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DOGS are wonderful, but they’re also mud magnets and often end up wet and covered in dirt, especially at this time of year – but how do you decide on the best dog towels to buy? Pet Brush

Look for towels that combine absorbency with speed of drying, especially if you’re likely to use them when out on walks. Microfibre tends to dry quicker than cotton and can also hold a lot more water.

You could use your own towels, but they’ll soon be ruined. Happily, dog towels are widely available, so saving your car seats and your sofas, as well as your sanity and our round-up of the best dog towels is bow wow-nd to have something for you.

This towel is ideal for large dogs as it measures a generous 140 x 70cm, and because it’s made of 400gsm microfibre it’s super absorbent.

Not only that, it dries four times quicker than a cotton towel, so it’s ideal when you’re out and about.

Available in a variety of colours, it has a handy hanging loop and a cute paw print motif.

This drying coat is made from two layers of cotton towelling – the inner layer absorbs moisture from your dog’s fur and the heat of his body then pushes this into the outer layer. This means your dog dries quickly and is not sitting in a wet coat.

The wide belly strap is great for keeping the coat in place and it also dries your dog’s tummy, while the deep, fold-down collar, when straightened, is perfect for drying your dog’s head and ears.

Velcro fastenings and elasticated leg straps keep the coat secure and make it easy to put on and take off. You can also personalise your drying coat too, for an extra £8 (up to 12 characters).

Sizes range from XXXS to Giant Mountain Dog and there are extra sizes for short-legged breeds (featuring a cutout shoulder to stop possible tripping).

A pack of two towels for those of us with more than one dog, and a great value price.

Each towel measures 60 x 100cm, so they're a good size and the microfibre material is absorbent and quick drying.

Perfect for trips to the seaside or swimming in lakes. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: “If you have dogs that like water these are for you.”

If you and your dog take part in Canicross, hiking, trail running or any kind of outdoor activity that takes place in wet weather and muddy conditions, then this drying towel could be just what you’re looking for.

The inner microfibre layer dries your dog, while the waterproof outer shell keeps further rain off. It also protects your car from mud on the drive home!

Ideal for active dogs. Sizes range from XXS to XL.

Perfect for wrapping your pooch after a bath and sure to dry her quickly without resorting to the dreaded dog-eating hair dryer.

The robe goes on easily and securely thanks to its Velcro fastenings. The fastenings are also adjustable, so you can tweak the fit to suit your dog.

There’s a collar and a wide tummy band to aid drying, while the 400gsm microfibre material is very absorbent.

Sizes from XS to XXL.

This lovely, personalised towel is made from 100% combed cotton and comes in a variety of colours to suit you and your pooch.

Add your furbaby’s name (up to 12 letters) and choose from three fonts, as well as a wide variety of thread colours for the embroidered lettering.

A handy towel to take on walks if your dog is prone to diving into the nearest pond, or even puddle.

The soft ‘noodles’ are made from microfibre so absorb water quickly, while the strangely effective oven-glove design makes grappling with a wet pooch a walk in the park.

Useful for cleaning muddy paws after walks, but also equally capable of drying your dog, though not as luxurious as the other towels in this roundup.

Sph2onge is made from polymer rubber and cotton gauze, and can absorb up to a pint of water. It is ideal for keeping in the car or by the door to the garden to catch those muddy paws before they leave a trail on your cream carpets.

Store the towel in its tube as it has to stay moist. If it does dry out simply wet it under the tap.

You can buy dog towels online at Amazon, or from pet specialists such as Zooplus, Pets At Home and PetPlanet.

Stores such as B&M and Wilko are also worth a look, as is Aldi for its Pet Special Buys.

Check out Not On The High Street and Etsy for unusual and handmade items; local craft fairs and dog shows are also worth a look to discover unique designs from small businesses.

Most dog towels are machine washable, but check the label or packaging of your particular item to make sure of temperatures. You can also hand wash towels of course if you have the time – and inclination.

Brushing and shaking your dog towels before washing will help remove hair and mud that may otherwise potentially clog your machine.

Do not use fabric softener with microfibre towels as this can affect their absorbency, sticking to the fibres.

For best results, dry on a line or airer, rather than in a tumble dryer.

A wet towel will cool down your dog in summer, but the water should be cool rather than cold, says the Blue Cross. You will need to re-wet or replace regularly as the towel will quickly warm up from the heat of your dog’s body.

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