If you have a dog, you know how excited they get when you put on their costumes. Your golden retriever side-eyed you for 20 minutes while you decided which Halloween costume to put him in. It’s all part of the fun, but dog costumes aren’t just for holidays anymore! My cousin dressed her lab like a taco the other day and it was honestly the best day of my life. Now, I understand that you want to get something that your dog won’t despise after 30 seconds and that actually fits. I was looking for costumes for myself the other day and the first cheap one I found ended up falling apart before I even got one good photo. Never again. With these 18 dog costumes, your pup will be the star of the show. I swear they’re going to be the main character in some Pinterest-worthy pictures that everyone will love. Here are 18 dog costumes that will bring you and your pup tons of laughs.
#1: This Triceratops Dog Costume Is the Cutest Thing You’ll See All Day
It’s halloween and your golden is sitting on the bed giving you the look. You quickly jump on your computer searching for the perfect costume that won’t fall off. Well I have found that perfect costume for your pup. This triceratops costume is exactly what you need. This costume has a green plush triceratops hood that sits on top of the dogs head and has three horns and a neck frill. This costume also has a cream-colored belly bib. This costume also comes with two green dinosaur claw booties that slide over the front paws. These booties are great because they cover the paws without restricting the dogs movement. The booties are soft velvet-plush fabric so the costume isn’t going to be to warm for your dog. The booties are the best part of the costume because they will allow your dog to walk around without doing the frozen statue pose. These booties will also fit if you have a bigger dog so make sure to measure your dogs head circumference. The hood may slide forward and cover the dogs eyes if the hood is too small. If you don’t want to buy this costume you can check out 7 Adorable DIY Dog Costumes for Kids for some great inspo.
#2: The “Good Dog” Chucky Costume That’s Anything But
Your dog looks so grumpy at the dog park, might as well lean into it. This costume is already giving everyone the side eye! It’s all chucky, red and white horizontal striped shirt, denim overalls with “Good Dog” embroidered in red lettering, and an orange yarn wig that sits right on the head. The outfit comes with a foam prop knife which is painted with cartoon blood details and attached to a stuffed arm that mounts to the side. It’s a perfect costume for flat-faced breeds like English Bulldogs or Frenchies, because they’re already grumpy looking! To get this exact look, you’ll need to get a Chucky dog costume set (available on Amazon or Etsy, usually sized by chest girth, so measure your dog first). Sometimes the yarn wig piece is removable, so keep that in mind. The stuffed arm with the knife attaches to the side of the seam, so tuck it snug so it doesn’t droop while trick or treating. Try putting the costume on your dog during a low-stress time, like after a walk when they’re calm. Try breaking it up into five minute intervals to help them get used to it without a huge fuss. And don’t forget the “Good Dog” embroidery, because absolutely nothing about this costume says good dog! 💀 Photo credit: Instagram @joslann_store
#3: The Amazon Prime Delivery Dog Costume
Your golden comes bounding in from outside, paws muddy, tail going absolutely feral and for some strange reason that energy just inspired me to find this costume. This one stopped me mid-scroll. A French Bulldog dressed head to paw as an Amazon delivery driver, wearing a blue polyester zip-up jacket, matching blue cap with the Amazon logo, black pants and the cutest little stuffed arms clutching an Amazon Prime branded cardboard box prop! The costume uses a slip-over design (no complicated snaps or buckles) with the fake arms attaching to the chest so the box stays centered while your dog walks. That means hands-free adorable chaos the second he crosses your living room floor! Size up one from your dog’s usual fit – the box prop tends to shift on bigger, rounder dogs, so a small safety pin through the inner lining keeps it snug without stressing the fabric. And honestly? This works on golden retrievers perfectly – their easy going nature means they’ll hold the pose long enough to take the photo! Photos: Instagram @manny_the_frenchie
#4: The Superdog Cape — Because Your Dog Deserves to Save the World (and Look Adorable Doing It)
Your dog is already your hero. Might as well make it official. THIS white Shiba Inu is rocking a red satin cape with a Superman-inspired yellow and red chest tag! The cape sits right at the shoulders, flows past the back, and doesn’t cover the legs – allowing your pup to run, jump, and dramatically pose by the pumpkin patch. To recreate this look, grab half a yard of red satin fabric cut into a triangular cape shape (roughly 12” x 10”) with a simple neck loop. The tag is a custom laser-cut acrylic charm available on Etsy for less than $8. Attach the charm to a collar with a split ring. The cape clips to the leash ring – no scratching velcro and no tight fits! It will stay comfortable on your pup and you’ll get the perfect fall photos. Skip capes that tie under the chin. They bunch up and can irritate most dogs. A shoulder-drape style like this one sits loose and flows with your dog, and photos look better against fall backgrounds. 📸 Photo credit: Instagram @cloud.the.cutie
#5: The Heinz Ketchup & Mustard Duo Costume That Will Stop Every Trick-or-Treater in Their Tracks
Picture this: Halloween parties are always fun. It’s entertaining for the kids, fun for the adults, and a great opportunity to get creative with your costumes. Your golden retriever is going to want to be in on the party too. If you dress him in one of these Heinz Tomato Ketchup and Heinz Yellow Mustard costumes, everybody in the room will stop what they’re doing to stare at the cute duo.
