(CNN) – In the dead of winter in Minnesota, dogs, especially those of short-haired, muscular, or small breeds, wear jackets for walks around the neighborhood or take short walks around the state's many lakes. It's not uncommon to see them traveling.
While having the idea of dog couture, They may conjure images of Halloween costumes and tightly dressed social dogs, but dog coats have become serious business. Not only are they the sturdy legs of the burgeoning multi-billion dollar pet products industry; But they also represent the evolution of the relationship between humans and pets.
But this raises questions. Does your dog need a coat?
what the doctor says
Simply put, it depends on a variety of factors, including the dog's breed, its coat, size, age, health, and situation, Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinarian for the American Kennel Club, told CNN. Ta. Klein said smaller dogs are usually more sensitive to cold than larger dogs, especially those closer to the ground.
The coat type of your breed is an important factor, whether it's single coat, double coat, hairless, or thinning, because double-coated dogs have an undercoat that keeps them warm in the winter.
Older and younger dogs may benefit from extra warmth, especially if they have underlying health issues that affect their body temperature regulation, or if they have diabetes or osteoarthritis. he said.
“Trust me, I'm a 70-year-old man. I don't really like the cold anymore either,” he said.
From high fashion to high functionality
Evidence of dog fashion and clothing exists throughout history, from the ancient Egyptians and 19th-century dog boutiques in Paris to early 20th-century photographs of dressed dogs. However, what they wore changed radically over time.
There are apt parallels in the history and evolution of dog collars, said Alan Fausel, curator at the AKC Canine Museum in New York City, which hosted the exhibition “Identity and Restraint: The Art of Dog Collars” last year. Told. ”
A traveling exhibit of 187 collars showed the evolution of dogs from utilitarian hunters and field assistants to indoor family members.
“These 17th-century paintings depict bloody, violent dogs and are often difficult to display in museums,” Fausel said. “Now, please turn over a few pages. [in an art book], and suddenly there's the same dog in the living room. In other words, it is domesticism that changes the manufacturing flow and product quality. ”
In the 1600s, when dogs were used for large-scale quarry herd hunting (bear, boar, stag, etc.), they wore spiked iron collars for protection. In the following centuries, collars took on softer, more decorative forms and were made from materials such as brass, Tiffany silver, and gemstones.
There have been some memorable examples of dog attire in popular culture in recent decades. Bruiser Woods' seductive pink wardrobe in Legally Blonde. Frank the pug's sharp suit and tie in Men in Black or Eddie's bright yellow rain cleats in stormy Seattle in Frasier.
And if you scroll through TikTok or Instagram today, you'll see fashionistas and their immediate families playing dress up with pet squirrels, mini pigs, and the most forgiving of cats.
dachshund wears prada
There are many options in the dog apparel business in 2024, catering to all types of pet owners. You can pony up $1,000 for a Gucci or Prada coat, or spend 20 spots on a Chewy weatherproof coat.
But Fifth Avenue's shift from high-end, high-fashion to high-performance, technological features has certainly accelerated in recent decades.
Based in Bend, Oregon, Ruffwear is part of a large group of companies located at the intersection of the pet products and outdoor gear industries.
“We approach dog apparel the same way we do human outdoor apparel, in the sense that we look for ways to contribute to outdoor manufacturing, outdoor innovation and technology, and canine comfort. We are also working on this,” Peter Kearns said. , Product Director at Ruffwear.
“The trend of bringing dogs into the family continues,” he added, “and when we take them on vacation, [or other excursions], you need to prepare, and you need to prepare your dog too. ”
pets and pandemic
From 2020 onwards, this trend has become even stronger. The coronavirus pandemic has caused people to spend more time at home with their pets and welcome new companions. As a result, sales of pet supplies skyrocketed.
Before the pandemic, spending on pets rose slowly and steadily after the Great Recession, rising from $46 billion in 2009 to $75 billion in 2019, according to the American Pet Products Association.
The impact of the pandemic has been significant, with spending soaring to $104 billion in 2020. It is then expected to reach $148 billion by the end of 2023 and nearly $280 billion by 2030, according to APPA., If that happens, apparel sales will not increase.
