Ruff weather ahead

Winter is near, and man's best friend could use a helping hand getting through the season of ice and snow. Trouble is, pet outerwear that fits and looks stylish can be hard to find. Fortunately, Web merchants are filling the gap with a colorful selection of handmade wares, right in the knit of time. Springing ahead Winter might seem a little shorter when your pooch is pampered in this spring-green sweater with pink, yellow and blue flowers. Russia-based Esty merchant Schuba4yourPooch can also supply a jaunty matching hat.

Get these cute sweaters from Schuba for your Pooch

If your pooch is a princess, let her look the part in this bright pink sweater-dress with a ruffle skirt, hand-knitted in wool/acrylic fabric. A headband lends a crowning touch, so to speak.

This doggy sweater is olive/brown with "dragon-like" scales, according to Etsy merchant Schuba4yourPooch. "Schuba," the Russia-based supplier explains, is Russian for fur coat.

Hand-knit from machine-washable wool, this line of doggie sweaters is for broad-chested breeds like pugs, French bulldogs and Boston terriers. C'est magnifique!

Web merchant Babies & Beasts says this waterproof "city coat" was inspired by Sherlock Holmes. They are "selling like crazy," the merchant says, "not just because they look great but because they fit great." Elementary, my dear Watson. Cool coats from Babies & Beasts

Here French bulldogs Pepper and Miss Molly model "The Latch," an offering from babiesandbeasts.com, in peacock blue and purple corduroy. "Color is not just in for women this season," says Krystine May, founder of the award-winning e-merchant

Here Tank the French bulldog models babiesandbeasts.com's Special Edition Canadian Moose coat. The two-piece coat is machine-washable and waterproof, and "everyone is ordering it," the merchant says.

Instead of chasing dogs off the furniture, how about putting the furniture on the dogs? These warm-looking coats are upholstery-inspired.

Krystine May of babiesandbeasts.com says she was inspired by dog owners who were having problems similar to hers: finding outerwear for distinctively shaped breeds like bulldogs, great Danes and miniature dachshunds. Here her "Latch" coat us modeled in black by an English bulldog and in camouflage by two French bulldogs

Etsy merchant TepperWear was inspired to create doggie sweaters in gay pride rainbow colors after seeing a baby in a stroller with a gay pride flag draped over her. The merchant says that one customer "told me that her son had recently come out to her and her husband and they bought the sweater to show support of the son's homosexuality. Pretty cool." Click here for more Tepper Wear

Sara Sach of Posh Pooch Designs began creating sweaters and hats for her chihuahuas. Her friends saw them and loved them, so she began making them for others. Sach says, "before I realized it, what started as a fun hobby has turned into a fun and challenging business. And the best part is I get to do it all from home." Get these great hats from Posh Pooch Designs

A mother of two and granmother of two, Sara Sach says she is also "a mommy to two spoiled rotten Chihuahuas," which is why she started Posh Pooch Designs. "Chihuahuas are always cold and need sweaters, but I couldn't find anything that would fit them right. What I did find was cheaply made and out of thin yarns. So I started designing and making the sweaters."

Etsy merchant Ning Ning Gong also started knitting dog sweaters after searching in vain for ones to buy. "Suki, my 8-year-old long-haired Chihuahua, gave me the idea to knit a 'super' dog sweater because she is a mother of five and has superb personality." More amazing sweaters from NingNingGong

Etsy merhant Ning Ning Gong says this skull-and-crossbones sweater is a best-seller. Hand-knitted with black and gray acrylic yarn, it has crocheted picot edging to give it a Goth feel. "They are not just for small dogs; they are perfect for cats too. I take measurements to knit each one, making sure each is a perfect fit."