So i know i have been away for awhile....been a bit busy but was hopeing you guys could help. Should dogs wear clothes jackets hoodies etc...not that mine dose is just a question as isee lots of them about..I know it is usefull for working dogs (guide dogs , sniffer dogs, hearing dogs) but what about all the rest anyone got any ideas??

Boxers have very short coats and thin pliable skin so can feel the cold especially as they get older. I don't necessarily think they need a coat but some sure do appreciate them

For certain breeds and ages - yes, they need them (cold, rain etc.) But PLEASE not for the sake of dressing them up!

I put my 2 pugs in coats as they shiver so badly in the cold.  The hoodies etc. don't actually keep them warm and the puffa jackets are kinda human styled and cover up my little man when he needs to pee.  I found a great patten book and knit them proper dog fitting wool jumpers. No more shivering :)

Both my SBT's and SBT cross wear jackets (similar to horse rugs) in the winter when it gets below 10 degrees.  If they don't, they end up with colds!

Sarah.

If it's to keep a dog, that needs it, warm then great. If it's to play dress-up with their dog I'd prefer they give the dog to a good home and play with dolls instead. Things like the wedding dresses at Harrods are appalling to me.

I'd echo Lori's sentiments on that one, some dogs (short coated, thin skinned) may NEED a coat esp. in the colder weather, and coats are useful to identify working dogs such as guide dogs or PAT dogs, but dressing up in cutie outfits should be left to those with dolls!

Claire

I've been debating whether to get a jacket for Freddie. Think he feels the cold a little bit but his coat gets so matted and knotty when it gets wet i thought a coat may prevent that. I know my friends greyhounds must have their coats on when its cold. Its an absolute must.
Im just wondering...why is everyone so against getting a dog a fancy jacket/coat. I dont actually like it that much myself but at least it shows the owner cares about the dog and spends money on it. I would assume that someone who spends money on thier dog like that is probably quite a good owner who cares about their dog. Id rahter see someone dress thier dog up and treat it well (albeit looking a bit stupid) than some of the idiots you see who dont give a toss about thier dog, i.e. chavs with sbt's or rotties who use them as some sort of fashion accessory.

>sbt's or rotties who use them as some sort of fashion accessory

Dogs dressed up as little people are just as much, if not more, of a fashion accessory, surely?

They only get away with it because the dogs are so well-mannered they let them. I can't see a cat tolerating being dressed up like a Barbie - the daft owner would be dripping with blood!

>it shows the owner cares about the dog and spends money on it.

Well, it certainly shows the owners spends money on it - the jury's out as to whether spending money equals caring! ;)

What i meant is that to go out and buy a jacket/coat takes time and effort, where as buying a dog (especially from back street breeders) takes no time at all with no thought and after a few weeks the novelty stops there. Then we have another dog thats left in a rescue centre (or worse) and possibly with aggression issues
Most people that dress their dogs up are treating their dogs like children they never have. To shower them with presents and love and attention, in my eyes, is better than not caring for your pet. Think about anyone you know that dresses their dog up - bet you couldn't meet a more loved pet.
I'm not actually saying i like it, but in the scheme of things its not taht awful is it  :-)

I used to dress my cats up in flowery dresses :-) up until about three years ago  - they've always had very laid back characters althought the bigger one would fight a fox  if it was on his territory and they both have caught voles and rats so they're not 'wimps'.  But I also trained my cats to ' beg', 'give paw' 'slap high five' 'lick your paw' and one of them to play extremely basic piano - I was desperate for a dog! ( All tricks exchanged for a high amount of chicken or cheese!!!) Holly still does his tricks if I have something he wants. Sorry gone Off Topic!!!

reply to JG
I can't see a cat tolerating being dressed up like a Barbie - the daft owner would be dripping with blood!

Had a giggle when I read this, years ago our Moggie had kittens and one was the runt so we kept him, being PC he was 'special needs /educationally challenged!!!

Can you picture an un-neutered 3 yr old tom cat lying on his back in a dolls pram all tucked in with a frilly cover - head on the pillow and purring his head off :-) :-)
Chris

>at least it shows the owner cares about the dog and spends money on it.

