Hi hoomans,

Shadow here on the morning show. Today's topic is one that gets dog owners hot under the collar. The big debate as to whether dogs need to wear clothes. Some say that yes, they do, pawticularly during the cold seasons when it can get chilly. Or when it’s raining cats and dogs. Whilst others say that dogs already come with their own fur coats and don’t need additional layers of warmth.
And then, there’s a third set who think that hoomans only put dogs in clothes because they think it makes us look adorable. So, what is the right answer?

Well, seems to me that the only ones who haven’t been asked their opinion in all of this, is us, the dogs who have to wear ‘em.

We're going to be checking in with our correspawndents for some live, honest pawspectives!

Gomez l Melbourne

Shadow: Now I’m joined by Gomez. Hi Gomez.

Gomez: Hi, Shadow. 

Shadow. So, tell me a little bit about that coat you’re wearing.

Gomez: Well, this Black Oilskin Dog Coat is my furvourite raincoat, Shadow, and it's actually layered on top of the Grey Wave Dog Jumper for the cold winter months. 

Shadow: Why do you like wearing them?

Gomez: Well, when I go for walkies, I really go for walkies. I run through wet grass, splash in puddles, and nose about in the mud.

Shadow: (Shuddering) Even in Winter? 

Gomez: Yup. And that’s why I like to wear this coat with a jumper. It stops me getting cold, prevents burrs getting in my fur and keeps me clean, so I don’t need a bath.

Shadow: Not a fan of baths?

Gomez: Nope.

Shadow. Me neither. Dunno why hoomans make us have 'em, pawsonally.

Lenin l Adelaide

Shadow: Now we are checking in with Lenin in Adelaide, hello Lenin.

Lenin: Hi Shadow.

Shadow: So, Lenin, judging by your jumper, I’m assuming you’re not a big fan of winter?

Lenin: Definitely not, Shadow. I may be quick, but I can’t outrun the cold.

Shadow: That’s because you have a very short coat, isn’t it?

Lenin: Well, that and the fact I have very little body fat. Which means I can go from warm to cold in a flash. 

Shadow: I can relate. Not about the body fat but with the cold. So, bring me up to speed on that jumper you’re wearing.

Lenin: This is called the Winter Wonder Dog Jumper, Shadow, and it’s been designed spawcifically to stop me getting nippy.

Shadow: I like it. Well, I know you’ve gotta run, Lenin, so I’ll let you go.

Jasper & Ella l Gippsland

Shadow: Let's not furget our hard working furriends in the country, wouldn't be food in the bowl without them! So, Jasper & Ella, where do you stand on the whole 'dogs in clothes' debate?

Jasper: Well Shadow, being smaller dogs, we get colder more easily than the bigger breeds.

Shadow: Why is that?

Ella: I’m no scientist, but appawrently it's harder for small dogs to generate heat and then hang onto it.

Shadow: I did not know that.

Jasper: Fair dinkum. That’s why I’m glad mum invested in these Flower Dog Jackets. 

Shadow: Well, Jasper, judging from your photo, I’d say you’ve got winter licked.

Basil l Mullumbimby

Shadow: This handsome fellow is Basil, and he’s wearing a  pair of Long John Dog Pyjamas in blue. So, Basil, I take it you’re a fan of pawjamas?

Basil (deep breath): Hi there, Shadow, grateful to be here. Yup, pawsonally I don’t reckon I could get through the cold winter nights without ‘em.

Shadow: Why is that?

Basil: Well, I’m a short hair breed and when it gets nippy, I find it hard to maintain body heat.

Shadow: So, what do you do?

Basil: (chuckles) Well, Shadow, generally I stand in front of my pawrents and start shivering. And then I give ‘em my best puppy dog eyes.

Shadow: And does that work?

Basil: I’m wearing Long Johns, ain’t I? 

Shadow: Fair point. So, you find they help with the winter chills?

Basil: Hell yeah. As soon as mum puts ‘em on me, I’m snug as a pug in a rug. 

Shadow: So, there you have it folks. Basil - big fan of pawjamas.

EPIDOGUE

So we saw six out of seven dogs want dog clothes through winter. A pretty pawsitive response, wouldn’t you say?

Back to the pawsome team in the studio.