It’s easy to dress your golden retriever in the red crew-neck dog shirt and bright yellow crew-neck dog shirt, each printed with the iconic Heinz label design. To finish the costumes, put foam cone hats on his head. These cone hats are painted red and yellow, and are shaped like the squeeze bottle tops. The caps are held on with a thin elastic chin strap. The cone hats are made with craft foam sheets rolled and hot-glued, which takes less than 20 minutes to make.
Order two cotton dog T-shirts, the same size as your golden. Then, print out full-sheet stickers of the Heinz labels, and iron or stick them onto the dog shirts. You can print out the labels on sticker paper at home. If you don’t mind your golden retriever walking around in an uncomfortable shirt, it’s fine. But, if you want him to be comfortable, you’ll want to size the shirt so he can sit naturally. A stiff shirt equals a grumpy golden.
Order a shirt in a color that complements your dog’s fur. The lighter golden will be the yellow shirt and the darker golden will wear the red shirt. The color combination looks great and is a nod to their coats.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @chandlererniegoldenboys
#6: The Ghost Sheet Dog Costume (A Halloween Classic That Actually Works)
Your dog sitting there with their tail wagging, having no idea why you are laughing so hard. And also, that little face peeping out from under the white sheet is everything! Grab a 100% cotton muslin sheet or a light weight white linen fabric. Just something that’s soft enough to drape over the dog without weighing them down. The hole for the face has to be just big enough to see the snout and the eyes. Cut it clean and then just loosely drape it around your dog’s neck to give that drama effect. Make it pool on the ground like a little haunted table cloth. For my setup here I used eucalyptus stems, trailing pothos and a cream linen backdrop curtain to give the shots an editorial feel rather than messy. The muslin work better than actual bedsheets for this. It’s lighter, and the dog is going to sit with it longer and you will be able to get more shots before the zoomies start. It also doesn’t have any scent so if your dog has sensitive skin it would be preffered. And if you have a smaller pup, I would say that the best small dog breeds will sit still longer for this kind of shot. Just saying. 😉 📸 Photo credit: Instagram @jao.mha
#7: Matching Halloween Pajamas for Dogs (Yes, This Is a Thing and You Need It)
Picture this: It’s Halloween night and your golden is zooming around the house and everyone else is in costume, except her. That is, until you realize you needed these matching striped Halloween PJs yesterday! These are black and white striped dog pajamas with a Halloween-themed collar panel that features pumpkins, witches, and bats. The full-body coverage means the soft cotton-blend stretch material stays put even when your dog is being dramatic about it. To get this exact look, grab the striped dog onesie pajamas (search “dog Halloween PJ suit”) and pair it with an orange faux-leather jack-o’-lantern backpack with heart-shaped eyes. Toss a bat-print throw blanket under her and set up your camera for the perfect photo. The best part about a costume made up of full-body PJs is that they cover the belly and legs, which means that even if your dog’s costume is falling off during some zoomies, you’ll still get that photo. And if you have a fluffy golden, you might want to size up as this costume has a snug fit, but she’ll feel comfortable in it to sit still for at least three seconds. 📸 Photo credit: Instagram @maple.the.aussi
#8: The Big Bad Wolf & Little Red Riding Hood Duo Costume
What’s more festive than a cute little golden dressed as the famous Little Red Riding Hood? Not much! This duo costume set is going to give your dog all the fairy tale energy they could want! One dog wears a red and black buffalo plaid flannel shirt with a furry wolf-head hood, while the other wears a red satin Little Red Riding Hood cape with a white eyelet apron dress, ruffled bonnet, and a tiny wicker basket with a fake bread loaf tucked inside! The craftsmanship of these costumes are pretty impressive! The wolf costume uses a faux fur hood that sits between the ears, which doesn’t irritate but stays put. The Red Riding Hood dress is a blend of satin over cotton, which allows it to stay breathable for your pup. The best part is the basket prop is attached to the costume, so the dog doesn’t have to hold anything and you get that perfect photo without a meltdown! Dressing your dog up can be an exciting experience, and you can expect a few stares when you take this little guy out and about on Halloween! Make sure you buy a size up if your golden has a deep chest, as these costumes run small through the torso. Also, make sure that the hood doesn’t cover your dog’s eyes or restrict their head movement. They will get tired of wearing them eventually, so take plenty of pictures!📸 Photo credit: Instagram @poppythepeekapoo
