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Original poster

Why are dogs wearing clothes all of a sudden ??!

173 replies

Isntfurenough · 22/12/2023 22:37

For years and years (I’m old!) I’ve only ever seen the occasional greyhound type or yorkie wearing a simple coat if the weather was really cold …….

Since October this year suddenly about 90% of the dogs I’m seeing daily (I jog twice a week in park and go for long walks) are wearing coats or jumpers or what look like wetsuits with legs ??!! These are fluffy / furry breeds too (poodle mixes , collie / lab types) all sorts and this has been when the temperature has been mild ?? Nowhere near freezing !! Is this a new thing? Won’t they overheat ??!!

OP posts:
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ToBeOrNotToBee · 22/12/2023 22:39

Since people decided dogs were replacement children.

In all seriousness, its utterly ridiculous, often dangerous and looks stupid.

Original poster
Isntfurenough · 22/12/2023 22:42

ToBeOrNotToBee · 22/12/2023 22:39

Since people decided dogs were replacement children.

In all seriousness, its utterly ridiculous, often dangerous and looks stupid.

Surely they’ll overheat ??!! I’ve been astounded lately at the sheer number it’s rare I see a dog with no coat / jumper on now. I live in London so maybe it’s a regional thing ? I was interested to see if it’s happening elsewhere

OP posts:
thistimelastweek · 22/12/2023 22:42

Sometimes it's to keep them clean.

Sounds daft but try living with a muck sponge.

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Dogs
Original poster
Isntfurenough · 22/12/2023 22:44

thistimelastweek · 22/12/2023 22:42

Sometimes it's to keep them clean.

Sounds daft but try living with a muck sponge.

Yes perhaps it’s that ?

OP posts:
NoisyDachshunddd · 22/12/2023 22:44

You’re seeing equafleeces. They are to keep the hideous mud off dogs and minimize the need for washing down. Loads of dogs don’t like hosing or baths, and it just creates work hence euqafleeces.

Strongbeatsskinny · 22/12/2023 22:44

Mine wears an equa fleece all in one keeps him cleaner in damp weather he can go on muddy walks and not need bathing on return. He’s nice and dry I’d rather wash a dirty coat that drys quickly than wash a long haired dog with all manor of muck and leaves stuck to him .

ToBeOrNotToBee · 22/12/2023 22:45

They will overheat yes. Especially the bracy dogs and overweight dogs, and these are the ones with owners most likely to dress them up ime.
I have 2 dogs with thin coats and they are so active on walks that they only wear a coat if it's cold enough that I need my thick gloves.
Mud can be a problem this time of year, but this can be helped with a quick wash down or in my dogs case, a damp flannel.

Original poster
Isntfurenough · 22/12/2023 22:45

Oh yes that makes sense then re the cleanliness. Most are wearing those I assume although a lot in knitted jumpers too which look cute but I’ve just seen so many dressed up dogs lately I thought something must be going on !!!!

OP posts:
YorkieTheRabbit · 22/12/2023 22:46

Coats, especially ones that cover the chest and tummy make a huge difference in keeping them clean and dry.

Kendodd · 22/12/2023 22:46

yanbu op.
although i do confess, my black dog does wear a high-vis jacket at night.

dontgobaconmyheart · 22/12/2023 22:47

Our dog hates wearing anything like that so he never does. I just accept I have to dry him off when we walk him in winter and make sure he's clean. An absolute pain yes but it's not like it wasn't something I knew would happen when I got a dog so it's just tough isn't it. We've got a cavapoo and he's incredibly hairy. He spends most of winter trying to cool himself down (we give him cold mats and he has permanent outside access) if we dare to put the heating on, there is clearly absolutely no need to cover him up.

I saw someone on instagram forcing their whining dog (grabbing its legs at all angles and shoving them in) to a christmas jumper earlier and immediately unfollowed - it's just unnecessary and pathetic really. To do it when they don't like it is cruel. People truly need to have a word with themselves and get a grip.

mrsfollowill · 22/12/2023 22:48

It's quite mad isn't it. I have a friend who is a dogwalker and she posts videos of her 'clients' on her business page all the time. They are adorable but at this time of year even the husky looking retrievers are wearing their waterproof coats or jumpers!
I can understand the toy breeds and whippets etc but they are all in 'Christmas jumpers' at the moment! and she calls their owners their mum and dad- as in Rover's mum gave me a bottle of wine for Christmas this morning! 😂

Kimchieggs · 22/12/2023 22:50

My labs have over the years worn in winter coats and sometimes the onesie type things, they get filthy, muddy and soaking wet on walks, so anything that helps a bit in that regard is a win.

pingusslappyfeet · 22/12/2023 22:51

Is it cos they’ve evolved to a point where they now feel shame?

Original poster
Isntfurenough · 22/12/2023 22:53

pingusslappyfeet · 22/12/2023 22:51

Is it cos they’ve evolved to a point where they now feel shame?

😂

OP posts:
frankie001 · 22/12/2023 23:04

One of dogs needs a coat, as he feels the cold, shivers and looks sorry for himself. My girl is an utter fluff ball, so she doesn’t. I can’t even put one on to keep her clean as she is brachypheliac so don’t want to risk
it. And she’s short to the ground so picks up loads of mud!

CeriB82 · 22/12/2023 23:13

those dressing their dogs are the ones calling them furbabies🙄

SnobblyBobbly · 22/12/2023 23:16

Mine wear coats sometimes when it rains to keep them dry and their tummies get less muddy (easier when we get home) and occasionally I'll pop a jumper on them to stop them rolling in fox poop. They like to get up close and personal with that shit and I've discovered that jumpers ruin their stinky fun! Thank god 😄

Ebokebok · 22/12/2023 23:17

I was in a country estate in Lancashire last week and I'd say 90% of dogs were wearing coats. It's just another victim of marketing and SM. Mine was wearing nothing, same as every other dog I've ever had and he will remain this way too.

Coyoacan · 22/12/2023 23:19

I saw a huskie with a sweater on last week in Mexico City

Whattheheckcarer · 22/12/2023 23:23

I don't use them. I think it's a money spinner for companies

Spottywombat · 22/12/2023 23:30

Whippets are single-coated, so if it's cold enough for us to wear a coat, they are coated.

Copperoliverbear · 22/12/2023 23:38

It's cold and keeps them clean and if you buy proper Equafleece they're waterproof and breathable.

ErrolTheDragon · 22/12/2023 23:43

It's a mix of reasons - genuine need for warmth in skinny or tiny breeds, practicality for mud magnets and 'cuteness' for others.

Our dachshund (short haired, single-coated) didn't need anything while on the move but I'd carry an equafleece in my pack if we were hillwalking in winter to pop on him if we stopped for a picnic. He wouldn't walk wearing it.

muddydoggy · 22/12/2023 23:44

Guilty. (Although I've been doing it for about 5 years since I got the dog)

My dog is a rescue from Romania so definitely not a 'posh' poo-mix but she can soak up mud like no one's business and the soggiest months of the year wears a coat so save me (& her) the stress of a full bath every off-lead walk.

I think you can see from the pics it's worth while doing!

She doesn't get over-heated, the fleece is very thin (the equafleeces are great but too thick for my dog) but it works a treat.

5 years ago she was a novelty and we used to get constant comments if she was in her coat - the rest of the world seems to have caught up now.

She's not my baby (have one of those too) her coat is worn for entirely for practical reasons.

Why are dogs wearing clothes all of a sudden ??!
Why are dogs wearing clothes all of a sudden ??!