Caring for the Modern City Dog: Winter Wardrobes and the Rise of Private Parks

As you bundle up in your favorite winter layers to brave the bitter cold, remember that your furry best friend probably needs a little extra insulation, too. Beyond just staying warm on those brisk morning walks, city-dwelling dogs are facing another modern challenge: actually finding a decent place to run. Between picking the right protective gear and navigating a severe shortage of urban green spaces, keeping your dog happy right now takes a bit of strategy.

Vet-Approved Winter Wear

Does a dog actually need a sweater? According to the experts, the answer is often yes. Dog sweaters provide vital extra insulation for walks, playdates, and general outdoor time. When I asked veterinarians what makes a dog coat truly effective, functionality quickly won out over fashion.

Dr. Miriam Fink at Bond Vet recommends reaching for waterproof materials that are a breeze to slip on. She specifically suggests looking for Velcro closures rather than fiddling with multiple buttons. The easier a sweater is to put on, the more likely your dog is to actually wear it. L.L.Bean offers a fantastic Reversible Field Coat starting at $33 that, while not entirely waterproof, features a highly convenient Velcro strap for quick dressing.

For the more active pups, veterinarian Dr. Williams points to Ruffwear. Their Climate Changer Full-Zip Fleece, running around $45 to $70 at retailers like REI and Amazon, dries quickly and is made from 75% recycled materials.

Top Picks for Every Climate

In my own testing with my dog, Miso, the Non-Stop Dogwear Wool Dog Jacket ($95) has become a daily staple. Fastened with a simple buckle and loop, its merino wool construction is wildly durable, stink-resistant, and incredibly cozy. If you need something for extreme weather, the brand’s Glacier Wool Jacket 3.0 (starting at $120) acts as a heavy-duty layer. It pairs puffy insulation with a merino liner and a weather-resistant shell to repel snow and slush.

If you’re looking for indoor comfort, Duluth Trading Co. makes a 100% cotton sweater for $35 that is absolutely perfect for lounging by the fireplace. Another expert favorite, praised by PangoVet’s Dr. Maja Platisa and Kate MacDonnell, is the Lambwolf Collective Crosby. Currently priced around $24, this reversible option gives you water-resistant nylon on one side and soft Sherpa fleece on the other. Wilderdog also makes an uber-cozy, machine-washable Sherpa jacket for $42 that perfectly balances looks and warmth.

For pet parents on a budget, Frisco offers a basic, machine-washable hoodie starting at just $11. You will have to pull your dog’s head and paws through the openings since it lacks a zipper. They also sell a snazzy Plaid Cable-Knit Sweater in red or black that fits dogs anywhere from 3 to 85 pounds.

The Urban Space Crunch

Once your dog is adequately bundled up, the next hurdle is finding a safe place to let them burn off that energy. This is becoming incredibly difficult in densely populated areas. Take Milan, for example, a city currently grappling with a booming canine population and a severe lack of dedicated spaces. The issue is so pronounced that private, pay-to-play dog areas are rapidly taking over condo gardens and unused urban plots.

According to a 2024 report by Legambiente, only 33.3% of Italian municipalities have dedicated spaces for pets. Even worse, over 60% of existing public dog parks suffer from structural issues like a lack of shade, broken water fountains, and spotty maintenance. With over 14 million registered dogs in Italy and only 1,602 public dog areas, the math simply doesn’t work out.

Private Parks Offer a New Solution

To combat this congestion, a new format called Dog City Garden is rapidly expanding. Following their initial location on Viale Espinasse, the company is opening a brand-new space in Parco Solari this March. Notably, this is the first facility built entirely within a private condominium garden. Another location in Lambrate is slated to open on March 15th, 2026.

Co-founder Veronica Crippa notes that these private spaces offer a practical alternative that helps de-stress overcrowded public parks while reclaiming neglected urban areas. The system is fully digital. Owners buy entry packages online, book a time slot, and access the fully fenced, private green space using a personal code. This ensures exclusive, safe use for one dog-and-owner group at a time.

The Parco Solari project is particularly innovative because it turns a previously unused condo garden into a regulated, income-generating asset for the property owners. Co-founder Sarah Canonici points out that this isn’t about creating an elitist service. Rather, it’s a direct response to a very real urban crisis. As the number of dogs in city families continues to rise, managing their space can no longer be left to chance. It has to become a deliberate, well-structured part of city planning.