DGK 
Most cats will stage a full protest the moment knitwear enters the picture – but for hairless breeds like the Sphynx, post-surgery recovery cases, and senior cats with thinning coats, a well-fitted sweater isn’t a novelty, it’s a genuine welfare tool. DogGoneKnit.com walks through exactly when feline winter wear is medically warranted, how to measure … Read more
Most dogs pant. Most of the time, it means nothing. But panting is also one of the first signs of heatstroke, heart failure, and severe pain – and those look almost identical to normal cooling behavior until they don’t. This article covers the full range of causes, from routine thermoregulation to medical emergencies, and gives … Read more
Dog biting – whether it’s a puppy nipping or an adult dog snapping – is a behavior problem that gets worse when it’s ignored. This article walks through the real causes behind biting, from poor bite inhibition in puppies to fear and frustration triggers in adult dogs, and lays out the specific training protocols that … Read more
Wood chewing is one of the most common – and most misunderstood – destructive behaviors in dogs. This article breaks down the biological and behavioral reasons behind it, from teething and Pica to anxiety and boredom, and explains the real medical risks that most owners don’t think about until something goes wrong. You’ll find specific, … Read more
Aran sweaters look great on dogs. Louise Bollanos at Handy Little Me designed this one with Irish moss stitch and cables. It takes some skill, but the result is worth it – this is one of the better-looking dog sweater patterns out there. Three sizes, adjustable for length and chest width. Bulky yarn, so it … Read more
Most free dog sweater knitting patterns are sized for small dogs. The ones that do include larger sizes tend to use neck and chest measurements that don’t match real dogs – fit a large-breed dog’s chest and the neck droops; fit the neck and the sweater pulls down around the shoulders with every step. This … Read more
DROPS Design built the Snuggle Berry to work from the tail up to the neck. It’s a different approach from most dog sweater patterns, which start at the neck. Whether it actually fits better is debatable – but it does work. Four sizes, from Chihuahua to small Boxer. Uses DROPS Snow yarn, which is a … Read more
Seams are annoying. Taryn at Calico Radio designed the Edinburgh sweater to be completely seamless – worked from neck to tail with a single piece of yarn. No sewing up at the end. It’s a beginner pattern with six sizes, and the raglan construction makes it adaptable to different dog shapes without a lot of … Read more
Darby’s original cable sweater was great, but it didn’t fit a 5-pound dog. Autumnblossomknits sized it down. It works. The cable runs down the back. It’s a single cable, not a complicated Aran panel – clean and classic without being fussy. How it’s built The sweater uses 2×2 ribbing at the edges, stockinette for the … Read more
Tiny dogs are notoriously hard to fit. Most commercial patterns bottom out at “XS” and still swamp a 4-pound dog. Connie at Hartwood Roses built this ribbed sweater specifically for Winnie – a tiny dog with an 11-inch chest and a 9-inch back length. If you have a Chihuahua or another very small breed, this … Read more
