They say winter is the season for working dogs, but summer is when things really heat up! The stubble fields are dry, the dummies are out, and if your dog is going to be ready for October, the hard work starts now (or four months ago if you’re counting properly!)
For spaniel and retriever handlers, the summer show circuit is in full swing, with scurry rings, working dog demonstrations, and county shows all filling up fast. So whether you're practising retrieves on a warm Tuesday morning or standing ringside at one of the three Great Royals, what you're wearing matters more than most people think.
And that's why we're here, to introduce you to Pinewood's Dog Sports range, for clothing built specifically for handlers, for the field, and for this time of year.
So, Why Pinewood?
If anyone knows that there’s no shortage of decent country gear out there- it’s us! But if you've ever tried to grab something one-handed while your overzealous Goldie is mid-retrieve, wrestled with a zip that needs two hands to open, or found yourself rationing pocket space between your phone, a lead, and a handful of dummies, then you'll know that a good general-purpose jacket and a good handler's jacket are two very different things…And if you’re familiar with my boy Billy by now, then you'll know I speak from experience.
Pinewood's Dog Sports range was specifically designed to tackle these daily dog-training dilemmas. Designed in Sweden, family-owned, and built on the ethos of clothing made by people who actually spend time in the field, every pocket position, every closure type, every panel detail has all been thought through from the handler's perspective, not just the designer's desk (which you can read more about in our blog post From Sweden to the British Countryside: Why We Love Pinewood Clothing). But for now, let's get down to business and talk kit.
The Pinewood Dog Sports Range
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The Pinewood Dog Sports Trainer Jacket
This is the one that sets the stage for the whole range. It’s windproof, waterproof, with TC-stretch side panels for full freedom of movement and a rear bellows pocket that holds up to 11 x 500g dummies (yes, 11!) The Pinewood Dog Sports Trainer Jacket is built with the kind of detail that only comes from those serious about dog sports, and who need a jacket to match!
Key features:
- Magnetic chest closures for one-handed treat access
- D-ring and carabiner at the waist for leads
- Removable hood and easy-clean pocket linings
- Available in Moss Green, Black, and Dark Tomato Dark Red (women's); Moss Green and Dark Green (men's)
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Pinewood Dog Sports Trainer Vest
If the Extreme Jacket is your go-to for cooler competition and training days, then the Pinewood Dog Sports Trainer Vest is what you reach for when July, like this year, actually delivers on its ‘heatwave’ promise. It has all the same handler-specific pocket architecture, just in a lighter, more breathable layer that won't have you overheating mid-retrieve.
Key features:
- Left front pocket with treat pouch and magnetic closure
- D-ring and carabiner at the waist for leads
- Fleece-lined hand-warmer pockets and phone pocket
- 2-way zip with hidden drawstring
- Available in Moss Green, Black, and Dark Tomato Dark Red
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Pinewood Dog Sports Windblocker Vest
A smarter, lighter option for show days and warmer sessions where wind, rather than rain, is the main concern, the Dog Sports Windblocker Vest sits in that useful middle ground between a full jacket and nothing at all. But don’t worry, it still has all the details that tell you everything about how carefully Pinewood has thought this one through.
Key features:
- Wind-blocking with High-Ventilation™ mesh lining for active wear
- Rubber opening in the front pocket for dog waste bags (a small detail that I can say is certainly a game changer!)
- D-ring in hand pocket for the Pinewood treat bag
- Adjustable waist and hem; reflective details for low-light sessions
- Available in Moss Green, Black, Marron Rose, and Urban Grey
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Pinewood Dog Sports Trainer Extreme Trousers
If you're investing in the Extreme Jacket, it's worth knowing that these were designed to go with it. The same waxed waterproof membrane, the same TC-stretch throughout, the Dog Sports Extreme Trousers and Jacket work together as a full set for serious pre-season training or a cooler competition day.
Key features:
- Water and windproof membrane with waxed surface finish
- TC-stretch throughout for unrestricted movement through cover and across unpredictable ground
- Side ventilation zippers for active summer use
- Magnetic bellows leg pockets for quick treat access on the move
- Boot hooks to keep trousers in place during intense work
- Available in Moss Green, Dark Navy, and Black
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Pinewood Dog Sports T-Shirt
Of course, every range needs an entry point, and this is Pinewood's. The Dog Sports T-Shirt is the natural choice for warm summer training days when a jacket is just asking to be a boil in the bag. Pair it with the handy Pinewood Utility Belt and you've got yourself a lightweight summer system that still keeps everything to hand.
Key features:
- Made from 100% recycled cotton and polyester. And even cooler, the colour comes from the recycled fibres themselves, removing the dyeing process entirely
180g/m² weight: substantial enough for active use without feeling heavy - Clean dog print on the chest with V-shaped neckline.
Completing the Kit
The jackets, trousers and vests may do the bulk of the work over summer and winter, but I think these three pieces complete the system. Plus, on those warmer summer mornings, they'll do the job on their own!
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Pinewood Dog Sports Utility Belt
An investment, but the standalone summer solution for anyone feeling they need eight extra hands in the heat. Two magnetic-close front pockets, a rear pocket with bottle holder, D-rings for lead attachment, and a removable zippered treat bag with reflectors and a rubber opening for waste bags; the Pinewood Dog Sports Utility Belt takes on everything the jacket pockets carry, just worn around your waist instead. What more could we ask for?
Available in Black Dark Anthracite and Moss Green Black
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Pinewood Dog Sports Waist Belt
A simplified, but still impressive version of the Utility Belt, if you’re looking for core functionality without the full pocket architecture, then the Dog Sports Waist Belt makes a solid entry-level option for newer competitors or a lighter choice for shorter sessions.
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Pinewood Dog Sports Treat Bag
Detachable, wind and waterproof, magnetic closure, and holds 0.8L. Clips to any D-ring across the range: vest, belt, or trouser loop. The Dog Sports Treat Bag is a natural add-on for anyone already in the Pinewood system, and at under a tenner, it’s an easy treat (if you’ll pardon the pun!)
Building Your Pinewood Kit: What to Wear and When
For me, part of the beauty of the Pinewood Dog Sports range is that it works as a system, and here's how I'd put it together depending on the day:
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For a warm July training day: the Dog Sports T-Shirt and Utility Belt. Everything to hand, yet nothing in the way.
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For a breezy show day: the Trainer Vest or Windblocker paired with the Waist Belt and Treat Bag clipped to the D-ring. Smart enough for the showground, but still practical enough for the ring.
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For a cooler competition day or serious pre-season session: the Trainer Extreme Jacket and Trainer Extreme Trousers together. If September feels closer than it did last week, this is the combination that’s ready, waiting and sees you through the winter too.
You can explore the full Pinewood Dog Sports range over on our website, and find the right starting point for your training kit.
Built to Keep Up With You, and Your Dog
For me, the Pinewood's Dog Sports range is far more than just good country clothing. This is kit designed specifically for the demands of handling a dog in the field: the movement, the access, the pace, and the conditions. Not adapted from something else, but built for exactly what every dog handler needs.
We are also proud to stock the full range here at Hollands, and it's a brand we stand behind completely, not just because the product is exceptional, but because it comes from the same place all the best kit does- people who actually do this stuff.
So, if you're heading into the summer show season or starting to think seriously about October, now is the time to get your kit sorted.
And if you're battling the bugs as well as the brambles this summer, it's also worth a read of our Beat the Bites post, for Pinewood's anti-insect range that helps keep the bites at bay this summer.
