Do you like to dress your dog up?

Dressed up Poodle - Take a look at this poodle. This was an entry in a recent competition, what do you think to it?
@jeggie (99)
December 18, 2008 3:16pm CST
I was recently looking at some pictures of these poodles that have been completely decorated (take a look at the picture!). Some would say that this is an art form, but i personally do not like it when people dress their dogs up, or dye their fur.Dogs are dogs, not dolls to play with. How about all you dog owners out there, what are your views on dressing your dogs up?
6 people like this
30 responses
@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
19 Dec 08
My dog does have some sweaters and two Christmas outfits. I don't think there is anything wrong with putting clothes on my dog. The sweaters keep her warm in the cold weather because her breed usually gets cold very easily. And people dress up their kids for Christmas picture, so why no a dog. I mean our dog is like a child to us.
2 people like this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
19 Dec 08
I hate when people "dress" their dogs. I have always treated my dogs with respect and love. I have a friend that thinks that it is soooooooo cute to dress her dog up and is constantly telling me about the cute little outfits she has seen that she would like to dress her dog up with. The dog is a Lab/Pitt mix and weighs a good 75 pounds...and to dress it up in "girly" outfits would be like gluing lace on a bowling ball! I have three mini Dachshunds and I have fleece coats for them simply because they do get horribly cold. But that is the extent of my "DRESSING" them up. As for dying their fur, it has to be unsafe for the dog in the long run...they weren't put on the face of the earth to change color of their fur. I personally don't feel that it is an art form, it is more like a form of abuse! But, to each their own. If they want to dress up their dogs or dye them horrible colors, just keep the dogs out of my way. I don't think it's cute or an art form.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
19 Dec 08
Buster Clause - The only typew of dressing up I do for my Buster.
The only dressing I do for our beagle Buster is to get a photo of him each year in my Santa Hat. I call him BUSTER CLAUSE. Never a sweater or botties etc as he is a winter hardy breed. Here is a shot of Buster Clause. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB!!~
1 person likes this
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
19 Dec 08
One thing is to dress them, but it's quite another to dye their fur and turn them into some kind of walking posterboard. I know there is a big market for dog accessories, especially for the smaller breeds and that's fine as long as the dog isn't bothered. I have my doggies groomed, and a couple of times they did paint her nails, but I stopped when my vet said it could be harmful if ingested. I agree with the shirts and coats for colder weather, and sometimes I have dressed them up on Halloween for a jaunt around the neighborhood, but that's as far as it goes.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Dec 08
When I got pregnant, I had a major urge to play dress up with my cat! He has his own myspace and videos on youtube and everything! He has pretty much been my baby for the past 2 years, so I'm surprised he's not jealous of the little one. :)
1 person likes this
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
19 Dec 08
I don't like dressed up dogs. I mean, it's ok if people put some clothes on their dogs if it's too cold but some fancy clothing or changing fur color just doesn't seem good for animals. In my opinion, people who dress up their dogs think only on themselves and what they like and not really how does their dog feel and is it comfortable. I prefer my dog just like he is.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Dec 08
I have 3 chihuahuas and I NEVER dress them up. They are not toys or fashion accessories they are dogs and proud of it. I think it is taking their dignity away from them to make them look foolish.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84651)
• United States
19 Dec 08
I only put "clothes" on my dog during the winter, and that is for practical purposes. Sometimes even if he has a "sweater" on, it is still too cold to take him outside. But when I put a shirt on him, there are days he can go outside even when it is chilly. So putting clothes on my dog is only for one season, and only for practical purposes. But I don't mind if people dress up their dogs.
1 person likes this
@katkat (2378)
• Philippines
19 Dec 08
Well I don't consider my dog as a doll or a toy to play around. My dog is also part of our family. I love to dress my dog but not dye his fur. When I dress my dog I made sure that he will be comfortable and like it. I don't usually dress but when the weather is cold I dress him up for him to be warm.
1 person likes this
@Annmac (949)
19 Dec 08
I absolutely HATE it! It really gets me angry when I see any dog dressed in sweaters or human type clothing! It's not for the dog it's for the owner. Why don't they just buy a dog shaped toy! I don't mind the proper dog coats that are used on grey-hounds and other very fine-coated dogs but most animals don't feel the cold as we do and to see a dog like a Shepherd or Pomeranian which have double coats that are extrememly weatherproof, dressed up, really annoys me. The most stupid thing I've seen though is a raincoat on a Newfoundland! WHAT? The dog is capable of swimming in near freezing water so I'm certain a little spot of rain wouldn't even be noticed! Dogs are beautifully clothed by nature!
1 person likes this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
19 Dec 08
I completely agree with you, Jeggie - I hate seeing pets treated like accessories! The owners seem to be like the mothers of pageant children - they are really only doing it for themselves. No dog should be subject to hours of primping and preening - they should be out rolling in something stinky and running in the hills! If these people want to play dolly dress-ups, they should buy themselves a teddy bear!
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
19 Dec 08
Some dogs love to dress up, but I think that is because their owners make it a game. I can get my hound to put a rain coat on but that's it. She's a ranch dog not a city dog and I only cover her when it's really wet and snowy.
@patweber (78)
• United States
19 Dec 08
It's not for me. When I get pics of such things in an email I do however smile or laugh. The most dress up of our poodle is a holiday scarf that the groomer puts on her every time she gets groomed and a little fleece coat I put on her when the weather gets really cold.
• United States
19 Dec 08
If I could find some cute winter clothes for my dogs. I would put them on them. Was thinking about spiking my labs hair just to take pictures of him, to see how cute he was. Other than clothes I probably wouldn't do anything else to them.
1 person likes this
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
19 Dec 08
poor dog. . okay well.. I am a lover or all animals.. but dogs.. they would be lower on my list of favourate animals.. however.. I dont wish any harm or whatever they did to that dog in your picture on any dog!! If my family wanted a dog and we had to have one i'd get one i guess.. and i'd love it cause it would become part of our family.. but i would not ever ever ever dress it up~
1 person likes this
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
19 Dec 08
With some people their dogs are like childrem to them and I guess that is why they dress them up. As for me my dog has a coat to wear in winter when he goes out. And I would like to get him some pj's that I seen in the store, but as far as dressing him up to go out for looks then I dont' think that is what a dog is made for, like you said dogs are not people.
1 person likes this
@youless (112096)
• Guangzhou, China
19 Dec 08
I had a dog before and I liked to dress him, especially when the weather was cold. However, my dog didn't like to wear anything at all. So I have to give up my this idea. I love China[em]thumbup[/em
1 person likes this
@bluishrose (2289)
• Philippines
19 Dec 08
I like to look at dressed up dogs but mine is very huge so clothes doesnt fit him. There;s no problem in dressing up as long as it fits for the season and for the sake of their health. The only thing that I dont like is when people color their furs.
1 person likes this
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
19 Dec 08
Dear friend, I do not dress up my dogs but I had seen some doing, I hope they have their own way of loving animals and may be they have their own interests provided that do not hurt others much. I hope my dogs are comfortable without dress. May be if they feel ashamed or any I hope to do so. Still I could see that dressing dogs is another art of creativity and in some cases it really is to appreciated. It is really an art I hope so.
• United States
19 Dec 08
heyy! yes i do dress my pug up, but she hates it. i bought her a cheap 5 dollar dress from walmart, and she becomes to grouchy in it. so we rarely ever make her wear it.
1 person likes this