D-fa : FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does D-fa mean and how do I say it?
D is for dog. When we learn the alphabet, we learn that a is for apple, c is for cat and d is for dog. D is for dogs; we’re for dogs; simple as that. We’ve taken a few liberties with the Queen’s English (sorry to the Corgis of the world), but just say it like it reads ‘d-fah-dogs’. You dig?

Why do dogs need gear at all?
It’s all become a bit fashionable to dress your dog, and we can appreciate that in some cases there seems to be little reason - and in some cases good taste - involved in these fashion choices. However, we’d like to think that there is a big difference between an ‘I’m his bitch’ acrylic doggy-tee and a piece of D-fa equipment.

Dogs are amazing, but they’re not immortal. Our dogs are flesh and blood, just like us – but with more hair. You are the master and they will follow you wherever you go. In satisfying our need for an unconditional best friend we take our dogs to places they would not instinctively go and do things that they are not necessarily designed to do. We make them work to our schedule, not theirs.

Equipping them with gear that will protect and comfort them, and allow them to make the most of any adventure with you is as important as equipping our children or ourselves with the right equipment for the job. As long as we take our dogs places that they wouldn’t normally go, expose them to things they wouldn’t normally experience and ask of them things that mother nature never intended then yes, dogs do need gear.

Do long-haired or thick-coated dogs really need jackets?
You don’t have to be Dr Doolittle to know long haired dogs don’t feel the cold as much as shorter haired ones. However, longer haired dogs do still feel and are affected by wetness, dampness, changes in temperature such as going from inside to outdoors and joint stiffness. Sitting about wet is not pleasant for either dogs or owners, and keeping long-coated dogs dry and warm has benefits for everyone.

Dogs also benefit from a little visibility when negotiating either the wilderness or urban environment. If you’re walking at night, at dusk or in the wet with your dog please consider its visibility to others. Whether long hair or short, be safe, be seen.

My dog is no sissy. Will other dogs laugh at them in a D-fa?
We at D-fa HQ are not dog psychologists, but we are dog lovers and perish the thought that anything we did had a negative impact on a dog. In our testing among stick chasing, bone chewing, hunting, shooting, fishing, dogs about town, we had very little negative feedback from dogs or owners about wearing or being seen in a jacket.

We would say to resistant owners, get over your own issues and let your dog be warm, dry and comfortable.

There are so many D-fa jackets, which one should I choose?
We’ve tried to take the best ideas from the outdoor industry and apply them to the doggy world. There are a number of options, so please see our ‘Every D-fa Has Its Day’ chart at the compare jackets page in the products section of this site. If you are still doggone confused then please woof@d-fa.com for assistance.

What is the difference between the Ice-Barker™ and Sub-Woofer™?
Is one better than the other? It’s not so much a question of whether one jacket is better than the other, but what is better for your dog or situation. The key difference between these two jackets is the fabric – one is a soft, natural fabric (Ice-Barker™); the other (Sub-Woofer™) is a performance, laminated synthetic.

Both fabrics have good functionality, but in different ways. For a dog that is super active, outside a lot, with a tendency to puddle in water, and is moving about, the Sub-Woofer™ is the better choice. This is also great for really extreme conditions of wind and rain. For a dog that is older, maybe less active and you want a jacket for wearing at night, on shorter walks, or for an older or sick dog, the natural fibre of the Ice-Barker™ is lovely.

Can little dogs who live in apartments and cities be D-fa dogs?
It is true that D-fa has been designed with outgoing, active dogs in mind, and most D-fa development dogs tend to be larger breeds. However, that does not mean that these jackets are only for outdoorsy or working dogs. Just as the casual and outdoor wear that you might have for yourself has been designed with the assistance of more adventurous folk, so has D-fa, but with dogs.

If you own anything from a sports or outdoor store or brand, then you and your dog are part of the D-fa pack, no matter where you live or how you play. At D-fa we believe that all dogs have a sense of adventure in their own way, and size and circumstance is no barrier to getting out and about with your dog.

Do I really need to use the tail or leg loops on the jacket? Do they get in the way of doggies doing their business?
The tail loop on the jacket is an optional feature for those who want to anchor the jacket at the tail end. This is not necessary on all dogs, and some people only use these when there is a stiff tail wind. The same goes for leg loops. They help to anchor the coat, but you do not have to use them. The side clip fastenings should hold the jacket in place in most situations. In our testing of jackets, we have had no issues with these tail loops getting in the way of business (if you know what we mean).

I’ve read the measurement chart, and I still can’t decide on a size. What should I do?
We’ve tried all sorts of things to get a foolproof sizing guide, but dogs can be deceiving in their shape and size.

The best guide is by breed – think what kind of dog you have and compare it to the breeds listed on our sizing chart. Even if it’s a mixed breed, think about what your precious pup most closely resembles in size and shape. We’ve got a bit of a database of all our different dogs and their sizes and for the most part you can compare your dog to a breed of a similar size and see where you fit in. See the sizing charts for breed indications.

