Does my dog need a sweater??

[clarabelle]

I have a four month old smooth (short hair) dachshund pup.
It is starting to get chilly here in the mornings. She shivers when we go out.
She has a sweater( and looks really good in it) but she hates getting in on.
Do dogs really need sweaters? Or is it one of those "people things" that we are trying to force on an animal?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Can't answer your question, but WHAT A CUTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks -we think so too -but we are weiner dog people

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Tee hee, if I had a weiner dog, I'd have to name her Danke (remember "The Ugly Daschund?")

 

[jel0511]

I have a 10 month old longhaired dachshund and I just bought him a coat yesterday. I figured better to be safe than sorry if he gets sick.

 

[NikiM20]

Clara, first let me say, from one Doxie lover to another he is BEAUTIFUL!!!
I just got me another one, hes 6 weeks old and hes a Chocolate Dapple.

Anyway...yes he needs a jacket, all of mine have them.

 

[Disney Doll]

Is that not the cutest doggie ever???

i think when they are small like that, they feel the cold more plus their temperature regualting mechanism may not be fully developed. Plus, that puppy would be beyond precious in a sweater.

If he doesn't like the over-the-head kind of sweater, how about one that wraps around and fastens, so you don't have to fight with it going over his head.

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks everyone.
Her name is Carleigh (it is German)
Lindsay I have never read Ugly Dachshund -but I have seen the movie.
Niki- how many do you have? We have thought about getting another one.
I will work on a wrap around type coat

 

[DawnCt1]

i had a dachsund growing up whose name was peggy. she didn't like kids and would bite me if i tried to play with her when she didn't want play. i never told on her though. she was too cute and i know what my father would have done.

 

[SplshMtnLvr28]

Aw, how cute...

whenever my doge goes out in the mornings, we put her shirt that we got her from WDW on so she doesn't get cold.

 

[clarabelle]

Cute dog jel!!!
Dawn -you are right Dachshunds are not a sure thing -kid wise.
Some are better than others and they need a little training.

 

[boo's mom]

yeah I would say she needs a coat. some people think that just because dogs have fur, then they don't get cold, but short haired dogs do. There isn't as much fur there as you think to keep them warm so a little extra coat does the job. sometimes it seems that people who have small dogs just want to force fashion on them and dress up their pooches but actually, putting a coat on your small dog is a good thing. putting a coat on your small dog who is scared or uneasy about a situation helps calm them down. I learned all of this at work. I work at a small dog daycare/boarding/grooming facility. anything you want to know about small dogs, I could find out for you.

 

[NikiM20]

Thanks everyone.
Her name is Carleigh (it is German)
Lindsay I have never read Ugly Dachshund -but I have seen the movie.
Niki- how many do you have? We have thought about getting another one.
I will work on a wrap around type coat

I have 3 ...one is about 3 1/2 (Poppy), one is 8 mths (Prince) and one is 6 weeks (Peanut)

We also have 4 other dogs, Ozzy is a Great Dane and when he lays down all the little dogs crawl all over him, so sweet!!!

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks Boo's mom.
I think I wanted some reassurance that I was not doing some thing trendy -or Paris Hilton-ish.
You have a chihuahua?

 

[golfgal]

Our dog hates wearing coats. She is outside to go to the bathroom and then comes right back in. If it is REALLY cold will will put one on her but she spends most of her time outside trying to get the thing off.

 

[VolleyballQt07]

OH what a cutie...One of our dogs is a beagle/dacshund mix we call her our little wienerbeagle...She looks in the face like a dachsund but is closer in size to a small beagle. Eventually we want to get a mini dachsund and call h er "Minnie" (after the mouse, not the size..lol) WE put sweaters on both of our dogs when it gets really cold , especially the oldest who is 15. Her joints just can't handle the cold anymore.

 

[DawnCt1]

Cute dog jel!!!
Dawn -you are right Dachshunds are not a sure thing -kid wise.
Some are better than others and they need a little training.

you don't know how mant times i saved that dog's life by keeping my mouth shut!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Some breeds really aren't meant to be in extreme weather and need the extra protection of a coat or sweater. People can laugh if they want but if it saves you from getting a sick dog, then it's worth it!

Would I put a coat on a St Bernard to take a walk in the winter? Heck no but I would put one on a dog that doesn't have a natural winter coat to keep them warm.

 

[boo's mom]

Thanks Boo's mom.
I think I wanted some reassurance that I was not doing some thing trendy -or Paris Hilton-ish.
You have a chihuahua?

yup. sure do. She will be 4 years old sometime in November. She has a grey hoodie for the real cold days and a t-shirt that says 'killer' for the cool days

 

[Jingle]

My little chihuahua also expects me to warm up a towel in the dryer before he goes outside in the cold so that he can cuddle up in it when he comes back in.