Sweaters...do any dogs really NEED them?

[Smiley14]

Originally Posted by pitgrrl

Basil and Streets have Chilly Dog Sweaters too! You have excellent taste Smiley

LOL, I love it!

[StaffyLady]

Awwh, cute pictures Pitgrrl...I have a friend that makes fleece doggie coats..and is beginning to sell them locally. They are awesome and easy to put on and take off.
My dogs love them and will look to us before going out as if to say...ah like where's my nice warm coat.
Yes, short coated dogs definitely feel the cold and would very much appreciate being "dressed" before taken outside in the winter temps. I'll try to get a picture out here of my pit Lady in her Leopard print coat...she's an absolute star! and a warm one too!

[StaffyLady]

Sorry, I can't seem to figure out how to get pictures out here. But those are certainly gorgeous dogs Pitgrrl!

[Crestedcrazy]

I say Yes yesy yes to dog clothing whether for a short-haired breed or long and well of course especially for my naked kids they are an essential item
I own an online dog boutique and find many customers buy warm clothing for all breeds and it's not just fashion but for warmth and to keep dry so they can stay outdoors longer and in comfort!

[chico2]

We buy sweaters for Bailey(Cocker)at Wal-Mart in Myrtle Beach when we go there in October,really cheap and a good variety.
I would love to get her a coat,but since she is not mine,sweaters will have to do.
She really needs a sweater,since she usually gets another shave in the fall

[babymomma]

Originally Posted by chico2

We buy sweaters for Bailey(Cocker)at Wal-Mart in Myrtle Beach when we go there in October,really cheap and a good variety.
I would love to get her a coat,but since she is not mine,sweaters will have to do.
She really needs a sweater,since she usually gets another shave in the fall

Chico, you can get winter parka' s in wal-mart for 14 dollars, from sizes XS-XL And they are either AKC registered OR CKC registered (cannot remebr whcich it is ..They are green with a hood with faux fur around it.. Keely has one and she loves it.. They also have a saude-ish (sp wrong) Type coat with a fleecy lining. They are amazing and would be great for a cocker!

[Gypsyhick]

Originally Posted by aslan

lol, well your DW is gonna lose this one, Heidi's coat is too short to keep her body warm outside in the FREEZING cold for any period of time.

lol - I lost this argument last year as will your DW. I was quite solidly anti-dog clothes!

BUT... it was autumn and already Voodoo would be shivering just sitting on the front step while on our way out for a walk. On colder days, she really needs some help because she's short-haired.

Our compromise was something utilitarian styled - I picked up the most non-froofroo jacket I could find (the trail vest from Canine Equipment http://www.rcpets.com/canine_equipment.php). It's a bit big because she was still growing when we bought it, didn't want it to be too small. Now I'm going to go check out the links from this thread because sometimes her vest is still in the wash, would be nice to have at least one spare. Yep, the jackets are expensive but well worth it! It'll last for years and she can still run run run her little whippet x heart out and not freeze.

Heidi will look dashing in her new winter duds. I can't wait to see photos!

[chico2]

Babymomma,thank's I'll have to look in to it,the sweaters always get wet when it's snowing.
I have a pic of her in one of her sweaters here somewhere..this one was not warm enough,so I bought her a couple of thicker ones,the year after.

[ancientgirl]

Bailey looks quite lovely in her turtleneck.

[Scary]

Perhaps I can tag on and add a related question?

My parents have a Bichon Friese puppy (10 months, totally adorable!) As she really only runs around the backyard several times/day for 10 min or so... They have coats for her, but I wonder if she needs them? She LOVED the snow last year, digging and playing and never seemed bothered...
Just curious if anyone knows about this for this breed. Weirdly her fur is really thin (almost naked belly) underneath, and yet that's where there are only straps on the coat... would a sweater be better? Besides, after she plays for 5 min her fur is matted with snowballs!
Advice oh snowy pup experts? (Grin)

[chico2]

Scary,I can only tell you from a man up the street who has 2 Bichons,he always puts sweaters on his dogs in the winter and they look really sweet.
He says they get cold..

[lotus]

I have a Bichon ,he also loves to roll around in the snow a coat does help keep the snowballs off.

[Scary]

Thanks Chico and Lotus!
This may be a dumb q... but how do the sweaters go on - like ours or are there velcro fasterns somewhere I'm not seeing?? I dont' know if puppy would sit still / go for an over-the-head-and arms dressing... hard enough to get the two clips done up on her coats.

I know my cat would NEVER stand for it!

[lotus]

Peanuts goes on just like our sweaters do, some of the coats have velcro. I find sweaters easy to put on.

[chico2]

I put a sweater on a Cocker,no problem,over the head and then stick the paws through.
On a cat,no I would not even try it on my cats,but we don't take them outside long in the winter.