#9: The Slinky Dog Duo Costume — Two Dogs, One Iconic Toy Story Look
No matter what room your golden walks into, she’s already the star of the show. But if she’s actually playing a character, there has to be a prop! For this costume, she’s part of the whole Toy Story duo. The lighter golden is decked out in a brown fitted dog jumpsuit with a silver metal slinky coil attached at the back. The darker golden wears the matching brown hoodie bodysuit with a foam Slinky Dog face hat, complete with the big cartoon eyes, tan snout and floppy ears. All you need are two brown pet onesies (look for a stretch jersey fabric), one large decorative slinky or metal coil, and a DIY foam headpiece to make the big eyes, nose and ears. Keep the coil lightweight. You could even try making the toy with a piece of cardboard wrapped in metallic spray paint for a simpler look that won’t weigh your dog down during trick-or-treating. Attach the coil to both onesies with velcro strips so it can be detached quickly if either pup gets tangled up. The onesies are made of stretchy fabric so she can walk around the neighborhood without the costume falling apart, but they are fitted enough to keep her warm and still allow her to move easily.
📷 Photo credit: Instagram @chandlererniegoldenboys
#10: The Ghost Duo — Matching Halloween Costumes for You and Your Dog
Seriously though, this broke me a little. A white sheet ghost costume on a fluffy white dog carrying an orange pumpkin bucket in its mouth? I almost cried. My cousin did this last year with her Samoyed and I think I made the neighborhood stop trick-or-treating so they could take pictures. Of course, the dog has to have ear cut-outs in the sheet so she can stay comfy, but those little ears poke out and are so cute. This owner has a full-length white sheet as well, with red heart-shaped sunglasses perched on top because, why not, cool ghosts wear accessories. Grab two white twin-size cotton sheets (one for you, one for your dog) and cut a face hole plus two ear slots in the dog’s sheet. Add an orange plastic jack-o’-lantern candy bucket from the dollar store. Make sure the sheet hem sits just above your dog’s paws, otherwise it will trip over it (or he’ll pull it off). I safety pinned the neck opening just above her collar so it wouldn’t bunch up there. The cotton breathes well and keeps your dog cool on the walk, and you both get to rock the matching look. Worth it. 😉📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thetraveltellers
#11: The F1 Racing Driver Costume That’ll Make Every Dog the Star of Halloween Night
What doggy moment deserves a better setup? This fluffy white Samoyed would! This one stopped me dead in my scroll. A fluffy white Samoyed dressed as a full Formula 1 driver – complete with a miniature red racing helmet and a red team jersey printed with sponsor logos like AWS, Ray-Ban, and Santander. The cardboard F1 car behind him is built to look like a Ferrari-style race car with the number 17, Pirelli tire details and a checkered flag tucked inside. It’s unreal! To recreate this, you’ll need a red dog racing jersey (printed with your number and fake sponsor logos), a tiny helmet that fits on your dog’s head, and a cardboard box F1 car (painted red with black foam wheels and rear wing). The car sits in a wagon or stroller frame so it actually rolls. Hot glue the spoiler and side fins from black foam board – they hold their shape and photograph beautifully. Cut the jersey arm holes wide. Tight sleeves stress dogs out fast, and a relaxed dog means better photos. 📸 Photo credit: Instagram @nubethesamoyed
#12: The Little Devil Dog Costume That’ll Have Everyone Stopping to Take Photos
Does your dog get into everything like a little gremlin half the time anyway? Why not let her have the title this Halloween? This costume is giving drama and I’m obsessed. The red velvet cape with a scalloped bat wing edge fans out around the neck, the felt horns headband sits in-between the ears, and together it creates this moment that is just too good. For this costume you’ll need a red satin-lined cape with scalloped bat-wing edges, a matching red horns headband, and a Halloween print bandana (this one has spiderwebs and tiny black spiders). You’ll tuck the bandana under the cape as a fun detail. I measured my dogs’ necks to make sure they would fit comfortably in the cape and the adjustable velcro closure fit well on 12-18 inch necks. And if you want that extra special Halloween moment for your photo, grab a Halloween backdrop banner with ghosts and jack-o-lanterns. You’ll be a Pinterest star. 📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thespawgroomingsalonandretreat. Backdrop banner: Target.
