Designed by the owner of one
Hoshiba started with Hoshi, a Shiba Inu with a thick coat, a deep chest, and firm opinions about clothing. Every sweater we make was fitted on him first. This page is what we learned.
Does a Shiba need a sweater?
Most days, no. A Shiba's double coat handles a cold walk better than you do. The days it doesn't: after a coat blow, when the undercoat is thin for a few weeks; a senior who has started to shiver; a Shiba who lives somewhere warm and meets real cold twice a year; wet cold, which gets through any coat. If your Shiba lifts a paw or stands at the door and won't go, that's the day.
What size does a Shiba take?
Measure the chest at its widest point, just behind the front legs. That number decides it; back length comes second.
| Size |
| XL XS |
| 2XL XS |
| Size | CHEST (IN) | BACK (IN) | WEIGHT (LB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XL | 20 | 16 | 20 TO 30 |
| 2XL | 22 | 18 | 30 TO 42 |
* Most Shibas take XL. Larger males and anything over 30 lb take 2XL. Between the two, take 2XL; a Shiba would rather have room through the chest than a snug neck. If it's wrong anyway, one free size swap on US orders within 14 days.
Getting it over a Shiba's head
The famous freeze is real. Two things help. The turtleneck on the Latte and Chai folds flat, so you open it wide, go over the head in one motion, and let the front legs find the armholes on their own; there are no sleeves to negotiate. The Cortado has a zipper, so the neck never has to stretch at all.
Thirty seconds, then a treat, then forget about it. Hoshi now waits by the door.
On Hoshi
The Chai is the one he wears most: gray with mustard and maroon stripes, turtleneck up on cold mornings, folded down by the second coffee.
The Matcha, olive and ribbed, is the one strangers stop us for.
The Latte is the one he falls asleep in.
The Cortado, black striped with a quarter-zip, is the one for days with a reservation.
The Saturday ritual
Every Saturday, Hoshi and I walk to the same café. The barista asks "the usual for Hoshi?" and brings a small cup of whipped cream. He has done this for years in whatever sweater matches the weather.
That's the whole brand, really. 15% of every sale goes to the LAFD K-9 units.
Shop the four
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Regular price$ 69Regular priceSale price$ 69 Save $ -69 (%)Unit priceperThe Cortado | Black Striped Quarter-Zip Dog Sweater
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Regular price$ 69Regular priceSale price$ 69 Save $ -69 (%)Unit priceperThe Latte | Beige Turtleneck Dog Sweater
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Regular price$ 69Regular priceSale price$ 69 Save $ -69 (%)Unit priceperThe Chai | Gray & Mustard Striped Turtleneck Dog Sweater
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Regular price$ 69Regular price
$ 69Sale price$ 69 Save $ 0 (0%)Unit priceperThe Matcha | Olive Green Ribbed Knit Dog Sweater
