Frequently Asked Questions

Denwell Dogs is a premium dog gear brand focused on friction reduction for city dog owners. We create products designed for apartment living, urban sidewalks, and the daily realities of having a dog in a city — without compromising dog welfare.

Our philosophy: Build for the owner. Protect the dog.

Our tagline: Easier for you. Never at their expense.

Denwell Dogs is the only brand focused specifically on friction reduction for city dog owners. While other brands focus on fashion, outdoor performance, or general pet supplies, we design exclusively for urban apartment living:

• Quick on/off for elevator waits
• Full coverage for salt-treated sidewalks
• Easy care for daily use
• No guilt-tripping, no fluff — just gear that works

We don't sell cute. We sell function. If it doesn't reduce friction, we don't make it.

Friction reduction means removing the mental, physical, and emotional obstacles that make city dog ownership harder than it needs to be:

• Mental friction: "Am I doing this right? Is this salt bad for his paws?"
• Physical friction: 2-minute gear wrestling, elevator waits, paw wiping
• Emotional friction: Feeling bad when he shivers, guilt when rushing the walk

We reduce friction that gets in the way of good ownership — not the effort that good ownership requires. Gear that takes 2 minutes to put on? That's friction. 6am walks in freezing weather? That's being a good owner.

Denwell Dogs is designed for city dog owners who:

• Live in an apartment or condo
• Work full-time as a professional
• Are aged 28-45 with $75K+ household income
• Have 1 small-to-medium dog treated as family
• Do the walks rain or shine
• Are willing to pay for things that actually work

We're not for suburban owners with yards, fashion-first buyers, or bargain hunters. We serve people who want the friction to go away so they can focus on being a good owner.

The Citadel is our flagship premium winter dog jacket designed for daily city walks. One-line description: Winter friction, removed.

Key features:

• Hydrophobic shell — Salt and water bead off, less worry
• 360° belly shield — Full underside protection, covers where damage happens
• 10-second snap-on — Quick on, no morning wrestling
• Adjustable fit — Stays in place, no mid-walk fixes
• Machine washable — Easy clean, no maintenance hassle

City sidewalks are treated with road salt that splashes onto your dog's belly and paws. The belly is where 90% of salt contact happens during walks.

The 360° belly shield protects against:

• Salt irritation and chemical burns
• Ingestion when your dog licks their fur
• Cold wind hitting their underside
• Wet slush soaking through

Most dog jackets only cover the back — that's like wearing a cape in a blizzard.

Traditional dog jackets require threading legs through holes — which means wrestling with your dog while the elevator waits.

The Citadel uses a snap-on system:

• Drape over back
• Snap the chest closure
• Snap the belly strap
• Done. Under 10 seconds.

No leg holes. No flipping your dog upside down. No morning frustration. This removes the physical friction of a 2-minute gear wrestling match.

The Citadel has a hydrophobic shell that causes water, salt, and slush to bead off. It handles rain, snow, and wet sidewalks well.

For extended rain exposure (30+ minutes in heavy rain), some moisture may eventually seep through. For typical city walks of 15-20 minutes, your dog stays dry.

Yes. The Citadel has a built-in leash port on the back that allows harness D-rings to pass through. You can attach your leash directly to your dog's harness while The Citadel is on.

For best results, put the harness on first, then The Citadel over it.

The Citadel is available in three tiers:

Multiple jackets make sense for:

• Rotation: Have one ready while the other is in the wash
• Multiple dogs: Outfit your whole pack
• Gifting: Share with a friend who's also a city dog owner
• Backup: Keep one at the office, one at home

The Proactive Duo saves you $12 compared to buying two separately.

The City Dog Winter Survival Guide is a free PDF included with all purchases. It covers:

• Temperature guidelines for different breeds
• How to protect paws from salt and ice
• Signs your dog is too cold
• Quick morning walk routines
• Apartment-specific winter tips

It's also available as a standalone free download when you join our email list.

You'll need two measurements:

1. Back Length: Measure from the base of the neck (where the collar sits) to the base of the tail. Keep the tape measure along the spine.