#13: The Undercover Agent — Biker Detective Dog Costume
What is it about this picture that makes your dog look more dignified than you do on a Monday morning? Maybe it’s the golden sitting in the yard, tongue out, completely unbothered, but it just works. The blonde mullet wig, which still has some loose waves in it, frames her face, and the red tinted aviator sunglasses sit perfectly on the snout as if they were made for it. The black leather vest with the small badge medallion pendant on the chain helps bring the whole costume together and makes it look like she’s actually a character and not just dressed in a random outfit.
To recreate this costume, you’ll need a faux leather dog vest (sized for medium to large breeds), a clip on blonde wig, red aviator pet sunglasses, and a small metallic badge accessory to attach with a jump ring.
Make sure the wig sits behind the ears so it doesn’t block your dog’s hearing, and the glasses are loose enough that she can blink freely. That way, she’ll be more comfortable for longer, which in turn, means more time for photos.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @chandlererniegoldenboys.
#14: The Royal King Costume — Because Your Dog Deserves to Rule
Your golden sits there with that ridiculous amount of fluff and still looks distinguished. And this costume was made for a dog exactly like yours. This is a red velvet royal cape trimmed with black-spotted white faux ermine fur, finished with gold braid edging along the front panels. It ties at the neck with a satin ribbon closure. The crown is gold foam decorated with colored gemstones — green, red, and teal — and sits right on top of that fluffy head without digging in. To get this look, grab a pet king cape (sized for medium dogs, roughly 15-20 lbs) and pair it with a foam costume crown that has an elastic band underneath. The elastic keeps the crown from sliding — because your dog will shake their head the second you get the shot. Shoot this outside during fall when the leaves turn gold. That warm background makes the red velvet pop in photos. And keep treats in your pocket — one held just above the lens gets you that dignified, straight-ahead stare every single time. 📸 Photo credit: Instagram @woofitsrambo 10/10 would pet and hug.
#15: The French Fry Dachshund Costume That’ll Make Everyone Do a Double-Take
There is no cuter moment than when your dog looks up at you with those big brown eyes like they know they’re the cutest thing in the room. Make that moment happen on repeat with this french fry box costume. This costume is built for a long-bodied dog, but if we’re being honest, a dachshund in this costume is chef’s kiss. It features a red felt box with yellow 3D stuffed fries poking out the top, and tan and white bun-colored side panels that hug the dog’s body. The costume is held together with velcro or ties underneath and stays put without any struggle. Look for costumes made with soft fleece lining for skin contact; fleece next to the skin is much less irritating to the dog. The fry toppers are foam stuffed, so they don’t pull off when your dog trots around. Measure your dog’s back length in inches before ordering. A long-bodied dog such as a dachshund is what makes this costume work so well – the box sits centered and the fries stand tall. If your golden has a broader chest, you can size up and use the tie closures instead of velcro. It gives you that extra half inch of breathing room, so the costume won’t pull sideways. 📸 Photo credit: Instagram @ziggy_theween
#16: The Shrek Dog Costume That’ll Have Everyone Doing a Double Take
Your sweet golden retriever stares at you with those big brown eyes and you know she’d wear anything you put on her with zero complaints. This costume needs to have that same attitude! This is the Shrek dog costume and honestly, it is one of the most committed builds of a dog as a character I’ve ever seen. The lime green velvet hood with ogre ear stumps snuggly sits over the head, the brown faux suede vest layers over a cream tunic body, and stuffed green plush arms extend from the sides of the costume each holding a tiny “Beware of Ogre” sign. The whole costume is one piece, pull-over construction, with a draw string closure at the neck. Getting the fit just right is very important here. The hood drawstring needs to be loose enough that your dog can pant without having issues. Snug hood, panting dog, = costume that shifts sideways. You can stuff the stuffed green arms with a little extra polyester fiberfill if they look flat. And autumn leaves as a backdrop? Non-negotiable for this costume! Get your dog outside to earn her costume moment! Size up if your dog is between sizes as the neck opening is the tightest point of the costume. 📸 Photo credit: Instagram @spencethepup
#17: The Monarch Butterfly Dog Costume That’ll Make Everyone Stop Mid-Trick-or-Treat
Oooookay. This one. This is the costume that I had to stop mid-scroll and grab my phone to text my sister, “THIS ONE”. This fluffy doodle is rockin’ a monarch butterfly costume! And with that auburn curly coat, the wings just belong there! The orange and black patterned wings are made of a stiff fabric panel printed to mimic real monarch wing detail (complete with white dot edging) and attached with a small velour headband. The antennae headpiece is made of black pipe cleaners twisted into shape and attached to the headband. It’s maybe three pieces total – headband antennae, wing harness that clips around the chest, and that’s it!
