Every December the same photo turns up in group chats across Australia: the family on the couch in matching Christmas pyjamas, and the dog in the corner wearing nothing, looking left out. Matching dog and owner Christmas pyjamas fix that, and they make the Christmas card photo a lot easier to take. This guide covers how matching sets actually work, how to get the sizing right for both of you, and how to make sure your dog stays comfortable on a hot Aussie Christmas Day.
TWIN WITH YOUR DOG THIS CHRISTMAS
Human Christmas pyjamas and matching dog shirts in the same festive prints. Your dog's first size exchange is free.
SHOP MATCHING CHRISTMAS SETSHow matching dog and owner Christmas pyjamas work
Here's the honest version: the best "matching pyjamas" for a dog usually aren't pyjamas at all. Full-length dog pyjamas with four legs are warm, and on a 32-degree Christmas morning in Brisbane or Perth that is the last thing your dog needs. That's why our matching sets pair human pyjamas with a dog shirt in the same print. You get the cosy pyjama set, your dog gets a light, stretchy shirt, and in the photo you match perfectly.
A shirt is also easier on dogs who aren't used to clothes. It goes on over the head and front legs, leaves the back legs free, and doesn't get in the way when they need to go outside. If your dog has never worn anything before, our guide on getting your dog comfortable in a shirt is worth a read before the big day.
Our three matching Christmas prints
Each print comes as a human pyjama set and a matching dog shirt, so you can dress the whole household (including the four-legged member) in one design.
Santa's Workshop
The busiest print of the three, with Santa faces, reindeer, nutcrackers, candy canes and Christmas trees all over. The Santa's Workshop pyjamas are a relaxed-fit lounge set with an elastic waistband, in adult sizes XS to 3XL. The matching Santa's Workshop dog shirt is lightweight and stretchy, in sizes XS to XXL. A good pick if you want the photo to look unmistakably like Christmas.
Santa's Reindeer
Rudolph leads the pack on this one. The Santa's Reindeer pyjamas come in XS to 2XL, and the Santa's Reindeer dog shirt in XS to 2XL. It's a classic, slightly calmer print that suits families who want festive without going overboard.
Gingerbread Cheer
A limited-edition print of gingerbread people. The Gingerbread Cheer pyjamas come in XS to XXL (our model wears a size L, and if you're between sizes we recommend sizing up for comfort). The matching Gingerbread Cheer dog shirt is stretchy and comes in XS to XXL. Because it's limited edition, this is the one most likely to sell out.
Getting the sizing right for both of you
Your dog's size
Dog sizing is where most matching-set plans go wrong, so measure rather than guess. You need three numbers: chest girth (the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs), neck girth, and back length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Our step-by-step guide on how to measure your dog for clothes walks through it, and the size guide turns those numbers into a size.
If you'd rather start from breed, the dog shirt size by breed page gives a starting point for common breeds. Broad-chested dogs like French Bulldogs and Staffies often need to size by chest rather than length, so check the chest measurement first. And if you still get it wrong, your first size exchange is free.
Your size
The human pyjamas are a relaxed lounge fit, so most people take their usual size. If you're between sizes, size up: pyjamas that are a little loose are far more comfortable on Christmas morning than ones that are a little tight. Ordering for the whole family? Check each person's size before you order, as the size ranges differ slightly between prints.
Keeping your dog comfortable on a hot Christmas Day
Christmas in most of Australia is summer, and that changes how you should dress a dog. A few rules we stick to:
- Dress for the photo, not the whole day. Pop the shirt on for presents and photos, then take it off if the day heats up.
- Watch flat-faced breeds closely. Frenchies, pugs and bulldogs overheat more easily than most dogs. If they're panting hard, seeking out cool tiles or slowing down, take the shirt off and get them into the shade.
- Keep water and shade on hand, especially if Christmas lunch is outdoors.
- Never leave a dressed dog unattended, and never leave any dog in a hot car while you duck into a relative's place.
Our guide to dressing a dog for a hot Christmas Day goes into more detail, and if your dog struggles in the heat, a cooling shirt is worth having for the rest of summer. While you're planning the day, it's also worth checking the list of Christmas foods dogs can't eat before the leftovers start getting shared under the table.
Tips for the matching Christmas photo
- Do a dress rehearsal. Try the shirt on your dog a few days before Christmas so it isn't a surprise on the day, and so you know the size is right while there's still time to swap it.
- Shoot early. Morning light is softer, it's cooler for your dog, and everyone looks fresher before lunch.
- Get down to dog height. Photos taken from your dog's eye level look far better than ones taken from above.
- Use treats, and be quick. Have someone hold a treat just above the camera, take a burst of shots, and reward your dog straight after.
- Keep it short. Five minutes of photos is plenty. A relaxed dog makes a better photo than a dog that has had enough.
Order early for Christmas
Every order ships the next business day from Brisbane, but Australia Post gets very busy in December, so the earlier you order the better. Ordering early also gives you time to try the shirt on your dog and use the free size exchange if you need to, without the stress of a last-minute swap. Check our shipping page for delivery details.
Ready to twin with your dog this Christmas? Browse the full range of matching dog and owner sets, and if you're also hunting for presents, our Christmas gift guide for dog lovers has more ideas.