Dog clothing is extremely hot this season. One can't help noticing the rise in celebrities with fashionable small dogs at their side. With a sea of dog clothes, it's hard to know what dog clothes are in and what dog clothes, as Hillary Duff's Dachshund would say, are "so yesterday". Legally Blonde's Chihuahua, Bruiser, set the standard in dog fashion while dogs like Paris Hilton's dog, Tinkerbell, keeps raising the bar higher and higher. I think their is an important fact to remember when dressing up your dog this season. Let your dog be a dog. As much as it makes us happy to dress them up, we have to make sure the dog clothes are functional and keep their best interest at heart. That said, here are the must haves for any pampered pooches closet.

Every small dog must have a small dog sweater this season. They are functional in that they keep the tiny and toy breeds warm, like Chihuahuas and miniature Pinsher yet fashionable as they showcase your dog's explosive personality. Dog Sweaters are mostly hand made and come in a plethora of variations. Just pick a small dog sweater that says who your little precious dog is and you can't go wrong. A holiday dog sweater is a must have this season. This year let your dog "deck the halls" in a Christmas tree dog sweater or a solid red or green small dog sweater.

Another must have in my opinion is a dog coat. This is especially true to those dogs in colder climates. Dog coats have come far from some random unattractive pieces of material sewn together. There are raincoats, fleece dog coats, sweat shirts and even leather dog coats. Find a dog jacket or small dog coat that is both functional and fashionable. If you'd like to dress up a long hair breed like a Shih-Tzu or Terrier try accessorising them. Contrary to what you see on "celebrity dogs" bows are not the most comfortable thing you could put on a dog. Detailed bandannas are in this season and are much more comfortable than bows. Another way to dress up your little one is with a beautiful dog collars and leash.

This season, think leather. A leather collar is a classic. Most importantly, remember this season is about dog fashion, not about breaking the bank. There's no reason why you should pay over $30 for any of the items mentioned. Even though clothing for dogs are small and detailed, they're relatively inexpensive to make. Don't be fooled by stores trying to make you pay a hundred or even hundreds of dollars for these miniature pieces of dog clothing. As I said, dog clothes need to be functional. Dogs need to be dogs, not art pieces or accessories. One has to understand dogs don't understand the value of the piece of dog clothing you have bought them. Don't be surprised when they tear up the rhinestone encrusted dog sweater you were duped into buying. This season be smart and have fun. Use dog clothes and dog fashion to highlight the love of your life's personality.