Skip to content

Small dog clothes that fitHats and sweaters for tiny dogs, from XXXS up or made to measure

Most dog clothes are cut for an average dog, and the smallest size is often still too big for a Chihuahua or a toy breed. Caperro starts where they stop: hats from a 15 cm head and sweaters from 0.3 kg — and when your dog is between sizes, long or deep-chested, we knit to its own measurements.

Collection · Updated

Why it's so hard to find clothes that fit a small dog

A 1.5 kg Chihuahua is not a small version of a 10 kg dog. Its head is large for its body, its ears are big and upright, its legs are thin and close together, and its neck is tiny. Clothes scaled down from a bigger pattern get these proportions wrong. Owners of small dogs know the result:

  • A gap at the neck that lets cold air straight in — or a collar so wide the sweater slides off one shoulder.
  • Rubbing behind the front legs, because the leg holes sit too far apart for narrow shoulders.
  • Too long in the body, so it gets wet and dirty when the dog goes to the toilet.
  • Hats that cover the eyes or squash big upright ears flat.
  • “XS” that is really for a 3–5 kg dog, with no real measurements on the label.
  • Buttons, zips and decorations that are heavy on a tiny dog and small enough to swallow.

A badly fitting piece isn’t just untidy. Vets point out that a dog who bites, scratches or rubs at its clothing is telling you it doesn’t fit and is irritating it — and a dog who hates its sweater won’t keep it on in the cold, when it needs it.

How we make them fit

  • Sizes that start small. Hats from XXXS (15–18 cm head), sweaters from XXXS (0.3–0.5 kg). Every size is a real measurement, printed in the size guide.
  • Knitted after you order. Nothing is waiting in a warehouse in the wrong size; your piece is made for your order.
  • Made to measure. Long-bodied, deep-chested or between sizes? Choose Custom and send the measurements — the piece is knitted to them.
  • Ears built in. The hood has a pocket for each ear; the beanie has ear holes. Nothing gets squashed.
  • No hard parts. Soft knitted ties, ribbed cuffs, pom-poms of the same yarn sewn on firmly. No buttons, zips or plastic.
  • Stretch where it matters. Knit moves with the dog: it hugs a tiny neck without pressing and lets the shoulders work.

Breeds we knit for

Our sizes are made for Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Miniature Dachshund, Toy Poodle, Papillon, Havanese, Bichon Frise, Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pinscher, Pug, French Bulldog and other dogs from about 0.3 to 9 kg. Breed is a starting point, not a size: two Chihuahuas can be a size apart. Measure your own dog — it takes two minutes with a soft tape.

For breed-specific sizes see Chihuahua clothes; to compare the hats see dog hats; for the body see dog sweaters.

Questions

Where can I find clothes for a very small dog?

Look for a brand whose size chart starts below XS and gives real measurements. Caperro hats start at XXXS for a 15–18 cm head and sweaters at XXXS for a dog of 0.3–0.5 kg — and anything in between sizes can be knitted to your dog's own measurements.

My dog is between two sizes. What now?

For the hood, choose the smaller size: the knit gives and the ties hold it. For the beanie, choose the larger: it stays on by stretch alone. For a sweater, or a long-bodied or deep-chested dog, choose Custom and send the measurements.

How does Custom size work?

Choose Custom on the product page and add your dog's measurements in the note: head and neck circumference and ear length for a hat; neck, back length and chest for a sweater. The piece is knitted to those numbers. Custom pieces are made for one dog, so they can't be returned unless something is wrong with them.

Can you help me choose the size?

Yes. Send your dog's measurements, weight and breed by email to [email protected] or a message on Instagram or TikTok, and we'll tell you which size to order before you buy.

Sources

  1. PDSA — Vet Q&A: does my dog need to wear a coat? — measure length, chest and neck; biting or rubbing means a bad fit; small breeds feel the cold quickly
  2. PetMD — Do some breeds actually need dog coats? — check the neck and armpits for rubbing; avoid small parts a dog could swallow

This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell or you are unsure, call your vet.

Read next