2. Chest Girth: Measure around the widest part of the ribcage, usually right behind the front legs. Keep the tape snug but not tight.

If your dog falls between sizes:

• Size UP for thick-coated breeds (Huskies, Golden Retrievers, etc.)
• Size UP for deep-chested breeds (Greyhounds, Whippets, etc.)
• Size DOWN for thin-coated, slim breeds (Chihuahuas, Italian Greyhounds, etc.)

When in doubt, size up. The adjustable fit straps can accommodate a slightly larger jacket, but a too-small jacket restricts movement.

The Citadel's adjustable chest and belly straps accommodate most body types, including barrel-chested breeds like French Bulldogs, Corgis, and English Bulldogs.

For these breeds, prioritize chest girth over back length when selecting size. A slightly longer jacket is better than one that's too tight around the chest.

Machine wash:

• Cold water, gentle cycle
• Mild detergent (no bleach)
• No fabric softener (degrades water resistance)

Drying:

• Tumble dry low, or
• Hang dry (preferred)
• Avoid high heat

The hydrophobic coating is durable but high heat can degrade water resistance over time. This is why we made it machine washable — easy clean, no maintenance hassle.

For daily winter use in the city, we recommend washing every 1-2 weeks or whenever visibly dirty.

Salt buildup is the main concern — if you see white residue forming, it's time to wash. Regular washing actually helps maintain the jacket's performance by removing salt and grime that can degrade materials over time.

This is why the Proactive Duo is popular — you can rotate jackets while one is in the wash.

Yes. For quick cleaning between washes:

• Wipe down with a damp cloth
• Use mild soap for stubborn spots
• Rinse salt residue with plain water
• Hang to dry completely before next use

Currently we ship to the United States and Canada.

International shipping is coming soon. Join our email list to be notified when we expand to your country.

United States:

• Standard: 5-7 business days
• Express: 2-3 business days

Canada:

• Standard: 7-10 business days
• Express: 4-6 business days

Orders placed before 2pm EST ship same day. Proactive Duo and Elite Pack include Priority Shipping.

We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

If The Citadel doesn't fit or you're not happy for any reason, return it unworn with tags attached for a full refund. Exchanges are free — we'll cover shipping both ways.

We want you confident in your purchase.

Email us at hello@denwelldogs.com with your order number and whether you'd like a refund or exchange.

We'll send you a prepaid return label within 24 hours. Once we receive the jacket, refunds are processed within 3-5 business days. Exchanges ship immediately.

Yes. Road salt contains sodium chloride and chemical deicers that can cause:

• Paw pad irritation, cracking, and chemical burns
• Skin irritation on belly and legs
• Vomiting and diarrhea if licked off fur
• Sodium poisoning in severe cases

City dogs face significantly higher salt exposure than suburban dogs because they walk exclusively on treated sidewalks and streets. The belly is where 90% of salt contact happens.

General guidelines:

• Below 45°F (7°C): Most dogs need some protection
• Below 32°F (0°C): All dogs at risk for hypothermia and frostbite
• Below 20°F (-6°C): Danger zone — limit time outside

Dogs needing extra protection:

• Small dogs (under 20 lbs)
• Short-coated breeds
• Puppies and senior dogs
• Dogs with health conditions

Early signs (get inside soon):

• Shivering
• Reluctance to keep walking
• Lifting paws off the ground
• Hunched posture, tucked tail

Warning signs (get inside immediately):

• Whining or anxious behavior
• Slowing down significantly
• Seeking shelter (under cars, in doorways)
• Pale or blue gums

Not all dogs need jackets. Dogs that typically DO need jackets:

• Small dogs under 20 lbs
• Short-coated breeds (Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, Greyhounds, etc.)
• Puppies and senior dogs
• Dogs with thin body fat
• Dogs with health conditions affecting temperature regulation

Dogs that usually DON'T need jackets:

• Thick double-coated breeds (Huskies, Malamutes, etc.)
• Large dogs with substantial body mass

That said, even cold-tolerant dogs benefit from belly coverage to protect against road salt — that's a city-specific concern regardless of coat type.