I would disagree. Most of these fashionable clothes are not comfortable and pleasant for a dog to wear. It's not for their dog's benefit. If they spent time and money it was for their own pleasure not their dog's. OK, if it's practical, comfortable and keeps a dog warm, that needs to be warm (the rough collie wearing a coat in 5 degree weather didn't need it) then I don't care if it's pink or has some stupid label on it. As long as the dog is happy and comfortable that's what matters. No one can argue that their dog is happy wearing a little leather jacket or a dress.

My dog does need a waterproof coat when it is wet as the rain soaks her to the skin and makes her shiver. However I do hate 'fashion accessory' type coats, partly because they are usually poorly made and ill fitting, but also because she is a dog not a toy!!! As for the pink 'doggy boots' I have seen in the pet shop, I can't believe a dog could be comfortable with them on and I prefer to treat my dog with a little respect.

i hate fashion clothes for dogs.
my two have basic  'barber' style waxed coats for
walking in the rain and to protect them from the wind,
we live on the coast and gets blustery at times
OH refuses to put them on when it is his turn to walk them.
and says the dogs they dont need them,
they come home smelly and wet with or without them :rolleyeyes:
the only difference is wipe the dogs or wipe the coats
my girls dont seem to be bothered either way

Donna

my boys have wax jackets for lead walks in the rain, fleece ones for nights in the tent when its cold, padded ones for hanging around ringside in the winter and reflective ones for the summer.  Alf also has a all in one trouser suit with matching snood for wet show days.

I can never find trendy hoodies or posh collars in my dogs sizes ;)

I extremely rarely put a coat on my dogs and the only time I do is in the winter when they've been for a swim as it soaks up the water.  Also my dogs are clipped right down to the skin during the winter and I've never seen any of them shivering not even my old girl who is 14. I do feel that our interpretation of our dogs shivering is heightened by maybe us feeling cold so thinking that they must be.  Makes me laugh to see breeds with coats on which are from countries where bad weather is well known and their coats are there to protect them from said weather.

Hiya Polo,
Fair play to you training a cat, rahter you than me!! OUr cat is semi feral and absolutely vicious at times.
I agree that "fashionable coats" on dogs look ridiculous, but people that do put them on their dogs, what harm are they doing really? Other than making the dog look a bit silly (and themselves) doesn't mean their heart isn't in the right place.
I didn't want to start an argument :-) honest, but was just saying "whats the harm in it really?"

For me this is simple - a coat to protec a dog from the elements or aid it with it's job yes thats fine. A Fashion accessory item like a hoody or bling bling jacket. NO!!!! It just makes me think 'poor dog'.

I think the harm it can do is stop people treating their dog as a dog. Ok i know it doesnt happen in every situation but i think the more dogs are dressed up and spolit the more they are treated like a child and not trained etc Maybe i've watched too many dog behaviour programmes where all the dressed up dogs are yappy horrible disobedient dogs!!

I saw a cocker spaniel with a coat on yesterday and thought it was OTT, but maybe the dog is old and artheritic.
I used a coat on my grey hound (who was ill for the 18 months I had her) as she would shiver when cold.
And I used one wioth Gemma(Rottie cross) for the last few years of her life as if she got cold her artheritis would be really bad.
But wouldnt dream of putting a coat on my 6yo am cocker or my 3yo Rottie!!!
I dont believe in coats unless there is a reason.
I think most people use human thoughts on cold for dogs. Ie, it is so cold out there I am sure my dog will be cold.
Lea :)

I too don't believe in coats unless for a valid reason such as protection from the elements in old/arthritic/recovering dogs or as working aid as someone has mentioned.

My 2 have coats but only used in harsh, extreme cold weather, they are old and arthritic now and one has HD. 

Wouldn't dream of dressing dogs in clothes as a fashion accessory, yeechhh......ruin street cred.....dogs that is... :-D

I agree Spender :-)

I will never forget a breeder of working cockers told me off for not haing a coat on my then 9 month old Lab Unbelievable ! Poor little mite was so hard done by !

