Dress up your plus-sized pup in gear by Idawg

As the owner of a 90-pound (yes, very well-fed) golden retriever, I've often envied those dog owners who can dress their considerably smaller pooches in fashionable doggie jackets, or even plop them in their purses while they go for a stroll at the Ballard Farmer's Market. While it's a given that I'll never be able to tote my golden in anything smaller than a wheelbarrow, I can now dress her in something fashionable, thanks to a new line of plus-size doggie attire by the local company Idawg.

Faced with the same challenge I had – where to find appropriate and fun clothing, such as raincoats and sweaters, for larger canines – founder Joanie Dhillon says her inspiration for Idawg was her own large dogs, Ginger and Meadow (yes, Soprano).

"Despite their somewhat large physiques, they still get cold during the winter," says Dhillon. "It was very difficult to find clothing that fit their bigger personalities and big chests. I began to realize the lack of fashionable big-dog clothing available. The little dog market is flooded with every type of silly to fashionable type of clothing you can think of, but it's difficult to find fashionable clothing suited for big dogs."

Idawg sells adorable fleece vests, as well as funky jackets for Fido made from durable fabrics that will withstand multiple washings and trips to the dog park. Two of the company's most popular items are the Black Bomber jacket ($99) and the Idawg Hoody ($65).

Look for Idawg products online or at the local retailers Urban Beast or Railey's Leash & Treat.

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