What makes this work so well on a fluffy dog is that the warm caramel coat just mimics the orange tones in the wings and it all looks like one cohesive costume instead of something slapped on last minute! I know most people want an over the head costume, but the strap of this wing harness should fit snug but not tight. You should fit two fingers between the strap and your dog’s chest. Wings that can slide sideways mid-walk look sloppy and can spook your dog, so make sure it fits right!
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thatbaddieivy
#18: The Harry Pawtter Costume — Because Your Golden Was Always Destined for Hogwarts
Golden retriever with his big brown eyes. Your golden is sitting there, looking at you like you hung the moon. And you just know… you just know… that he’d be the best wizard that’s ever walked down your street. This costume is giving full Gryffindor energy. A black Hogwarts robe drapes over a gray knit vest, a crisp white collared shirt and burgundy and gold striped tie. And finally, the wire frame glasses that rest on his snout… Chef’s kiss. A lot of costume pieces you can wear, but this one? Not a chance. Grab a pet wizard robe in black polyester. It runs around $15-$25 on Amazon or Etsy. Then, you’ll have to grab a pair of 2-inch round wire frame metal glasses, also a novelty pet shop item. This tie and vest combo often comes as one snap-on bib piece, so you don’t have to wrestle your dog into sleeves. Plus, it’s a great option if you have a short-hair dog. For a back drop, it doesn’t get much better than a stone wall or brick wall. With natural outdoor light hitting your pup, you can really capture the costume colors to perfection without any editing. Bonus tip: size up on the robe so it drapes down. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a fitted robe that reads more confused dog and less wizard. 😉 📸 Photo Credit: Instagram @ilovegolden_retrievers
The Costume Sizing Secret That’ll Save Your Halloween Night
most people don’t know that you should measure your dog’s neck, not the back length…so when you go to your local halloween costume store to buy your dog a costume (which if you have one, you know they come in all sorts of cute and adorable costumes)…make sure you measure the neck circumference. otherwise your pup will be walking around with it’s neck stuck out of the costume looking totally ridiculous! this happened to my friend’s golden retriever last year (she bought the cutest bumblebee costume)…her dog looked absolutely miserable in it…well she measured her dog’s neck length, not circumference. so the neck opening on the costume was to small and just wouldn’t fit. who would have thought? well here’s a tip for all of you! always get a soft tape measure and add 2 inches to the actual neck length of your dog. that 2 inches will make the difference! the neck opening won’t be to tight and your dog will be happy to wear their costume! also, always do a 10 minute “practice wearing” session a few days before the event. dogs who wear their costume casually at home a few days before the event, are more calm when it counts!
Your Home Deserves to Stay Beautiful — Golden Retriever and All
If you’ve been holding your breath every time your golden shakes off after a walk, it’s time to let that breath out. You don’t have to choose between your dog and your Pinterest-worthy living room. Furniture can protect both your sanity and your space. Pick one piece this week. Just one. See how it feels to stop holding your breath every time your golden shakes off after a walk. I promise the mud stains, the fur, and the drool don’t have to win. Your home can still be the cozy, beautiful place you’ve worked so hard to create. You just need furniture that’s actually built for your real life. So tell me — which room in your house needs saving first?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
