The Dogs Of Fashion
As winter arrives in the northern parts of the world and we break out our down filled parkas, our fleece lined ski jackets, long-johns, hats and mittens - do we stop to think of our four legged friends and companions? Well, most of us don’t, which is hard to imagine seeing as he’s one of our best friends.
Most of the dogs that we keep have not been bred for a severely cold climate. They were bred for size, companionship, show and as working dogs. Only the Spitz-type dogs such as the Alaskan malamute and the Huskies were bred for cold climates. These are large dogs with heavy mass and thick coats that are able to retain and maintain their body heat.
Many of the larger short haired breeds such as the Bulldog, Boxer, Dalmatian and Great Dane appreciate a sweater in cold weather. However, most of the dogs we have as pets in our homes are from the medium to smaller dog breeds. These dogs, because of their smaller body mass and typically thinner coats, can get cold very quickly. Their extremities, being smaller, have a greater chance of being damaged by the cold than do the larger breeds. Small and toy dogs have an extremely hard time maintaining and retaining their body heat. At worst frigid air, snow or slush can cause your dog to get frost bite and at best it will certainly make her him not want to go outdoors for exercise, walks and toileting.
One of the best ways to protect your pet from the elements is to kit them out with specialty dog clothes designed to keep them warm. Like our own clothing, the materials used are designed for comfort and durability. Fleece, cotton and nylon are commonly used in the construction of doggie coats, capes, sweaters, shirts and boots. If you want keep your dog comfortable in cold weather you will need to purchase at the very least a coat or cape (to help retain body heat) and fleece lined nylon boots (to protect the feet from snow and cold). Almost any pet store will have dog apparel to suit most breeds. To find larger sized clothes (for breeds like the Greyhound) or specific brands and styles, you may have to search out an on-line store that carries these products.
If you live in the Snow Belt, do your dog a favor - get him some warm clothes to wear. He’ll be happier for it and you’ll have peace of mind that your dog is safe and comfortable.
If this article interested you, check out our breed page on Dog Supplies
Do you run a site that should be listed here? Link to this site and then tell us about it.
Articles
Choosing the Dog Breed For You
You should decide what kind of dog will best meet your requirements. You may want to choose a cross-breed, designer or pure-bred dog...
Hereditary Diseases in Dogs
An article on hereditary dog diseases that lists common health problems and the breeds that commonly inherit them.
Top 10 Toy Dog Breeds
The Toy Group includes most of the very small and miniature lap dogs and apartment-sized companion dog breeds. Toy dogs play a critical role in the lives of people that live alone and their presence can have beneficial effects on the health of the sick, the elderly and the housebound. Toys are popular companion dogs for people living in cities and adapt well to apartment life.
Top 10 Terrier Dog Breeds
The Terrier Group includes those small but lively terrier breeds that were developed (mainly in Great Britain) to hunt small burrowing animals such as badgers, foxes, otters, rabbits and rats.
Top 10 Hound Dog Breeds
The Hound Group includes dog breeds with a wonderful sense of smell and/or great athleticism. These breeds were developed to follow game either by sight or by smell.
How Dogs Can Help Teach Your Children Responsibility
Owning a dog is a great way to engage your kids in the process of responsibility. Teaching your children to be responsible is probably one of the most important aspects of being a parent. And why not have a little help in this department with the assistance of a brand-new puppy?
Making A long Road Trip More Comfortable For Your Dog
If your road trip is going to be a long one then you need to take a few extra steps to plan accordingly and ensure that you and your puppy get to your destination safe and happy. Here are a few suggestions that can help...
Xoloitzcuintli Dog Breed
The Xolo is one of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds. Statues and effigies dating back more than 3,000 years have been found in Mayan tombs. Xolos were valued for their loyalty, companionship and intelligence as well as their curative and mystical powers.
Our List of Dog Breeds
A list of over 110 Dog breeds and growing.
Additional Content
If you have a picture of your dog that you would like us to use either in a 'dog photo needed' spot or in our up coming dog breeds photo gallery, you can e-mail us the picture at dogphotos@Dog-Breed-Facts.com
All submissions become the sole property of Dog-Breed-Facts.comRead our term of use and privacy statements.
For quick browsing of our site visit our site map.
