Where did it all begin? Some say the White House helped set the tone for dog fashion. Rex, the First Dog, as a public figure has put well-groomed dogs in the spotlight. He is quite a bit different from the low-keyed house dogs of administrations of the past. Harvey, a Labrador retriever belonged to Princess Diana and not by total surprise also had quite a wardrobe. Whenever the late Princess Di ordered a new dress, she asked the designer to make a matching scarf for Harvey.



The social ladder for dogs has given them new reasons to dress up. Owners are no longer content with the basics of dog apparel. Today's fashion hound looks to the top dogs of government, business, the arts, and entertainment to set the tone for fashion.

Dog clothes designers have risen to the occasion to provide us with more dressing options than ever before. A well-dressed doggie these days means more than a quick flick of the brush and a rhinestone collar. At our fingertips is a full spectrum of dog clothes designers creating looks suitable for every lifestyle and level of taste. From leisure wear to formal attire, every occasion is being met with a selection of designs to please anyone and any dog's need and at prices for all levels of income.

More dogs are involved in civil service, police work, the military, the arts, film, or fashion. The business animal has special needs. Dog clothes have to be beautiful and suitable for the work place. Comfort and easy care are important features.

Dogs are involved in travel, participate in the arts, exercise with their owners, or simply sit at home and watch a good movie. Dog clothes designers are addressing this range of needs with creativity. Dog owners are expressing their good taste in the choice of elegant garments made of beautiful fabrics. Dog clothes are given special attention to quality and detail, and proper fit. Accessories are being used to dress up or down and dogs are beginning to collect a mass of special collars and neckpieces.

Dog clothes designers are departing from the ordinary and creating dog clothes of timeless classics that reveal a careful attention to detail never before seen in dog dressing.

It makes one wonder just who is the leader in fashion today ? the dog or the human? It seems human designers are beginning to adapt key looks and silhouettes of dog fashions into versions for people. This is not so surprising either as it has often been said, in the walk of life; man eventually follows the dog??