The second guide is the length of the spine of the jacket that sits about 3 – 5 cm (1-2 inches) behind the collar, in front of the withers, and runs to the top of the tail.

Third, consider if your dog has a really thick neck, broad shoulders or is a little on the portly side. If it is, err on the larger side. Our experience is that this applies mostly to Labradors who can vary widely in their breadth.

If all else fails, contact us at woof@d-fa.com and we’ll give you all the help we can, and if need be we’ll send 2 sizes and an extra bag to return the one that doesn’t fit.

My dog doesn’t like its D-fa or has had issues with wearing jackets in the past. How do I get them used to it?
Most dogs warm to their jacket quite quickly and like to wear them. However, some more difficult dogs (and no offence but these are usually Boxers) can be a bit distracted by the jacket.

Our recommendation is that you associate the jacket with nice things, like walking or playing, for the first few times it is worn until the novelty wears off. Because a D-fa jacket tends to be lighter and easier to move in than other gear, you may find that dogs who have resisted jackets in the past, are happy to wear a D-fa.

What happens if the jacket gets ripped or chewed or damaged?
If you need a jacket repaired, please woof us for instructions of where to send it and what to do. The most important thing is that the jacket is clean (wash it please) when it is sent for repairs.

If for some reason there is a factory fault with a jacket, please growl at us (growl@d-fa.com) and we will arrange for it to be fixed or replaced. In the case of replacements we take the old jacket back, fix it where possible, and then donate it to the SPCA or other dog rescue programme.

Please also see our warranty statement. We are always happy to repair a jacket, however bear in mind that the warranty doesn’t cover jackets that were damaged through chewing, playing tug with another dog or any other d-fa-destructive behaviors.

My dog wriggles and it’s hard to get the jacket over their head. What do I do?
Most dogs are easy to get into their D-fa. But to make it easier, ensure the dog is in a calm state when you are trying to put the jacket on the first few times. If they are excited, you might find it difficult.

The best way is to start with both the clips undone and hold the head opening apart with your hand and slide this over the head. After it’s over the head, straighten it up and do up the straps. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good technique. Over time the dog will ‘help’ you to get the jacket on by moving its head into the hole.

The jackets say they are breathable, does that mean they can be worn in the heat?
No.
Unless you are referring to a cooling product (one that specifically cools the dog or reflects away UV light) the jackets are made for wear in cool or wet weather.

‘Breathing’ means that as the dog’s body temperature increases (with activity) and becomes warmer than the outside air, then the jacket lets out some of that uncomfortable air. When it’s cooler, it holds the warmth next to the skin inside the jacket.

Use commonsense with the jacket – if it’s not cold or wet, or your dog is showing signs of overheating (excessive panting) then remove the jacket

My dog can swim. Does it need a D-FD?
Some dogs are brilliant swimmers. They’re in and out of the water all day long, doggy paddling to their hearts content like big furry fishes. Others lack doggy-paddling style but still love the water.

However, even the most confident swimmers can flounder if they tire, become cold, or are trying to swim in moving water. Unlike you, your dog doesn’t have opposable thumbs to allow it to hold paddles and can’t float on their back if they get a bit tired. Your dog, no matter how good of a swimmer is not indestructible and cannot swim indefinitely. Their natural swimming style is to moving in and out of the water, not to swim continuously.

Fitting your hairy water buddy with a D-FD can help them swim more confidently and comfortably, for longer, and retain their body heat when on water adventures with you. The handle of the jacket also makes it easier to retrieve your dog from the water if it gets into trouble.

Will my dog get hot in a D-FD?
Yes, your dog will warm up if wearing a D-FD, but not if you are in an out of the water which we can assume you will be if you need to wear a D-FD.

Keeping your dog and the jacket wet will keep it cool. If it’s a hot day, make sure your dog is staying at a comfortable temperature by keeping wet, finding shade, and has access to drinking water.

I like to be a little bit green, or a lot green – is D-fa?
Being fond of the outdoors, and fond of all things natural, we are pretty keen to do what we can to ensure that the places we love to go all remain intact for future D-fa dogs to enjoy. To us, that’s not just about keeping things green, but also about keeping things fair.

We try to reduce disposable packaging – we try to pack our gear in reusable packaging like our stuff sacks. They make great storage bags, laundry bags, shoe bags and gear bags. We try to avoid the use of nasty, unfriendly things like heavy metal dyes where we can. For example, the company who weaves our merino wool uses no heavy metal dyes and has systems in place to reduce water use and to clean and recycle water where possible.

We are not only tree-huggers, but also animal lovers so the sheep that grow our wool are all living the life of Reilly on big high-country farms, in the open spaces and clean air of New Zealand. If we were going to be sheep, these are the ones we’d be.

We’d like to encourage all D-fa owners not just to look after their environment, but also to look after the public face of the doggy community. Please train your dogs to be sociable, pick up your doggy doos (even the small ones), and be considerate of others who may not love dogs as much as you do.