# Dogs wearing clothing...just don't do it! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 13, 2009, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417 "2009-11-13T05:29:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![corvidae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@corvidae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corvidae)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/21 "2009-11-13T12:20:20Z")
My old dog was part husky, so she had fur to spare and clothes were not needed, but road salt would bother her paws. She wore booties so she wouldn’t be limping all over the place in the winter. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/22 "2009-11-13T12:27:57Z")
> [@corvidae](#): > > My old dog was part husky, so she had fur to spare and clothes were not needed, but road salt would bother her paws. She wore booties so she wouldn’t be limping all over the place in the winter. Yup. I had a friend in grad school who, during her first winter in a cold climate, took her larger-breed dog out for a long walk to get the appropriate level of exercise and entertainment for the dog. She noticed near the end of the walk that the dog was lagging behind a little, but figured the dog was being lazy in the cold. Nope, she discovered that the dog’s feet were roughed up by the cold pavement and salt, to the point of bleeding somewhat. After checking with the vet, she made sure her dog got boots. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/23 "2009-11-13T14:32:30Z")
Well, greyhounds need sweaters because they don’t have any body fat. They also need soft beds for the same reason. It’s legitimate in that case. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/24 "2009-11-13T15:17:54Z")
> [@corvidae](#): > > My old dog was part husky, so she had fur to spare and clothes were not needed, but road salt would bother her paws. She wore booties so she wouldn’t be limping all over the place in the winter. In the city our pooch wears these kind of dog galoshes to protect his paws from road salt (Canadian winter - LOTS of salt). But the same dog will come snowshoeing with us out in the wilderness and spend four hours up to his belly in snow and be fine without boots or sweater. We’ve only seen him shiver once when the temperature hit -37 C. But the salt? Oy! Nasty stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/25 "2009-11-13T15:33:18Z")
[![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/3661/3459727914_1f26ce60dd_b.jpg "Little Buddy!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/bellabrigido/3459727914/) How cute is that, huh? Fucking cute. My little friend likes his sweaters. He gets cold. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/26 "2009-11-13T15:36:47Z")
Bitch, please. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/27 "2009-11-13T16:19:51Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > My Boston Terrier has barely any fur on her stomach and shivers in Chicago winters. She gets to wear sweaters. So… like suck it and stuff. Sweaters on short-haired dogs when it’s bitchy cold is one thing; buying a dog and treating it like a Barbie doll is cruelty to animals even if the dog happens to be the size of my wallet. I once saw a freaking poodle with bows on her ears and tail and a tutu: Hulk smash! ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/28 "2009-11-13T16:20:20Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Alright, I’ll be serious here for a second: > > Keep her safe from what??? > > Are you taking her out, soaking wet, in subzero weather every single night for upwards of an hour or two? I mean, come on, your dog might shiver a little, but take her out to do her business and then bring her back in to your warm house and she’ll be fine. Shit, I’ve had shorthaired dogs of my own who never wore sweaters during their winter walks and everything was fine. How come yours is supposedly weaker than mine, huh?? > > I’m pretty sure that most of these dogs wearing sweaters only do so because their owners dress them up due to the “cuteness factor.” we go for walks, it’s nice that you assume it’s just a shit and piss session. and by walk I mean at least 20minutes around the block, and Toronto weather isn’t always just nice and easy cold which dips to 0 Celcius, no it can easily get to -20 Celcius with windchill. Now tell me is it safe to keep a small short-haired breed out that long with no cover? Remember how slender some dog’s paws are too. I’m not making her prissy, I’m not a gay man nor do I want to have people stare at me with a dog in full clothing, but to keep her warm and no “tiptoeing” in the salted roads and high banks of snow. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/29 "2009-11-13T16:31:31Z")
It was absolutely freezing outside but I just knew my liddle pet needed a walk. So I wrapped him up in a nice warm sweater (with pics of Santa on) popped him into his fave overcoat, wrapped his new scarf around his head and off we jolly well went for a saunter around the block. Got back 20 minutes later and poor soul had snuffed it, just lay there mouth open, stone cold dead. Anyway it’s no problem, I’ll get another goldfish tomorrow ---
**Author:** ![Tamryne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@Tamryne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamryne)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/30 "2009-11-13T16:32:08Z")
…You mean I can’t dress my corgi like a menorah this Channukah? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/31 "2009-11-13T16:40:20Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Sweaters on short-haired dogs when it’s bitchy cold is one thing; buying a dog and treating it like a Barbie doll is cruelty to animals even if the dog happens to be the size of my wallet. I once saw a freaking poodle with bows on her ears and tail and a tutu: Hulk smash! I think there’s a difference between putting a sweater or boots on a dog because the dog needs it, and dressing your dog up so it will look “cute”. I’m all in favor of the former. People who do the latter need to get a doll to dress up, or, preferably, a life. They need to let their dog be a dog. Dogs are already cute enough without clothes, ribbons in their hair, or nail polish on their claws. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/32 "2009-11-13T16:42:54Z")
