GRWM No. 2: Dressed for Dog Handling
Get Ready With Me No. 2 · The Dog Handling Outfit
A Dog Handling Outfit for a Fall Day in the Field
A good dog handling outfit has two jobs: look smart on the shoot, and let you walk easily all day. Today it’s a wonderful fall day and I’m heading into the field to join the dog team, so I went with a subtle dog theme from collar to cuff.
I thrift a lot and I always have my eyes peeled for pieces to add to my sporting wardrobe. Unexpected places can yield the most rewarding discoveries. For example, my skirt I found in a small Wyoming town, that had a mountain man festival and a series of tents with vendors of all types of old pioneer style goods and clothing.
FIELD TIP:
Whether you’re handling your own peg dog on a driven day or joining the picking-up team, the same rules apply: stay comfortable, stay quiet, and dress in the tones of the field. It works just as well for a Blixt Sporting Day. Watch the Blixt Dogs at work by following the Blixt Kennels Instagram!
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Brooks Brothers shirt with dogs, a tweed Ralph Lauren vest and a vintage Hermès scarf with dogs. Driven Shooting in America.
Building the Look, Layer by Layer
- The dog-print shirt. Mine is a classic Brooks Brothers button-up with a lovely dog motif. I can layer a sweater over it on cool mornings, then roll up the sleeves as the day warms. That shirt is no longer available, but for a similar look, Kevin’s makes wonderful hunting dog blouses, and Schöffel has a Jack Russell print.
- The herringbone vest. I thrifted this brown and black vest from Ralph Lauren’s old Rugby line. The label is gone, but a search on Poshmark turns up plenty, and this fall’s collections are full of similar options. My alternate is a Schöffel fleece gilet, a British classic you see often in the field.
- The walking skirt. A twist on classic tweed with a nod to Western wear. I layer thick tights or long johns underneath on cool days, and it’s surprisingly flexible for a day out. Cords or a good field pant work just as well.
- The silk scarf and whistle. My scarf is covered in retrievers, each with a different game bird. Mine is a pre-loved Hermès, so watch for authenticity on the secondhand market. And don’t forget your whistle on a leather lanyard, like this Avery classic whistle lanyard.
Why a Dog Handling Outfit Needs to Work Hard
Field note: if you have the joy of dog handling, either your peg dog or as part of the dog team, calm and quiet handling is mandatory. I carry a Wildrose game bag for my retrievers, plus a lead, a portable dog bowl and Furvor to keep my Labradors hydrated. Don’t forget your hat and ear protection. Oh, and of course your dog!
As always, keep to natural, muted tones so you don’t flare the birds. See our shooting advice page for more on etiquette in the field, and watch the Blixt dogs at work on Blixt Kennels.
Shop every piece, from what I wore to alternatives at every price point.
For more on dressing for the field, see our full Ladies Field Fashion guide. And when you’re ready to wear it where it belongs, come shoot with us.