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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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TeacherPlease · 23/12/2023 10:54

Goldmember · 22/12/2023 23:57

My mini dachshund wears a warm coat, she has short fur and low to the ground so shivers when it's cold and wet. She hates putting it on but walks better in the rain.
I don't agree with jumpers or fun clothing though.

This.

Also she wears a high vis when walking in the dark as she’s black and so almost invisible at night.

She also has “fun” clothing she’s worn for photos but never for more than a few minutes - she mostly has practical coats for rain/warmth/visibility.

Greedybilly · 23/12/2023 10:54

I recently asked why are dogs being pushed round in prams? Funny old world!x

mewkins · 23/12/2023 10:55

I have a small short haired dog. She hates coats with a passion. Absolutely refuses to move while wearing one. She will go out in any temperature without a coat and doesn't seem to feel the cold (she rolls in snow). People ask her where her coat is.

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Dogs
irisgg7 · 23/12/2023 10:57

@Toooldtoworry Those collars look really uncomfortable.

DRS1970 · 23/12/2023 10:58

I once went into my office and exclaimed that I had just seen an idiot, with a dog that was wearing a bandana and baseball cap. A colleague then retorted that his dog also wears a bandana... I replied that this fact still meant the owner was an idiot. And that is why people with autism (me) should not work unsupervised with others.

AriannasGuitarCase · 23/12/2023 10:59

Dogs used to be kept outdoors in kennels and so they were acclimated to the cold. Nowadays, they are mostly in houses with central heating and open fires, and sleeping in warm beds. They're going to feel the cold more now when outside, so I can see why some people would want to put a jumper/coat on them, especially for some breeds. And as previously said, it's easier to clean a coat than a dog! I don't mind as long as it's not frilly dresses and puffer jackets type of clothing

gotomomo · 23/12/2023 11:01

My ddog wears a high vis jacket at night, has done since he slipped his collar and lead one night to protect me from a mortal enemy, mr fox! Added bonus is he gets less wet if it's raining. It isn't warm just water resistant

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 23/12/2023 11:03

Greedybilly · 23/12/2023 10:54

I recently asked why are dogs being pushed round in prams? Funny old world!x

If they are old or recovering from an operation usually.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 23/12/2023 11:05

I have a rescue Lhasa - wearing a coat keeps her mostly clean. She shakes with fear when having a groom or bath. Why on earth would I inflict that on her every day after her walk.

Mud just sticks to her at this time of year especially if we have been in the woods.

Itsmeemily · 23/12/2023 11:22

Toooldtoworry · 23/12/2023 10:47

Oh god that reminds me of a house I viewed when looking to buy. The owner had two chihuahuas and they had a bright pink room with their own little beds and racks of clothing.

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There was a woman on this morning years ago who had two dogs with their own room, maybe it was her! She would spend more on her dogs than her children because the dogs loved her unconditionally and she’d always be able to have dogs but her children would leave her. She was on a tv show about people who really love their dogs/pets and another woman used to have her dog sit on the sofa with her and her kids would sit on the floor. I wonder if that’s on YouTube or something.

margotrose · 23/12/2023 11:25

Greedybilly · 23/12/2023 10:54

I recently asked why are dogs being pushed round in prams? Funny old world!x

It's not really that strange. Elderly dogs and very young puppies still want to be outside and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. They also like being with their owners even if they can't walk far anymore.

They could also be recovering from surgery in which case a walk in a pram is great mental stimulation when they're not allowed to walk for weeks on end.

Fizbosshoes · 23/12/2023 11:30

I'm more surprised you only seen it in the last few months. I've noticed lots of dog clothes for a few years. I saw someone on YouTube who's dogs had Xmas jumpers on indoors and I thought that might be warm. (I'm usually too warm with a Christmas jumper on tbh and I don't have my own fur!🤣) but I hadn't thought about the keeping them clean aspect.
I have cats and I can't imagine persuading them in to any sort of clothes. They lost any collar within hours

Feralgremlin · 23/12/2023 11:37

DRS1970 · 23/12/2023 10:58

I once went into my office and exclaimed that I had just seen an idiot, with a dog that was wearing a bandana and baseball cap. A colleague then retorted that his dog also wears a bandana... I replied that this fact still meant the owner was an idiot. And that is why people with autism (me) should not work unsupervised with others.

Ah but bandanas can be super useful! Lots of the brands who make plug in calming diffusers also do the same thing in a spray. If you have an anxious dog, you can put the spray onto the bandana, and the bandana onto the dog and voila! It’s like their own portable, wearable diffuser!

