Strangers Will Stop You In The Street
There is a moment about thirty seconds into the first walk when someone actually laughs out loud. A tiny cowboy is riding your dog, hat raised, bouncing slightly with every step, and nobody who sees it keeps walking. The Sierra is the costume people photograph without asking.
It is a plush western saddle with a stuffed rider sitting on it, and it works because of what it is *not*: nothing goes over the head, nothing wraps a leg, and the whole thing straps on with two belly straps in about five seconds. Four sizes, chest 13.8 to 31.5 inches.
Why It’s Better
- Reads Instantly In A Photo: The little rider sits raised on the back holding a yellow felt hat, unmistakable from right across a room.
- Straps Under The Belly: Two hook-and-loop straps. On in five seconds, off in five, and nothing goes over the head.
- Legs Stay Free: It sits on the back only, so all four legs, the chest and the head stay completely clear.
- It Weighs Almost Nothing: Stuffing and fabric, with no frame and no wire for the dog to carry.
- Four Sizes: Chest 13.8 to 31.5 in, covering small to large breeds.
- One Or Two: Buy a pair for two dogs, or for a party.
Perfect for the walk where you want people to stop
Every Halloween there are a hundred dogs in a hundred pumpkin suits and one dog that stops the party. The rider does the work, the raised hat reads from across a room, and because your dog’s own legs are doing the walking, the illusion actually moves. It is the rare costume that is funnier in person than in the photograph, and the photograph is already very good.
The one people photograph.
Questions
How do I choose a size?
By chest, measured at the widest point behind the front legs. S fits 13.8 to 19.7 in, M fits 17.7 to 23.6 in, L fits 21.7 to 27.6 in and XL fits 25.6 to 31.5 in. If your dog is between two, take the larger: the straps adjust down more easily than up.
How heavy is it?
Almost nothing. It is cotton, fleece and light plush on two hook-and-loop belly straps, so it sits on the back like a small cushion and the dog’s head, chest and all four legs stay completely free.
How long can it stay on?
As long as your dog is enjoying it, a party, a walk, a photo session. It weighs almost nothing and straps on over the back in five seconds, so it comes off just as fast when the photos are done.
Will my dog be comfortable in it?
Most dogs barely register it, because nothing goes over the head and nothing threads round the legs. Two straps under the belly, done in five seconds, off again just as fast.
Does it fit a cat?
The smallest size fits some larger cats and they are pictured wearing it. Most cats object to anything strapped around the belly, so we would not buy it expecting success.
How do I clean it?
Spot clean with a damp cloth and let it dry fully. It is stuffed, so a machine wash pushes the filling out of shape and it takes days to dry through.
Why this rather than a full costume?
Because full costumes cover the legs and dogs hate them. This straps on over the back in five seconds, weighs almost nothing, and leaves the head, chest and all four legs free.
What’s Included & Key Details
- Type: Novelty rider costume, strap-on
- Material: Cotton, fleece and polyester plush
- Fastening: Two hook-and-loop straps under the belly
- Covers: The back only, so the head, chest and all four legs stay free
- Chest S / M: 13.8-19.7 / 17.7-23.6 in
- Chest L / XL: 21.7-27.6 / 25.6-31.5 in
- Packs: One or two costumes
- Wear: Supervised dress-up for photos, parties and parades
- Care: Spot clean with a damp cloth and dry fully
