Dog shoes: types and recommendations for choice

Increasingly, on city streets you can find a dog in shoes. Such a picture is no longer perplexing, as it was several years ago. Dog shoes fulfill not only aesthetic value, but also practical. Why buy shoes for your pet and how to choose it correctly is the topic of our conversation.

You are overwhelmed by doubts: to take shoes for your pet or not? Then it will be useful for you to familiarize yourself with some aspects that will help you make the final decision and make sure that such a purchase is correct.

1. This element of a dog’s wardrobe protects the animal’s health. Unprotected paws can be injured on sharp stones, glass, or metal objects. Also dangerous for dog paws are the reagents that sprinkle the road in winter. When hit on the feet, these chemicals in a short time cause burns, cracks and irritations that are problematically treated. In long-haired dogs, ice freezes between the fingers, which makes the walk an extremely unpleasant activity.
2. If the dog already has damage on its paws, then the shoes are a prerequisite, because it primarily has a protective function. Otherwise, you may encounter infection, which will only aggravate the situation and delay the treatment.
3. Few people like to wash their paws after each walk. Dog shoes solve this problem, because the paws will always remain clean, even in bad weather.
4. The aesthetic side is also hidden in dog shoes. Such an accessory will be appropriate not only at exhibitions, but also for walking.
5. For sled dogs, such accessories are mandatory, because the load on the paws is enormous and there is a high probability of damage to ice and ice. For such cases, special shoes are created.

A number of factors underlie the classification of shoes for dogs. We have to study each of them in order to better understand the types of such an important accessory and to be able to choose the best model.

First of all, shoes for dogs vary by season:

• winter withIt is created from materials that are capable of retaining heat; fur is usually not used, since such accessories are too warm;
• summer models are open and light, provide good ventilation;
• demi-season Accessories should be well washed and waterproof, as they are designed for bad weather, most often silicone and rubber shoes are produced.

By appointment, the following varieties are distinguished:

• everyday models must be high-quality and durable;
• decorative shoes are bought for exhibitions and, as they say, for an outlet;
• slippers look like socks with a padded toe and a speckled sole, it allows you to maintain the appearance of the floor covering and prevents the dog from slipping;
• special models or sports are created for special dogs, for example, for sled dogs, such shoes provide reliable protection against mechanical damage and are designed for heavy loads.

Shoes for dogs are created in a variety of variations. For summer, sandals are most suitable, in bad weather you can wear shoes or sneakers, and for winter boots will be the best choice. These accessories are created from a variety of fabrics: cotton, leather, polyester, suede, silicone, neoprene. The materials used must be soft and hypoallergenic. On the inside there should be a soft lining that will not allow the paw to slide.

The sole is rubberized and grooved for better traction with various surfaces. The toe in such shoes is made more dense, which prevents clipping of the material with claws. To fix the paws, elastic bands, fasteners and Velcro are used.

Models are very popular with luminous sole. In such shoes it is convenient to walk your pet in the dark, because he will always be in sight.

More and more relevant is knitted shoes. Such an accessory can be made independently if there are at least minimal knitting or crochet skills. Knitted patterns are only suitable for home use.

The limbs of dogs are different in size, so you need to first measure the paw. There are two ways to do this.

1. We put the paw on a piece of paper and draw a pen along the contour, starting from the back to the claw on the longest finger. According to the formed contour, you can judge the size of the paws.
2. The limb of the animal is dipped in gouache and an imprint is made on the sheet. It is important that the lower surface of the paw is completely painted, including claws.

It’s easy to measure the size of a dog’s paw, it will be up to everyone. For measurements, the forelimbs are taken, since they are larger than the hind limbs. To choose the right model, you must use the size tables that are available for each manufacturer.

Do not intentionally buy shoes that will be slightly larger or smaller than your pet's paws. Shoes should fit the paws exactly.

Shoes for your pet you need to choose carefully and scrupulously. After all, the dog will not say that it is uncomfortable, cramped or painful.She simply will not be able to get used to such an accessory and will resist in every way. To choose the perfect shoes, you must adhere to a number of rules:

1. Initially, you need to pay attention to the quality of materials. They should not be a source of irritation and allergies. Internal seams cause discomfort and can even bring pain. Shoes made of elastic materials are well worn and washed.
2. Strength should also be at a high level. In this case, the dog will not be able to chew on his shoes and pierce it with claws. Shoes for large pets and representatives of medium-sized breeds should be especially durable.
3. In order not to make a mistake with the size, you need to try on an accessory. Size tables, of course, help, but it’s better to try on, if possible.
4. The reliability of the fastener plays an important role in choosing the right model. This part is responsible for fixing the paw, which should not slip and dangle. Snake-shaped clasps cannot be chosen for long-haired breeds, since wool will clog into such a clasp. The best option is Velcro, which is easily adjustable in length.
5. The height of the shoe is selected in accordance with the characteristics of the breed and the subtleties of the anatomy of the animal. For example, for Chinese crested tall models are more suitable, and for such small breeds as the Chihuahua, short shoes are chosen.
6. The price cannot be very small, because you have to pay for a quality thing. Low cost indicates the low quality of the shoes and the materials from which it is made. In cheap shoes, the paw can chatter and the dog will feel uncomfortable. Moreover, such accessories quickly break.
7. Not all shoes are equally suitable for small and large breeds of dogs. Even the height of the paw depends on the choice of shoes. For example, one model is ideal for a spitz, but it is absolutely not suitable for Italian greyhound.

Now many companies are producing accessories for animals, including dog shoes. Only not every one of them is ready to offer a quality product, for the production of which materials with high characteristics are selected. We studied the available assortment and selected the best manufacturers, whose products can be chosen without the slightest fear.

1. Products from 4-Runner distinguished by good anatomical characteristics. This shoe exactly repeats the structure of the paw, because the animal will feel comfortable. Due to the elastic straps, any model grabs the paw well and does not allow it to hang out. In the bend area there is material with a minimum thickness, and the shaft is created with a special bias. A special elastic material is used to create the sole, which is an important advantage.
2. Under the brand name Dezzie warm boots, cross-country shoes and gym shoes are issued. Models stand out for their striking design and unusual colors. The manufacturer uses many options for fasteners and clips, which expands the choice. With such accessories, your pet will be the most stylish.
3. Dog shoes from Guardian gear not so stylish and expressive, but in terms of functional characteristics it has no equal. Finding better accessories will be very difficult. In such shoes, the paws of the animal will be reliably protected from any mechanical damage and exposure to reagents. A rigid sole will not allow slipping, the material does not allow water to pass through, but allows the skin to breathe. Many models are equipped with reflective strips. The assortment includes shoes for the smallest and largest dogs.

You should not expect from your pet manifestations of joy from the new accessory. A dog needs to be trained in shoes, this process will not be simple. You can start accustoming to shoes only after 5 months, and in some cases even after 9 or even 12 months. Until this time, the legs are still forming, because shoes can lead to deformation of the limbs.

To accustom your pet to shoes, you need to gradually and necessarily in the home environment. A few minutes will be enough for a start. The dog will try in every way to take off his shoes. It needs to be distracted from this process, you can use goodies or encouragements. Scold for trying to remove shoes a dog is not worth it.

Only after this can you take your pet out into the street in full gear.

See how to choose shoes for dogs in the next video.