Southport Magazine

Dilly, sporting her sharp duds for an upcoming PJ party, models for the camera. Dilly’s mom is Johnna Jalot, a contributor to Southport Magazine and owner of Four Legs Good Pet Boutique in Southport. Courtesy photo

Years ago, when I was a member of the “Big Dogs Only” club, I didn’t quite get little dogs who were dressed up like people. Having only had large, extremely furry mutts, clothing your dog was a cute though foreign concept. When a Jack Russell mix joined the family, I dipped a toe in the pooch fashion pool by purchasing a navy-blue fleece jacket. Except he wanted none of it, so the jacket, as well as my burgeoning desire for a preppy puppy, was hidden away in a closet.

And then a 10-pound, part terrier, part your-guess-is-as-good-as-mine, bundle of whispy white hair came into our lives, flinging the door to dog fashion wide open. Having been severely neglected before being rescued, Phyllis Diller (aka Dilly) had hardly any body hair and looked, well, naked.

This dog needed clothing, stat. So a white shirt with pink bunnies on it was tried on—and she liked it. She liked it. One innocent t-shirt to protect her from sunburn quickly escalated into a cabinet full of scarves, thermal undershirts, coats, sweaters, hoodies, and pajamas. Yes, pajamas. Pink striped ones.

Take away the cute factor and there are still valid reasons for clothing your canine—whether you have a Great Dane or a teacup Chihuahua. Are you ready to unleash the fashionista in your four-legged child? Today there are as many types of apparel as there are justifications to adorn your pet:

Coats and outerwear
Yes, it does get that cold here in Southport. Coat materials come in a variety including wool, fleece, leather, and down, in addition to all sorts of sweaters and sweatshirts. Tip: Look for outerwear with a leash opening on the back to make walking with a harness simple.

T-shirts
A little extra layer of warmth in the wintertime and protection from sunburn in the summertime, with the bonus of making statements like “Please do not tail gate!” or “Find me on Facebook!”

Rain jackets and ponchos
You may ask: Do dogs care if they get wet? A better question: Do you care for the smell of wet dog?

Shoes and booties
Don’t overestimate the toughness of paws, especially in extreme weather.  Shoes offer protection from snow and ice, hot pavement or rock, and jagged surfaces.

Socks 
A staple when worn with shoes, but also functional on their own. Rubber bottoms provide stability on slick floors and are useful as a protective cover-up for bandaged paws.

Hats and Visors
Want to help prevent cataracts? Blocking the sun’s rays is a good start.

Doggles
Protection from sun damage as well as any flying objects when boating, on the beach, or sticking their head as far as they can out the car window.

Scarves
Otherwise known as gateway apparel.  While a tie-on scarf will never go out of style, there are also versions that slip over collars or use clasps to stay in place.

Now that you are committed to ending dog nudity, don’t forget that your primary concern is protection. After all, that’s why you bought the “Kiss My Mutt” t-shirt, right?

It’s best not to leave your dog unattended in any clothing or accessories, because there is always a chance of consuming parts or getting tangled up. This became evident to me while watching my middle child, Captain Spriggs, wrestle with Dilly on the couch one day. Like a seasoned hockey player in a fight, he managed to yank Dilly’s “Adopt” shirt over her head, rendering her upper body useless. While admittedly hilarious to watch, I made a mental note to keep her in fur only when there are no adults around. (And to teach her some moves of her own.)

One more tip: While hooded fleece pajamas with a monkey print (of course we have a set) make for an adorable scene, function over fashion should always be the rule. An ill-fitting outfit can do more harm than good. Mobility should not be restricted, and closely monitor for any skin chafing. Sadly, some dogs get stressed if anything other than a collar is placed on them. If that’s the case with your dog—forcing them into fashion is a bad idea and you will have to come to terms with having a dog that goes through this world naked. (Sorry.) Though if you really need your fix for canine couture, you can always stop by the store and see Dilly modeling the latest in four-legged fashion.