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Chillin' in style: winter clothes for dogs
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I stopped in for a chat with the owner of The Bone Appetite in Chestnut Hill ( 8505 Germantown Ave , 215-247-4292) about dog coats. Among the newest holiday outfits and licensed sports themed apparel, were this years winter coats. The Bone Appetite carries high end goods to meet the needs of dogs whose owners want the best, so I figured this was were to begin my search for the ultimate dog coat.
Betsy Olix, owner, and what could have been the cutest Havanese in the world, wasted no time explaining the finer points of winter garbs. She suggests bringing your dog with you whenever you choose clothes, because even if you know his measurements, each piece will wear slightly different. Also, not every coat will match his fur, eyes or your winter boots.
Measuring your dog for a coat entails the circumference of the neck and the length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Its also good to know the circumference of the chest for dogs with deep chests, like dobermans, greyhounds and collies. A dogs coat should fit snug but should not inhibit movement or breathing. A coat that is too big will let in cold air thereby doing no good.
Dogs with large heads and necks should avoid cable knit sweaters as they tend to lose shape easily, whereas fleece, tends to hold up better for these breeds. Dogs who need a lot of protection will benefit from a coat with a nylon outside and some sort of soft lining inside. For really yucky days you can even throw on an extra layer such as a rain slicker outside your coat or a sweatshirt or sweater underneath.
Don't forget Fido's feet, there are many different types of boots available as well. From heavy duty mushing boots to lighter weight rain boots, if you have a dog with thin or sensitive feet, boots are a good idea. Besides keeping ice, salt and snow out of your dogs paw-pads they keep dirt and debris off your floors.
Other accessories I have found on websites and other pet stores are scarves, hats, earmuffs, a full body undergarment called a snugglie ( http://decotogs.com/snugglies/customsnugglies.htm) and even a tail warmer. However you dress your dog remember that dogs don't always know whats best for them so limit your indoor dogs access to inclement weather when its severe to avoid frostbite and hypothermia (unless hes a Malamute or Husky then by all means MUSH!)
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