The sense and nonsense of dog clothing

Especially when it is cold outside, you see them more and more often: dogs in little coats. Various cuts and purposes, from the functional raincoat through to the complete dog outfit with matching accessories – the market has almost everything on offer to dress dogs of every size. „That is animal cruelty!“ some scold. „But it looks so cute!“ others argue. The debates about dog clothing are controversial and are often conducted very passionately and emotionally. And, as ever, the truth probably lies somewhere between the extremes.

Sensible dog clothing

That dog clothing is unnatural is probably not up for debate. After all, dogs naturally have a coat that protects them from external influences: cold, wet or UV radiation are kept away from the dog's body by the natural, hairy barrier – clothing unnecessary, one might think. But, as is so often the case, it is not quite so simple to draw a line here. Because of the great diversity of breeds that our global age brings with it, not all dogs are ideally adapted with their coat to the conditions of their surroundings. While a husky or German shepherd certainly has no difficulty with the western European winter, things can look quite different for a short-haired, small (and therefore quickly cooling) Chihuahua that is adapted to Mexican conditions.

This affects above all the very smallest dogs, which are particularly sensitive to cold simply because of their body's low heat-storage capacity. But some specialised breeds too, such as the delicate, thin-coated sighthound breeds like the whippet, the Italian greyhound or the galgo, are sometimes grateful to be given a little coat that protects them during central Europe's cold winter. This is not, however, due to a general sensitivity, but above all to the high degree of their specialisation: in order to be able to reach the highest speeds, these breeds were bred so that they carry hardly any unnecessary fat, coat or tissue as ballast – but that also means the natural protective layers against the cold fall away and, in our latitudes, have to be compensated for by dog clothing on icy winter days.

Hairless dogs such as the Chinese Crested or the Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican hairless dog) are certainly a special case here: their hairless body lacks the protection of a coat, which is why they need protection from the cold in winter and, in summer (depending on skin colour and the corresponding sensitivity), protection against UV radiation. There are also medical reasons for dog clothing: after an operation or because of coat problems, the coat as the dog's natural protective barrier can be damaged or even missing entirely, so that it needs additional protection from dog clothing. In fact, then, there are indeed reasons that justify wearing dog clothing and in which dog clothing is in the dog's interest.

Dog clothing as an accessory

Unfortunately, not every dog that wears dog clothing actually has a need for it: following the trend, there are more and more dog owners who kit their dog out with entire „outfits“. A jumper, little shoes, the matching collar, perhaps even a clip for the head – the only benefit here seems to be to make the dog look cute.

But what is „cute“ to human eyes is often anything but pleasant for dogs: the more elaborate the outfit, the less functional it is. The animal's freedom of movement is often restricted to a greater or lesser degree; even putting it on is frequently unpleasant for the dog – and wearing it afterwards all the more so. If the animal also has to wear its clothing indoors (because it looks so cute!), there is the added danger of overheating. Not to mention that, with the long-term wearing of dog clothing, the normal moulting is affected in the long run.

In these cases the dog's welfare is not only not the focus, but is wilfully ignored. The dog itself is reduced to a fashion accessory, instead of being taken seriously as a living creature with its own needs. That is why wearing dog clothing purely for „stylish“ reasons cannot be endorsed.

Not tarring everyone with the same brush

If you look at the arguments more closely, it quickly becomes clear that you cannot tar everyone who reaches for dog clothing with the same brush. While there are some serious reasons for dog clothing, there is also a growing number of „fashion victims“ who turn functional dog wear into trendy dog fashion that does not always meet the dog's needs. It is always necessary to weigh up carefully whether the dog clothing really serves the animal's welfare or whether it is more a matter of fashionable aspects.

And even in cases where dog clothing does become necessary, it is important to weigh up carefully which items you ultimately reach for: functionality is what counts here, breathable materials without toxins and, above all, cuts that do not restrict the animals in their freedom of movement. Then dog clothing can indeed be a sensible addition for the dog's welfare.