We sew boots (shoes) for dogs: step-by-step instructions

Hi all! Today I will show you how to easily and simply sew boots for dogs with your own hands. You will find detailed video instructions on sewing two different models of boots. In addition, I will give you a detailed pattern and show you how to take measurements from your pet. I will also tell you what materials we will need to make shoes for dogs.

Today, shoes for pets are not only a fashion statement, but also a vital necessity. Chemicals, reagents, and salt that are sprinkled on roads, especially in big cities, greatly corrode and injure the paws of our tails.

You can read what will happen if you don’t protect your dog’s paws in time in the materials: Why frostbite is dangerous in dogs and Why cracks appear on a dog’s paws.

In pet stores you can find a huge range of different shoes for dogs. But, unfortunately, prices sometimes simply “bite”. In addition, many dog breeders are confident that making boots for a dog on their own is unrealistically difficult. But this is not true at all. Everything is quite simple and does not take much time. Today you will see for yourself.

Why do dogs need shoes?

Nowadays, not only people, but also all animals need protection. Therefore, experienced dog breeders try by any means to protect their pet. And no matter how surprising it may sound, our four-legged pupils must also wear shoes, which act not only as a fashion accessory, but also as protection.

Advertising:

What we protect our pets from by wearing shoes:

from chemicals that are often sprinkled on sidewalks and roads. Reagents have a bad effect on the skin of dogs' paws, causing irritation;
from the cold, this especially applies to small breeds of dogs that do not easily tolerate frost;
from snow sticking in the paws. Ice lumps interfere with full movement in the future; they can rub and form wounds. The problem affects not only small breeds, but also large dogs;
from getting into the swamp, especially if there are cracks or wounds on the paws that could become infected.

There are cases when veterinarians prescribe special shoes for dogs, which are sewn individually. In this case, the structural features of the pet are taken into account.

Comfortable two-piece boots

This shoe pattern for small dogs is suitable both as the basis of winter boots and for sewing light raincoats or anthers. The boots fit quite comfortably on the paw if the fabric is thick and holds its shape. The insole and/or sole can be reinforced at your discretion - with thick leather, a piece of tanned leather, felt, or left soft. Light boots to protect from moisture and dust can be sewn in literally half an hour, winter boots made of fur or leather take a little longer - you will need an awl to make punctures and strong threads.

draw the sole according to the measurements of the foot plus seam allowances;

draw a trapezoid, the height of which is equal to the height of the shoe, and the width is equal to the circumference of the metacarpus. At the bottom of the trapezoid there is a wave, as in the picture. Its rise will be at the back, at the heel (the narrowest point of the trapezium is the back of the boot), and the sharp angle will be at the toe of the boot. We are looking for an approximate wave shape - it is convenient to cover the foot with paper or an unnecessary piece of fabric, estimate the bends and mark them with chalk/felt-tip pen. And then transfer the pattern from the “draft” to the fabric.

we process the top (in the photo there is a checkered decorative edging along the top, but it is better to use an additional loose elastic band);

fold the trapezoid in half and fit the sole. The seam that connects the sides of the trapezoid should match the toe of the boot, i.e. lean into it. The fold will be at the back, behind the heel. Sew the part to the sole;

Now we sew the trapezoid along the lines (orange color in the picture). The back is vertical, and the front part is slightly beveled due to the inclination of the sides of the trapezoid. If there is a lot of excess fabric, you can make a front dart just above the foot (see number 1 in the photo). Around the metacarpus, just above the joint, we pass a lace or Velcro strip (number 2 in the photo).

We sew shoes with our own hands

The shoe market offers a wide variety of shoes for dogs. But standard sizes are not always suitable for pets, so you often have to adjust the purchased boots yourself to the size of your pet.

There is another nuance - the price. The cost of branded shoe models is much higher, and cheap boots are usually of low quality.

Fortunately, today there are many patterns, following which you can sew shoes for dogs with your own hands using improvised materials.

Boots with tongues

Part 1 is the side of the boot, you need two of them for one boot (or four if you want to insert a lining made of fleece or other warm material). The length of the tongue is approximately equal to part 1, i.e. boot height. The sole follows the contour of the foot (detail 3). Part 4 covers the toe and, together with the tongue, forms the front part of the shoe (you can see how sneakers are sewn - it will become clearer). To sew comfortable shoes for small breed dogs with your own hands using the pattern below, you will have to do several trial fittings. Use paper or scrap fabric for rough fittings.

Tools

All the tools that can be used are definitely in every home:

piece of cloth;
a regular elastic band that will be used to tighten the shoes;
Velcro or other fasteners;
fabric for soles;
sewing kit.

You can use a centimeter to take measurements.

