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8 frighteningly amazing large dog Halloween costume ideas to try on your pup

Spooky, adorable, and easy-to-make large dog Halloween costumes

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

The spookiest night of the year is almost upon us, which means it’s time to plan everyone’s festive outfits… including your pup’s! With these large dog Halloween costumes, even your pets can be part of the frightening fun. And here’s the best part: You don’t have to spend a ton on these dog Halloween costume ideas, either.

Not only are they all reasonably priced (especially compared with Halloween costumes for people), but some of them are completely DIY-able. It’s a crafter’s dream! How you ultimately decide to dress up your dog is totally up to you — she’s going to be the star of the show this Halloween, no matter what. Just don’t make her look too spooky!

Spanish water dog playing in the bed of his owner with Halloween costume.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Beanie Baby DIY name tags are perfect to make for any pet

If your childhood self would have loved the idea of a life-sized Beanie Baby, you can make that dream come true this Halloween. All you need for this adorable project is cardboard and some paint (or colored construction paper if you’d rather) to design your pet’s own Beanie Baby tag. Bonus points if you go the extra mile and write her a custom biography poem!

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Once you’ve designed and glued this adorable tag together, all you need to do is attach it to your pup’s collar — and snap some pictures, of course.

A large dog wears a lion mane costume
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A lion mane for dogs can be an easy and fun way to dress them up for Halloween

For larger breeds with light coloring, like Labs and golden retrievers, a lion mane wig for dogs will look almost like the real thing! This mane for dogs is made of skin-safe, environmentally friendly material that will get just as many double takes as compliments. Someone might think it’s the real thing!

Jailbird dog costume
Amazon

A naughty dog prisoner costume will show your fur baby’s rambunctious side

If your pup tends to cause trouble, this prisoner outfit for dogs will be the perfect costume for her. A striped shirt will help her look like the treat thief she already is, while the matching hat seals the deal. It even comes with a customizable “bad pet” sign, so you can write in your dog’s proper charges! With a face like hers, though, who knows what else she can get away with?

A German Shepherd wearing bat wings sits next to a little girl in a witch costume
Аrtranq / Adobe Stock

Bat costumes for dogs are simple yet so effective for Halloween

Whether you make this costume for your dog or purchase something ready to wear, your furry friend will certainly be the center of attention dressed as a bat. It’s a classic Halloween critter, after all, and who better to pull that off than your beloved pup?

You can DIY a pair of bat wings out of felt and pipe cleaners, just like this tutorial from the American Kennel Club. Of course, you can make this project all your own with any other materials you have lying around, or you can indulge in this adorable bat wing harness (plus bell) for your pup.

Dog cone costume
Chewy

Flower dog cone DIYs are a great way to make any cone more festive

If your sweet dog will be wearing a cone when Halloween rolls around, you can always decorate her cone for an adorable and easy costume. Especially when she’s already as pretty as a flower! All you’ll need are scissors, Scotch tape, and construction paper. Just cut out large petals, place them in a circle around the cone with your pup’s head at the center of the flower, and secure them with a little piece of tape.

Alfie Pet also offers a Sunflower Recovery Collar for dogs who don’t mind wearing this fun look for a while. How cute!

Cowboy rider Halloween pet costume
Amazon

A cowboy “rider” costume for dogs guarantees a laugh anywhere you go

Fun illusion costumes like this have been gaining popularity in recent years, and this cowboy rider costume for dogs is included. You and your pup are sure to get tons of laughs on Halloween, especially as the little cowboy on top bobs and leans — just don’t be surprised when others around you start giggling, too! This costume fits just like a lightweight harness, so your dog won’t mind wearing it, either.

Ewok dog costume

An Ewok Star Wars dog costume will be paw-sitively precious on any pup 

There are plenty of Ewok costumes for dogs available for purchase online and in pet stores, though it’s entirely possible to make this costume at home. If you want to follow this tutorial, all you’ll really need is brown fabric, some twine, and a pair of scissors. It’s a no-sew tutorial, too — it can’t get much easier than that!

A Staffordshire bull terrier wears a spider costume
cynoclub / Adobe Stock

Spider costumes for canines can be surprisingly realistic

Although a few people might jump at the sight of a giant spider walking around, it’s sure to get a lot of laughs, too. You can certainly try your hand at making this costume at home, though something this large and complex can be time consuming. Instead, try out one of the highly rated spider dog costumes. Just remember to give her a little space while you’re walking her on a leash so neither of you trips over the costume!

With these dog Halloween costume ideas, your pooch can get in on the frightful fun this year. From DIY adventures to outfits too cute to pass up, you can find it all online. We’re so excited to see what you come up with! Be sure to tag PawTracks in your pet’s photos if you use any of our ideas!

Happy Halloween!

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Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
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