The origin of dog clothes is actually credited to the use of canines by the police, armed forces, and other similar organizations and the need  for them to have protective clothing and gear. Besides the aspect of protection, dog clothing, usually some type of vest, was and is also still used for identification purposes and to make the dog visible while on duty. Today, the world of dog clothing has imploded as more and more pet owners are buying various types of outer and indoor wear for their littlest best friends.

Fashion Versus Functionality

There are several reasons as to why a pet owner chooses to dress their dog in some type of clothing. Often times it’s just for fun, or to show off their dog and cute they are, but in many cases it’s for the dog’s well being, to protect them from the elements or while being active.

Raincoats are one of those pieces of dog clothing that can be both fashionable as well as functional, serving both the purpose of keeping your pooch warm and dry when it’s raining, and having them looking great at the same time. Raincoats with matching hats complete with earflaps are even better as they’ll also keep the head dry.

Types of Dog Clothing

Besides the two main categories of dog clothes, functional or fashionable, there are many actual types of clothing, with everything from hats and scarves to t-shirt, coats, and socks and shoes. Additionally, there are entire lines of dog costumes suitable for every holiday and event you could think of, including wedding outfits for both little "brides" and "grooms" that are sure to get big smiles from everyone, as well as clothes that are made just for specific breeds.

Here are some of the most popular types of dog clothing today:

- Booties or shoes: Not only are booties and dog shoes cute, but many also serve the important purpose of protecting your dog’s precious paws. When purchasing shoes or boots for your dog, be sure to find out in advance if they are intended for protective wear, or merely for their fashion appeal.

- Coats: Perfect for keeping the active, but smaller dog warm during the colder months, coats can be made from a variety of fabrics and come in several lengths. Dogs with short hair can wear coats to protect them from the cold, snow, wind and rain, while dogs with long hair may also benefit from a coat that keeps their fur from becoming wet, tangled, and full of grass, weeds, thorns, or brambles and the like.

- Dresses: Frilly and adorable are two words that come to mind when thinking of dresses for little girl dogs. With hundreds of styles, designs, fabrics, and colors to select from, it’s often difficult to choose one over another.

- Sweaters: Perhaps one of the most popular types of dog clothing is the sweater. Used for keeping dogs warm and toasty, sweaters are available in every design and color imaginable.

- T-shirts: From the plain to the custom-made, personalized shirt that can be designed any way you like, t-shirts are a nice addition to any type of dog’s wardrobe.

- Vests: Yet another rather popular type of clothing for dogs is the vest, whether they’re made from sweater material or intended to be worn outside like a coat.

In addition to all of these many choices, there is also jewelry, and an array of collars, harnesses, and leashes that can be high couture, functional, or both, as well as pajamas, pants, shorts, hooded sweatshirts, and of course, hats and bandanas.

What to Look for When Buying Dog Clothes

Besides visual appeal, there are other variables to consider before buying clothes for your dog or puppy, including the following:

- Quality materials and workmanship: Buying cheaply made clothing is actually a waste of money over the long term as rips and tears, lost closures, and shrinkage after washing are common occurrences in dog clothes that aren’t carefully made from quality materials.

- The proper fit: Much like clothing made for us humans, not all dog clothes are made the same so it’s best to take accurate measurements, and then use those based on the manufacturer or vendors individual sizing charts. Outerwear, such as boots, shoes, hats, coats and vests should always have a good fit that’s not too tight and allows room for movement.

- Velcro closures: Not only are they effective at keeping your dog’s clothing in place, but Velcro is also far easier to work with than buttons or snaps, especially with a fussy or impatient dog

In addition to these important issues, remember that wearing clothing should be a positive experience and never cause your dog any type of stress or discomfort.

Care for dog the right way.

Tags: Dog Clothes