Linc is half dalmatian, and he's certainly got dally fur.  He also has a case of chronic clothing-itchyitis which I think is down to that fur - I remember someone (JG?) talking about having trouble with coats riding up because of it.

Whatever I put on him makes him itch at the base of his neck/top of his shoulder blade on the right.  Now as it's always that same location, only on that side I do have suspicions about some sort of anatomical involvement (pinched nerve or something, maybe a throwback from abuse from his first home) but I'm going down the dogwear route first.

I prefer my dogs to wear harnesses, but any of the normal nylon webbing sets him off as do fleece padded types.  I've tried him on a smooth webbing collar and same result; and wearing his big weatherproof coat does the same thing.  He just ends up scratching at it almost constantly and shaking a lot.  As in wet-dog-type shaking, which is causing ohsomuch fun at the moment as one of the girls bit his ear a couple of weeks back so he's now sporting a vetwrapped head, because he keeps whacking the wound open trying to shake his coat off!

I just wondered (hoped) if anyone had any suggestions for a good material to get a harness made out of or lined with that might help with this problem?  If only for my own sanity as the constant stopping on walks to scratch is driving me bonkers!

I suppose a natural fabric would be best. I was going to suggest chiropodist fleece ( super drug) it is very soft but has a "nap" on it so slightly fluffy. Shame as it is self adhesive.

You can buy muslin cloths for babies which are thick and very soft but I think they may fray excessively.

Otherwise how about Egyptian cotton? If you go for a high thread count they are beautifully soft. I have some bedding from sainsburys which is 400 thread count really soft and breathable too. A pillowslip would give you enough to line and pad a harness.

If you don't want to spend that much you could try a cotton tee shirt.

If you go for a V neck t-shirt then you put it on with the 'V' on the back (for the neck) and the back of 'T' to the chest.

How about hemp?

Leather?

Hi guys

Newbie here :). I was searching for a similar topic to the question I have to post here and this one seemed most appropriate ( I know that opening new threads on a relatively common topic is not a good way to be welcomed in a new community).

What I am interested in, is do any of you use dog coats??

Reason I am asking is it can become very cold here (am living in Hamburg curenntly), it not unusual for January to be around -15!! Do Dalmatians require a winter dog coat? I was thinking about a fleececoat with water proof layer, would be a good combo with a nice scarf I just got him (http://very-important-dog.com/ - row 2, pic 2)

Looking forward for your answers!