Designer Dog Clothes

When I first heard there were designer clothes for dogs, I wasn't really surprised. Humans can't suffer alone, they need to spread around the pain, so, yes, why not? I wondered what the dogs themselves thought about it and the antique expression 'Real Men Don't Cry' came to mind, ahem, designing itself to 'Real Dogs Don't Dress-Up'. My own dogs howled down the idea. They like to think of themselves as a rough-tough lot. I pointed out that wasn't really the case. After all, it's not like they are the sort that live out in kennels, get to eat only scraps and get starved of over-affection. But, they said, we are definitely the sort that would rather have a rollicking time in muddy, grassy fields than primp about with the designer nail-paint and the designer perfume, aren't we? That, I said, is more about me than you - I'd rather wash you any day than your designer clothes.

Besides not being a designer clothes person myself, I guess I'm biased against getting designer clothes for my dogs. A good many people aren't and there is in fact a growing market for this fashion segment. People are willing to pay anything from $20 to $500 to $12000 and up for exclusive designs for their dogs. If you like designing clothes and love dogs, this is a good time to plunge yourself into the business.

Reasons for getting Designer Clothes for Dogs:
Here are some reasons people like to dress up their dogs -

• They love their dogs to such an extent that breed lines blur between humans and canines.
• They look upon their pets as an extension of their family and want the very best for them.
• They think their dogs look cute dressed up.
• They have enough disposable income and time on their hands.
• They have no children, just this one very pampered pooch and even the sky's not the limit for dressing up the darling.
• They have children, but, like I said, breed lines have blurred, and what they get for the kid, they get for the pup.
• They want to keep up with the latest fashion trends and, if you believed the gossip columns, all the celebrities are dressing up their dogs in designer clothes.
• They want to protect their pets from bad weather conditions.
• They want to keep their pets clean, especially on walks along muddy roads.

Types of Designer Clothes for Dogs:
There are various kinds of designer clothes you can get for your pet. One designer I came across online had over 300 different and beautiful designs.

• You can get handmade outfits in prewashed, non-shrinkable material.
• You can get outfits that are custom-made specially for your pet, according to her or his measurements.
• You get any costume you want in any color, design, size, fabric, embroidery and embellishments.
• You can get T-shirts, tank tops, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, sweaters, coats and jackets.
• You can get evening gowns, wedding dresses and suits.
• You can get sports and swimwear.
• You can get party and fancy costumes for Halloween, Christmas and so on.
• You can get raincoats.

Getting your dog to wear designer clothes:
Given the sheer variety of doggie designer wear, you can probably shop until you drop for your dog. But, once you're home from the shopping trip, how do you get Rover to cooperate about trying on the stuff?

All dogs don't share their owners' enthusiasm about clothes and, unless you want to risk a tooth and nail struggle every time, introduce your dog to fashion in a slow, gradual manner.

• Put on clothes for short durations so the dog becomes accustomed to wearing them. You may have to distract the dog with toys at first so he/she doesn't give the designer wear instant teeth treatment.
• Get clothes that fit well, neither too tight nor too loose. You don't want your dog to develop breathing or circulation problems - speaking of which, I guess it's a plus point for our pets that we don't live in the Age of Corsets anymore - and neither do you want your pet to stumble over the designer clothes all the time.
• Get clothes that won't impede the dog's free movements.
• Get clothes that won't get in the way when the dog wants to pee or shit.
• Get clothes that are easy to clean.