These days, there are literally hundreds of high-end dog product companies on the market to choose from. Selecting the right clothes and collar & leash sets can be overwhelming. Just like us, dogs know when they look good. A well outfitted pooch will bounce around with pride if given the right gear. There are 4 major themes to consider before you drop the big bucks on your doggie wardrobe.
BREED & ENVIRONMENT
Before you buy any clothes or collar & leashes sets, first think about the environment you live in and the origins of your dog breed. If your dog is a Chihuahua, (originating in the hot climate of Mexico) and you live in a cold climate like Vermont, your dog will need a few tightly knit, warm sweaters and a coats just to feel comfortable in the fall and winter. Whereas if your Chihuahua lives in Miami year round, sweaters are overkill (kinda like Uggs in LA) and cute T-shirts and crop tops will do just fine. At the other end of the doggie spectrum an Alaskan Malamute that lives in Arizona would do best to skip clothes entirely and invest in good shave job or a dog pool instead.
CITY VS. COUNTRY
Also consider whether or not your dog is a city or country dog. If you have a Lab and live in the country, you wouldn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a leather dog collar that is going to get trashed the moment he plunges into a lake. It makes sense for you to only buy sturdy, sporty water resistant collars and skip the finery of cashmere sweaters all together. More and more dog fashion designers like Wagwear.com are offering sporty coats for larger country dogs that won’t get ruined when you go hiking in the woods.
If you live in New York City and carry a Yorkie around, definitely seek out the sassiest dog bag and hand-made, leather collar & leash sets you can find; as your dog’s rep is on the line. Think about investing in some Alpaca sweaters for winter and dog bag that works with your own personal style and wardrobe as well. If you cruise SoHo in pink high heels, find a collar and leash that work with that without going over board. Avoid biting the Legally Blonde, Elle Woods look or you’re likely to get mocked and your dog will be shunned at the run. Don’t forget, if your dog turns heads, people will notice YOU too!
FUR COLOR
It’s reckless to choose accessories for your dog without factoring in fur color. What season is your dog?? Fall, Spring, Summer or Winter? You will want to choose colors that enhance your dogs natural good looks. Oranges look amazing against beige and grey fur colors and blues complement red coloring quite well. Keep a swatch of your dog’s fur with you at all times (just kidding – sort of).
BODY SHAPE
Is your dog pear shaped like a Pug? Or short and round all over like a Basset Hound? Or skinny, sleek and slender like an Italian Greyhound? If your baby is pear shaped, avoid V-necks because they will only enhance the uneven body shape. Think turtle and crew neck lines. If your dog is a little on the short and round side, stay away from horizontal stripes and busy patterns, they will only make him look sloppy (sometimes a little dash of Rambo Camo can go a long way). If you have a thin, slender dog avoid overpowering your dog with a sweater that’s to chunky, we want to see the dog too. Almost any pattern or neck line will look great with this body type.
