Few people are surprised when they see a dog wearing a hat on the street. With the arrival of cold weather, every dog owner thinks about how to ensure his comfort. For walking in cold weather, you can put a hat on the animal.
If you don't want to buy one, sew your own dog hats. To do it right, you need to follow step-by-step instructions to create unique dog hats.
Taking measurements
Before you start sewing clothes for dogs or knitting a hat, you need to take measurements.
If your dog is calm, the process will take a matter of minutes. Taking measurements of restless dogs may give unreliable results.
Therefore, it is better to take measurements when the animal is sleeping. Try to do everything carefully, without sudden movements, so as not to wake up your pet.
To make a hat, you will need the following measurements:
- Distance. Measure from the base of your left ear to your right.
- Parallel head circumference. Take a circular measurement along the outer base of the ears.
- Vertical girth. Measure the circular distance from the chin to the top.
To ensure accurate measurements, you can take a control measurement.
Hooded hat
This dog hat is suitable for all breeds. Outwardly, it resembles a helmet. Fixation is carried out using ropes or a closed loop.
This hat is suitable for any time of the year, only in the summer it will be hot. It is not difficult to sew such a model. To do this, follow the instructions presented in the video below.
Muff hat
This knitted dog hat is optimal for breeds with drooping ears. There is elastic at the top and bottom. Thanks to the top tightening, there is a possibility of control.
You have the right to decide how to wear a hat: completely or to cover only your ears. Fixation is carried out with buttons, loops or zippers.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Knit a few centimeters with an elastic band.
- Tie the loops, leaving a little in the center. The center of the part should be between the pet's ears.
- Knit the same strip at the back, adding loops.
- Knit a piece to protect the dog's neck.
- Sew all the pieces together and try them on.
Choosing a Collar
There are certain rules, subject to which your pet will feel comfortable in a collar:
- two fingers of your hand should fit freely between the dog’s neck and the collar;
- the collar should be so wide that it cannot be removed over the head;
- The collar should not restrict movement or put pressure. The dog should turn and tilt its head freely;
- The collar should be made of a material that does not chafe the skin. Check the material, feel it, is it soft enough?
IMPORTANT!
It is advisable to choose a collar, like a harness, by trying it on the dog. This way you can better assess whether the accessory hinders your pet’s movements.
With visor
In summer, your dog can wear a hat with a visor to protect it from the scorching sun. You can use it as a decorative headdress.
You can sew your own hat for a Chihuahua with slits or with a solid top.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Make a pattern for dog clothes. It can be found on the Internet.
- Transfer the pattern to the fabric and trace the outline with a pencil, soap or chalk. Leave 1-1.5 cm for allowances.
- Cut out the pieces. You will get a detail of the top layer, lining and 2 elements for the visor. Use corduroy for the top layer and visor, and cotton for the lining.
- Sew a plastic plate to the bottom of the visor to make the structure stable. Connect it to the top element, placing the front side inward.
- Sew all the parts using a sewing machine, stitching along the edges of the protruding part. Leave the bottom open.
- Turn out the protruding part of the product.
- Sew the folds on the main part.
- Connect the main part to the lining material, placing the visible side inward. Sew on a machine.
- Sew the visor to the main part and connect it to the lining.
- Insert the cord into the hem to secure the hat on your pet's head.
Wardrobe must-haves
What you definitely need to buy for Jack Russell dogs include:
- winter overalls on padding polyester with fleece lining inside;
- autumn overalls made of water-repellent fabric, preferably with a hood, as Jack Russells often have problems with their ears. The fabric must be of high quality;
- boots with rubber soles or ugg boots.
IMPORTANT!
Be sure to ensure that the material is of high quality, there are no defects in the seams and no threads sticking out, since the Jack Russell is a very active breed of dog, and damaged clothing will quickly wear out.
Check if the fabric feels pleasant to the touch. It's good if you can discreetly splash water on it to see if it gets wet. The best option for fasteners would be button fasteners - they make dressing the dog more convenient.
Various summer suits are mere decorations and are not part of the required wardrobe.
Hat cap
To make a hat for small breed dogs.
Follow these instructions:
- Make a pattern. The size of the visor should match the size of your dog. Cut out the pieces.
- Reveal the details of their selected material.
- Sew the details and trim the excess fabric so that the headdress does not bulge.
