The Best Dog Christmas Outfits in 2022

How to Pick the Right Dog Christmas Outfit

Deciding on the right Christmas outfit for your dog requires an understanding of a few basic things. Of course, these are just general guidelines that you can somehow modify to suit your dog’s needs. The important thing to remember is to choose an outfit that is right for the season, safe, and will not restrict or impair their movement. Here is how to pick the right dog Christmas outfit for your pooch.

Always Get the Correct Size 

Of all the considerations you need to carefully evaluate, size ranks tops for the right outfit. A costume may look stunning and elegant, but if it simply doesn’t fit right, then it will still look ridiculous on your dog. For instance, if it is too baggy and loose, your hound will look more like an emaciated pooch. If the outfit is too tight, there will be some health and safety implications, not to mention risking your pooch appearing too fat or obese.

As such, making the most accurate measurements of your dog is imperative. This is not difficult. You only need a cloth tape measure and a good understanding of how to take length and circumference measurements, and you’re good. A cloth tape measure is preferred because it allows the device to conform seamlessly to the shape of your pup’s body. Whatever you do, don’t use a steel tape measure. As long as it is flexible, then it should be fine.

There are two very important measurements you need to take.

1. Body Length – The first is your dog’s body length. Get the tip of your tape measure and place this at the region slightly above where its neck meets the shoulder bones. This is the base of its neck. Now run the tape measure towards its tail and terminate at the region where your dog’s back meets the base of the tail. This is the length of your pooch’s body, and the measurement can be a basis for the length of the outfit you want to take for your pet. Many dog owners prefer the length of their canine clothes to be several inches short of the base of the tail, while some would go the entire length.
2. Chest Circumference – The second measurement you need to take is your dog’s chest circumference, also known as its girth. This is quite easy to measure. Look at your dog from the side and take note of the widest section of its chest. This can usually be seen just behind its front legs forming an inverted hump towards its belly. Wrap your tape measure around this widest part of its chest and take the measurement. Make sure to leave about one or two fingerbreadths in your measurement so it will not be tight. This will also allow your pooch exceptional movement.

There is another measurement you may want to take, although this is completely optional. The collar size is often taken if you purchase an outfit that includes a collar, such as a sweater. To measure this, you need to locate the base of your dog’s neck. You can try moving your hands along the back of its neck and locate that part where it meets its back, usually just a few inches above its shoulders. Just like measuring its chest circumference, you can wrap the tape measure around the base of your dog’s neck to determine the collar size. Again, leave a finger or two fingerbreadths in your measurement as an allowance so the clothing will not constrict your pooch’s neck.

Consider Everyday Wear

While it is the holiday season, you may want to look at a design that your pooch can wear daily or on special occasions. You don’t want to purchase something that your dog will only be used for a day or even a few days every year.

Choose Something that Will Not Restrict Their Movement 

One problem with some pet costume manufacturers is that they’re more focused on the style of their creations and not necessarily on the comfort of the pooch that is going to wear them. Unless you expect your pet dog to be sitting in a corner while everyone is having fun, getting an outfit that will not restrict their movement is an absolute must. That is why you also have to check the overall construction of the outfit, especially at the joints. Make sure the design will not impair your dog’s ability to move.

Always Go for Something Safe 

Be careful about doggie garments that come with small removable objects or items that your dog can easily remove. Just as a dog’s comfort level is important, so is its safety. A doggie outfit with removable elements may increase the risk of choking in dogs.

Tips for Safe Pet Costumes

Safety is one of the most important considerations when buying items or products for your pet dog. You might think that a dog’s outfit is generally safe. Unfortunately, there have been incidents in the past where a particular dog got injured because of such costumes. As such, observing these tips for safe pet costumes is imperative.

Use Positive Reinforcement to Encourage Your Pup

The first thing you can do to ensure your pet’s safety is to train them to love their outfit. This is crucial since some dogs are known not to be overly fond of having fabric on their bodies. It takes some getting used to. So, be patient in teaching your dog to accept the costume, and use plenty of positive reinforcement in the form of treats and fusses to encourage comfort and acceptance. You don’t want them fighting with its wardrobe and shredding it to pieces (risking injury).

Ensure There is No Chocking Hazard Before Purchase

There are quite many doggie costumes that come with very small components. These can be considered safe as they don’t get detached from the costume. Unfortunately, knowing that some dogs are very tenacious regarding certain things they can chew on, they can easily remove these attachments and risk choking on them. Even if your dog is not known for destructive behavior – chewing on things – it is better to err on the side of canine safety than being sorry afterward.

Don’t Leave Your Pet Unattended While Dressed

Most doggie incidents related to pet costumes occurred while the human master was not looking. While we are not necessarily saying that you need to fix your eyes on your pooch every time they wear a costume, you must have active supervision over their use. This is especially a concern among pooches that are rambunctious or very active. So, make sure to supervise them whenever they’re in their costume.

Take Note of Minimum & Maximum Requirements

Experts don’t generally recommend costumes to puppies and elderly dogs. Puppies are small and are quite rambunctious, with their behavior more on the raw side. They are still learning the ropes of canine behavior and obedience training such that they may not fully understand yet what you are telling them not to do. Elderly pooches, on the other hand, typically have a host of musculoskeletal and cardiovascular problems that may be exacerbated by the wearing of costumes, not to mention sensory-perceptual problems. A senior dog with osteoarthritis may already be in pain because of the inflammatory joint process. Letting it wear constricting clothing may make the symptoms a lot worse.

Steer Clear of Heavy Doggie Costumes

Sure your dog is strong as it is muscular. However, this doesn’t give you the right to burden it with additional weight. This is especially true for costumes that come with headpieces. These costumes should not be too heavy to cause discomfort to your pooch. The idea about holiday costumes is for your dog to have fun. If you give it something heavy, then it is not fun at all. This can hamper its ability to move or even its focus and concentration. Lack of focus is one of the key ingredients to accidents.

Make Sure the Costume Allows Sufficient Movement

We have already discussed how limiting your pooch’s movement is not a good idea. Dogs will always be on the go, whether running across the room or walking casually from room to room, entertaining your guests. Now imagine if it has a costume that limits the range of motion of its joints. Then the movement will be rather challenging. Rather than walk, your pooch will be confined to a corner of your house while everyone else is having a great time. How cruel is that? Worse, your dog might take matters into its paws and shred the costume altogether because it firmly believes that the costume is getting in the way of its freedom. So, be careful when choosing the right size of costume for your pet.

Take Cues from Your Pet

Dogs cannot verbalize their complaints. They cannot tell you that the costume makes it difficult for them to breathe or move. They cannot complain that the outfit is way too heavy for comfort or that they don’t like the design. Well, they may not complain to you verbally, but they can surely show you their anxiety, frustration, and even disgust with the costume that you made them wear. Therefore, you must brush up on what canine behavior will constitute a ‘complaint’ or something is amiss. Generally, these can include but are not limited to whining, scratching, restlessness, barking, and even staying inside its dog crate or den.

Seeing our pet hounds wear the costumes or outfits we bought is always fun. By ensuring that we get the correct size, provide the best comfort, and ensure their safety, we know that our pooches will love us for what we have done for them. Of course, we also need to train them to learn to love their outfits and to always supervise them while they are wearing these garments. Safety is such an important aspect, even in pet clothing. With these best dog Christmas outfits, you can be sure that the fabrication materials are safe, provide exceptional comfort, and elicit tons of praise from your holiday guests.

Sources:

1. Danny Prater, Here Are All the Problems With ‘Pet Costumes’, PETA
2. Do Dogs Like Wearing Clothes?, Wag!