How many YT-ers dress and top knot their babies??
 

Hey all :D

Lately I've received some off comments from other people saying that dressing and putting a bow in my dogs is abusive. I've also been told I just need to have a pair of kids...lol. Another friend of mine has two chihuahuas and she posted a picture of them dressed up in their outfits and someone commented that she felt sorry for those dogs and that my friend was a bad owner. Both my firmed and I LOVE our dogs and would never want to do anything that hurts them.

The funny things is, whenever my girls see a bow, brush or outfit they get excited and start hopping up and down to be the first ones brushed or dressed. (Wish they did this when it's time to brush their teeth....lol... ONLY my black lab loves it!). Then they run around doing their happy butt wiggle, which makes me think they enjoy it as well.

So how many of you guys dress your babies? Do they get as excited as mines??:animal-pa

I keep it to the basics. Sweater, coat and rain coat. But I love all the outfits and if I was not disabled and could take him out more I would dress him up. Now the bow is a given.....isn't that how you tell a Yorkie by the top knot and bow in their hair......LOL. By the way anyone have a good supplier of male looking bows?

We dress ours for warmth. He looks adorable. Okay, there is that one little shirt with the collar I put on him sometimes, just because it looks so cute. Enjoy yourself!

Main thing:
People are idiots. If you enjoy dressing up your pup then so be it!

Gizmo wears all kinds of outfits and he likes them because they're warm

Sweater and raincoat here. But wife is out looking for rain boots as i type. Somebody just shoot me!!!!

The Crazy club was started here because of that topic. In the early days of YorkieTalk, people would criticize each other for dressing their dogs, and the Crazy Club is for any member who thinks its ok for people to dress their Yorkies, you don't have to do it, you just can't think others are crazy if they do so! Anyone is welcome to join. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/groups/crazy-club.html. Truthfully, I use to think people dressed up their dogs because they wanted attention, but Joey's breeder explained to me, that Yorkies don't have fur like most breeds, and have a single hair like humans. That means they have no undercoat to keep them warm in the winter or cool in the summer, and it's up to us, to protect them. Now, of course, I look for more than just warmth when I buy something, I think some of the clothes are adorable, and if this pleases you I see nothing wrong with it. I do think it's important that you look for clothes that are comfortable, and well fitting, and if you're dog doesn't move while wearing it, don't make him wear it except for photos! The topknot is another thing all together, because they are a long hair breed, it gets the hair out of their eyes, and it part of the way standard calls for them to look when they compete in a dog show, but why would someone think this is abusive?

Top knots are required in conformation. On a more practical note, top knots keep their hair out of their eyes so Yorkies don't look like sheepdogs. It's also a good way to keep the hair from irritating their eyes and tearing.

I would guess the majority of people here at least occasionally put clothes on their Yorkies, and I don't see the harm. I dress mine for our cold winters. It would be cruel not to dress them. In fact, Iditarod dog mushers occasionally put coats on their dogs to preserve their energy in the 1,000 mile race -- and those are hardy Northern breeds with double coats and bred to withstand severe cold.

My point would be, if it's OK to dress dogs for the cold, why is it suddenly cruelty to dress them for any other reason -- providing the clothing is comfortable and safe?

I would ignore those people. They're either ignorant or hateful.

Love it!!
 

:thumbup::thumbup:

I want to join the crazy club!!
 

I 100% agree, I think what bothered me was when they said we were bad owners... Their clothing is comfortable and they have breaks in between outfits...lol. The topknot I use as you said, to keep their eyes clear (even though it really is cute!).

Thank you!
 

:thumbup::thumbup:

All I have to do is show Moka the opening and she slips her head in practically dressing herself. She even lifts her legs one at a time for me. (Its actually very funny to watch) She gets as excited about me getting a sweater out for her as she does when she hears her leash jingle or hear me say the word "go." So I'd say I think she kind of likes it. ;)

Just wondering where is the best and easiest bows to do the topknot? I love dressing Prissy, her sweaters keep her warm too.

Awww, that sounds like my girls!! It's the same excitement they get when I take out my Kwigy Bo...lol.

For my girls....
 

I usually do the bow first with a band and then I either use an alligator bow or a barrette. Pet supermarket had some really cute bows that come in two packs for $3.49. Also, Darlin beaux on this forum makes some awesome alligator clip bows! She can custom make them for you!

Max wears a top knot pretty much everyday, because his bangs get in his eyes.
I don't see anything wrong with people dressing their dogs. Max has coats, sweaters, socks, shirts, etc. But when he's home he's naked lol.