Voyagers K9 Apparel, a Tacoma, Wash.-based company that makes jackets for 25 breeds, has seen a boost from the pandemic.
“People are adopting more dogs, people are staying home with more dogs. But the other thing I think we sometimes overlook is that our business It’s more to the core, it’s how much people are taking their dogs outside,” Joe said. Hafner bought the company from its longtime owner last year.
“Even after the pandemic, people continue to have a love and respect for nature and are taking their dogs for long walks. It was a long hike,” he added.
Cooler consumer trends, as well as changing weather patterns (such as shorter winter seasons) and an increase in extreme weather events, led Voyager to introduce a line of cooling coats this summer, he said.
“If your goal is to protect your dog from the weather and protect it from extreme heat or extreme cold, there is room in the market for that type of performance wear,” Hafner said. “That being said, there are many reasons to dress up your dog for Halloween or take a walk around New York City in a regal dog outfit. It's not a market where we're doing it, but I think there's certainly a place for it.”
A coat for peace of mind?
At Nature of the Dog Boarding and Daycare facility in Ada, Michigan dog owner Jackie Moold has seen a steady increase in the number of coated dog customers.
“There are so many different styles of these jackets now, so it can be kind of fun (for owners),” she said. “But mainly, I think it gives people a sense of security. Sending your dog to daycare with a coat on gives you peace of mind that you're taking good care of your dog.”
In Anoka, Minnesota, Nicole Wheatley has been making custom fleece pullovers for dogs since 2012. She made her first coat out of pure necessity. When my Doberman, Shanoa, managed to chew through my expensive winter coat.
“And I thought, 'I can't spend that kind of money anymore,'” Wheatley said.
The self-taught seamstress sewed together fleece to keep Shanoa warm and shared the final results on a Doberman owner forum she co-moderated.
“They were like, 'Oh, that's nice, can you make it for me?'” she said.
“And it just kind of spiraled.”
home spun yarn
Flash forward to 2024, and the one-woman shop at Made by MeadowCat is now Wheatley's full-time job.
She produces about 1,000 to 1,300 custom coats a year, typically priced between $40 and $75., Made for a variety of dogs, including some unlikely breeds. For example, Wheatley created a bright fluorescent orange coat for a resident of Minnesota's Northwoods who was worried that his husky would be mistaken for a wolf.
In Muncie, Pennsylvania, a Doberman named Drogo is wearing more than 50 Made by Meadowcat coats, said Lois Kacher, one of Wheatley's first customers.
Some of Drogo's coat is a hand-me-down from Kathar's previous Doberman, and much of it was tailored for the 88-pound pup named after the Dothraki general from Game of Thrones. There is. (One of his coats features a fire-breathing dragon).
The Doberman Pinscher is a prime candidate for a dog coat because of its short coat, thin skin, and minimal body fat, similar to sleek breeds such as Greyhounds and Whippets.
On a recent February morning in Wheatley's home office, Dobermans Leon and Sypha nibble contentedly at handmade fleece patchwork blanket toys. Sypha attended wearing a Grumpy Cat pullover.
“She was chilly this morning,” Wheatley explained. “She was sitting next to me, shaking and looking at me.”
Tips for pet parents
Dr. Jennifer Bruns, a veterinarian with PetSmart Veterinary Services, says it's important to watch your dog for signs like shivering or general discomfort to determine when a coat is needed. I am.
“Introduce a coat slowly, as it may take a few times for your dog to get used to wearing a coat in any situation,” Brands wrote in an email. “Make sure your coat fits snugly for safety and be supervised while wearing it. Consider a coat with reflective material for nighttime safety. ”
Coats can also help keep your dog calm in anxiety-inducing situations like the Fourth of July, and keep them dry during rainstorms. In addition to coats, winter clothing such as boots can be beneficial to protect feet from frostbite and injuries caused by chemical deicers, Klein added.
The AKC has additional tips on its website, but also recommends never leaving your dog unattended in a car, regardless of the season.
