Do Any Dogs Really Need Sweaters or Coats?

How can you tell if your dog needs canine clothing? It’s fairly safe to say that if you have a healthy, young dog of a substantial size like a malamute, husky, golden retriever or shepherd, to name a few, who is acclimated to cold and has a thick insulating coat, you likely don’t need to invest in dog clothing for walks in the rain or snow. That said, there are three kinds of dogs who do benefit from the extra insulation of a sweater or coat, as well as the protection needed by life as a pampered house pooch.

Small Dogs.

Dogs who are elderly or ill or both.

Dogs with very short, fine hair and not much body mass. (Like greyhounds, whippets, dachshunds and even some fine-coated terriers like Jack Russells.)

What these dogs all have in common is that they have a tougher time generating and maintaining enough body heat all on their own because they have so little fur and, as a result, they can certainly benefit from a little extra help keeping warm and dry.

Protection from the rain, snow, wind and cold temperatures are all reasons to put clothes on dogs headed outside, and it doesn’t hurt to leave a sweater on them inside as well if you like to keep the heat on the low side.

At our house my Bichons have always had cold/wet weather gear. Jackets to help keep them a little cleaner and dryer through our Vancouver rain as well as sweaters and puffy vests for the cold weather that can also nip at their toes during our winters. My dogs have always loved the snow but need protection that a sweater or coat offers from snow lumps getting clumped in their fur rendering them immobile.

If you have a dog with arthritis, warm snuggly clothing is just one thing you can do to make winters more comfortable (besides wintering in Palm Springs). There are also some amazing pet-safe heated orthopedic dog beds that are a great idea to help combat arthritis, as are neutraceuticals like glucosamine and Omega-3 oils that have been clinically proven to ease joint pain. If you suspect arthritis we recommend you work with your vet as this is an extremely painful and progressive disease for your dog.

Even if your dog doesn’t need a coat, having one certainly won’t hurt him. I have always used rain coats and sweaters when walking my dogs, especially in wet weather, which saves me the trouble of cleaning a wet dog at the door before we come back inside. And a dry dog is one who happily climbs back onto the sofa once we are inside! Boots are also a big help for keeping paws cleaner but also as protection from snow, salt & de-icing chemicals that are toxic should your pet wish to lick them off. They work to protect feet in all types of weather -- from cold to hot when the high temperatures could burn your dog’s paw pads.

Bottom line? Clothes don’t make the dog, but they do make them a whole lot cuter! There’s nothing wrong with having fun and dressing your dog. Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than canine couture... a smart ensemble means a chic pooch walking down the street? Ooh la la!

Puppy Mills Bite!

Want to support a great cause and give the dog lover in your life the perfect gift? Local canine lover and fashionista, Mary-Jo Dionne, is a Vancouver-based writer and T-shirt designer with a very big heart. Mary-Jo’s company, The Fleas Knees, designs and produces stylish T-shirts with witty messages worn by dog lovers all over North America.

Mary-Jo’s “Puppy Mills Bite” shirt was designed to help raise much needed funds in the fight against the mistreatment of man’s best friend by puppy mills. This is where Mary-Jo’s big heart comes into play: she donates $5 from every T-shirt sold to the non-profit rescue group, Best Friends Animal Society, and their “Puppies Aren’t Products” campaign. Twilight’s Rachel Lefevre is the campaign spokeswoman and a big supporter of the tees.

For people who don’t know what a puppy mill is: it’s a warehouse of dogs, row after row, and shelf after shelf, crammed with inventory. “That inventory is puppies,” says Dionne. “It simply has to stop.” These poor dogs are forced to produce litter after litter of puppies with no proper care or medical services, no affection, no interaction, no exercise... when they are deemed too old or sickly to continue producing, they are euthanized.

At Love on a Leash we beg you NOT to buy a puppy from a retail store-front or backyard breeder. These are the most common places for puppy mill breeders to sell their product to the unsuspecting public. Ensure you buy your dog from a reputable breeder with proper references, and is willing to show you their entire facility.

Better yet, adopt a dog who desperately needs a home. Petfinders.com lists thousands of dogs all over North America who desperately need homes. Help spread the word and purchase a “Puppy Mills Bite” T-shirt. Never thought a tee could help save a life? These ones can. Mary-Jo says it’s her way of sticking her tongue out at an industry that’s just got to go.

Available in fitted Bitch-Pink and loose-cut Stud-Grey. Animal-loving media mavens who own this tee include: Oprah, Charlize Theron, Katherine Heigl, Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, Drew Barrymore, Miley Cyrus, Fergie, Tori Spelling, Alicia Silverstone, Glen Close, Kathy Griffin, Mickey Rourke, and others. The cost is $42 and they are available at the following merchants: Three Dog Bakery in Point Grey and Port Moody, The Dog and Hydrant in Yaletown, Woof! In Kitsilano or online at www.FleasPlease.com.

Our Community: Hand Crocheted Doggy Sweaters!

Marianne Greaves has years of experience with design and along with the passion to start her own business, she has been creating incredibly adorable hand-dyed and hand made crocheted, doggy sweaters.

Marianne’s wonderful chihuahua/miniature pinscher cross has been her “fit model” for these special sweaters as her little dog needed something that didn’t go over her head, but rather buttoned in front. Marianne designed her sweaters with buttons around the neck and body to make it easier to put them on and take them off.

The sweaters are made with natural fibers including cotton and bamboo. Many are hand dyed and then crocheted into a one-of-a-kind creation. Prices start at $25 for small sizes with extra charges for special orders and larger sizes.

You can visit Marianne at her website.

Hats for Dogs. Hats for People.

Bad Dog Hats is a pet accessories company in Seattle, Washington, that has a huge secret under its Tiny Top Hats: they are created specially for dogs! Tiny Top Hats are one of the hottest new fashion accessories: and not just for dogs, but for people, too.

I came across the Bad Dog Hats website while preparing for a Love on a Leash special event and I instantly ordered a gorgeous little number for my own dog, Casey (shown at left).

Casey, my Bichon Frise, looked particularly chic when she sported her Bad Dog Hat. Casey’s hat was a size medium, red crushed velvet top hat decorated with a simple, elegant black bow. As you can see from the photo, it was truly unique and adorable!

You can choose from a wide variety of hat colors and add-ons, such as bows, flowers, veils or Ace of Spades tucked in the brim. Owner Rischa says her hats are made in sizes that fit all dogs well, from teeny tiny to extra large berets or top hats in small, medium and large and I know from experience that when your dog wears one of these magnificent hats people smile!