Dog Kennel Guide

In this day and age pets have become big business.  This is because people today tend to view them as an extension of their family and so they get many perks and treats that would never have been dreamt of in past years.  Animals are insured so that, should they become ill, the best health care can be provided.  Special diets are catered for by pet food suppliers so that everything from diabetic to aging animals are receiving only the best food that money can buy.

On top of this the number of pet accessories on the market is just staggering and stores can sell you anything from a luxury dog kennel to a dog life jacket for dogs that spend some of their time on a boat with their owners.   While some accessories are mere fripperies there are others which are extremely useful and one of these is a large dog harness.

If you own a breed of dog known for its large size, such as an Irish Wolfhound or a Great Dane then you may find that taking him or her for a walk can be a bit of a strain.  If your dog doesn’t have the manners to walk peacefully by your side then you probably get dragged along with the dog actually more in control than you are.  However, there is a solution to this problem.  Initially for little dogs such as terriers a small dog harness was designed to protect their backs and fragile neck bones however, someone then had the bright idea to try designing one for larger dogs.

Large dog harnesses give the control back to the owner because the straps fit over your dog’s chest putting you in a position where you can exert enough power to pull even a very large dog back.  This is because the weight of you pulling on the leash is spread over a much larger area of his body.

There are a variety of harnesses to choose from those which your dog stands over and then you lift it and clasp it over his back to a martingale style.  You can also choose between a leather or soft dog harness though leather is recommended for very large dogs as it is much stronger.  You can even get a dog harness for car which is designed to attach to the seat belt to keep your dog safely secured during journeys.

As you can see, a large dog harness is ideal for keeping control of a large dog when out for your daily walk.

As we all know, dogs come in all shapes and sizes and, depending on the breed have many different types of fur.  Some dogs have long, fine hair while others have short, wiry curls.  If you live somewhere in the world where the temperature drops for at least part of the year then you need to be aware that dogs with short or fine coats will almost certainly benefit from wearing dog sweaters and coats.

A dog sweater will act in exactly the same manner as a human one, holding in body heat and helping to keep core temperature up.  The severity of the cold and the degree to which your dog suffers from low temperatures will dictate the type of sweater required.  Large, chunky sweaters are great for extreme cold but will make your dog sweat unbearably should the temperature rise.  However, if it does get really cold then a sweater with a hood or pieces which cover the top part of the legs as well will ensure that your dog remains snug and warm.

These items of clothing are easily found in the dog accessories section of most pet stores but if you have an exceptionally outsized pet you may need to look on one of the many websites dedicated to dog clothing for particularly large dog sweaters.  Due to lower overheads these online stores can cater for more niche markets and so are more likely to be able to fulfil your needs.

Sweaters aren’t just useful for when you take your pet for a walk.  If your dog spends his nights in a dog kennel then the extra layer of warmth that they give is invaluable in preventing your dog from getting too cold in bed.  Another occasion where your pet might be exposed to the elements is if one of your hobbies is boating and you like to take him with you.  High winds can cut through a dog’s fur coat and really make him chilled but a sweater will prevent this.  However, you will need to make sure that his dog life jacket will still fit safely over the top of the sweater.

Just like the human versions, they can be made from wool, nylon or cotton and each type has its own benefits and disadvantages though the main decision tends to be based more on the style and look of the sweater than anything else.

So, if your dog gets cold easily due to his short coat or lack of body fat then a sweater is almost certainly the answer.  Little dogs are especially prone to the cold but there are plenty of small dog sweaters available to keep him toasty and warm.

One market that has expanded almost beyond recognition in the last ten to fifteen years is the market for dog accessories and clothing.  This is partly due to people having larger disposable incomes, which they enjoy spending on their loving, loyal friend. It is also partly due to the fact that most people in first world countries now have access to the internet and so can shop from the comfort of their armchair in stores located far away for their own position.  Though things such as a dog bed or dog kennel are favourite accessories, the most popular single item of clothing always has been and remains, dog jackets.

There are several different types of dog jacket available depending on your need:

Dog Coats – These are designed primarily to keep a dog warm on cold winter walks.  Though most dogs have nice, thick coats that will keep them warm in most situations there are also a lot of dogs with fine or very short fur designed for warmer climes than that in which they live.  Very young, elderly or unwell dogs will also suffer from the cold more than a mature, healthy dog does.  They are made from snug fabrics such as wool or fleece and can cover just the body or also include legs and a hood.

Dog Life Jacket – Though not something that you would instantly think of when contemplating dog jackets a life jacket is an essential piece of clothing if you ever take your dog on board a boat.  Dogs may swim very well but, like humans, if thrown overboard into cold, rough water are unlikely to survive for long without a swimming aid.

Raincoats – Differing from the traditional coat in that its main aim is to keep the dog dry, rather than warm, raincoats are very popular in countries with high rainfall.  Many dogs are not too keen on going for a well needed walk if they know that they are going to get drenched and soggy doggies tend to smell the house out on their return.  A waterproof coat, with or without a fleecy lining depending on the temperature, will protect most of your pet from getting wet.

No matter what your need there will be a variety of dog jackets suitable for your pet.  You needn’t even worry about size as you can get everything from very small to large dog coats and so it won’t be necessary to put your little dog into his dog carrier when you go out in cold weather or to get rid of your big dog’s bed after he has lain in it all wet and muddy.

