In my point of view this is ridiculous and needs stopping

Joseanne

And no issues for two weeks prancing around with this on 24/7.

But it's not a competition here to get het up over, so I'm out.

Again, this is a ridiculous comparison, and you know it as well as I do. This is necessary for the health of the dog!

janetashbolt- we are not in the USA (and yes some still declaw cats!) - and just because worse things are done elsewhere, is NO excuse.

That’s a very good point Janetashbolt. In the uk ear cutting is illegal but back street breeders mutilate XLbullies as pups, for example, to make them look fierce. I saw a beautiful Doberman this week, ears clipped to stand up.
It used to be that spaniel pups had to have their tails docked to be kc standard. My lovely gentle blue roan had a planned and only litter when she was nearly 3 years old in 1975. Our regular and great vet came out to dock tails and dew claws. He recommended ‘put the mum away, she will be very distressed to hear her puppies cry’. It’s something I’ve never forgotten. I was hugely relieved when the tail docking ended other than for working spaniels when I agree it’s necessary

And - whataboutery, those flat faced dogs who can’t deliver their puppies without a C Section. For the love of dogs

In USA vets dck tails, cut ears, anything a nutty owner requests they do. They put down healthy dogs where a couple split up and one takes dog to vet out of spite. I disapprove if painting but there are far worse things done to aninals

And no issues for two weeks prancing around with this on 24/7.

But it's not a competition here to get het up over, so I'm out.

No it it not the same at all. A hat is just put on top of head, not force through over head. VERY different for a dog.

Because Fleurpepper Monty's photos amount to the same thing as my plonking my DGS's lion hat on my dog for 5 minutes to take a photo, yet that caused a stir here and was referred to as "dressing up". Neither Nigel nor Leo were harmed in the process.

Joseanne

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Sorry Joseanne, not quite sure why you are playing this Devil's advocate game here. That is NOT dressing up - and I am absolutely sure you know the difference. Why?

I think most owners know what their dogs are happy with and what they are not and often it comes down to what they have been bred for. I'm not one for dressing my dogs up but I will pop a coat on them if it's very wet and muddy. That's for my convenience not theirs as they are house dogs and there's a limit to how much mud and dirt I want to be brought into the house. However, lots of dogs are quite happy being dressed up and I think some of the comments on here are very harsh. Dogs have successfully assimilated themselves into human life because they are adaptable, trainable and have a symbiotic relationship with their owner and some breeds are definitely more amenable to being generally petted and tarted up than others (lap dogs?) and give their owners huge pleasure.

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People who dress up dogs are not fit to own a dog imo. They are not toys to be dressed up.
That's a bit harsh sazzl. Is Monty not fit to be a dog owner for dressing Nigel with a hat? And Paul O'Grady when his dogs wear bandanas and hats?

sazzle hurrah for yiu and your spaniels. My spaniel shares a similar life style, thou sadly we have to drive 50 mins to a beach. We do have rivers and reservoirs. The lab was swimming yesterday, it made him smile with joy.

I have 2 spaniels that I love very much. I treat them as dogs. They are trained and do what I say. They run on the beach or in the fields every day. They don't wear clothes, bandanas, coats or boots. They would only wear a coat if they were ill or very old and needed it for warmth. They don't have a birthday party or Xmas presents and as for colouring them with dye it's a definite no. I'm happy with the colour they are naturally. Atm they are happy sleeping on the sofa next to me and will sleep in the kitchen tonight on their dog bed. They aren't children they are animals and are respected and treated well. People who dress up dogs and dye their coat are not fit to own a dog imo. They are not toys to be dressed up and painted.

I can assure you mine would be bothered if anyone tried to do that to him!

I do not think it is cruel. Dogs are very serene and forgiving creatures and I'm sure they aren't that bothered as long as the stuff doesn't smell bad to them. However, I think it is a sad comment on human beings that they can't appreciate the beauty and natural grace of these wonderful creatures that are our best friends. It makes a fool of the owner, never the innocent dog.

Blondiescot

Yes, Labs do only shed twice a year, as you say! Labrador glitter! A year-round joy (as are Labs themselves, obviously).

Reminds me of our nephew many moons ago saying to their labrador 'Oh M***, you are covered with hair!'

Must say I am mightily pleased all the dogs that have found us over the years, never needed grooming or clipping, and never had long hair. Getting nails trimmed and basta.

I think this says it all if they are not happy. I was only trying it on him to see if it fitted. It didn't!

It’s a good job we’ve love them isn’t it. The thread of how much we spend on them made me smile. I couldn’t possibly comment but at least I’m saving on equafleece. My princess diva spaniel refuses to move a single muscle if I try to put a coat on her. Health problems made her long, silky show coat dry and matted so in the end I agreed with the groomer to gave her clipped. This led to me buying a coat during the cold, wet winter. Despite being a Good Girl, she threw a stubborn look at me and nothing could induce her to move, not even chicken.

Oh yes, cupboard fronts and skirting boards, splashes and hair get everywhere. If the weather would only warm up and stop being damp the dogs would dry off a lot quicker.

Yes, Labs do only shed twice a year, as you say! Labrador glitter! A year-round joy (as are Labs themselves, obviously).

Unfortunately no-one has designed a coat to catch labrador fur. If they do, my lab will wear one. They shed twice a year, October to May and May to October. I’ve a dyson animal that generally helps but it’s at least once a day
I’ve just cleaned the utility, where the dogs sleep and come into the house from its side door. The floor, surfaces, white Gids abd cupboard fronts plus the (dog) shower
Then the kitchen - ditto

We just shake them outside after wear.

The coats, NOT the dogs!

We use the coats because we often stay in rented properties and the coats stop all the mud and sand dropping on the floor. We just shake them outside after wear.

Nothing wrong with grooming a dog because its breed requires it for health, comfort, reasons.

Nothing wrong with a coat in extreme weathers.

Joseanne, my cockapoo had an equafleece in an attempt to help him less muddy. He loathed it and it caused matting under arm. I know many people use them for good reason, as you do but my dogs just wear the coats they were born in
I see far too many little dogs dressed up in coats they don’t need

And a green one, as a pup.