Dress your show dog for success. Here are some products that can help.

Grooming needs vary

Dog breeds and their grooming needs vary greatly. Show dog products are usually pretty specific to your dog type.  The right products used the right way can make the difference between your dog becoming a champion and just one of the entries. You know your breed and your specific dog, so you want the products to help you make your dog look their best.

Dog slinkies, swimsuits and grooming suits

Grooming items like slinkies are made of stretchy fabric that is snug in all the right areas to smooth fur. These can save lots of time for those who are grooming long-haired dogs or those with wavy hair. Since Made by De creates these custom, they can be designed to solve many of your dog's problem areas.

Dog chamois coats, aka cool coats

Another approach to smoothing fur is a chamois coat.  My cool coats are made of synthetic chamois so they work like the real thing without getting brittle or needing to be kept in the cooler.  Chamois coats have the extra benefit of helping your dog stay cool; an important consideration when showing outside in the summertime.

Special considerations for the boys

Male dogs with long fur can get messy quickly, destroying all that work done to make them look good.  A spandex pee coat or waterproof leggings can help keep them clean. 

If you have show dogs, you want the best tools

Made by De has been making products to help you and your dog since 2009.  I've been to numerous dog shows and talked to countless dog owners in the process of creating my products. Take a look at my website to see what I have to offer.  Let me know if you have any questions or have something different in mind.  I can often alter the design to meet the needs of your dog.

What are dog britches?

 

What are dog diapers, aka dog britches?

If you have a female dog that is intact or an incontinent dog, you know what dog diapers are. They are an article of clothing that your dog wears to keep the mess contained. There are several different ways to attempt to accomplish this, but they are not all equal in terms of comfort, cost and effectiveness.

Why would my dog need a diaper?

The main reasons for needing a diaper are 

1) If a female dog is intact, she's going to have heat cycles, which involves at least some blood and can get pretty smelly.

2) A dog is elderly, has been injured or for some other reason, can't control their bladder or bowel movements. Both males and females can be incontinent, although anatomy leads to some differences in how to contain it.

What are my choices?

You can buy disposable diapers for your dog at most pet stores.  This makes it easy to find but can get pricey and adds up to a lot of trash.

You can buy dog diapers that are made to be reused, out of cloth usually.  These are a little harder to find and a little more expensive at first, but they’re washable and can be reused.  The benefit is that your investment will pay for itself pretty quickly, and you won’t be adding to the trash heap. Plus, you can find people that make them specifically for your dog, so the fit is more correct.

You can rig something up with human baby diapers or men’s undershorts.  This can work in a pinch, but they aren’t designed for dogs, so they may not fit very well and may not contain the mess you’re hoping to contain.

What should I look for in a dog diaper?

1) A diaper needs to be easy to use. Whether it's for a coupe of weeks or ongoing you're going to have to deal with it several times a day, so you want a product that doesn't cause extra work  It needs to be easy to put on and take off as well.  And clean up should be simple.

2) You (and your dog) want a product that doesn't cause irritation or sore spots.  If it doesn't fit right, a diaper will rub at the groin, between the legs or otherwise cause discomfort.  If your dog isn't comfortable, they are likely to try to remove the diaper in any way they can. 

3) The diaper needs to stay in place in order to serve it's purpose.  If the fit isn't right, the chances of it coming off increase greatly, leading to a mess.

FYI, diapers or britches are NOT designed to prevent pregnancy.  

What’s the best choice?

The best choice is the one that works for you and your dog.  When you have a situation that calls for a diaper, it helps to know the options to make the best decision available.  Keeping a diaper on your dog when it’s needed will help your fur kid be more a part of the family instead of being banned to the crate, outside, etc. You’ll feel better, and so will they.

Made by De, my online business, makes custom dog diapers.  Take a look for more information.

Show Dogs Have Special Needs

Show season is in full swing!

If you show dogs in conformation, you know that the show season is now underway.  You may be making plans for attending your breed specialty or maybe you're going to shows closer to home.  No matter how you participate in dog shows, if you're attending you may have a number of issues to deal with in order to be as successful as possible. Made by De can help! I make each item using your dog's measurements and with your input so I can most closely fit the needs of you and your dog.

Keeping your dog from overheating and feeling like a limp noodle is usually a challenge in the heat.  My cool coats, both functional and fancy. They work through evaporation to keep your dog feeling fresh and energetic. Just soak them in water and wring out the excess.

If you have a long haired dog like an Irish Setter or a Cavalier Spaniel, you may have grooming issues.  My slinkies and grooming suits often come in handy for keeping coats smooth and clean or taming those curls.  

And if you have a show dog, you have to have them intact, so diapers (britches or belly bands) may be needed to help manage any calls of nature that might come up.

I can customize to suit most any need so be sure to let me know what you have in mind and I can often come up with something that solves the problem. Be sure to check out my website, www.madebyde.com, to see my current offerings.  And feel free to contact me to discuss new designs, new features, different colors, etc.  That's the beauty of custom, handmade work!

Try my dog cooling vests. Why keep your pups inside when the weather is so nice outside?

Dog lovers usually want to spend time with their pups doing fun stuff.  But that gets more complicated when your pup just wants to lay in the shade and chill because it is SOOOOO hot.

My cool coats are made of synthetic chamois.  You get them wet, wring out the extra water (if you don't want your dog wet too) and put them on.  They work through evaporation for several hours, inside or outside.

They are washable and don't get stiff when dried like real chamois or automotive chamois.  Just wash and air dry as needed.

They can be simple and functional like this one. Great for agility competitions, hiking the trails, etc.

Or blingy and beautiful, like this.  Your pup can make a fashion statement at ringside!

These cool coats can even help working dogs do their jobs more efficiently because they stay focused.

Since these coats are made custom, I can fit any dog!  Find out more at Made by De.