One of the newest and most innovative areas in dog accessories to surface in recent years has been in the production of dog clothing.  Though it has long been possible to buy dog coats that will keep a dog with fine fur or low levels of body fat warm even in the coldest temperatures, there has recently been a surge in places where you can buy a huge variety of different types of clothes.  These range from quirky witches’ outfits for Halloween to an ever practical dog raincoat for those days when the sky seems to be permanently open and any trip outside is risking a drenching but you don’t want to leave your poor dog in his dog kennel.

Waterproof dog coats have many special design features to make them perfect for keeping your dog clean and dry even in the heaviest downpour.  When searching for a coat to buy for your dog the following are features that you should look for:

• Easy fastening buckles so that you can put on and take off the coat quickly and adjust the size to fit your dog exactly.
• Reflectors to ensure safety.  After all, if it’s raining then visibility is likely to be quite poor.
• Breathable fabric.  Though it’s quite possible to buy cheaper dog raincoats they are generally made from non-breathable fabric and so your dog will sweat and become uncomfortable.
• Taped seams.  If the seams aren’t taped then they will soon start to let in the water and render the coat useless.
• Easy care washing instructions.  The coat is likely to get muddy from splashing through puddles and so you want to be able to pop it into the washing machine to get it clean again.

During particularly cold weather you may find that you need more than just a dog raincoat for your pet.  Though the material will help keep your dog warm by keeping him dry and stopping the wind from getting through many people use fleece dog coats beneath them to add an extra layer of warmth.

As well as looking for the special features that make the dog raincoat a good one you will need to be very careful to check that the coat fits perfectly, with plenty of space for movement without letting it flap about.  Not all coats have a chest panel but this is essential if you want to protect your dog’s chest and abdomen.

There are a few situations where a dog raincoat wouldn’t be recommended.  One is if you are hiking over very rough ground where he is needing to climb and scramble as you wouldn’t want him to get caught and he needs to be able to move as freely as possible.  The other is if you are on board a boat.  Though it might be tempting to put one on him whenever you put on your slicker, in stormy weather you will need to be able to put his dog life jacket on as quickly as possible.

One of the biggest areas of growth in dog accessories is dog clothing.  Some of this is due to more people buying practical dog wear such as jumpers or coats for cold weather or a dog life jacket if their dog spends lots of time on the water with them.  However, the main area of growth is in designer clothing with even puppy clothes being sold in ever greater quantities.

When looking into buying puppy dog clothes it is vital that you measure your dog accurately so that the outfit looks its best.  Make sure that you measure not just the length of his body but his body and neck girth and overall weight.  This way, when you look at puppy clothing websites you will be armed with the information necessary to decide upon which size you need.

The most popular items of puppy clothes are puppy coats, which come in a huge variety of fabrics, patterns and styles.  These are ideal if your dog has a very short coat, which makes it feel the cold, or if you live in a particularly cold area and they spend a lot of time in their dog kennel, as they help to keep in most of the body heat.  It is also possible to buy more unusual items such as pyjamas, T-shirts, hats and skirts.  There are also plenty of outfits designed for specific holidays or occasions such as Christmas, Halloween or weddings and a dog dressed in a cute, seasonal outfit will get lots of attention from everyone who sees him.

Though, by and large, most pet stores only sell jackets and jumpers for dogs, the internet has allowed the creation of many ‘dog boutiques’ selling unusual and designer dog clothing for dogs of all breeds and sizes and, if you search hard enough, you will be able to find pretty much any item of wear that your imagination can come up with.

Though you may be criticised for owning a pampered pooch, puppies’ clothes are a harmless bit of fun and your dog won’t mind wearing an outfit at all, as long as it fits comfortably and doesn’t restrict his movement.  However, do be warned that these outfits don’t come cheap and so you may want to only buy a few for very special occasions.

The final downside to buying puppy clothing is that puppies, like children, grow and so any outfit that you buy may well not fit him in a few months time.  If money is an issue then you might need to wait until he has reached full size as then there is no risk of an outfit only being worn a few times.

There are many people up and down the country who love nothing more than to spend all their free time on board a boat be it a canal boat, yacht or cruiser.  Large numbers of these people are also dog owners and many of them, rather than leave their dog at home in his dog kennel, have their pets accompany them on their boats.  Though most dogs can swim rough conditions, cold water and strong currents could put the dog at risk and very young or elderly dogs may struggle if they find themselves in the water.  A dog life jacket is a practical solution that will give its owner valuable time in which to rescue it should it fall into the water and will prevent the dog from tiring too quickly.

A dog life vest is one piece of dog clothing which is a necessity for those who are going to spend any length of time on the water with their pet and there are certain features that you should look out for.

Firstly, all good life jackets are made from high visibility fabric and contain some reflective strips so that a light would reflect off the surface if you were searching for a pet who had gone overboard at night.  Some dog life jackets have handles on the top for ease of removing the animal from water from the safety of the boat and others have a chin support so that a dog who has become tired from spending an extended time in the water doesn’t drown even whilst wearing his jacket.

It is not only dogs on board boats who sometimes have a need for a pet life jacket.  Some dogs are overly confident about jumping into bodies of water, often paying little heed to whether or not it is safe to do so.  If you have a dog like this then you may want him to wear one when you are near to a river or lake and, if you employ someone for their dog walking services then make sure that they always use it too.

Basically a dog life jacket will be required by all dogs who spend time on the water with their owner.  All it would take is a strong gust of wind, a slippery deck or a rough sea to send a beloved pet overboard and it may be that all there is between him surviving or not is his dog’s life jacket.