Winter hiking gear for a Spitz dog

The essentials for hiking with a dog are a well-fitting harness, a collapsible water bowl, and — depending on the terrain — boots, because paw protection on rocky or icy ground matters more than most people realise. Since you're hiking exclusively in winter, cold-weather kit is going to be the whole focus here. To point you in the right direction: what breed and size is your dog, what kind of terrain are you covering, and how long are your typical winter hikes?

A Japanese Spitz is actually well-suited to cold temperatures — that double coat is genuinely insulating. So a jacket isn't your priority here. What is a priority is her paws. Frozen ground, ice, and compacted snow cause abrasion and ice-balling between the toes, which can cut a hike short fast. For a 10kg dog, the Ruffwear Grip Trex boots are the one thing I'd tell you to buy before anything else. They have a Vibram sole that grips on ice and rock, they're tough enough for multi-hour hikes, and the fit system actually stays on — which is a genuine problem with cheaper boots. What size are her paws roughly? Ruffwear sizing is by paw width, so it's worth measuring before you order.

To measure: put her paw on a piece of paper, press lightly so the paw spreads naturally as it would under her weight, and mark the widest point. That width in millimetres maps directly to Ruffwear's sizing chart — for a 10kg Spitz you're likely in the 51–64mm range, which is usually a size 2 or 3. For the rest of the winter kit: a collapsible silicone bowl is essential because water freezes fast and she'll need regular hydration even in cold weather. The Ruffwear Quencher is robust and packs flat. Beyond that, a no-pull harness with a handle is worth having on icy trails — the Ruffwear Front Range is a solid choice and gives you something to grab if she slips. That trio — boots, bowl, harness — is genuinely all you need for Highland winter hikes with a healthy adult Spitz.

For a healthy 6-year-old Japanese Spitz in active winter hiking conditions, no — she doesn't need a coat. The double coat does the job. Where a coat becomes relevant is if you have a short-haired or elderly dog, or if your dog is stationary for long periods in the cold. If you're moving for 3 to 5 hours, she'll be generating heat. The one exception to watch for as she gets older: if she starts to slow down or shows any signs of stiffness in the cold, it's worth revisiting then. For now, put the money into the boots — that's where the actual winter risk is.

Good plan. Measure both front paws and go with the larger measurement if they differ slightly — paws aren't always symmetrical. The Grip Trex do need a short break-in period, so let her wear them around the house a few times before the first hike. Enjoy the Highlands.