Golly io did not realise there was so much debate out there over dog coats..My springer has hip probs and yes i do have him in a jacket and he also has a thermatex for after a bath or if he has got wet. I would not want his hips to hurt but i DO think ALL dog clothes cheap or expensive should be checked for fit and not left on a dog for a long period of time if no one is around...You never know what could happen.
thank you ALL for your help in this matter and please keep discussing it i read with interest what you are writing

many thanks

Freds Mum, we had  a semi-feral a good few years ago now and she was very timid and scratchy.
On the subject of fashion coats I'm not keen as it makes dogs seem a fashion accessory, and some of my non-doggy friends unfortunately see small, cute dogs like that

The clothes for fashion or amusement I object to, as someone has already said people are treating the dogs as child substitutes and so much anthropomorphism is not in the dogs interests as people put human values and thought processes onto their dog.

You then get people thinking a dog knows it's done wrong when you tell it off etc., also people expect their dogs to react like a human being with reasoning, with sometimes tragic results.

I must be a lone voice from the other viewpoint!  My bunch have a collection of "sensible" waterproofs, fleecies and jumpers (small pugs get chilly, Yankees get wet and drippy!) but Puglet has a whole wardrobe of outfits - she attends the dog club party each Christmas where they have a fancy dress competition, and adores the whole thing.    Whenever I get out sewing things she whirls around, desperate to try things on - regardless if I am sewing curtains or anything else!  She has  outfits ranging from an Angel to a Mermaid to "Pugohontas", plus party dresses too.  Her extensive wardrobe comes in very useful for lending to other dogs for Fancy Dress at Companion shows etc - at one show a couple of years ago more than half the class were wearing her outfits!  Of course, apart from Coats, she only wears them for a short while for her "special occasions" but they do make one small, wobbly pug very happy - she adores the attention they bring her, being a show off by nature.  And I am almost afraid to have to admit it, but I make and sell dog clothes too!  (Admin may remove this bit, but I really am not advertising  and reading the rest of the thread this would certainly not be the place to pick for effective advertising!!!  Howeve,r to reassure, I sell my stuff to traders, not direct to public)  It started off with the "sensible" things I make for Rescue - snoods, was asked to do doggy bandanas for a pet charity, and it just snowballed from  there. 
bye
Gwen

When we had toy poodles they always had a coat for winter.  My Bichon has a black waterproof raincoat that helps to keep him dry and clean in wet weather. 

My Yorkie X Jack Russell really feels the cold and I've knitted several jumpers for her (one of them the same as my son's football team kit!)and she has an asortment of wax & waterproof jackets. My Bichon doesn't feel the cold any where near as much as her so only wears his jumper when very cold, but I'll always put his waterproof on as the wet knots his coat up terribly. Gwen's post sounds fun, my parents had two Pugs and went to the Pug party's and they had a fantastic time with the fancy dress and the pugs really did enjoy it, but anyone who knows this funny little breed would understand and i'm sure there's owners/breeders of breeds completely opposite to pugs cringing!

I think if the dog is happy to wear it, and is well looked after and cared for, then what harm does it do. Clearly some dogs love the attention it brings!! :-) live and let live.
One could argue that no dog should wear a coat-for fashion or practical reasons. Dogs are designed to withstand those conditions.

That's all very well if you own a breed that has an undercoat!!  SBTs, Greyhounds, Whippets etc. need extra protection in the winter.  My dog coats are made like horse rugs.  V. practical and sensible and as I've posted before, I've had a SBT get a cold because he was out in the winter without his coat on!!

P.S I also live way up in the North East of Scotland, so it's just a little chillier up here in the winter!!!

Sarah.

my 11 year old goldie wears a coat, she is a bit creaky, so if i walk them on a wet day i try to keep her as dry as possible!

I think everyone agrees that a coat that keeps and old or frail or even short coated dog warm is for the dogs benefit.  Painted toenails and frilly nickers, hats etc are about the humans needs.

I recently bought the puppia harnesses n blue but they had great reviews. I was very anti harnesses but once they are older and trained I think they are OK now.     I have been thinking of getting a coat type thing for my show dogs as I always walk them all in the woods regardless if shown or not but the weather has been so bad I would love to protect their furnishings a little more.