Dog clothes: fashion or necessity?
It has become commonplace to see not only well-dressed people on the streets, but also their pets decorated. What is it? Fashion or necessity? Some say it is a fad, because it is not the clothes that determine a dog’s beauty, while others say it is a way of spicing up everyday life. Just as people dress up, pets need clothes to stand out from the rest.
Small puppies are like small children
Not because they are carried around and protected like babies, but because their skin is so thin and sensitive. Clothing is essential for small puppies of certain breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Dwarf Pinschers and others. These dogs are bred to be housebroken, so they have thinner coats and skin, which means they get more cold. Large dogs have thick coats and are used to being outdoors, especially hunting or guarding dogs. Dogs kept in aviaries have a hair structure that changes over time, resulting ina denser undergrowth, so they adapt to living outdoors.
What to consider when choosing your outfit?
When choosing clothing for dogs, it is advisable to consider the fabric. Both natural fibre and synthetic fabrics are available, but synthetic fibre is better at retaining heat, keeping out air and moisture. The choice is also determined by the specifics of the dog’s coat and skin. For example, Yorkshire Terriers, like skiers, wear underwear made of silk only, to prevent tangling and electrocution of the hair.
In addition to warm clothing, foot protection is essential when going for walks. Special ointments are available to protect the feet from inflammation and salts, to soften the feet and to prevent them from cracking.
A nice coat obliges the owner to fit the four-legged animal with nice shoes, but it is advisable to wear them only for injured animals, e.g. when there is a stitch after surgery or an open wound. Leather ‘dog shoes’ are best.
What do buyers prefer?
In recent years, there has been an increase in popularity in Lithuania animal grooming salons. With the shortening fur coat of pets, owners are left wondering how to walk when it’s cold outside. Especially as the latest fashion trends have made it popular to own a small Yorkshire, Bichon or Pekingese. Small dogs have many advantages. They are adorable, usually long-lived and easy to travel with, but they are not very adapted to our climate and need clothes.
The most popular items for dogs are overalls, jackets and jumpers. There are also occasional suits for animal gatherings where the owners want to stand out. When buying dog footwear, owners consider not only beauty but also practicality.
Animal clothing is an inexhaustible gold mine
The fashion world, seeing that the wealthy take great care of their pets, has not hesitated to exploit a new market niche. The famous fashion houses are now not only adorning ladies and gentlemen, but also their dogs: journalists are constantly photographing stylish four-leggeds in miniature Gucci cashmere sweaters or “Burberry coats worth several hundred dollars.
The staggering demand for animal clothing has encouraged fashion designers to organise animal fashion weeks. Animal fashion was first introduced in New York in August 2004, but the wave was soon followed by South Africa, Brazil, Japan and Russia. The prices of high-fashion pieces for four-legged animals are extremely high, but the owners don’t care. The most important thing is that their pet is happy.