Dresses, weddings and parties - it's a dog's life

A German woman has come up with a novel idea to give dogs going to weddings or festivals a bit of style.

Nicole-Juliana Schrei-Jakobi has discovered a new market: clothing for dogs. They can now look the part at the Oktoberfest in Lederhosen and dirndls - a traditional dress with a blouse, bodice and apron.

The 36-year-old even has a dog buggy so her own Maltese dog does not get trampled in the crowds of people congregating at Bavaria's annual beer festival.

For male dogs invited to a wedding she offers dinner jackets with ties, whilst females can don bridal dresses replete with veils and trains or bridesmaid outfits.

Her own dog, Emmily, who recently won first prize for the best-dressed dog in the contest "Germany's next dog model," will be wearing one of the bridesmaid dresses soon.

"I'm getting married in October and Emmily will be the bridesmaid," Schrei-Jakobi told Reuters. "She will of course be appropriately dressed for her role."

She said demand for her products is growing and people increasingly want extravagant festive clothing for their dogs.

The dog lover also stocks seasonal ranges, with raincoats available for winter and sunglasses for summer.

"The sunglasses with 100 percent ultraviolet protection were a hit last summer," she said. "Maltese dogs and Chihuahuas have very sensitive eyes, especially if there's a draught, or if they are in a convertible car. But the sunglasses protect them."

At Easter Schrei-Jakobi organised a brunch for her customers' dogs. About 300 people attended the event, at which the dogs were provided with a free buffet and paw massage.

"It went down really well," she said.

Schrei-Jakibi hopes to open a restaurant catering for the four-legged creatures.

"I want to create a menu for dogs so that there can also eat out when their owners go to a restaurant," she said.

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