So it’s coming up on “winter-time” in Costa Rica, where my adorableweiner dog (or, as the Ticos say, my salchicha) lives. I’m in the U.S. visiting family and want to buy her some doggie t-shirts and lightweight fleeces. Problem is I have no idea how to size her and she’s not here to try on clothes. (Yes, I could buy in Costa Rica but everything is imported and therefore ridiculously expensive.)
I took all her measurements and she has a small/medium dog neck, a medium/large dog length, and an extra-large dog barrel chest! I’m hoping someone here has advice on how to fit regular dog clothes onto a super long weenie dog.
Is it better to have clothes fit snug or loose? Any tips on dressing a dachshund?
If you are at all crafty, might want to consider sewing these from scratch- there are a lot of patterns on Pinterest, and that way you can make something that you know for a fact fits the dog.
LOL, we have almost the identical Dachshund, only mine is the male model.
I have good luck with hoodies from farm supply stores. Sure, they come with advertising on them, but the prices are reasonable and they fit my little guy well. I buy the medium size for him, even though he’s a mini. That barrel chest needs some room. They cover him to about two-thirds of the way down toward the tail, and I wouldn’t want any more coverage than that. Too easy for the dog to start stepping on the garment.
You want them to fit between snug and loose. Too snug and your dog will fuss with them, too loose and she will pull her paws inside the sleeves. Amusing when they try to walk, but it’s a cheap laugh and one that wears thin rather quickly.
I don’t recommend knits. Their claws get caught way too easily on them.
Never thought I’d dress a pet, but their coats are so meager. Can’t let 'em shiver!
Just want to say that it’s great that you love your Dachshund so much. We take great care of our dogs as well.
But how cold can it get in Costa Rica?.. Anyway, I would think that any major pet store could help you. I would be careful of getting anything too heavy or snug. You could be making him/her more uncomfortable.
Thanks for the input! **jtur88 **and **Waxwinged **- unfortunately I’m not crafty at all so tailoring and/or sewing is not an option. (Although, I wonder if human tailors can fit clothes for dogs?)
Aspenglow, thanks for the advice - I had not considered the issue with knits and claws . A friend brought a shirt for her and the sleeves came to the floor. I might need to try sleeveless shirts. I’m also curious if your boy version is as obsessed with balls and fetch as mine is…yes, she is sleeping with that ball in the second picture!
enipla, you would think that Costa Rica would always be warm. I live in an area that has brisk winds during the dry season, so it gets just chilly enough that you see a lot of locals (well, me too, I’m a total wimp) in puffy coats and scarves in the morning. My dog hangs outside with our security guard during the day and he mentioned that she is shivering in the colder temperatures, so I need something with just a little warmth for her. Can’t have the baby girl be uncomfortable!
Good for you. I’ve been to Costa Rica. My Wife and I live in a very cold climate compared to that. Colorado mountains. We have one dog now, a pointer mix. She does well outside, but she has her own door and the run of the house. She has 3 dog beds in the house and often just sleeps with us on our bed.
I’ve got 4 of these long, low bastards and the only thing that fits is one for the smallest female, a hoodie form Big R Ranch Supply. Of course, the hood is completely useless!
OP, good looking dog, but mine are cuter!
My advice is buy small, and stretch it over. Too big, and their little legs get all crossed up.
LOL, awwww!! Lewis isn’t obsessed with balls (of any kind, good thing, 'coz he lost his), but he’s pretty crazy about his fuzzy bone. It’s the only toy he really loves, so I stock up on them when I find them. He’ll fetch that a thousand times in an evening if some idiot will throw it for him. And some idiot always does.
pidgeon92, that’s a wonderful site! I’ll be doing some browsing.
