Choosing Clothing for Dogs

fern | Jan 24, 2012 |

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Should dogs wear clothes? Unlike humans, most dogs have a thick coating of fur which means that they don't usually need protection from the elements. However, there are some exceptional circumstances where dogs benefit from clothing.

The first dog clothes were worn by dogs who were taken along to war, and the clothing was designed to protect them from fire, gunshot and other hazards of war (horses too were clothed in chainmail for the same reason). In modern times we've seen the rise of the "designer dog", where dogs are clothed as though they were dolls or babies.

Much of the impetus behind designer dog clothing is down to fashion. Almost every single fashion house has launched a range of dog clothing so the dogs "match" their owners in style. Main street has followed with inexpensive versions of the dog clothes - you can now even get hoodies for dogs.

But are dog clothes good for your dog? The answer is "it depends". Some dogs have very short fur and not a lot of fat or muscle, and they tend to shiver in cold climates. Breeds that have very little hair such as the Mexican hairless can struggle to cope with winters. Dogs like this benefit from a loose coat or dog snuggie that they can wear when you take them out for a walk in wintry weather.

However, if your pet is a St Bernard, or any animal with long thick fur, dog clothes can make the dog overheat. In addition, very tight dog clothes can make the dog's fur start falling out. The rule of thumb is that dogs with long hair do better without any clothes, as do cold-weather breeds such as Labradors, Siberian Huskies and Newfoundlands.

When choosing dog clothes, always use your common sense and pay attention to whether your dog is comfortable or acting distressed. Dogs usually pant rapidly to try to cool down, so use this as an indicator that your pet is too warm, and remove any clothes it is wearing.