A couple of rockers are creating quite a stir with their range of custom-made denim jackets – for DOGS.
Mel and Matt Westwood have created hundreds of rocker denim jackets for pet cats and dogs – after being inundated with requests when they made one for their own pup.
Mel, 39, and Matt, 41, made the first coat for their English Toy Terrier Willie because he was getting too cold.
Charity worker Mel said: “We made Willie his first battle jacket back in April last year.
He’s so little he gets quite shaky in the cold.
“We couldn’t find anything we liked and promised we would never make him wear something that we wouldn’t be proud to wear ourselves.
“You wouldn’t do it to a child so why would you do it to a dog?
“Matt’s a musician with a massive rock and metal vinyl collection and I’ve been selling vintage clothing for years.
“We both wear a lot of denim and Matt had a good collection of rock and metal patches so the denim battle jacket was a reflection of our style.”
The first time they took their dog out on a walk around their home city of Melbourne, Australia, the family received so many compliments from strangers who asked where they could buy one, the idea for their company – PetHaus – was born.
Mel said: “The first couple of times we took him out for a walk people kept coming up asking where we got it and if they could get one so we started taking custom orders and Pethaus was born.
“Since we started at the end of our winter, we’ve been mostly selling to people online in Europe and America.
“It went crazy before Christmas with people spoiling their pets.
“The jackets are also very popular as pet birthday presents – people really love their fur buddies.
“The most popular places for our dog denim battle jackets have been Germany and Los Angeles.”
So far, the smallest dogs they have clad in denim were Chihuahuas, and the largest was a greyhound.
The savvy pair have managed to sell several hundred jackets across five continents, with prices starting from #40.
They are also expanding into making hoodies – emblazoned with rock band logos.
Mel added: “There’s a definite attitude that Willie gets when he puts on his battle jacket.
“We think dogs wearing our jackets get a total strut going on.
“We’ve sold some to some pretty awesome cats with attitude too.
“We love putting studs on jackets, and extra embellishments.
“I’m just waiting for someone to ask for a bulldog to be dressed like Rob Halford.”
The full range of custom and pre-made doggy denim can be found on pethaus.com.au
Top Ten Ruff Rock Tracks:
Hound Dog – Elvis
Puppy Love – Donny Osmond
The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel
Walkies of Life – Dire Straits
Jumpin’ Jack Russell – Rolling Bones
Bed Woof Roses – Bone Jovi
Champagne Super-rover – Oasis
Black Dog – Led Zeppelin
Foxey Lady – Jimi Hendrix
I’d Do Anything For Ruff (But I Won’t Do That) – Meat Loaf
