Feature	What it does for an Iggy
Body of waterproof fabric	Sheds rain off the back and sides
Cotton knit lining	Adds a soft layer for warmth against the skin
Cotton knit collar	Comfortable at the long Iggy neck
Hood that snaps to the collar	Covers the head in a downpour; remove it if you prefer
Attached strap	Keeps the coat snugly in place at the waist
Optional leash opening	Order with or without; specify harness or collar

You choose the print, and the raincoat is made to your dog's measurements. A bright print is also easier to spot on a gray, wet evening than a dark solid. Our rain wear fabric page shows the current choices, and our four step measuring guide explains the neck, chest, back length and leg measurements we use.

Yellow cherry print raincoat with a red houndstooth lined hood, laid out on a dark display board — The cherry raincoat laid out flat to show its red houndstooth lined hood. The hood snaps to the collar and can be removed.

Whippets and Greyhounds get the same design, made to their measurements. The Whippet and Greyhound blanket style raincoat has a waterproof body, a cotton knit lining similar to t-shirt weight, a cotton knit collar, a removable snap on hood and a strap to keep it snug. Our greyhound raincoat guide covers the bigger sighthounds in more detail.

Is an Italian Greyhound Waterproof Coat the Same as a Raincoat?

Not quite, and it is worth being honest about the difference. The body of our raincoat is cut from waterproof fabric, but the collar and lining are cotton knit, and any blanket style coat is open underneath and at the legs. In the product description's own words, the raincoat keeps your little one "a little more drip proof," which is the right expectation.

In practice, a raincoat like this is meant to keep the back and sides drier on a potty break or a short walk in steady rain. A long hike in a downpour will still leave wet legs, a damp belly and wet paws. That is fine for most Iggies as long as you dry them off promptly, which matters because a damp dog loses heat fast.

Italian Greyhound in a black and white striped blanket style raincoat with a black collar on a sidewalk walk — A black and white striped raincoat with a black collar on a sidewalk walk. The strap keeps the coat in place as the dog moves.

When it is both cold and wet, the raincoat is only one layer of the answer. Our Italian Greyhound coat comparison covers quilted nylon and wool coats for winter weather, and our temperature and layering guide explains how rain changes what your dog needs at each temperature.

Getting a Rain-Hating Iggy Outside (and Potty Trained)

VCA Animal Hospitals notes that Italian Greyhounds tend to be difficult to housetrain (VCA Italian Greyhound profile), and bad weather only adds to the challenge. Making wet trips more bearable is one of the most useful things you can do for a young or newly adopted Iggy.

Introduce the raincoat indoors first. The AKC suggests letting your dog sniff the coat in a familiar room, rewarding each calm moment, and having them wear it indoors for a few minutes at a time before heading out.
Keep early wet trips short. The AKC recommends short walks with a high rate of rewards, lengthening them only once your dog is comfortable, and never forcing a dog out in weather they dislike.
Pick the driest route. Tree cover, a covered porch or an overhang near your door can make a potty spot far more appealing.
Celebrate the result. The IGCA owner guide stresses praise for going where you choose, so reward your Iggy the moment the job is done outside.
Towel off right away. Dry the legs, belly and paws as soon as you are inside, then hang the raincoat up to dry.

We go deeper on routines, timing and indoor backup plans in our guide to Italian Greyhound potty training in bad weather.

Brindle Greyhound on a wooden porch wearing a hot pink plaid blanket style raincoat — A brindle Greyhound on a wooden porch in a hot pink plaid blanket style raincoat, ready for a wet walk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Italian Greyhounds need a raincoat?

Many do. The Italian Greyhound Club of America notes the breed reacts badly to rain because of its very short coat, and a damp coat can chill a lean dog even in mild air. A raincoat will not make your Iggy love the rain, but it can make short trips outside far less miserable.

Is your Italian Greyhound raincoat waterproof?

The body of the coat is made of waterproof fabric. The collar and lining are cotton knit, and like any blanket style coat it is open underneath, so expect a drier back and sides rather than a completely dry dog. Towel off the legs and belly after every wet walk.

Does the raincoat have a hood?

Yes. The hood snaps to the cotton knit collar and can be removed if your Iggy prefers to go without it. Some dogs tolerate a hood better once they have worn the coat indoors a few times.

Can my Iggy wear a harness with a raincoat?

Yes. The raincoat can be ordered with or without a leash opening; just tell us whether the opening should line up with a harness or a collar. That keeps the coat closed while you clip on.

What size raincoat does my Italian Greyhound need?

Our raincoats are custom, so we make them from your measurements. As a starting point, our standard sizes run from XS (back length under 12.5 inches) to L (17 to 18 inches), but always read the size details in each product description and check our size guide.

How do I wash an Italian Greyhound raincoat?

Our care routine is to wash in cold water with a mild detergent and hang to dry. Hanging also gives the cotton knit lining time to dry out completely before the next walk. If a product description lists anything more specific, follow that.

Order a Raincoat Before the Next Storm

Custom items typically ship in about 4 weeks depending on how busy the shop is, and made to measure pieces are not returnable, so it is worth measuring carefully and ordering before the wet season arrives. Browse every made to order piece in our Custom collection, or send us the details through the custom order quote form if your dog needs something unusual.

Sources and Further Reading

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