Need Advice - Sweaters for Male Chihuahuas

[dogs4life]

So we have 2 sweaters for Hank and he hates them. He will not walk, he will not look at us and he sits there in total resentment. He also cannot pee with it on, we have to take it off so he can pee....we prefer a style we can just leave on.

We want a sweater for him because he gets cold and shivers but we are at a loss.

Anyone have recommendations of styles or brands of sweaters for my poor little chilly Chihuahua. Hank is 5 lbs and takes an XXS to XS size. I guess we could try a shirt, robe or coat...I just cannot find one that is not PINK in his size whenever we go to the local pet stores, PetsMart or Petco.

Any leads would be appreciated.

[Swiftwind]

Here are some links to nice dog jumpers (varying prices). The first shop is based in Australia, hope that doesn't matter.

http://www.petsplus.com.au/pet-shop.asp?id=1050

http://www.itspawingcatsanddogs.com/..._37658481.html

http://www.mysimon.com/9000-10992_8-...thing~Sweaters

Another great place to check out is Ebay. I'm sure they have HEAPS of suitable jumpers for male Chihuahuas.

[dogs4life]

Thanks Swift, I'll check them out...have you tried any of them?

[Swiftwind]

No, I haven't tried any of those jumpers. Abby has had two jumpers in her life. One she came with - it was a knitted jumper much like the one in my second link (but without a hood). She quickly outgrew that though, so we bought her a new one which was a dark blue knitted jumper with red Snoopy ribbon along the edges, and a velcro fastened waistband. We got it from the pet shop a few years ago. I tried looking for it on the internet but had no luck. With both jumpers, Abby was able to go to the toilet without us having to take them off.

[k9hullio_sam]

I don't use sweaters on Mandi, not sure why actually LOL, but the jacket she had on in the pictures comes with blue lining/stiching. It is by Companion Road, from PetSmart. I also took a look at some other sweaters online and found these...

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1

This one is so cute!
http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1

This is what Mandi has...
http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1

Good Luck on your search, you HAVE to post pictures when you get one!

[Cassiepeia]

Jesse had a shirt and a jumper. He hated the jumper but didn't mind the shirt. I also had a jacket for him, which he much prefered. So I'd recommend simply a dog jacket rather than 'human style' clothing. They're not really designed properly for dogs anyway.

Cass.

[dogs4life]

Thanks for all the links and advice...I'm leaning toward a jacket, coat, shirt or a sleeveless sweater with a loose neck. I think he really hates anything around his neck and around his legs. If I cannot find anything, I guess I can try making one.

Ready to go shopping Hanky?

Maybe a cooling jacket design out of fleece....

http://www.petsplus.com.au/pet-shop.asp?id=512

[Shadowkins]

Hmmm! was wondering if your dear Hank would wear a jacket like Shadow has on? The reason I like it is that the underbelly is open...only a small strap with velcro to keep the coat on, that way he can do his business without soiling it.
Are you adept at sewing at all? Cause I don't imagine they are too difficult to make and you could use a good quality arctic fleece...that way your little man will stay toasty warm.


P.s. got this one at Zellers ( don't know if you have those where you are and it was only about $25.00 )

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by Shadowkins

Shadow is so handsome in his coat. It looks like the same design as Mandi's coat. What fasteners are used in the front? Velcro, snaps, buckles... So the velcro on the belly is 2 strips that meet on his belly? Do they seem comfortable?

I tried modifying the sweaters by cutting the neck line deeper and cut the sleeves off. He moved around a little more but he still hates it. I think he likes being naked but he is so cold. He just huddles in our bedding, poor little guy.

I'm going to try some coats on him today. We are not particularly a cold climate so coats are just not in stores near us. It's a chilly 56F today, my California pooches are shivering

About sewing...I'm okay at it, by no means ready to quilt or make a fancy dress. If I get frustrated, I can ask my mom or Jeff's mom to do it

[k9hullio_sam]

The one Mandi has is two straps that meet in the middle, but her other coat (see below) has one strap that velcros to the other side.

[Shadowkins]

Originally Posted by dogs4life

Shadow is so handsome in his coat. It looks like the same design as Mandi's coat. What fasteners are used in the front? Velcro, snaps, buckles... So the velcro on the belly is 2 strips that meet on his belly? Do they seem comfortable?

I tried modifying the sweaters by cutting the neck line deeper and cut the sleeves off. He moved around a little more but he still hates it. I think he likes being naked but he is so cold. He just huddles in our bedding, poor little guy.

I'm going to try some coats on him today. We are not particularly a cold climate so coats are just not in stores near us. It's a chilly 56F today, my California pooches are shivering

About sewing...I'm okay at it, by no means ready to quilt or make a fancy dress. If I get frustrated, I can ask my mom or Jeff's mom to do it

The belly strap is about 2 1/2-3 in. wide and held by velcro , the front is also held by velcro. Once I get it on him he seems quite comfortable. I've tried others without much success. The reason I mentionned arctic fleece is that it quite soft , more like a sweater, but would hold the pattern of the coat. Hope that made sense, you could probably omit the collar altogether.
You would be surprised at the free patterns you can find on the internet. I made about 100 slip on Christmas bandanas for the dog clients at work and I got the pattern off the web....really easy, just as long as you can sew a straight line...hmmmm! maybe I could trace out the pattern on Shadow's coat with the dimensions and upload it here so you can make your own pattern. Just let me know.

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by Shadowkins

maybe I could trace out the pattern on Shadow's coat with the dimensions and upload it here so you can make your own pattern. Just let me know.

Thanks for the details...no need to trace though, thanks for the offer. I remember seeing a pattern at Wal-Mart at holloween. I think McCalls has a Doggie line of patterns now.

I also found these I can try out...I think I have scraps of fleece I can practice and test.

http://www.sewing.circleofcrafters.c...stpattern.html
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.j...&source=search
http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4...rch=dog&page=1