Lately, I have been getting a lot of people asking me, what is a snood and why does my dog need one? Dog snoods, while used for decades, have become increasingly
What is a Dog Snood?
Snoods traditionally were known to be a head covering garment worn by women to keep their hair pinned back. Today on many handmade sites they also can refer to chunky knitted scarfs called “snood scarfs.” In the dog accessories industry, snoods are a tube of fabric meant to be worn around a dog’s ears, neck or both depending on the type of material. They are mainly used to keep dog’s ears clean, protected and warm.
Types of Dog Snoods
There are many different types of snoods made of a variety of materials and which serve different purposes. Here are the four main types.
Cotton Dog Snood
Cotton dog snoods are the traditionally known snood if you show dogs or have long-haired, long-eared dog breeds. They are usually poofy and come in different lengths to ensure a dog’s ears are covered. They also have elastic around the top and bottom of the snood to ensure it remains in place on the head and neck.
These snoods are meant to keep long-eared dogs’ ears clean when they are eating and drinking since long-haired dogs commonly get food in their hair while eating or get soaked after drinking water. I know I am constantly cleaning food out of my dachshund’s ears when she does not wear a snood.
Cotton dog snoods are also commonly used
They can also be used to protect a dog’s ears while healing after surgery. Before deciding to use a snood for this purpose, however, be sure to check with your vet.
They are commonly used on the following breeds:
- Afghan Hounds
- Basset Hounds
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Cocker Spaniels
- Clumber Spaniels
- Dachshunds
- English Setters
- English Springer Spaniels
- Gordon Setters
- Irish Setters
- Poodles
- Sussex Spaniels
I use cotton snoods on my English Setters, Gordon Setter and Dachshund and sell them in my shop.
Knit Dog Snood
Photo Credit: Rexy from @rexyween
Knit dog snoods are made of yarn and commonly used during the fall and winter months. The purpose of knit snoods is to keep dogs warm once it gets colder. They are particularly used by short-haired dogs but have become more common among all types of dogs in recent years
Just like people, dogs are susceptible to frostbite and negative health effects from the cold weather and jackets and sweaters for pets don’t always cover the neck and rarely cover the ears. Snoods help provide some protection from the cold and can easily be paired with other accessories.
They have also recently become popular as a dog fashion accessory. Knit snoods have become well-known due to the popular Zoo Snoods, a company that makes animal-themed knit snoods.
Fleece Dog Snood
Just like knit dog snoods, fleece dog snoods are mainly used during colder seasons to help dogs keep warm. Also called “snood scarfs,” fleece dog snoods are soft and can be worn as a scarf around the neck or over the ears. They are meant to be baggier, so they can fit comfortably over the ears. Some have elastic in the top part so that they remain secure on the head, but also fit comfortably around the neck.
Waterproof Dog Snood
Waterproof dog snoods are commonly made of PUL fabric and are meant to prevent water from getting in a dog’s ears. Just like cotton snoods, they made in the shape of a tube and use elastic on both the top and bottom parts of the snood so they remain secure on the dog’s head and neck. They are used to prevent a dog’s ears from getting wet while bathing, at the beach or when it rains.
How to Measure for a Dog Snood
In order to have a dog snood fit perfectly on your pup, it is always best to take these three measurements to make certain a snood isn’t too tight and to make sure it fits over the ears. Take these measurements with a soft tape measurer which can be found at your local Walmart, Joann’s, or Amazon.
Conclusion
With such a wide variety of snoods, they are certainly a must have accessory for any dog owner. Have you ever used a snood on your dog before? Let me know in the comments below.
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