When I first adopted Ippo, one of the first dog essentials I looked into was dog shoes. In winter, I was worried about snow and sidewalk salt, and even on clear days, there can be broken glass or other unsafe things on the street.
For white dogs like Bichons especially, their paws can turn dark after even a short walk. I also felt that washing their paws too often after every walk might not be great for the skin on their paw pads.
For many reasons, dog shoes started to feel like a must-have. Luckily, Ippo had no problem wearing them. He did not walk awkwardly or resist them — He moved quite naturally. The only thing I had to be careful about was choosing the right size.
I tried several different pairs to find the ones that fit best and seemed most comfortable for Ippo. In the end, three types of dog shoes felt like the most comfortable options.
WagWellies by Wagwear
The first pair is Wagwear’s WagWellies, which Ippo wears almost every day. They are made of a rubber-like material, similar to Crocs, and have little holes that help with airflow.
What I liked most is that, because they are rubber, they feel comfortable, are easy to wash, and dry quickly. They also come in many colors. Wagwear also makes a version without holes, which is nice for wet ground or cold winter days.
I think WagWellies are especially good for small dogs. With some other dog shoes, even the smallest sizes felt a little loose. But when I tried going down a size, they were too tight and hard to put on, so finding the right fit was tricky. WagWellies were easier to fit, and I also liked that the Velcro strap is long enough to wrap securely around the ankle, which helps keep the shoes from slipping off.
One thing to be careful about when putting shoes on your dog is making sure all the toes are properly inside. I usually gently hold both sides of the paw — around where the “thumb” and “pinky toe” would be on a human hand — and bring the paw together slightly before sliding it into the shoe. Be especially careful that the dewclaw does not get caught.
Also, always check that your dog is walking comfortably. Even if the shoes fit well, they may still feel tiring or uncomfortable after a long walk, so I would not recommend overly long walks in shoes. For Ippo, walking about 30 minutes per walk, two to three times a day, feels like a good amount.
Hi & Light™ Trail Shoes by Ruffwear
The second pair is Ruffwear’s Hi & Light™ Trail Shoes. Actually, these were the first dog shoes I bought for Ippo. They had good reviews, and Ruffwear is a well-known brand for dog gear — especially outdoor and hiking gear.
The shoes were sturdy and nicely designed, but the problem was the fit. Even in the smallest size, there was still a lot of extra space inside the shoe. After thinking about it, I bought a paw wrap/bandage for dogs and wrapped Ippo’s paws before putting the shoes on. That helped the shoes fit more securely.
But doing that every time takes extra time, and for a regular neighborhood walk, it felt a little too much to wrap his paws and put on hiking-style boots.
That said, I would still recommend these shoes if your dog is medium-sized, has bigger paws, goes hiking often, or is very active and loves running around outdoors.
Soft Shield Boots by Canada Pooch
Next are Ippo’s winter boots: Canada Pooch Soft Shield Boots. Canada Pooch also makes Suspender Boots, which have a similar material and design, but each boot is connected with an elastic band for a more secure fit.
If your dog is very active and loves running around in the snow, I think the Suspender Boots may be the better option. Sometimes, when dogs run, a boot can slip off and get lost. With the Suspender Boots, even if they come off, they would likely come off as one connected piece rather than losing just one boot.
For Yule, though, the Soft Shield Boots seemed more comfortable. One thing to be careful about with the Suspender Boots is sizing. Your dog’s leg length needs to match the design. For dogs with shorter legs, like French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, and Ippo, the Short version is usually the better choice.
Another thing to consider is the back length. Since the boots are connected with one band, the fit across the body also matters. There is no separate option to choose the back length, but you can adjust the strap after putting the boots on.
Because of that, the Suspender Boots felt a little more difficult to put on and required more adjusting after Ippo was wearing them. For that reason, I personally preferred the Soft Shield Boots, and Ippo seemed more comfortable in them too.
That said, even with the Soft Shield Boots, the inside can feel a little roomy even in a small size. So I think they are better for short walks on rainy or snowy days rather than long walks.
Finding the right dog shoes may take a little trial and error, but a good pair can help protect your dog’s paws from rough sidewalks, wet weather, snow, and everyday outdoor surprises — while making them look extra cute on walks, too.
