Dog Clothes: To Dress or Not to Dress

iv id="body">it, he's trying to tell you something. Listen to him.
Let's start out by saying that dogs do not "need"Now for those of you who still insist on dressing up
clothes. Most are born with their permanentyour dogs in clothes, don't worry, the pet industry
wardrobe intact. You know, it's that furry thing allwas listening. Dog clothes are a billion dollar a year
over their bodies. Depending on the breed, they maybusiness and you can dress your pampered pooch up
even leave their clothes all over your house...it's calledin the latest fashions from Paris all the way into the
shedding. But no matter what I say about dogWalmart special. There are costumes for Halloween.
clothes, there is still that group of dog owners outThere are tuxedos and prom dresses for the
there who will still insist on spending more on theirpooches who just have to look their best. There are
dog's wardrobe than their own. So if you insist onworkout clothes for the fitness gurus living in your
doing this, at least be fair to your friend.doghouse. And there are casual clothes for the
If you are the proud owner of a championshipfashion impaired who prefer comfort over style.
Rottweiler or a well-trained German Shepard, don'tThere are also a wide variety of shoes you can
dress them up in little dresses and bright pink tutus.purchase for your new best friend. But if you want
That's more embarrassing for you than it is for themhim to remain your best friend for very long, I
(and it is embarrassing for them...just look at theirwouldn't make him wear them that often. Have you
faces). And if you own those little purse dogs, youever seen a dog walking with shoes on? They look
know the ones I mean, don't dress them up in spikedlike they are walking across hot pavement. There's a
collars and full blown leather. That's a powerful imagereason for this...THEY DON'T LIKE THEM!
to live up to. But that advice won't be listened toSo as you can see, I personally am not a big fan of
either. So if you are going to dress Fido or Princessclothes for dogs. But I am obviously wrong. Pet
up in the latest fashions, be sensible.clothes manufacturers have built entire empires on
First and foremost, make sure the clothes fit. Makethe product and dog clothes are one of the few
sure there's plenty of room across the shoulders.items pet stores have a hard time keeping in stock.
Make sure the straps that go under the front legsAnd there are plenty of choices out there for the
leave plenty of room so the dog has full range offashonista pooch. But pay attention to the styles.
motion. If the clothes don't fit, you're just going toAfter all, there's nothing more embarrassing for your
make your dog more irritated than he already is. Also,lovable mutt than being seen in last year's fashion line.
listen to your dog. If you just have to put that "cuteExcept maybe of course being seen in clothes at all.
sweater" on Fido and he is constantly fighting you on