> [@Tamryne](#): > > …You mean I can’t dress my corgi like a menorah this Channukah? He’d rather celebrate by having a latke, or some cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/33 "2009-11-13T17:06:46Z")
[QUOTE=Nava] Sweaters on short-haired dogs when it’s bitchy cold is one thing; buying a dog and treating it like a Barbie doll is cruelty to animals even if the dog happens to be the size of my wallet. I once saw a freaking poodle with bows on her ears and tail and a tutu: Hulk smash! [/QUOTE] > [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > I think there’s a difference between putting a sweater or boots on a dog because the dog needs it, and dressing your dog up so it will look “cute”. I’m all in favor of the former. People who do the latter need to get a doll to dress up, or, preferably, a life. They need to let their dog be a dog. Dogs are already cute enough without clothes, ribbons in their hair, or nail polish on their claws. Fair enough. I agree with you gals. ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/34 "2009-11-13T17:07:58Z")
I think its hilarious to dress dogs up! My boys each have a sweater for cold days (though they are getting a bit plump so they have plenty of insulation!), plus we got 2 of them football jerseys for halloween one year (opposing teams - hilarious) and the third got a harley jacket and hat, which is funny cause it makes him look like he belongs in the Blue Oyster bar from the old Police Academy movies. We crack up everytime they have to put on clothes! For parties, we put them in clip on bow-ties! 😃 Then everyone whose there can tell which dog they are petting and likely feeding. Hilarious! This goes in place of their regular collar, so that they look dressed up! ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/35 "2009-11-13T17:13:02Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > I think there’s a difference between putting a sweater or boots on a dog because the dog needs it, and dressing your dog up so it will look “cute”. I’m all in favor of the former. People who do the latter need to get a doll to dress up, or, preferably, a life. They need to let their dog be a dog. Dogs are already cute enough without clothes, ribbons in their hair, or nail polish on their claws. Why? Because \*\*you \*\*don’t like it? Who died and made you Pope? ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/36 "2009-11-13T17:16:22Z")
> [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](#): > > I wish people would stop believing that their pets are special. My cats -are- special to me. But I don’t dress them up. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/37 "2009-11-13T17:16:51Z")
> [@otternell](#): > > plus we got 2 of them football jerseys for halloween one year (opposing teams - hilarious) and the third got a harley jacket and hat, which is funny cause it makes him look like he belongs in the Blue Oyster bar from the old Police Academy movies. We crack up every time they have to put on clothes! Meh, Hallowe’en is different. We dressed our wolfhound up as a moose with big foam antlers and fake hooves, but that’s because we were taking my goddaughter trick-or-treating and is was for her benefit. I think the OP is referring to purse poodles that where full outfits and Chanel sunglasses, jus to be carried around. Like [this shit](http://www.purecountry.net/store/images/storefront.jpg). :: shrug :: I still don’t care. It’s not like the dog knows the cat is laughing at him. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/38 "2009-11-13T17:33:36Z")
There is a cultural Disdain-O-Meter for clothed dogs. [Functional](http://www.more4dogs.co.uk/acatalog/596901.jpg): disdain meter reading = low [Costume](http://www.lotsaboutdogs.com/images/labrador2.jpg): disdain meter reading = neutral (ridiculousness intentional) [Satin Dog Dress](http://www.moondoggieinc.com/prodimages/large/MDD002.jpg) or [Dog’s Pink Bunny Dress](http://www.sassypup.net/images/P/petaccessoriesAP335F%20Dog%20Clothes%20Pink%20Bunny.jpg): disdain level = high (Bunny dress $58) ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/39 "2009-11-13T17:37:43Z")
> [@otternell](#): > > I think its hilarious to dress dogs up! My boys each have a sweater for cold days (though they are getting a bit plump so they have plenty of insulation!), plus we got 2 of them football jerseys for halloween one year (opposing teams - hilarious) and the third got a harley jacket and hat, which is funny cause it makes him look like he belongs in the Blue Oyster bar from the old Police Academy movies. We crack up everytime they have to put on clothes! > > For parties, we put them in clip on bow-ties! 😃 Then everyone whose there can tell which dog they are petting and likely feeding. Hilarious! This goes in place of their regular collar, so that they look dressed up! when my dog wasn’t spayed, she used to wear a sort of diaper. It made her look like a monkey with a diaper on when you held her by the chest and her hind legs were on the ground. She had a stub of a tail, not like normal minpins that have like an inch of bone for a tail stub. It was pretty hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Strinka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strinka/32/512_2.png) [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417/40 "2009-11-13T19:23:58Z")
You know what’s truly horrific? [Snuggie for Dogs](https://www.snuggiefordogs.com/flare/next). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-wearing-clothing-just-dont-do-it/517417.md?page=3)