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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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8
OchonAgusOchonOh · 23/12/2023 13:19

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.)

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Yes, dogs get cold. I only get mine groomed 2 or 3 times. The younger always needed a jumper for a few days until she got used to it. In the last few years, the older one has also started to need one. They wear them for a week max at night.

The older one has also recently had surgery. She licked the site of the cathather raw. Cones are quite upsetting for them so I put a jumper with sleeves on her until the site was healed.

margotrose · 23/12/2023 13:30

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.

Yes, they do. Especially breeds like greyhounds and whippets, or breeds who were bred to live in hot climates, like Chihuahuas. Also elderly dogs, puppies and dogs with various illnesses will feel the cold more than others.

Mine doesn't need a coat if he's running around, but if we take him on a day out with a lot of waiting around then he does shiver and feel pretty miserable. A coat makes it much more bearable.

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

Sure, but by the time we get home, the mud dries and sticks to their fur and can take ages to wash out. Plus, we often go to the pub or a cafe after a walk and it's much easier to put him in a coat, take it off and have a clean dog in seconds.

I ask because I think animals in ‘clothes’ look grotesque.

I don't think the animals and their owners really care what you think.

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 23/12/2023 13:35

I don't think the animals and their owners really care what you think.

Sure. Dogs don’t think at all. They certainly aren’t self-conscious about looking ridiculous. And they don’t dislike their owners for it, any more than they care for their owners.

I would have thought humans might care a bit, though, if people regard their dressing up their dogs as a foolish thing to do.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs
thefamous5 · 23/12/2023 13:36

I have a chihuahua puppy. She wears a jumper for the car and a waterproof coat if we go out for a walk. She's bred for hot climates and is tiny. She (like most chis) tremble a lot when she's chilly, and she seems more comfortable with a little jumper or coat on out of the house. Dont dress her up for the sake of it or around the house.

And she is very much my baby (alongside my actual human ones). She's a part of the family and her comfort is important to me. Smashed currently snuggled up on my lap in the car (strapped in as well!) with her jumper and blanket.

margotrose · 23/12/2023 13:38

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 23/12/2023 13:35

I don't think the animals and their owners really care what you think.

Sure. Dogs don’t think at all. They certainly aren’t self-conscious about looking ridiculous. And they don’t dislike their owners for it, any more than they care for their owners.

I would have thought humans might care a bit, though, if people regard their dressing up their dogs as a foolish thing to do.

Why would anyone care about what a complete stranger thought of their dog wearing a coat? Confused

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 23/12/2023 14:04

margotrose · 23/12/2023 13:38

Why would anyone care about what a complete stranger thought of their dog wearing a coat? Confused

Show quote history

OK, fair.

But dog owners on MN seem to care a very great deal about how other dog owners source, train and treat their dogs. I can’t see that dressing dogs up is so different as something to care about, whether you’re the costume mistress or the critic.

Stresa22 · 23/12/2023 14:12

I recently got my fur nephew a few jumpers because he loves wearing them.

SirChenjins · 23/12/2023 14:15

Mine wears an Equafleece - bloody brilliant things. Saves me cleaning a muddy dog three times a day and keeps him warm and dry.

The fact that it bothers some MNetters is really here nor there.

BeansOnToast32 · 23/12/2023 14:16

My dog has a thin, light waterproof all in one coat (same coverage as Equafleece) for when it rains and a coat to wear when it's just cold and dry.

She despises the rain, she will stiffen up and refuse to walk any longer than the time it takes her to have a wee/poo in any weather worse than spotting with rain. She will do her business then let me bribe her to the nearest dog poo bin (luckily there's loads near me) then she turns and heads home. She wouldn't go through the front door without some protection from the rain.

She's the same on the garden, she would hold her wee all day if I let her. If she decides the weather isn't to her liking she will refuse to go outside even though I know she probably needs a wee, I have to physically put her on the garden tell her "toilet" and she will quickly and begrudgingly wee.

She also doesn't like being cold, she will sleep under blankets or paw the belt on the dressing gown I'm wearing because she wants me to open it up for her to sleep inside it.

She's such a drama queen and I often roll my eyes when she stands at the backdoor evaluating the weather before darting in the opposite direction, if it was up to her she wouldn't leave the house in weather worse than sunny and 20 degrees.

My last dog was the same breed and she didn't own or wear a coat ever in the 12 years I had her. Some dogs just don't like being cold or wet and mine is one of them. Nothing to do with being "untrained fur babies."

