Clothing for dogs: varieties and features of choice

Clothing for dogs is a pretty important part of walking. It is no less important than a collar and leash, because some dog breeds simply can not do without it. Of course, clothing is suitable only for certain breeds. The issue of choosing clothes for your pet becomes relevant especially in autumn and winter, when weather conditions are significantly worse. In the article, we will consider what types exist, how to choose the right clothes, choose a size, and also train a dog.

If you are not sure if your dog needs clothes for a walk, then you should answer yourself - yes. Today there are a large number of breeds that feel uncomfortable in the cold season for a walk. The presence of clothes is as important as vaccination, because with its help you can protect your dog from various diseases. Moreover, most dogs spend mainly time at home, while their immunity is no longer so resistant to external factors, when compared with the resistance of their ancestral wolves.

During ice, the roads are sprinkled with salt, which negatively affects the paws of a domestic dog, they begin to bleed. Thanks to the use of special shoes, many problems can be avoided. But the dog’s outfit on shoes doesn’t end. Today, a wide selection of clothes is on sale. It allows pets to be outdoors for a long time in the cold, for this purpose knitted overalls are ideal. They are crocheted or knitted. You can even find clothes designed for puppies, as they need special care.

Clothing is necessary primarily for those breeds that freeze on the street during a walk in the cold season, namely:

• dachshund;
• Toy Terrier;
• York
• chihuahua.

It is important to consider that not only warm clothes are on sale. For dogs, it is worth purchasing light suits, as they are able to protect the pet from rain and various insects, which are especially active in the spring and summer. Lactating dogs also need grooming. They should be insulated for a walk, in order to prevent possible hypothermia.

Today in specialized stores you can find a wide selection of clothes for both small and large dogs. The assortment includes not only winter clothes, but also summer clothes. It is worth considering the popular clothing options for dogs.

• Autumn jumpsuit. This item of clothing is intended primarily to protect the pet from dirt and rain. They are made from water-repellent materials, while a warm lining is not used. Many well-known companies offer models with special impregnation, which gives the fabric moisture-repellent properties. Such clothes are ideal for short and long-haired dogs. There is no need to wash the dog completely after the walk, because its coat remains dry and clean. The dog will not bring a bucket of sand. It is enough to wipe the paws.
• Winter clothes. It is represented by insulated jumpsuits with a fleece lining. This option is perfect for dogs with short hair, which can freeze in winter during a long walk, for example, bull terrier, Dalmatian. If you are the owner of a smooth-haired dog, then a warm jumpsuit will not be superfluous either. Of course, during the movement the dog will not freeze, but a walk into the forest will not bring the animal pleasure. To protect the pet from freezing, which will turn into a long-term treatment, it is better to purchase and dress the pet in an insulated jumpsuit.
• Pullover. Such clothes are very beautiful and fashionable. It is usually purchased for the offseason. Usually they put it on at a time when it is still dry, but already the air temperature begins to drop. Sweaters are bought for small breeds, although they can also be purchased for medium-sized dogs. This clothing has many advantages: it is warm, beautiful and nothing hinders the movements of your pet.
• Blanket. The optimal solution for dogs who prefer an active lifestyle, as it provides freedom of movement, while serving as a reliable protection against rain and cold. This option is suitable even for pets with thick hair, while the animal will not feel discomfort. Such clothes are comfortable to put on; they can be put on and off quite quickly.
• Tick-borne costumes. This is a special clothing that is simply necessary for the animal when walking through the forest, where there are always a large number of ticks. The peculiarity of this overalls is that it has barrier folds, the collar and cuffs are multi-layered, and they also quite tightly fit to the body of the animal. This provides reliable protection against insects, since the latter can not crawl under it. It is impossible to fully trust the drops from ticks, it is better to play it safe and wear such a suit.
• Veterinary blanket. This type of clothing is used after surgery, because it allows you to protect fresh stitches from both the dog and from contamination. Typically, this type of clothing is made of breathable fabric. The blanket is put on from below, and already the ties or Velcro are at the top, so that the dog could not pull it off on her own.
• Decorative outfits. This option does not have any specific purpose. Such clothes are bought for beauty. Today suits are available for every taste. You can choose both a funny and elegant outfit for your pet.It is worth considering that such clothes are usually sewn on small dogs, so it will be quite difficult to find an interesting option for a representative of a large breed. When choosing a funny costume, it is worth remembering that the main thing is the convenience of the pet.

If you make the correct measurements of the dog, then you can easily determine the size of your pet and purchase clothes without it. It is necessary to correctly measure only three dog parameters.

