Big Dogs in Costume and On Parade

Does your dog want to wear a Halloween costume? Maybe that's the wrong question. Do you want your large dog to wear a costume? If so, you're in luck. I've pulled together a number of costumes that are made for larger dogs.

Where to find big dog costumes
Big dog clothing is a lot harder to find. It's not like you can pull big dog dresses off the local pet store rack. Even simple dog shirts for big dogs are hard to find. There's also the whole thing about size. Some people seem to think an English Bulldog is a large dog. Me? I tend to look at those gentle giants like Mastiffs, Great Pyrenees, Great Danes and others as the real contenders for the Big Dog title.

What you need to know when choosing a dog Halloween costume
When I'm shopping online and search for "big dog Halloween costumes," I prefer the ones that feature one of the larger sized dog breeds in the costume. I've also found that to some costume makers, a "large" sized dog is a Pug. Knowing your dog's neck size and/or collar size is a big help. It doesn't hurt to measure your dog's girth and know his or her's current weight. Many costumes found in the pet stores come prepackaged so it's not always possible to hold the costume up against your dog or give it the eyeball to see if it fits.

Fido too big for store-bought costumes?
Sometimes you simply can't buy the right costume off rack for your big boy or big girl. It's too small, too tight, too silly or just not right. What do you do? Well, you can let your big dog shine in all his glory and make your fashion statement with dog costume accessories. Or, you can whip out that needle and thread or sewing machine and surger, and whip up a costume for your big and furry friend.

For the needle-phobic or those of you who simply don't want to whip up a homemade costume for your larger-than-life pet, I've added a section of dog costume accessories after the big dog costumes. Check out the costumes and accessories featured. If nothing else, you'll get a chuckle when you see these bad boys in fairy wings and prison garb. Be sure and watch the videos of costumed dogs on parade, too.

• Image credit: Bull dog in prison garb image sourced from Amazon. Costume featured below