Dog Tops: The Shirt That Solves the Fur on the Sofa

A dog top is a shirt that covers the back and the chest. It is not a coat for warmth and not a harness for control. It is the light layer for the indoor dog, the dog with the skin condition, the dog that sheds on the furniture, and the dog that needs the sun protection on the walk. The top is the simplest piece of dog apparel and the one that sells in the most colors. For the pet brand, the top is the volume item that carries the collection.

The Chest and the Neck Set the Size

The dog top fits like a small shirt. The chest girth is the measurement that decides the size. The neck opening has to clear the head and sit without choking. The back length covers the spine from the base of the neck to the tail.

The leg openings are the second measurement. The top has to clear the front legs without binding under the armpit. A top that is too tight at the leg opening rubs the skin and the dog refuses to wear it. A dog top with the properly placed leg openings lets the dog walk and run without the restriction.

The Sleeves and the Sleeveless

The sleeveless top is the basic piece. It covers the back and the chest and leaves the legs free. It suits the warm weather and the active dog. The short-sleeve top covers the upper leg and the shoulder. It suits the dog with the skin issue on the legs or the dog that needs the sun protection on the shoulder.

The dog top that covers more is the one that serves the specific need. The brand that offers both the sleeveless and the short sleeve in the same fabric and the same colors gives the customer the choice.

The Fabric for the Indoors and the Outdoors

The cotton top is the basic. It is soft and it breathes. It suits the indoor dog and the mild weather walk. The performance fabric wicks the moisture and dries fast. It suits the active dog and the dog that wears the top all day.

The sun protection is the feature for the hairless breed and the thin-coated breed. The dog top with the UPF rating blocks the UV and prevents the sunburn on the back. The brand that adds the UPF rating to the label serves the owner who walks the dog in the midday sun.

Here is what a dog top has to deliver:

• Chest girth and back length in the size chart
• Neck opening that clears the head without choking
• Leg openings that do not bind under the armpit
• Sleeveless and short-sleeve options
• Cotton for the indoors and the performance fabric for the active dog
• UPF rating for the sun protection

Where the Tops Sell

The pet boutique sells the tops on the rack in the spring and the summer. The colors and the prints drive the impulse purchase. The online seller uses the photos and the size chart. The customer who buys one top and likes the fit comes back for the second color.

The Top That Rubs

The top rubs under the armpit because the leg opening was too tight or the seam was too thick. The dog licks at the spot and the owner takes the top off. The neck opening chokes because the elastic was too strong. The fabric pills after the first wash because the yarn was short-staple. Each one is a construction decision the brand makes in the pattern and the fabric selection.

A dog top is the light layer for the indoor dog and the outdoor walk. The chest girth, the leg openings, and the fabric decide whether the dog wears it. Choose a manufacturer that fits the dog and finishes the seams smooth.