While of course the most popular dog costume for Easter is the bunny, you can design any number of cute or wild items to show that your canine welcomes spring as much as its human companions.
Elegant Dog Costumes for Easter
Whether for the blessing of the animals or a couture Easter parade (the famous Haute Dog Easter Parade in Long Beach, California, is an event some dog owners spend weeks planning for), if your dog is the type who will allow a hat to be placed on its head, it can look as stunning as you, or, if you're not careful, even more so.
The hat is probably the most important part of classy dog costume for Easter, but you don't have to stop there. Many "Mommy and Me" costumes (think the array of outfits in the Legally Blonde movies) involve matching dresses or suits and even boots, as well as hats, sunglasses and necklaces. If you are going to go this route, you and your pooch will be well photographed, but you will probably have to design and sew the outfit yourself, or have it custom-made by a dog designer. The point is, however, that you shouldn't be limited by what's available in stores or what's most commonly done. Any dog can be a bunny. It's adorable, but it's not your only option.
Hats On
Any dog can also be a champion in a swanky Easter bonnet. While you can buy specially designed dog hats for Easter, if you're going to a parade, especially one where hats and costumes are being judged, you simply have to make it yourself. Most human companions start off buying a straw hat made for dogs - for example, you may need ear holes - and then head to the craft store. Flowers are a must, as are ribbons. But here, too, you can let your imagination run wild. Fruit, birds in nests, eggs, stuffed rabbits, chickens or ducks, Milk Bones - it's all up to you. Of course, you have to be mindful of weight. When in doubt, less is more. You don't want to overload either your hat or your dog. For a very small dog, you might consider going more unusual - such as a hat festooned in photographs of the items you would have decorated the hat with if your dog could manage it.
Accessories
Even the most stubborn dog can be persuaded to wear a festive collar. Since your dog is used to wearing a collar, you can design a necklace or cape especially for the occasion and, so long as it fits the same as the collar, the dog should wear it easily. Again, try not to overburden your pooch. A string of plastic eggs, a few flowers, pastel bows - these are not elaborate dog costumes for Easter, but they still greet the day in style.
Dog Couples
As with humans, couples costumes are very fun to create for dogs. The most usual route is to dress dogs as elegant humans, so long, glittering dresses and well-cut tuxedos are in order. You should try to indicate that the dogs are a matched pair with some accessories. Unlike humans, a matching cummerbund may not work, but flowers on a top hat can echo those on a bonnet.
Tutus are popular costume pieces, so dressing dogs as matching fairies is a fun way to go. This can also be cheap and easy - important considerations in tough economic times. You can buy the tutu, as well as other accessories, at Metro Paws and then choose what you'd like to go with it. A simple bit of frill at the neck and glittery antenna can say it all.
As fun as dressing up your dog can be, it is asking a lot of your pooch, so be sure and reward your pet amply afterwards!
