A designer dog sweater is actually quite the distinctive fashion statement these days. Chihuahua clothes have followed the trend of other dog clothes, by allowing your pet to have his own distinctive look while keeping him warm and comfortable, particularly during the cooler months.

Chihuahuas are warm-weather dogs, with scant natural protection in the form of fur. And like all small dogs, they feel temperature extremes more intensely than larger ones. A sweater, scarf and warm hat belong in every small dog’s wardrobe — but not just any sweater, scarf or hat! All of your Chihuahua clothes should be of high quality to ensure they’ll be both durable and chill resistant. There’s great skill and thoughtfulness to be found in the better quality garments, not just in terms of design, but the way they’ll endure as well. The “oomph” just isn’t there in the cheaper clothes which as a result, tends to give you less pleasure as well as less bang for your buck over the long term.

Cold-weather items, such as a good quality sweater, should be the staple of any small dog’s wardrobe. In fact, if you’re looking for a quality sweater to add to your Chihuahua’s outfits, then starting at the online dog apparel suppliers is probably your best option. While you might be able to buy clothes on sale at your local department store, it’s unlikely that they will be of the same quality you’d find online. And more often than not, online stores offer purchase bonuses such as discounted shipping or free insurance when you purchase goods over a certain dollar amount.

So then the next question is, how should you care for the clothes you purchase for your Chihuahua? Like any piece of dog apparel, sweaters, scarves and hats all come with specific care instructions. You should read these care instructions carefully to ensure that your quality purchases last as long as possible. In general, you’ll find that most sweaters can be washed by hand with a gentle wool-wash mix.

One thing to remember, though, is never put your Chihuahua clothes in the dryer. Unlike human clothes that are always made to allow for a little shrinkage, pet clothes are already very small and form-fitting. The last thing you want is shrinkage, and this is exactly what will happen if you put Fido’s items in the dryer.

If in doubt about any of the clothes that you want to purchase for your Chihuahua, don’t be afraid to start a conversation with your online supplier. They specialize in this area since they sell this kind of apparel every day, and they’ll be only too happy to help with any answers you need about sizing, fitting, cleaning and dressing your little pal.