What's your stand-point on dog clothes?

Question

I never knew it was such a controversial subject until I posted a question about Halloween costumes for dogs and everyone bashed me saying it was cruelty. wow, I'm not one to stir the crowd but it's a very interesting subject for me. So I was wondering, not going to comment my side, I'll take it from both lovers and haters of the doggy-clothes-mania, what do you think of dogs wearing made-for-dogs clothes?

Good? Bad?

Cruel? cute? What do you think?

Answer 1

For Halloween costumes maybe... it a limited event. But as a rule I don't like it... dogs don't need clothes  

Answer 2

I think Halloween costumes are funny, and since your dog isn't really going to wear it for long, and it's a nice little novelty, I don't really see anything wrong with costumes.  However, I only throw a bandana on my furkids every now and then.

As for clothing... unless you have a dog that cannot handle the elements, it's not necessary.

Also, shoes/boots that proctect dogs while hiking, climbing, etc, are fine.  And my two dogs have life vests for boating.  They have handles on the back so if they go overboard, I can lift them out of the water easily.

Answer 3

The only thing I hate about dog clothes, are the stupid owners that dress they're dogs in summer. I went to a fayre in july and it was boiling, everyone was in shorts and tshirts.  Then I see a woman with 2 long haired dogs, both with dog coats on!

Seriously, I feel sorry for my pom to have fur in the summer, let alone another layer of heat insulation. What was she thinking?

I only dress my dog in a dog coat in the winter.

Answer 4

I don't know if I would consider it cruel or bad?  Just a little weird when people take it too far.

I, for one, will be walking with my 4 month old Collie when she is ready to take long jaunts...we will walk rain or shine and i will probably get her a raincoat.

Now, is this silly?  or cruel?  I think my pup will appreciate it because her fur will stay dry.  I know I will appreciate not having to smell a wet dog:-)

But, don't expect to see us in matching tennis suits on the sunny days!!

Answer 5

A rug is fine but all this nonsense of sweaters and costumes is just plain stupid, The animals don't like it and they look ridiculous.

I'm proud of my dreads and anyone tries to put that stuff on me I'll bite. Mop dog away.

Answer 6

I think that coats, outdoor gear and some clothing is acceptable.

We have some greyhounds and whippets that wear clothing )coats) to daycare often because they are so cold natured normally.

Some people just take it way too far and into fantasy land and I really think the dogs could care less. I don't think it's "cruel" really unless they are putting them into getups that can tangle their hair or if they just don't care for it and are miserable in it. If you know your peekapoo HATES clothes and yet you still insist on dressing them up... then you are being cruel to the feelings of your doggie.

Answer 7

I don't think dogs need clothes, and they aren't meant to wear them.  BUT I have a mini dachshund and she is only 5 lbs now, so if she seems really cold in the winter when we go out, I will put a sweater on her.  Only because it serves a purpose!

Answer 8

i don't think its necessary  a bad thing, i mean if the dog is cold, like Chihuahuas they get cold easily in the winter. putting a sweater on a dog is not cruelty, wow people are so weird.

i mean what harm is a sweater doing to a dog?

its supposed to keep them warm.

Answer 9

I think it's stupid.  Dogs already have fur, why put clothes on them?  

Answer 10

If you have a dog that has short hair and you live in an area that is bitter cold in the winter, than having a coat for a dog can be necessary.   Our Greyhounds have no body fat, and very fine coats .... they need to wear a coat or sweater in the winter months outdoors when it is below 20 degrees outside and the wind is blowing hard.

But to dress up a dog like a doll for "fashion sake" looks really stupid, and if you are in a warm climate, it can cause the dog to over heat.

Answer 11

Personally, since I have working dogs, I don't see that it's necessary for them.  But when I've had them in the local Christmas parade I've put bells on them for a festive effect.   I don't think there's any harm in it as long as the costume is designed to be comfortable for the dog and doesn't get in his eyes.  

Dogs with genetically mutated coats are another matter.  Some breeds have very thin hair,  short hair, or no hair, and these do need additional protection from the cold and rain.  For them a sweater or coat is a godsend.  Their coats are unnatural and do not provide the protection that a good functional wolflike coat does.

Some dogs even require sunscreen and sunglasses to protect their pink nose leathers and their light sensitive eyes from harmful UV.

Answer 12

i put clothes and costumes on my dogs if you like it then s***w everyone else

Answer 13

I don't put clothes on my Pomeranian,

I don't think dogs look cute in clothes anyway, I feel sorry for the poor dogs when their owners put all these elaborate clothes on their dog like sunglasses, necklaces, shoes, hats, pants, etc.

And usually when a dog has clothes on and they shake like they just went swimming, they are trying to shake the clothes off... which I think means they aren't very comfortable.

Answer 14

I think they are cute, and CAN be good. If it is too tight, or your dog wants to take it off, then let them. But if they don't seem to mind it.. the why not make them cute?

Answer 15

I think SOME clothes are cute and are good having them around. But if you buy clothes like with pounds of things on and a little over done the the maker of the outfit i do not like but yeah some clothes are nice cause i buy clothes for my gog too

Answer 16

bad

disgusting

dogs are not meant to wear clothes, thats why they have fur!!!

Answer 17

I put a coat on my Basenji Mix in the winter but other than that she doesn't like clothes so I don't make her wear them. I've seen dogs who love wearing clothes though. I think its fine as long as you don't force the dog to do it and its not completely miserable

Answer 18

Sure, those dog clothes are kind of cute, but what would the dog say if it could speak? Do you really think it would be happy being forced to wear little pink sweaters, or vests or sunglasses?

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's cruel, but it's certainly demeaning for the dog...

ADD:

Of course, if the dog needs it, like for boating or hiking as some people have mentioned, I don't see much of a problem with that.

But if it's just because the owner thinks it's funny or cute, I don't like that.

Answer 19

I don't think it is cruel, but I don't like it either.

Animals are beautiful creatures just as they are.

They look pretty fawking stupid with clothes on them.

Answer 20

No it is very cute. And it is getting cold that time of year my dog a yorkie can not will not go out in the winter without his coat and shoes on. GO FOR IT.

Answer 21

I have to put a shirt on my dog because she's allergic to something in the grass and she has a bad rash on her chest every summer.  She's a mini dachshund, so obviously it was unavoidable to keep her chest from touching the grass.  

Answer 22

I wouldn't necessarily say it is cruel, I just see no point to it.  I think it is humiliating for both the dog, and the owner.  

The majority of the people who buy their dogs clothes, could be much better off taking that money and enrolling their dogs (and themselves) in an obedience class.

Answer 23

Sometimes I wounder why people do it, But when you think about it, it's actually a good idea!

If a dog is use to getting walked every night or when ever and it's raining outside then I think a dog jacket is ok. Since I don't have a fenced in yard I walk my chihuahua outside on a leash. But when It rains I use a jacket so his fur doesn't stink like wet dog when we come in. He is a long coated chihuahua which hold the "Wet dog smell".

I also put a sweater/shirt on him when it is supper cold out. Chihuahua Shake for no reasons sometimes. And I know breeders are trying to breed that out of the dogs. The breeder I got Star (my chihuahua) from, this is her main goal.

And I know some people are reading this and thinking I'm being cruel to my Chihuahua but NO! I know he likes his clothes. When ever I pull out his jacket or what not he goes nuts. Wagging his tail like crazy. When we come home I have to put his stuff away b/c so many times he has brought his clothes over to me to get me to put them on him. And when I don't he will try and get into them himself. So I know my dog likes it.

I'm sure some dogs don't and to make them wear clothes when you can see they rather not is cruel. But I think it depends on the dog.