Clothing And Costumes For Small Dogs

They make less mess, require less food and exercise, and are more suited to indoor life than their larger counterparts. 

In recent years, small dog costumes and small dog clothing have become more commonplace among small dog supplies.  The idea of fashion for small dogs has caught on to the point where there are many retailers, both brick and mortar as well as online, whose sole business is small dog clothing and costumes.  The idea of dressing small dogs in clothing is not new, however.  Some believe that the practice originated in the 6th century in Great Britain, where police and military dogs were clothed to help protect them from the elements.  This is still the primary reason to dress small dogs in clothing, though fashion now dictates the style more than practicality.  Clothes or costumes can help protect small dogs from inclement weather, as the popularity of dog hats attests to, or from cuts and scrapes that they might otherwise get in normal, day to day routines.

These now run the gamut of clothing styles one might find for a person, from beach wear to sweat suits.  Shoes and hats have even become popular to help the dogs accessorize.  Even high style rhinestone encrusted dresses or doggy lingerie can now be acquired when finding small dog costumes online.  Accessories are available, with the most basic being a collar.  Typically used to identify the dog and its owner, they now can be found studded with gems and made of any number of fashion industry materials.  Leashes have been given the modern doggy fashion treatment as well, with the standard leash now being available in a rainbow of colors and a myriad of styles and materials. 

What To Look For?

There are several considerations when finding small dog clothing online.  The first and most important is comfort.  You don’t want your small pet to be uncomfortable in any of the clothes or costumes you may dress it in.  Make sure that any costumes you dress your small dog in fit securely, but not tightly, and that all the openings for legs, head, and tail are large enough to allow full freedom of movement for the dog. 

The material the clothing or costume is made of is also important.  Some materials will not breathe as well as others.  Overheating of the dog when wearing a costume or clothing is an even greater concern with small dogs as they are quick to dehydrate and serious medical issues could occur.  Another safety related issue is the accessories.  Many of the small dog costumes you will find online have embellishments such as sequins, gemstones, or ribbons and ties.  When finding small dog costumes or small dog clothing online, care should be given to the size and method of attachment for these items, as they pose an eating and choking hazard if they are not securely affixed to the costume. 

Intended Use

The intended use for the items is also important when finding small dog clothing online.  There are many pieces that are fully functional.  Rain hats, suits, and boots all are truly effective for keeping a small dog dry and comfortable in the rain.  Insulated outfits including snow boots, parkas, and hoods or thermal hats can keep them warm in the cold weather.  This is important for small dogs as they lose body heat much more rapidly than a larger dog would.  Additionally, many small dog breeds are from warmer climates, so they are not as comfortable in the cold as some species.  Collars and leashes are both long time safety accessories for dogs to wear.  However, clothes for small dogs need not be functional.  Many people intend their dog clothes to be a fashion statement, both for the dog itself and reflective of the owner.  Doggy designer clothes abound in all imaginable varieties to suit this style.  Some people just want to make their dogs look cuter.  Many find that some form of doggie clothing is cute on their dog and dress them according to their tastes in this manner. 

Where To Find Small Dog Clothing Online?

As with most things, one of the first places people look is the Internet.  It is easy to find small dog costumes and small dog clothing online.  Some good places to start your research into finding small dog clothes online are below.

www.baxterboo.com - This site has over 20 sections of dog clothes.  Some are designed for functionality and some strictly for style.  They have categories ranging from doggy pajamas to doggy dresses.  They have a huge variety of shirts with cute sayings and many logo items as well.

www.kooldawgtees.com – This site features a large variety of functional doggy clothes, such as insulated coats and rain suits.  It also has more esoteric dog accessories such as doggy backpacks and doggy sunglasses. 

www.michipet.com – This is a website that specializes in the high fashion end of dog clothing.  They have many different non-standard categories of dog clothing.  Some notable items include doggy lingerie, doggy formal wear, and doggy day clothes.  For one who dresses their dog for style, this site should not be missed. 

www.glamourdog.com - This website specializes in dog costumes.  They have many styles available for any dog costume need.  They have a variety of animal costumes to make your small dog look like everything from a shark to a monkey.

Clothing and costumes for small dogs have been around for some time.  With the revitalization of the industry in the last few decades, finding small dog clothing and small dog costumes online is easily done.  There are an amazingly wide variety of dog clothes available.  With some offering the safety and weather resistance that they were intended for in the past, and others offering nothing but high fashion, there is something for everyone who is interested in dressing their small dog.