dog sweaters

Finding a forever home can be difficult for any shelter dog, but some have it even harder than others simply due to the color of their coats. According to the SPCA, darker dogs tend to be adopted less frequently than those with lighter fur. This may be because it’s harder to see their expressions, especially in photographs. Displeased that its perfectly adoptable dogs were being neglected because of their coloring, the Scottish SPCA has come up with an ingenious idea: to dress them up in colorful and cozy sweaters.Created in collaboration with numerous Scottish Women’s Institute (SWI) groups, the cute garments help dogs suffering from “black dog syndrome” in multiple ways. In addition to drawing attention to the otherwise overlooked pups, the swaddling effect of the sweaters helps anxious dogs to relax. This gives the dogs confidence and allows them to be on their best behavior for potential adopters. Moreover—and most obviously—the comfy coats keep the dogs snuggly warm in their kennels.

“Knitted jackets are ideal because they will be soft on the skin, have an element of give and stretch, and can be created in any, or many, colors of wool,” Sharon Comrie, the superintendent of the Scottish SPCA, explained to The Dodo.”With the SWI knitters’ support, we will be able to build up a collection of special jackets for our dark dogs to wear with pride.”

So far, the Scottish SPCA has clothed a handful of dogs with the SWI’s comfy creations. The goal, however, is to dress any and all dogs who need that extra boost to finally find the loving homes they deserve. “As well as making the dogs stand out,” Comrie explains, “we anticipate that bright-colored jackets will provide a conversation point, but more importantly, help us rehome all of our dogs, regardless of the color of their coat, quickly and effectively.”

If you’re interested in adopting an adorable, dark-colored dog, you can easily find your local SPCA here.

See some adorable examples of the black dog sweaters below.

The Scottish SPCA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
(Via: My Modern Met)

All images via the Scottish SPCA.

Designer Lilly Shahravesh & Rabbit, The Studio Muse

LoveMyDog was established in 2003 for people who want to give their dogs the very best and is now the world’s leading designer dogwear, sold in high-end stores in London, Paris, Milan, New York, Tokyo, Sydney and U.S.A.

Everything from the dog coats and dog sweaters to the dog beds and dog toys is an original design in gorgeous fabrics specially chosen by Lilly. Each one is hand-cut and pinned, then individually stitched and hand-finished, and the sweaters are hand-knitted from pure new wool.

Celebrity pooches including Professor Snowball owned by Jonathan Ross have been snapped wearing LoveMyDog originals. Customers of Harrods, Heals, Selfridges, The Conran Shop, and The National Gallery have also been able to buy LoveMyDog clothing and accessories.

LoveMyDog has been featured in fashion shows alongside designers like Vivienne Westwood and Ben de Lisi and is often seen in glossy magazines adorning beautiful dogs, large and small. Lilly and her designs have also been featured on TV including ITV’s This Morning.

Here are some examples of her amazing high end creations….