Fashionable pet

The Dachshund is one of the oldest dog breeds known to mankind. The short-legged hunting dog did not care about any weather conditions. But home life has spoiled small dogs - dachshunds begin to freeze when leaving a warm house to go outside. Now, even in the summer, they may need light overalls to protect them from the rain.

In winter, clothing becomes a necessity: low temperatures have a bad effect on the well-being of pets. Overalls made of warm or waterproof fabric with lining will be your salvation.

You can also have several outfits “for the soul” - bows, hats, suits that will delight guests at any holiday.

The tradition of dressing dogs and thus protecting them from severe frosts came to us from the northern peoples: among the Eskimos and Samoyeds one could often see dogs walking in warm boots and wool capes. Medieval owners decorated their pets with scarves, and the lapdogs of the Marquise de Pompadour were dressed in suits made of expensive fabrics.

Modern stores are full of a variety of goods - from warm, irreplaceable blankets to glamorous dresses with rhinestones. However, there is a risk of getting carried away and shelling out a hefty sum for things that you can easily do with your own hands at home. Where does a dog's wardrobe begin?

Selection of materials for manufacturing

What are pet shoes most often made from?

Fleece is considered the best material for making dog shoes. It is quite easy to use while sewing, it dries quickly and can be washed without any problems. Fleece also lasts a long time and practically does not stretch after washing. The only downside is that it gets wet and is not always suitable for sewing autumn boots.
When creating spring or winter boots, it is better to use suede, natural leather or its substitutes, and other waterproof fabrics. It is very important that the chosen material does not cause allergies in your pet.
An ideal option that can withstand the elements are rubber boots. They are suitable for long and active walks in any weather.

The sole can be made of rubber. He is strong and unbearable. The downside is its weight, which often causes discomfort for dogs when walking.

Important! The larger the dog, the thicker and stronger the sole of his boots should be.

Warmth, coziness and comfort

If you don't like sewing, you can knit shoes for dogs - it will look like booties or socks. Dogs feel comfortable in these boots - the paw is completely on the ground, nothing hinders the movement of the fingers, and the fasteners do not put pressure on the joints. Knitted “slippers” will keep your baby’s paws from freezing after a bath, when it’s already cold outside and the heating hasn’t been turned on yet.

Unfortunately, such shoes are impractical - they quickly collect dust, wear out and stretch. If the claws are not filed, the claw will pierce the shoe and stick out, and this interferes with walking (the shoe will either fall off or twist). There is nothing to say about walking in damp conditions, but even in winter, paws get wet - the snow melts at the touch of the paw pads, moisture is absorbed into the threads, freezes and forms a cold crust. To extend the life of your cozy beauty, shoes can be easily upgraded in one of the following ways:

sew a thick insole from the inside (felt, two layers of fleece, etc.);

make the sole from coarse waterproof fabric, and knit the knitted part, casting loops along the edge of the sole and up, in a column;

Reinforce the toe of a knitted boot with a strip of leather or nylon so that the claws rest against the dense material.

Do-it-yourself knitted shoes for dogs is easy if you know how to knit socks or booties (they are more comfortable because they fit on the foot not tightly, but like a boot). You can work with crochet or knitting, as you prefer. The loops should not be airy (they will stretch quickly), and choose threads that are strong and fairly rough (but not prickly). It is better to knit a jumpsuit or sweater from thin yarn or delicate mohair in the color of your shoes. For long-haired dogs, if it is important to maintain the ideal quality of the fur coat, knitted boots are not suitable - woolen threads electrify and rub the fur coat. Although, if you wish, you can sew a silk lining inside the shoe.

Useful tips

As you can see, the process of creating shoes for your quadruple pupil is labor-intensive, but not difficult. The result will definitely please every dog breeder if you take into account the following nuances when sewing:

You need to take your dog's measurements while standing. Then she rests completely on her paws, and the pattern will be more accurate.
Measurements are taken in pairs: 2 front paws and 2 hind paws. This is due to the fundamental difference in the structure of the dog’s front and hind legs.
To prevent your pet from slipping when walking, choose a rough fabric for the sole.
It is not advisable to use zippers or buttons as fasteners, so as not to harm the pet.
The soles can be glued with PVA glue, then wet weather will not become an obstacle to walking, and the shoes will not get wet.
Shoes should be slightly loose. There is no need for Velcro to pinch your pet's paws. In this case, blood circulation deteriorates and the dog may freeze.
For larger breeds of dogs, you can sew shoes with thicker soles. You need to cut a piece of fiberboard of suitable size and place the insert between the top of the product and the insulation. You can also cut out the soles from your old shoes.

Create dress shoes at home and feel free to go for a walk with your pet.

How to sew boots

The most difficult thing is to make beautiful boots for your pet. But with due diligence, independent work is quite feasible.

To work you will need thick fabric and fasteners.

Completing of the work

Take measurements and adjust the proposed pattern according to them.