Beezknees · 23/12/2023 14:17

My mum's dog wears one this time of year. He is elderly (almost 18 years old) and shakes in the cold weather, he doesn't run around any more as he's too old.

RallySooney · 23/12/2023 14:21

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.

Absolutely. Some dogs are better dressed than me.

margotrose · 23/12/2023 14:26

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 23/12/2023 14:04

OK, fair.

But dog owners on MN seem to care a very great deal about how other dog owners source, train and treat their dogs. I can’t see that dressing dogs up is so different as something to care about, whether you’re the costume mistress or the critic.

Show quote history

As long as their dogs aren't bothering mine, I really don't care what other people do.

Vicliz24 · 23/12/2023 14:35

My whippet wears one out of necessity because they feel the cold . My terrier however is au natrel

GreenwichOrTwicks · 23/12/2023 14:37

ToBeOrNotToBee · 22/12/2023 22:39

Since people decided dogs were replacement children.

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

This.
The whole dog thing is just totally ridiculous now. References to ‘my girl’ or ’ my boy’, dogs sleeping on (or in 🤮🤮🤮🤮) owners - sorry - mummy and daddy’s - beds…
Just bonkers.

LER83 · 23/12/2023 14:38

My dog doesn't have an ounce of fat on him, and is short haired, so when it's really cold and icy he has a thin fleece to wear. He's got a thicker waterproof coat for torrential rain/stormy/arctic conditions. He's a spaniel so comes home covered in mud regardless, we just hose him off in the garden and stick a drying coat thing on him for 20 minutes! Feel sorry for next doors dogs, one wears a stupid outfit with a hood, and the other one went out covered in tinsel the other day! Can't stand seeing dogs in 'novelty' clothing!

BlueDayBritishIdiot · 23/12/2023 14:45

The amount of poodles and poodle mixes I've seen in coats is mad. The point of a poodle is they're water dogs!

SirChenjins · 23/12/2023 14:57

BlueDayBritishIdiot · 23/12/2023 14:45

The amount of poodles and poodle mixes I've seen in coats is mad. The point of a poodle is they're water dogs!

Yep - and when there’s water around and it’s safe for mine to go into it he’s more than welcome to it. When it’s muddy and/or cold on our 3 daily walks then he’s in a coat.

Ginmonkeyagain · 23/12/2023 15:10

I saw a fat little pug struggling along in a puffa jacket a few days ago. This was in London where it was about 13 degrees. Poor little beast.

margotrose · 23/12/2023 15:13

BlueDayBritishIdiot · 23/12/2023 14:45

The amount of poodles and poodle mixes I've seen in coats is mad. The point of a poodle is they're water dogs!

That's true, but working poodles have their coats clipped fairly short whereas pet owners tend to go for the shaggy/teddy bear look which is a whole different ball game.

I'm a dog walker and the poodle/doodle coats are the absolute worst in muddy weather. They're almost impossible to keep clean and afterwards they really need a proper hose down and a decent brush to stop them matting and tangling - I can see why people use the suits.

Toooldtoworry · 23/12/2023 15:19

Itsmeemily · 23/12/2023 11:22

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.

Show quote history

This lady didn't have children. I found out she was a glamour model and was married to a martial arts competitor.

Now I want to search that woman out though 🤣

Whatsgoingonwithmyhead · 23/12/2023 15:24

Because they see fur babies not animals and they are more important than your children, obvs

superplumb · 23/12/2023 15:48

I don't have a dog but it's to keep them clean. Especially poodle types who get matted when washed. I think its a great idea. I draw the line at boots though which I've seen!

Beargrumps22 · 23/12/2023 17:33

theyve started dressing cats up too

Itsmeemily · 23/12/2023 22:31

Beargrumps22 · 23/12/2023 17:33

theyve started dressing cats up too

That’s one of the bravest things I’ve ever heard.

Didiplanthis · 23/12/2023 22:44

Different dogs have different needs 🤷‍♀️...my old lab rarely ever wore a coat.. my whippet shivers like a jelly as soon as its less than 'warm', barks at the jumper drawer until we put her in one and look out the open door and wee on the floor if it's raining and she hasn't got a water proof on, my bigger greyhound x is so fine skinned and thin haired he is almost bald on his tummy, doesn't like a jumper indoors but needs a coat if wet or cold... neither have any with legs though, it would be like trying to get an octopus into a wetsuit !!!