- Sew the main elements along the edges, leaving only the part where the cap visor will be sewn.
- Pre-sweep the parts so that the structure is level.
- Start making the visor of the cap. Fold the 3 visor pieces together, placing the 2 main pieces right sides facing each other.
- Make notes and sew the edges.
- Cut off excess fabric and make notches. Stitch across the top.
- Determine the center of the visor.
- Fold the elements and make a mark.
- Fold the edges inward and tuck the edges of the fabric inward, securing the visor.
- Iron along the seams and fold the edges of the cap 1 cm.
- Pull the elastic through and secure it.
- Try on a headdress for your dog.
Knitted hat
Dog owners often make knitted hats to keep their pets warm on winter walks. The following will describe instructions for knitting for small breed dogs.
Manufacturing process:
1 Take your measurements.
2 Knit about 20 stitches and cast on about 10-12 rows using the working pattern.
3 Remove the loops and measure the width. Think about the proportion. If the head circumference is 10 cm, then 38 loops will be required.
4 Cast on the required number of loops and proceed to the main part of the fabric.
5 After 3-5 cm, make holes for the ears. Divide the number of loops into 3 parts. Close the formed loops on each side.
6 Knit the center of the product until it fits the size of the ear base.
7 Add as many loops on both sides as were originally closed. The product must be the same as the beginning.
8 Close the loops.
9 Fold the product in half and make a side seam. You should get a beautiful hat that can be decorated with fur, sparkles or a bubo.
Mostly, a hat is knitted for Yorkies, as pets love warmth and often get cold while walking.
Does a Jack Russell need clothing?
To the question whether a Jack Russell needs clothes, you can confidently answer - yes, dogs of this breed definitely need clothes. This is a must when caring for a Jack Russell.
Some people think that the main purpose of dog costumes is to attract attention and to decorate the pet, but this is not true. The fact is that small dogs with short hair are poorly adapted to walks in bad weather.
If you walk a Jack Russell without clothes, the dog can get a bad cold and then it will have to be treated for a long time. The consequences of a cold in animals can be dire, including death.
What else affects the lifespan of a Jack Russell Terrier, read here.
So you should take care of your pet in advance and insulate it well.
Crochet knitted hat
You can make a beautiful hat using a crochet hook. Knitting should be done in a circle, narrowing it with each new row.
The result is a pill-shaped hat, reminiscent of a woman's beret.
To crochet a dog hat, follow these instructions:
- Take measurements, choose yarn and pattern.
- Knit a rectangle. Its height should be equal to the distance from the eyebrows to the base of the ears.
- Then make holes for the ears.
- Knit the part covering the crown with straight fabric until the end of the base of the ears.
- Knit the part covering the back of the head with straight fabric. Its height should be equal to the frontal part. At the back of the head, you need to narrow the part a little so that it fits better on the dog’s head.
- Knit the sides of the hat.
- Think over the ties and sew on a beautiful pompom.
- Try on a headdress.
We will need
Selecting threads for knitting is a very important point. I do not recommend using 100% wool yarn, as it can be too scratchy. This is especially important for sensitive dogs and pets prone to allergic reactions.
I took Kamtex “Budget” yarn, the composition of which is 40% wool and 60% acrylic. It is better to take yarn in two different colors. After all, we are knitting a deer hat for a dog, and it will look better if the horns are a different color and do not merge with the hat.
It took me about 2/3 of a skein for the main fabric of the hat. But just a little for the horns. But it's very good. After all, from the remaining threads you can easily knit another deer hat and give it for the New Year to your best four-legged friend with whom you spend time on walks.
We will knit the hat itself, and crochet the ears and horns. Therefore, we will need knitting needles and a hook. It is better to take thicker knitting needles. This way the knitting will be more textured and expressive.
I knitted the deer hat with two knitting needles, and then sewed the edges together. This is an easier option for beginners. But the hat can also be knitted with a single piece of fabric. This option is suitable for those who know how to use or who have circular knitting needles.
Other options for patterns and hat patterns
There are a large number of other options for patterns and patterns for sewing a hat. You have the right to choose the option that suits your skills and the size of your pet. The following will present the most popular and affordable options.
As you can see, sewing a headdress for a dog is not difficult. It is important for pets with a small amount of undercoat, because in winter they will be cold.
