The sporty look is in this year. Think tennis skirts and polo shirts for the spring collection. Of course, you can't go wrong with four-sleeved Burberry raincoats, fur-lined paw booties or a diamond-encrusted collar.
In fashion-conscious New York City, au naturel is for the dogs. Nowadays, the catwalk scene at the fire hydrant is hipper than Studio 54 in the 1970s.
And canine couture is big business. Just ask Susan Bartholomew. She left a high-paying job as an executive at Christian Dior Couture to open a high-end boutique called 'Zoomies' that caters for dogs. 'The dog industry is one of the hottest industries out there right now,' she said. 'People want their dogs to have nice things.'
Last year, Americans spent US$39 billion on their pets, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association said. People spent US$17 billion in 1994. At least US$750 million went to canine apparel, said Bob Vetere, the association's president. 'The folks who have really focused on dog fashion are baby boomers and dual-income families with no kids [dinks],' he said. 'In both cases, they are looking for pets to be members of the extended family. They want to reward them in human terms.'
The result is a booming business, which includes everything from braces and trousers to leather-lined bomber jackets, Spiderman and cat costumes on Halloween - and even a Santa Claus costume for a ferret.
Mr Vetere's Labrador retriever, Dakota, wore antlers and a Santa hat during the holidays. 'Me and the dog are happy to just throw a ratty old tennis ball around.'
The Big Apple is the centre of this growing trend, with Los Angeles a close second. And it has become so big that the fashion is now even specific to neighbourhood. Visit the Upper East Side, home to the rich, old-moneyed women, and you're likely to see more dogs in tweeds, real fur and diamond-encrusted accoutrements. Downtown in the Village, the products are more grungy and urban. Think camouflage raincoats, leather and crystals.