Articles About Dogs

Dog Clothes make Great Gifts

When it comes to the art of giving, a gift of clothes is fraught with peril. We all have stories to tell, and if you don't, you will. Just give it time.

Mine started early. My grandmother, having survived the Depression, knew how to stretch a dollar. Clothes for her grandkids were always purchased 3 or 4 sizes too big so we could "grow into them". And she passed this charming trait on to my mother. So, we endured our baggy clothes, with the sleeves and pant legs rolled up, until we were finally big enough to wear them with dignity. By which time they were ready for donation.

Then there's my husband. Heaven forbid I should try to give the man a Polo shirt with an uneven hemline. Most Polos are made longer in the back to help them stay "tucked", but hubby goes un-tucked -- always. He rejects any polo that breaks the rule, no matter how subtly. For an otherwise easy-going guy, his behavior is almost perverse.

If you must give clothes this season, there's one giftee on your list who's sure to look great in any outfit you buy him. He'll wear your gift with pride and appreciation, head held high and tail wagging.

That's right, your dog. Or your best friend's dog. It's so easy you'll wonder why you didn't think of it before.

Dogs love any kind of attention you lavish on them. So, Spike will wear his outfit - whether it's cute or ridiculous - as soon as he sees how happy it makes his owner. Spot will eat up all that extra attention he gets from strangers. And Fifi might even want to Vogue for the camera.

Clothes shopping for dogs is a lot like clothes shopping for babies. Unless you're going for practicality, cuteness is what counts. And that's easy to accomplish, given that any dog wearing clothes looks pretty darned cute.

Choices in dog clothes range from winter sweaters to football jerseys and summer tees. You can get a set of flannel PJ's for bedtime or a terry robe for after bath. There's even an entire line of Harley clothes for dogs, complete with leather cap and studded collar. Dog costumes made for parties and holidays are just too cute for words.

If you really want your gift to be a hit with admirers, accessorize. Try a designer dog collar and maybe a cool pair of sunglasses--they make them just for dogs. And I recently heard that leg warmers are making a come back.

Got a mischievous sense of humor? Making the baby look silly might be a no-no, but it's good clean fun when it comes to dressing up a dog. There are some really creative doggie costume out there that are good for a chuckle or two.

There's really only a couple of rules you'll need to keep in mind when shopping for dog clothes: One is that if the dog in question is an avid chewer, you should avoid buying him anything tempting. Shiny buttons, fringe, and feathers are examples that come to mind. An object that can easily be chewed off and swallowed is a choking hazard and can get stuck in the dog's digestive tract.

The other rule is that any dog, no matter how tolerant, will be more comfortable wearing clothes that fit. Proper fit typically requires measuring from the dog's collar to the base of her tail for length. Most garment's girth can be adjusted with velcro tabs, but could still be an issue with a barrel-chested breed such as a bulldog. Measurements are typically in inches.

Remember that a dog will never "diet down" into an outfit that's too small , or -- unless you're shopping for a puppy or a pregnant female -- "grow into" an item that's too big. (Sorry, Grandma.)

Oh, and one more thing--if you're handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own dog clothes creations. Just don't forget to include an opening for the dog to relieve himself. Don't laugh, it happens a lot!

Now, if you're shopping for your own dog, you're all set. But if you're buying clothes for someone else's dog, I've got a few more tips for you.

Surveys conducted on the subject of gift preferences of men and women have shown that men prefer gifts that are more playful or practical. So, if the dog's owner is male this might translate into a doggie Harley jacket, a funny costume, or a reflective hunting vest (more on practical clothing in another article!).

Women, on the other hand, prefer gifts that are beautiful, memorable, and personal. It shouldn't be hard to find an item of clothing for a woman's dog that's either beautiful or memorable or both, and it will of course be personal!

Exception: if the woman is someone you don't know well. The more distant the relationship between giver and receiver, the riskier it is to give a personal gift. So, be they man or woman, if you don't know the dog owner very well, you probably shouldn't be buying dog clothes for their pet.

