If you have seen a tiny plush Santa gripping a set of reins on a dog's back and wondered how it is done, you are looking at the Santa Riding Dog Costume. It is one of the most photographed holiday pieces in the Pawdulge lineup, and most of the questions we get are the same two: how does the illusion actually work, and what size do I need? Both answers are simpler than they look once you see the construction up close.
How the Santa Riding Dog Costume Illusion Works
The whole effect comes from a single red cape. A small plush Santa figure is fixed to the back of the cape, already posed holding a set of reins, with two little boots hanging down over the sides so it reads as a tiny rider in the saddle. There is nothing strapped to your dog's back that moves or wobbles — the figure is part of the cape itself, so your dog is really just wearing a cape with a passenger built in.
The hood is red with a white trim and two small reindeer-style antlers stitched on top, but it leaves the whole face open. There is nothing to cover the eyes, nose, or mouth, and nothing that needs to go over the head and past the ears the way a full mask-style hood does. The costume closes with an adjustable strap under the belly, and there are no leg holes to wrangle — you settle the cape over the back, close the belly strap, and it's on. It comes in red only, which keeps the "Santa's sleigh" look consistent whether the wearer is a cat, a small dog, or a large one.
Which Size Fits Your Dog
Chest girth is the only measurement that decides sizing here — not your dog's weight, and not their breed. Weight tells you very little about how a cape sits around the ribs, and two dogs of the same weight can have completely different chest shapes. Measure around the widest part of the chest while your dog is standing normally, not sitting or stretched, and compare that number to the chart below:
- Size S: chest 14–19 in, back length about 10 in
- Size M: chest 18.5–23.5 in, back length about 12.5 in
- Size L: chest 22–27 in, back length about 16 in
- Size XL: chest 25–31.5 in, back length about 19.5 in
- Size 2XL: chest 30–37 in, back length about 23 in
If your dog's chest measurement lands right on the line between two sizes, go with the larger one so the belly strap has room to adjust rather than sitting at its tightest setting. For a full walkthrough of exactly where to put the tape measure and how to avoid the two most common measuring mistakes, our dog costume sizing guide covers it step by step.
Comfort and How Long Your Dog Can Actually Wear It
Because the costume is a cape with an open belly closure and no sleeves or leg holes, there is nothing restricting shoulder movement or gait. That matters more than it sounds — a lot of discomfort in pet costumes comes from armholes that are cut too narrow, not from the fabric itself. Your dog can walk, sit, and turn around normally while wearing it.
Bruno, one of the regulars around the Pawdulge studio, is a golden doodle who has done more holiday photo sessions than he probably cares to count, and he is about as patient a model as they come. He wears the Santa Riding Dog Costume for the family photo card every year, and the open hood is the detail that makes it work for him — nothing near his eyes to shake off, nothing to paw at. That said, like any costume, it is built for photos, short outings, and holiday gatherings rather than being worn for hours on end. Keep an eye on your dog the way you would with any new garment, and take it off if they seem to be pulling at the belly strap or trying to scratch at the hood.
Pairing It With a Second Piece for the Rest of the Household
If you have a cat or a smaller dog at home who also needs a Santa look, the Santa Claus Hooded Pet Coat is the natural match. It is a velvet-touch red coat with white faux-fur trim at the hood, cuffs, and hem, a black belt with a gold buckle, and a white pom on the hood — a classic "Santa suit" look rather than the sleigh-rider illusion, which makes the two costumes read as a set in photos without being identical. Our grey British Shorthair Ayla, the self-appointed Chief Snack Inspector of the office, wears this coat every December, and its light weight (around 60 g) means she tolerates the sleeves without much protest. Add a second animal's costume to the same order and the 15% multi-pet discount applies automatically at checkout — no code needed.
Delivery Timelines for the Holidays
Every Pawdulge Christmas costume, including the Santa Riding Dog Costume, ships from our workshop with 1 to 3 days of order preparation, followed by 7 to 14 days of shipping. That window matters more in December than any other month, so plan around it rather than around the calendar date you happen to be reading this. To be safe for Christmas morning or any holiday gathering before it, place your order by December 5. Shipping is free within the US, and if the fit is not right when it arrives, returns are accepted within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Santa Riding Dog Costume come in colors other than red?
No. The cape, hood, and plush Santa rider are all part of one red design, which keeps the sleigh-rider look consistent across every size.
Can cats wear the Santa Riding Dog Costume, or is it dogs only?
It is sized for cats, small dogs, and large dogs alike, from a 14-inch chest up to 37 inches, so it is not limited to one body type.
What if my dog's chest measurement falls between two sizes on the chart?
Size up. The belly strap is adjustable, so a slightly roomier size will still close securely, while sizing down can leave the cape pulling at the chest.