Why Only Toy Dogs Should Wear Sweaters
Jan 19
You’re not really going to put that sweater on your pit bull, are you? Your German shepherd doesn’t need extra clothing either, nor does your lab, your Doberman pinscher, or even your beagle. These dogs are not cold. They have a coat that protects them and they’re more suited to the outdoors than you are, so don’t try to get them to wear your clothes. It’s embarrassing to the dog and makes your neighbors think you’re a little off your rocker. Only toy dogs should wear sweaters, and even then it should be purely out of necessity, not because you want to play dress-up.
The Yorkies for sale we have here at Affordable Pup are one of the most popular toy dog breeds. As they grow and get older, they often shake and are perceived to have problems with being cold. This may not be the case. A warm sweater in winter is okay for a small dog, particularly if you’re taking him out for a walk, but don’t ignore the possibility that there could be additional health problems causing the shaking. Yorkies often suffer from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This will also cause shaking and should be attended to immediately. Hypoglycemia can cause a dog to go into a coma.
Since they have very fine hair, Yorkies do get cold, so there’s a good chance that the temperature is the reason for the shaking. During the winter it may be advantageous to you and your dog to work on some indoor paper training for those really cold days. Unlike larger dogs, Yorkies don’t leave large piles of waste. Some pet owners even train them to use a litter box, like a cat. If you live in a climate where sub zero temperatures are common you might want to look into these possibilities. You’ll also want to invest in some warm sweaters or sweatshirts for when you do have to go outside.
Other Toy Breeds that might benefit from Warm Clothing
The Chihuahua shares many of the same health concerns of the Yorkie. They have extremely fine hair and are susceptible to hypoglycemia, so get any shaking checked out right away. They also often suffer from another condition called subluxation of the patella” which is more commonly known as “slipped stifles” or simply “loose kneecaps”. This condition can cause shaking too and may need surgery if it’s an extreme case. Contact your vet immediately if your Chihuahua is having trouble walking.
Another example is the English bulldogs for sale we have here at Affordable Pup. The English bulldog is another breed you see wearing clothing. Be very careful if you own one of these dogs and haven’t dressed him before. The skin of an English bulldog is extremely sensitive to rough materials and the breed is highly vulnerable to heatstroke. Their skin is very thin and will react in negative fashion to any substance or weather condition that irritates it. Do some additional research or ask your vet before you purchase or make any clothing for your English bulldog.