I hope you'll have fun picking out something nice for the canine on your shopping list. If you get a chance, send me a photo!

© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of Great-Dog-Gift.com . If you need inspiration for dog clothes, stop by. The site offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also advice on dog care and feeding.) She's always looking for new dog gift ideas and dog stories to share with her readers. You can reach her by email at netbrainer@verizon.net.

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

4 Dog Training Tips That Work
There are many, many ways to approach training your dog You could hire out a professional trainer (expensive

The Real Truth About Commercial Dog Food
They say dog is mans best friend. What if he?s just eaten the arm of your sofa or helped himself to the roast turkey in the kitchen? But seriously, this is all part of raising your pet and all part of the fun (not at the time but you can look back and laugh). Just like any other member of your family you love your dog in spite of (and because of) his or her quirks, this is just part of their personality and what makes them so special.

Dog Food: A Conspiracy Beyond Its League
Last decade, I would not have to think twice before buying my dog?s favorite dog biscuits or dog food But these days, there seems to be conspiracies involving even dog food

There is Nothin Like a (Dog Loving) Dame
Well at least that's the view of the founder of the leading dating site for dog lovers -- www.doglover.biz. Derek Collinson says, "I believe (dog loving) dames are passionate, loyal open, kind and sensitive and have a great sense of humour and I should know -- I married one!" "Perhaps that's why they love dogs because dogs too have these qualities in abundance and they welcome them as kindred spirits!" "Well known dog lovers such as Pamela Anderson, Bridget Bardot, Jennifer Aniston, Audrey Hepburn, Alicia Silverstone, Bo Derek, Jane Seymour and Janet Jackson to mention but a few prove that when it comes to attractive women, there is nothin' like ...

Dog Potty Training
Dog Potty Training is not like having your dog sit on a potty like we used to do with our kids rather it?s guiding our dogs to where they should pee or poop. In most cases for dog potty training, this area would be outside your house where we can allow some odor.

You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: With Online Pet Solutions
Although you may not be able to teach an old dog how to roll over or play dead, you can teach it to enjoy pet products you order a new way, online By shopping at ecommerce websites, you can not only find neat pet items, you can save lots of money on expensive gas, save time driving around, and stay home and shop online, buying just what you?d like, and have it shipped to you

Dog Training: What Is Dog Training?
The term ?dog training? can mean many different things ? this is an important fact to remember when deciding what exactly you need to do with your dog. First, there is "behavior training?.

How to Teach a Dog to Stop Barking
Hearing a dog happily barking as it chases after a ball in the woods can be a wonderful sound, but if the neighbors are complaining and you and your family are suffering from having a dog that barks constantly that you cannot control, you will probably want to learn how to teach a dog to stop barking

Dog Training - The Heel Command
The heel command is another very important and popular command for your dog along with many others listed on www.dog-behavior-training.co.uk, taking the time to teach your dog this command will save you hours of getting annoyed when your dog doesn't behave on long or short walks around your local area.

Dog Health Conditions and Terms You Should Know... Part 2
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present at birth.The testicle/s, which developed in the abdomen, fail to descend into the scrotum.

Hot Dog Takes Lead over Hamburger at Little League World Series
Delaware North Companies Sportservice is conducting a straw poll to see if children prefer hot dogs or hamburgers when it comes to concession snacks. After one day of polling, Hot Dog holds a slight lead at the 2008 Little League World Series.

Preparing For The Arrival of Your New Dog
Introducing a dog to a home is always a big occasion and a momentous one at that. For that same reason, it is an occasion that should be properly prepared for.

Animal Behavior: What is My Dog Saying?
Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts, their speech is often amplified by their body movements and facial expressions.

Dog Training - How To Win Your Dogs Confidence
Settling a puppy into a new home successful is often easier than an older dog because a young dog will adapt more willingly to joining what is, in effect, a new pack.Even so, it's usually possible to win the confidence of older dogs so that they will adapt well to their new environment, although this will require more patience.