Dog Dressing Is Dangerous

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The 'canine couture' fad is equivalent to leaving your pet locked inside hot cars and can lead to the owners being prosecuted. They have also stated that the trend is demeaning and encourages bad behaviour.

Dog clothing is the latest big business in the market, the various outfits for the four-legged includes all-in-one trouser suits, which only leave the head and paws exposed, "jumpers", which cover the body and the front legs, and even "hoodies". Other fancy clothing like that of Elvis Presley and pirates costumes are also available.

Various dog-accessories and clothings are created by designers like Vivienne Westwood and Ben de Lisi, while a fashion show is held by Harrods for the canine clothing called Pet-a-Porter.

With an exception of small dogs, or thin breeds like greyhounds, or those bred for much warmer climates, like the Saluki, any form of clothing makes the pet uncomfortable and interferes with its body temperature regulations.

"There are very few occasions when an animal needs a coat, even in the recent cold weather," the Telegraph quoted Mark Johnston, from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, as saying.

"Dogs have developed a very effective coat of their own, which will protect them from the elements. Dressing them in a coat diminishes the animal's ability to regulate their own body temperature and could be detrimental if the animal gets too hot.

"Too high a temperature is more of a risk to the dog's health than too low a temperature," he added

RSPCA spokeswoman Helen Briggs, said: "Under the Animal Welfare Act, you are obliged to provide appropriate conditions and environments for your dog. So if you are slapping a great big coat on it when it really doesn't need it, then that could cause it to suffer if it is overheating. It is the same as if you leave a dog in a car in hot weather.

"Some breeds have been bred to have less fur, so in some cases it is quite appropriate for a dog to wear a coat in very cold weather. But if an owner is just doing it for a fashion statement I certainly would question that," Briggs added.