The Essential Wardrobe for Hairless Dogs

These days there are many styles of pet clothing available, from blingy to functional, and everything in between.  This article will focus on the clothing that hairless dogs need for their everyday comfort and safety. 

Because hairless dogs are, well, hairless, clothes must be soft on the inside to prevent chaffing.  Check for scratchy seams, tags, and anything that might irritate your dog’s skin on the inside of clothes.  Even soft clothing that is too tight causes chaffing on hairless dog’s exposed skin.  Most manufacturers provide sizing charts that require the owner to measure the dog around the neck, chest and length of back.  Many pet owners are surprised to learn that pet clothing sizes are not standardized, meaning your pet may be a “small” according to one company’s size chart and a “medium” according to another.  Measure twice, buy once. 

Hairless dogs need a wardrobe for different situations and seasons.  We’ll cover the basic situations and clothing types here.

Indoor Comfort

All hairless dogs are indoor dogs, so if you’re here to learn before getting one, this is a requirement.  They need clothes for indoor daily wear and if your dog is currently experiencing skin issues, clothes are even more important. 

In summer, stick to lightweight clothing designed for hot weather.  There are many varieties of “cooling” shirts and lightweight dog pajamas.  Invest in at least two or three summer outfits so you can change your dog frequently and keep them clean. Here are some examples of lightweight indoor clothing.  Scroll down for more wardrobe essentials.

For winter, assuming you have cold or at least cool weather, you will need to provide you furless friend with warmer indoor clothing.  I avoid sweaters that are scratchy and look for soft materials.  There are many sweatshirts and warmer dog pajamas that are comfortable and stylish. 

Your dog needs several warm outfits because keeping warm is hard for the furless dog. Change your dog anytime he/she gets wet or damp from winter snow and ice. Wearing wet clothes not only makes the dog cold, but also irritates skin. Here are some examples of indoor cold-weather attire that works for hairless breeds.

Outdoor Clothing

Here we’ll discuss outdoor clothing designed for warmth, specifically outerwear.  (Clothes for outdoor sun protection are covered in the next section.) Depending on the weather conditions your hairless pet will be exposed to, they may need several different kinds of outerwear. There are lightweight jackets to throw on for quick potty breaks, and there are warmer outfits designed to allow your dog to stay outside for a longer time.  You’ll need the latter if you walk your dog in cold weather.  Consider that your pet will usually have clothing on underneath outerwear, so select a size that has enough room. Here are a few examples of winter outerwear for your pooch.

UV Protective Clothes

UV protection is important for all hairless dogs, especially those with lighter skin pigmentation.  Pet clothing manufacturers have recognized the need for UV protective clothing and there are a variety of styles to choose from.  When selecting, consider coverage areas.  Try to find longer sun shirts that cover the entire back.  If the dog is very fair, consider pajamas that also cover the legs.  Here are some examples of UV protective clothing for dogs.

Takeaway: Hairless dogs require extra-comfortable clothing without scratchy tags, buttons or zippers to irritate skin.  A variety of clothing types and multiple outfits are needed for different situations.

More From the Care Guide:

• The Hairless Dogs Care and Keeping Guide
  • Skin Types
  • Bathing
  • Moisturizing
  • Dog Acne
  • Sun Protection
  • Essential Wardrobe
  • Essential Dental Care