As an owner of short-haired dogs living in the cold Colorado foothills, I have always believed there is a lack of quality dog jackets on the market. That is, until I found Silver Paw.

This dog apparel and accessories company has made a name for itself by creating dog products so stylish and functional that many wish they made human apparel too. Their jackets, sweaters, leashes, and harnesses are all made with an eye toward quality first and looks and functionality at a close second.

I had the opportunity to try two of their products out on my always-freezing Chihuahua, Papyrus.

If you have a male small dog, you know exactly how difficult it is to find a jacket that fits while still providing warmth. That’s why Silver Paw’s Monty Dog Jacket was so impressive. I also had the chance to test out the Maximus Dog Harness that goes with this awesome jacket.

Keep reading to see my full Silver Paw review and to find out why I highly recommend both these products and this brand to pet owners everywhere.

At a Glance: What We Reviewed

 

About Silver Paw

Silver Paw was started by three “brothers” who were raised by fathers in the clothing industry. While their parents made a name for themselves by producing quality, designer baby clothing, these brothers had always been more partial to babying their dogs.

From their love and devotion to their pets, Silver Paw was born.

Who Makes Silver Paw Products and Where Are They Produced?

Silver Paw is a Canadian company with a mission to spoil rotten every dog on earth. They do this by creating thoughtfully designed products and donating millions of dollars to the SPCA every year.

Silver Paw’s products are designed in Canada and manufactured around the world. Their new Eko recycled plastic pet mattress, for instance, is made in Canada. Many of their non-specialty items, including their jackets and harnesses, are made in China.

Which Types of Pets Are Silver Paw Products Best Suited For?

Most of Silver Paw’s products are geared toward dogs.

They have product lines to help pups feel more comfortable in the cold as well as the heat. They also have many toys, leashes, and treats that are great for dogs of all types.

For cats, Silver Paw has a small selection of toys. But their cat line is growing, so be sure to check back.

Key Features

Silver Paw products aren’t just made to look good in marketing photos. They are highly functional and designed to last, as well. They also have some very unique features that set them apart from the competition.

Silver Shield

All Silver Paw apparel products are treated with Silver Shield, a powerful antimicrobial agent. This special treatment process eliminates odor-causing bacteria, which keeps these products smelling fresher for longer. Most Silver Paw products are machine washable, but this extra addition means you can get away with washing them less frequently.

This special agent is safe for pets and has been registered with the EPA and PMRA. It will stay effective for up to 100 washes.

Temperature Alert Patches

Many Silver Paw jackets feature their patented ColdAlert patch. This special patch changes color to alert the owner to extreme cold temperatures. With this feature, you know right away if it’s too cold to keep walking your pup.

Some of Silver Paw’s summer gear, such as their Life Jacket, features a patented SunAlert patch. This patch turns pink or red to alert you to low or high UV conditions.

Built-In Waste Bag Dispensers

Many of Silver Paw’s garments include a built-in poop bag dispenser. This ingenious feature works much like the rubber gasket built into poop bag holders.

Simply load your waste bag roll into the zippered pocket on the garment. Then feed the end of the bag roll through the gasket.

When your pup takes a potty break, you can pull the bag straight from their jacket or raincoat. Many of the larger-sized garments can even hold used poop bags in the same zipper pockets that hold the bag roll.

Smart Designs

Silver Paw puts a lot of thought into their designs (as if you couldn’t tell from the above sections). For their pet apparel products and harnesses, this means a lot of extra features that make them more functional than competitors’ products.

Many of their jackets, for instance, feature warm fleece linings and extended neck pieces or hoods. Most of their garments are made specifically for males or females and have shapes meant to fit the anatomy of the intended wearer. As the owner of a male dog who lifts his leg frequently during walks, I appreciate that the male apparel takes this into account.

Silver Paw Reviews

1. Monty Dog Jacket

The Monty Dog Jacket is a multilayer jacket perfect for male dogs in need of protection on cold winter days. The outer layer features flashy blue water-resistant fabric fringed in functional reflective trim. The inner layer is made of warm fleece meant to hold in body heat.

A zipper closure on the neck allows you to roll the neck down for more freedom of movement or zip it up for added warmth. Two velcro closures fasten behind each front leg for a customizable fit. While this coat is long on the top to provide extra warmth, it covers only the ribcage on the bottom, providing plenty of space for male dogs to pee without soiling the jacket.

