Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Some of Our Favorite Things: Sophisticated Dog Gear

 I never thought I would turn into someone who would dress up my 75 lb dog, but I think with pitbulls it becomes a necessity whether you want to or not. With their short fur pitties don't do well in the cold; I found this out our first winter when Miss M became a quivering mess and I had to literally wrestle her to get her 75 lb body out the door. So here are a couple of our favorite essentials for keeping our pooches warm, happy, and stylish:

Ruffwear  K-9 Overcoat
Our pooches wear these basically all winter, especially in Chicago where we have the occasional Blizzaster. We like the Ruffwear brand because they fit to accommodate our pooches muscular chests, they double as a raincoat, and they're sleek for everyday wear. Plus they hold up well; Miss M has had hers for 5 years!

Cute Sweaters
 We bought our pooches' sweaters a couple of years ago, because they would get cold even when they were inside. Plus, we had to make them look a bit more approachable when we debuted them to E's family for their very first Thanksgiving. The pre-made sweaters tend to be a bit long for our pooches, and we actually have to pin the bottoms, and we are especially craving these adorable custom-sewn sweaters. I know Mr. B would look quite dashing in a rugby stripe.

Great Collars
I actually had a really hard time finding a collar I liked for Miss M, but now I think I've discovered a couple of great collar-makers and I'm quite addicted. When I discovered Sirius Republic makes matching leashes for their martingales, we were quick to deck out the pooches in matching gear. Mr. B especially loves how he matches E:
Then we discovered Silly Buddy with their most adorable bowtie collars. We love how they can make the everyday extraordinary; people really do doubletake watching our pooches walk down the street. Plus they are a great alternative to costumes.
These are some of our favorite picks. How else does everyone dress a sophisticated pup?

21 comments:

Two French Bulldogs said...

What fashion statements! You guys are good to go
Benny & Lily

jet said...

all that gear is nice! we live in such a mild climate that our dogs don't need coats, and in fact, even when staying at the kennels Barbie refused to wear her coat - she just grew more hair than I have ever seen on her instead!

I do have a coat for Barbie that is designed to be wet, and then provide evaporative cooling for her. Mainly bought this for camping trips in summer.

Of Pit Bulls and Patience said...

We do a lot of the same- though I've been trying to hold myself off from buying Parker and Skye a flower/bowtie collar (and failing). Skye will also rock a bandana every now and again.

The Daily Pip said...

They are always very well dressed! I like sweaters and bow-ties quite a bit. I need to get a jacket with a hood - love the first photo.

Your pal, Pip

Unknown said...

Such stylish pups!! Though Flash and Ollie have short hair, they never seem to mind the cold so they don't get to wear any clothing. I do especially love the bow-tie collars though! Those are adorable!!

Liz @ The Shrinking Owl said...

When out in public, I definitely like to make sure my pit, Bella, has on a fetching collar and perhaps a cute bandanna or something. It makes her more approachable and less intimidating to people who may be saying "omg A PIT BULL!!!!"

She also has costumes... a Christmas dress.... a velour track suit.... a Halloween t-shirt.... a sweater... a dog snuggie... okay, yeah, my dog is spoiled.

jen said...

What wonderful pictures! Mr B needs to come over and give Sherman and Leroy some lessons in style!

Unknown said...

Pauley also refuses to go outside when the weather is cold unless he is dressed. Even in the summer though, he gets excited when we get any type of clothing out for him. I am really impressed that Miss M's coat has lasted 5 years! I will have to check Ruffwear out.

Froggy said...

Maize always wears a coat in the winter, she just get way to cold. Pug on the other had has a double coat and can manage through the worst weather. I am on the list to get a handmade knit sweater from Waldo's Bungie for Maize and I just cant wait!

Kate said...

We have a few sweaters and coats for our dogs. I like to buy them when they go on sale at the end of the season so we get a good deal :) I do not have bow tie for Nemo though, which seems like a real oversight on my part now that I see how Levi is in his!

Tucker The Crestie said...

Um, our pups are nowhere near as sophisticated as Miss M. and Mr. B. They are style gurus! Too adorable!

goosie mama said...

100% agree with the comments here, dressing them up can help people be less intimidated by a (gasp) pit bull. At the very least, I've found with G it can help start a conversation which is sometimes the hardest part!

Just last night I put G in her Tummy Warmer and trekked her through the Upper West Side - I got 3 comments about how pretty she was!

Kristine said...

These are some great ideas! I've been considering getting a rain coat for my dog due to the cold November rain we are about to receive. I'll have to check this one out!

brooke said...

I love Sirius Republic! Best collars!
We have a fleece lined raincoat for Darwin cause she hates the rain and gets cold.
Finding sweaters that fit Darwin's massive bosom (hehehe) is hard but she does fit into a men's XL! :)

Unknown said...

They are cute, and I have always looked at people like they were crazy dressing up with their dogs. But, I am so guilty. Especially have a pit with their short fur, you dont want them cold. I think it is necessary. We bought Trip a Wrap Polo Jacket. Its cute. I must admit though, finding clothes for big dogs (at least muscular dogs like pits) is hard to find sometimes. I am glad that yours seem to enjoy it, because it took Trip a little while to get used to his new jacket. Good luck keeping warm. :)
Kimberley at hatethedeed
www.hatethedeed.blogspot.com

parlance said...

The two of them look gorgeous in the first photo. I can see that all this gear is useful as well as lovely.

Anonymous said...

I'm drooling over your Ruffwear K-9 coats. Even in Florida it gets cold during the winter months. I'm putting it on my wish list ;) I spied Mom looking at heated beds the other day. Even though I would luv luv luv a heated bed, maybe I would get more use out of a warm coat? Hmmm...decisions decisions ;)

Those Sirius collars are absolutely smashing! Though mine is still in good shape, it would be nice to have something different now and then. I'll talk to Mom and see if maybe we could shop there down the road :)

Thanks for the great ideas! :D

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Emily said...

My mother recently made a tie for my boy, it just slides onto his collar. I can't wait to take him out on public with it. Friends have always said he looks like a little man and needs a tie. Now he has one. Can't wait to take my little gentleman out in public to debut it.

A Wonderful Dogs Life said...

Love your coats! They are bright and pretty. You two are so stylish. Not many people around here dress up their dogs but we did notice after we started wearing coats and sweaters our neighbors dog started appearing in them too :) Thanks for the great suggestions.

Anne-Kathrine said...

I love all their outfits :) Patachou my rottie angel loved wearing clothes :) He would get all wiggly when he would be able to wear something :)

Julia said...

Oh perfect! I meant to ask last week where M's collar was from- just ordered a cute one for Lily from Sirius Republic!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...