By spending a few hours of free time, using knitted clothes for dogs, you can make your pet stylish and original, and also protect him from the cold.
How to choose a muzzle?
Some people believe that a muzzle is only needed to protect people from large dogs, but this is not true. One of the main purposes of a muzzle is to protect the dog, to prevent the possibility of it eating something spoiled or planted by dog hunters.
It is better, of course, to wean your dog from taking food on the street and from passers-by while still a puppy. Usually, for this purpose, they take a lesson from a professional dog handler, but the technique is quite simple - a random passerby is asked to give the dog food, and if it reaches out to it and tries to take it, the trainer reacts sharply and lightly hits the dog. You cannot harm the animal, but it is important to wean it off the idea of taking food from strangers. After the dog leaves the stranger, the owner gives the pet food from his own hand.
Read more about how to raise and train a Jack Russell here.
So, how to choose a muzzle for your Jack Russell Terrier?
First you need to determine the required dimensions:
- measure the length of the Jack Russell's muzzle - from the tip of the nose to the transition of the muzzle to the forehead;
- muzzle circumference (measure the widest part and add three centimeters);
- head length - from the tip of the nose to the occipital protuberance;
- neck circumference - measure behind the occipital protuberance;
- distance between eyes;
- distance between ears.
It is best, again, to measure directly on the dog.
NOTE!
Inspect the product - there should be no threads or even minor damage or fishing lines. The straps are durable and not stretched. The rivets must be made of metal (for all dogs larger than pugs), otherwise the muzzle will break.
Decide why the muzzle will be used, since different variations are suitable for different purposes:
- A blind leather muzzle completely covers the dog's mouth. It is used for trips to the veterinarian, leading an aggressive dog through a crowd of people, during training. It serves only to protect people from being bitten. Such muzzles can only be worn for a few minutes, because it is very difficult for the dog to breathe in them. They are allowed only when there is noticeable aggression;
- mesh leather muzzles consist of straps. In such a muzzle, the dog can open its mouth, stick out its tongue, and drink water. It does not interfere with breathing and is suitable for daily wear. However, a mesh muzzle does not prevent your dog from eating unwanted food and objects. To solve this issue, you can find a model with a “solid” or almost “solid” bottom and the widest possible distances between the belts on the sides;
- metal mesh is a muzzle that does not interfere with the dog’s eating, drinking and breathing. Very heavy, so it is suitable only for adult strong dogs. In fact, it only protects against bites (even if the dog wants to bite), therefore it is useless for calm dogs. You should not wear it in cold weather, as there is a risk of frostbite and hypothermia;
- A plastic muzzle is, in fact, an analogue of a metal one, but it is much lighter and the mesh is more dense, so the dog cannot pick up anything from the ground. Not every day is suitable for walking in a plastic muzzle, since in hot weather the Jack Russell will be uncomfortable, and in cold weather the material may be damaged;
- a fabric muzzle is a simple formality to comply with the law (for walking in crowded places and transportation). Does not limit the dog in anything;
- bridle - does not limit the dog’s ability to bite or pick up something, but can be used to correct unwanted movements during training. Also suitable for formal legal compliance.
Christmas hat for a dog on knitting needles
A New Year's deer hat for a dog is knitted from wool of any color with a 2x2 elastic band, periodically trying the resulting fabric on your pet - this will help determine the desired length. Deer horns are crocheted separately. To keep them in shape, they are stuffed with centipon. Before sewing the parts, it is worth marking where the horns should be - this can be done using thread or toothpicks. After this, all that remains is to connect all the parts together. Your pet will be warm and look smart; you can go for a walk to the city Christmas tree.
How to choose a leash and harness?
For dogs of this breed, it is very important to choose a good leash, as they are very active. It is important to provide them with some freedom of movement, but at the same time limit their ability to run forward.
A few simple rules:
- The harness should be made of soft, non-chafing material. It should not be allowed to restrict the dog’s movements;
- A roulette leash is best suited so that the dog can run long distances;
- the leash must be a belt one, as the lace can cut your legs;
- since we choose a tape measure, it is good if the leash is equipped with reflectors, since passers-by often do not notice the leash and stumble over it, which is very unpleasant for both them and the dog;
- the optimal leash length is no more than five meters;
- The leash for a Jack Russell puppy should be light.