The Monty has a built-in waste bag holder on the back flap. The double zippers let you load waste bags from either side while the central rubber gasket allows easy access to the bags for quick cleanup.

You can get this handsome and functional doggy jacket in extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large. It will fit dogs from 10 inches to 32 inches in length. It has attachment points for the Maximus Dog Harness and also features a harness access slit compatible with most back-clip harness styles.

While some Silver Paw jackets are available in very small sizes and very large, this one has a more limited size range. It is also only available in blue. If you have a large dog, this jacket is very reasonably priced. Since the cost is the same no matter what size you get, the value is a little less for small dog owners.

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2. Maximus Dog Harness

The Maximus Dog Harness features a unique four-buckle design that makes it highly versatile and easier to put on than many other harnesses on the market.

It is a back-clip style harness with a patented metal D-ring buckle clip. This clip is highly secure and will not accidentally come undone. The D-ring leash attachments on each side connect to extendable loops that tighten when the dog pulls to keep the harness from slipping off.

Like other Silver Paw products, this one is coated with Silver Shield technology to prevent odors and reduce the need for washing. It has a thick reflective strip on all sides for enhanced visibility in the dark.

Best of all, this harness is fully compatible with the Monty Dog Jacket. The top section of the harness clips directly into the hidden buckles on the jacket. It’s the perfect solution to the challenge presented by walking a dog in a harness when they also need to wear a coat.

The Maximus Dog Harness comes in 8 sizes, from extra small to 4-X large. It is only available in black and the adjustment capacity of the smaller harnesses is limited. However, for a high-quality harness with extra features that allow you multiple options for getting it on your dog (step through, belly buckle, or over jacket), you won’t find anything better.

 

Our Experience With Silver Paw Maximus Dog Harness & Monty Jacket

I have always struggled to find a jacket to fit my 7-pound Chihuahua, Papyrus. Like many small male dog owners, I’ve struggled to find a jacket with a large enough opening on the bottom to prevent him from soiling the jacket when he pees.

When I saw the design of the Monty Dog Jacket from Silver Paw, I felt a glimmer of hope that this one might actually work for him. Better yet, I realized, this jacket is compatible with the Maximus Dog Harness.

This was important because the only thing Papyrus hates more than having a jacket put on is having a harness put on. With this setup, I was hopeful I could reduce those steps for a less dramatic pre-walk routine.

First, I tried the jacket alone. Thanks to the zippered neck and double velcro attachments, it was easy enough to get on, despite Papyrus’ objections. I love how the neck can be extended and zipped up, or rolled back, depending on how cold it is. The jacket is thick and warm without being bulky.

Most importantly, though, the belly strap is narrow and positioned high on the rib cage. Translation: Papyrus was able to mark the trail freely without getting any urine on the jacket!

Next, I tried out the Maximus Dog Harness alone.

Even after ordering the smallest size, the harness ended up being a bit too big for him. Each of the four straps is adjustable, but at this size, the adjustment is only maybe a quarter inch for each strap.

Luckily, when used with the Monty Dog Jacket, the added bulk allowed for a more secure fit and I was able to use the harness this way. Having the two items integrated did make walk prep easier because I only had to put on one piece of apparel.

Overall, I was very impressed with the quality and attention to detail of these products. The jacket is clearly very durable and really helps keep my dog warm. And it has a ton of fun extra features like the poop-bag dispenser and reflective trim.

While the harness wasn’t quite the right fit for my tiny pup, I was still impressed by the quality and durability. And I love the design of the back clip. The metal construction and clip style make it much more secure and easier to fasten.

 

Conclusion

If you’re looking for dog apparel that is functional, durable, and will last your pet for years, I cannot recommend Silver Paw enough. These aren’t the low-quality, cute-but-useless doggy coats and harnesses you’ll find in the pet section of your favorite human apparel store. These are quality pet products designed with intent and made to last.

The Monty Dog Jacket is a great option for small and medium male dogs who aren’t afraid to hit the trails on cold days. It is super comfortable, very warm, and designed with their anatomy in mind.

The Maximus Dog Harness has many advantages over other back clip harnesses, including a more secure clip, multiple options for getting it on, and useful extra features like reflective print. Best of all, these two great products clip together to make life easier for you and more comfortable for your dog.