If you’re tempted to follow the current trend to turn out your dog in some form of canine fashion this Christmas, or even if you’re just thinking about buying (making) a coat to protect them from the cold weather, then make sure you take a good look at your dog before you go and actually purchase something because there are three essential things that you really need to know.
1. What size is your dog? OK so you have a rough idea that it’s about knee high, hip high or whatever, but what about its actual size?
Dogs are not unlike humans. Their bodies have different proportions in different areas – for example, do they have a long neck, how much do they measure around their back/rib area, how long are they from neck to base of tail? These measurements will help you to get canine clothing that will actually fit your dog and not need to be stretched to fit, or hide the dog because it’s larger than it should be.
Most dog clothing, especially winter clothing to protect from the elements comes in standard sizes, but as with human clothing, these “standards” can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer so the best thing to do is to find out your dog’s measurements, and then take a tape measure with you when you go shopping.
2. Take a good look at your dog. A GOOD look! Do you really think he’s going to look “cute” in one of the designer dog outfits that the likes of Paris Hilton put on her dog? Chances are that if your dog is larger than the average sized loaf of bread, it’s not going to look good at all! Make sure that what you buy for your dog is something that suits your breed of dog, and not what makes you go “ahhh” in the celebrity magazines!
3. Finally remember that this is for your dog. Your dog that is apt to go splashing through puddles and even roll in the occasional pile of mud (or worse!). Dog clothing items are not cheap, so make sure that whatever you buy is not only safe for your dog to wear without bits that can be bitten off and be a choking hazard to your dog, but also that the clothing is easily laundered. You need something that you can just throw wet and muddy in the washing machine at the appropriate temperature, and for it to come out the way it was when you first purchased it – oh and don’t forget to make sure that your dog isn’t sensitive to the detergent you use because this clothing is going right next to his skin!