• The length of the withers. To know the length of the withers, the dog must stand on all four legs. Measurement should be done on the spine, using a centimeter tape. The distance from the collar to the base of the tail is the length of the back. If in the table the length of the back is between the two values, then it is necessary to choose the size up. If your pet is quite dense, then you can purchase the product a size larger, but for feeble pets it is worth taking smaller clothes.
• Chest circumference. It is necessary to measure the chest behind the front paws, it is worth choosing the widest point. And also an important role is played by a clothing model - loose or tight-fitting.
• Neck circumference. It is enough to measure the length of the collar. The size of the girth of the neck will be identical.

To correctly measure the animal, you need to use soft centimeter tape measure. The ruler in this case will not work. If desired, you can purchase a special tool for measuring dogs - stadiometer.

When all measurements are made, you can proceed to the selection of size. To do this, use the help of the table below. The size grid includes mainly breeds of small and medium dogs.

If possible, it is better to take the dog with you to try on clothes before buying. This will allow you to quickly find a convenient option for size and type. It should be understood that the first fitting always lasts quite a long time, and it can tire both you and the pet. It can be quite difficult to get a dog to wear an outfit, especially several times in a row.

Attention should be paid to clothing, how it “sits” on a pet, since she should not pinch her paws, neck or lower back. If we consider the jumpsuit, then it should provide freedom of movement not only when walking, but also when jumping or running. It is necessary to dress the animal and give him the opportunity to walk around the pavilion. It’s better to buy models without decorations, lacing and additional details, for example, long-haired dogs can get tangled up in the decorative elements. But short-haired pets or with delicate skin should buy clothes exclusively from soft tissues.

If the dog cannot be taken with you to the store, then you should take all measurements and write them on a leaf; you should not rely on your memory. The following dimensions must be recorded:

• distance from neck to tail;
• height at the withers;
• neck circumference;
• girth of the chest;
• waist circumference
• paw length.

With the help of the above measurements, the consultant will be able to quickly select the right clothes. And it’s worth buying clothes depending on the gender of the dog. You should not buy a unisex model, because usually males will quickly get it dirty, and bitches can catch a cold in cold weather.

It is very important to pay attention to the material from which the clothes are sewn. It is worth giving preference natural fabrics. This information must be indicated on the label. A synthetic winterizer can be considered, but it should be smooth and pleasant to the touch. But it is better to refrain from bright things, since they usually fade at the first rain. You need to buy things that do not have a chemical smell.

The absence of voids and lumps is an indicator of high quality. But the fabric should be light and strong, because it will have to be washed after each contamination. It should be remembered that models with buttons should be bought only for smooth-haired breeds. Velcro clothing is suitable for long-haired dogs. Things with zippers are banned for long-haired dogs, since the wool will constantly fall into the zipper when fastening, which will bring discomfort to the pet. Rivets are a great alternative.

The presence of holes and seams deserves special attention. If the clothing has many holes, seams and joints, then it will pass both wind and moisture. All lines should be high-quality and even. The threads should not stick out. Bad stitching indicates that the product is of poor quality, and after a few washings, the clothes will be unfit to wear.

Jumpsuit with a hood is perfect for a windy day. Such clothes are simply necessary for elderly pets, as well as for those animals that have a tendency to ear diseases. The presence of a hood or hat can reduce the hearing of the pet, so it should not be let down from the leash.

Dogs usually don’t like to wear something. It is better to teach your pet to wear clothes from puppyhood. Over time, your pet will get used to it, while it will feel comfortable and natural. There is no single recipe for how to train an animal to wear clothes, since each dog is an individual, but it is worth paying attention to a few recommendations from experts.

• New things, having lain for some time at home, acquire a home smell, after which they will not seem like strangers to the pet. First, give the dog a sniff of the thing.
• To accustom the pet to clothes, it is worth purchasing models made of elastic fabrics. They must provide freedom of movement and be sleeveless.
• When you try on for the first time, you should be calm, even if the dog is behaving very badly, for example, resists or sets his teeth. It is strictly forbidden to shout at her or use physical force. You should adhere to your goal, take your time and perform all actions smoothly and gently.
• It is better to teach puppies to wear clothes, because at this age the process is quick and easy. To get started, put on a thing for 15 minutes. Each time, the socks should be increased. The pet should be attracted to the game so that it does not pull the product from itself. You can praise the puppy and give him a treat.
• Dogs in adulthood are very fond of walking. You should put on light clothes before a walk. When the dog is on a walk, she will simply forget about the clothes. Over time, she will associate clothes only with pleasant moments, as a result, she will already agree to wear overalls.
• If the dog begins to freeze in clothes, try to pull it off, do not immediately feel sorry for her or give treats. This behavior will show that you are encouraging this behavior. It is worth distracting her from her clothes, offering to play with her favorite toy. Alternatively, you can leave the dog so that it rushes to look for you.

You can learn how to easily train your dog in clothing from the next video.