DRS1970 · 23/12/2023 11:45

The dog was still wearing a baseball cap. So I stand by my clumsy exclamation. Good effort though. 😁

MonsteraMama · 23/12/2023 11:49

My elderly greyhound wears a coat or jumper because he's a rickety old boy and really feels the cold. My other two dogs neither need nor want coats, both sighthounds too but one is a Russian breed and one Scottish so unlikely to feel the cold despite being weird skinny noodle creatures.

I saw a husky in a fleecy jumper and snood the other day and had to laugh. Owner was appalled that my Slavic breed didn't have a coat on. I had to explain that she's bred to get on well outdoors in much colder climates than ours. Some people just don't want to be reminded that their dogs are dogs.

MiddleagedBeachbum · 23/12/2023 12:13

We have no central heating so I’ve had to buy the Dobermann PJ’s to keep her warm in the house!! (Otherwise she cried from the cold!)

Looks ridiculously adorable - I def won’t be walking her in public like this!!

Why are dogs wearing clothes all of a sudden ??!
Why are dogs wearing clothes all of a sudden ??!
CoatOfArms · 23/12/2023 12:18

Because they are members of the family! You wouldn't take granny out naked, so why on earth would you take little Snugglepoo out naked? 🙄

It's because a huge proportion of people don't treat their animals as animals. There was a thing on the news this morning about people taking their fucking dogs to see Santa. Absolutely ridiculous. A friend used to have a rescue greyhound which was so lean that he needed a coat in the bad weather. The little doodle/poo dogs do not need clothes.

HelpMeGetThrough · 23/12/2023 12:29

thistimelastweek · 22/12/2023 22:42

Sometimes it's to keep them clean.

Sounds daft but try living with a muck sponge.

Quick jet wash at the petrol station on the way home will sort that.

educatingrati · 23/12/2023 12:35

My dog is very elderly, she has a waterproof coat which I use on walks when it's raining. I still towel her off but she's a double coated dog, and even towelling her down, wouldn't dry her thick coat completely.
Her waterproof coat means she's still relatively dry getting home. She won't go out in the rain without it.
My horse was rugged up, because thin coated horses or clipped horses need a rug, and for at least two centuries this has been the norm.
Dog coats are relatively new in comparison, but if it helps an elderly or thin coated dog, I don't think it's a bad thing.

wetotter · 23/12/2023 12:37

It's because every other dog is a doodle-poo and that kind of coat is hard to de-mud

Celebrationsnakes · 23/12/2023 12:49

It's because they are peoples 'furbaby' Xmas Envy. Dogs are being treated as humans more and more, its terrible. I have 2 proper dogs that are actual working dogs doing what they're meant to do. No coats to be seen here.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 23/12/2023 12:52

HelpMeGetThrough · 23/12/2023 12:29

Quick jet wash at the petrol station on the way home will sort that.

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Mine would be traumatised if I did that! She’s starts shaking when she sees the shower hose. She hated the mud daddy even more so now it’s an equafleece. Brilliant things and she’s no longer stressed coming home.

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 23/12/2023 13:00

Celebrationsnakes · 23/12/2023 12:49

It's because they are peoples 'furbaby' Xmas Envy. Dogs are being treated as humans more and more, its terrible. I have 2 proper dogs that are actual working dogs doing what they're meant to do. No coats to be seen here.

I don’t own a dog and never have. And wouldn’t want to.

So, as someone who does know about dogs, can I ask you whether any of the ‘my dog gets cold’ posts have any relevance? Do any dogs get cold enough in the UK to need winter wear? I find it hard to believe.

And what’s this muddy stuff about? Don’t all dogs get muddy sometimes? And then you clean them, if you have to, surely.

I ask because I think animals in ‘clothes’ look grotesque. (Can understand hi viz and warning stuff about dogs in training etc.)

margotrose · 23/12/2023 13:01

Celebrationsnakes · 23/12/2023 12:49

It's because they are peoples 'furbaby' Xmas Envy. Dogs are being treated as humans more and more, its terrible. I have 2 proper dogs that are actual working dogs doing what they're meant to do. No coats to be seen here.

Are pet dogs all fake dogs then? Hmm

What an odd thing to say.

Whattheheckcarer · 23/12/2023 13:06

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 23/12/2023 13:00

I don’t own a dog and never have. And wouldn’t want to.

So, as someone who does know about dogs, can I ask you whether any of the ‘my dog gets cold’ posts have any relevance? Do any dogs get cold enough in the UK to need winter wear? I find it hard to believe.

And what’s this muddy stuff about? Don’t all dogs get muddy sometimes? And then you clean them, if you have to, surely.

I ask because I think animals in ‘clothes’ look grotesque. (Can understand hi viz and warning stuff about dogs in training etc.)

Show quote history

Dogs like greyhounds genuinely get cold.

Yes, you can just clean them, but you then you could have a damp golden retriever or whatever in the house when most people are struggling with heating bills.