Using a pattern, cut out parts of the product from the material.
Sew a strip closed in a ring to the sole in a circle.
Sew the front upper part to the lower structure.
We sew the boot part with the open side forward, to the front element and the circular strip.
Sew a strip under the open edge.
We install the fixing elements in place: Velcro, ties, and so on.
Now you can go for a walk.

You can create beautiful shoes for your pet not only by sewing, but also by knitting. This option is especially suitable for housewives and knitters. To do this, use the details of the proposed patterns and the proposed work process, replacing fabric elements with knitted parts. Enjoy your creative process!

How are Turkish moccasins different from others?

Knitted booties for boys

Why do you need dog clothes for a dachshund?

Dog clothing is not new. Since ancient times, blankets have been placed on hunting dogs. And this was not a whim of wealthy owners. Many animals of small breeds need insulation.

Dog clothing performs the following functions:

Warms. Winter and autumn walks for small pets sometimes end in colds and even pneumonia.
Protects. This applies to dog shoes. The chemicals that coat icy winter sidewalks can cause serious damage to unprotected paws.
Decorates. Every owner wants to highlight his little friend with an original cape and unusual shoes.

For dachshunds, clothing is more of a necessity than a whim of the owners. This small dog has a long body on short legs that is close to the ground. Therefore, the animal begins to freeze very quickly, and in damp weather, upon leaving the house, it gets wet almost immediately.

Constantly being hypothermic, the dog runs the risk of becoming seriously ill. In addition, the low dachshund returns from a walk all dirty. Clothing for animals will help solve all these problems.

Is it necessary?

In winter, some dog breeds get very cold pads on their paws when they step on the cold snow. The reagents used to treat sidewalks against ice can also be very harmful to the dog - they can cause irritation on the pads. Therefore, comfortable boots for dogs, which should be put on before a walk, can protect your pet from adverse environmental factors.

In the summer, they will protect the paws from cuts and damage. And in the rainy autumn, shoes can protect your four-legged friend from colds. And another advantage of such shoes is that after a walk you don’t need to wash your pet’s paws.

Did you know?
Dogs' sense of smell is 1000 times stronger than that of humans - humans have 5 million olfactory receptors, and four-legged friends have more than 220 million.

Kinds

Dog shoes should be comfortable and durable, fit tightly to the paw, and be easy to put on and take off without effort. The material for the upper is selected to be elastic and dense: suede, fleece, leather, polyester, bologna fabric. The toe is usually additionally reinforced so that the animal does not pierce it with its claws. The lining is made of soft non-slip fabric.

The sole of the shoe is made with a corrugated surface for better grip on the road. Most often, polyurethane or rubber is used for it.

Shoes should be light, no more than 50-60 grams. Decorations, especially metal fittings, add weight, so it's best to go simple. In winter, dogs are usually dressed in socks, shoes or boots.

Socks

Socks are used to prevent the pet's sharp claws from scratching the floor and furniture or during the period of training the puppy to wear shoes. In dry, even frosty weather, knitted or knitted slippers can be worn for a walk. In such lightweight shoes with a rubberized, compacted toe, the dog feels comfortable because the thin sole allows you to feel the surface of the ground. However, socks wear out quickly and have more of a decorative purpose.

Selection rules

First of all, you need to determine the size correctly.
To do this, you need to know not only the length of the paw, but also the weight of the pet. Before buying shoes, it is best to try them on. If you buy boots in an online store, then you need to take the correct measurements: trace the foot on a piece of paper and measure its length from the longest toe to the back. Using the size chart, select the closest option. If your dog's size is between two sizes, then you should choose the larger option. Let's look at how to choose the right shoes for a dog:

the material must be elastic;
boots must have a soft lining;
to prevent the claws from piercing the shoes, the toe should have dense material;
it would be good if such shoes had fasteners in the form of zippers or Velcro;
shoes should be light (up to 50 g);
The thickness of the sole should be such that your four-legged friend can feel the areas on which he walks.

Important!
Shoes should not have seams - this can lead to scuffs on the paws.

Manufacturers

It is better to make your first purchase of shoes for your pet at a pet store. The choice there is not very large, but you can try on some. After choosing a model, size and manufacturer, subsequent purchases can be made through online stores. Winter shoes from several popular companies are represented on the Russian market.

Dezzie

Produces a variety of models of warm boots with different fasteners for miniature breeds. These shoes are not durable and strong, but they are attractive and original in appearance.

Guardian gear

It features reliable technical characteristics: non-slip soles, durable water-repellent fabrics, large sizes for large breeds.

Trixie

One of the popular and time-tested brands, corresponding to the price-quality combination. These shoes are comfortable, lightweight, abrasion-resistant, and have a shock-absorbing elastic sole of small thickness.