For many people, their dog is so much more than "just a dog". Dogs have become part of our families and for many people they are like children. As such, we want them to always look their cutest! Dog clothing is a great way to make your dog's personality shine. When most people think of dog clothes they think of dog sweaters or dog coats. In other words, many people only think of using dog clothes to keep their pooch warm. But dog clothing is so much more than that! It's a way of making sure your pooch stands out from the crowd and reflects their personality as well as your own. Here are some fabulous and unique dog clothes ideas that are not only fashionable for summer but functional as well.

1. Dog Tee Shirts and Dog Tank Tops: Not only are dog tee shirts and dog tank tops cute, but they are functional for summer as well because they offer sun protection for your pooch without being too heavy. Another great idea for summer is to wet the tee shirt with cold water to keep your pooch cool. There are countless tee shirts and tank tops on the market today. So many, in fact, that you will have no problem at all finding one that compliments your pooch's individuality and style. You'll find plain shirts, fancy dog shirts, eco-friendly dog shirts, shirts with funny sayings etc.

2. Dog Dresses: For your girly-girl pooch why not try a cute summer dog dress. Like shirts, they provide sun protection and are usually light and airy. The best place to find cute summer dog dresses is at a designer dog boutique. These specialty shops have the trendiest of styles and carry dog dresses that are very fashionable.

3. Dog Swimwear: Believe it or not, most designer dog boutiques carry dog swimwear. If your pooch is beach bound this summer you'll find dog bikinis with matching dog panties as well as dog boardshorts for your macho pooch.

4. Dog Scarf's: If you're worried about the heat this summer but still want a way to make your pooch stand out from the crowd, try a cute dog scarf. Also known as a dog bandanna, this simple dog accessory comes in a variety of colors, patterns and styles. You'll even find scarf's with cute or funny sayings on them. When it's really hot you can wet the scarf with cold water to keep your pooch cool. Even though this accessory is simple and understated it can still reflect Fido's personality.

5. Dog Life Jacket: If your pooch is planning on doing any boating this summer, keep him safe with a dog life jacket. Many designer dog boutiques carry life jackets that are functional as well as fashionable. In other words, you'll find more than just the old fashioned yellow life jacket.

Just because it is summer and the weather is hot doesn't mean that your pooch can't look his or her absolute best. Dog clothing means so much more than just warmth these days. It is a way to let your pooch's character shine. In addition to that, summer dog clothes can help protect your pooch from the harmful rays of the sun. Make sure that the fabrics you choose are light and loose and if needed wet your dog's clothing to keep them cool during the hot summer months.