Yes — and this is one of the most important things we do. Our shoes are used by dog owners and recommended by vets for:

- IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) — protecting paws from knuckling abrasions during recovery

- Degenerative myelopathy — paw dragging protection as the condition progresses

- Post-surgical recovery — keeping wounds clean and paws protected

- Histiocytoma and paw wounds — acting as a physical barrier against licking and dirt

- Arthritis — improving grip and reducing slip-related joint stress

If your vet has recommended paw protection, our year-round shoe is the most commonly used for medical purposes. Always involve your vet in decisions about your dog's recovery plan.

Most dog shoes are made for hare-shaped paws — longer than wide. French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers frequently have cat or wide-shaped paws. Dachshunds have unusually elongated paws. Corgis carry significant weight on short legs.

Standard shoes weren't designed for any of these breeds. They fall off, pinch, or sit wrong on the paw. Custom shoes built to your dog's actual measurements solve this.

Two reasons: fit and design. Most shoes fall off because the shape is wrong — too wide, too short, or designed for a paw that looks nothing like your dog's. When the shape is right, the shoe has something to hold onto.

We also factor in breed-specific anatomy — dew claw position, carpal pad placement, and paw type. Generic shoes ignore all of this. We don't.

1. Order — choose your shoe, tell us your dog's breed.

2. Send measurements — reply to your order confirmation email with paw dimensions and any medical or fit notes. We verify every measurement before production.

3. Receive — custom shoes arrive in 2–3 weeks.

Most dog shoes are made in a handful of fixed sizes and follow a generic shape. They're designed for the average dog — which means they fit almost no dog particularly well.

Bark & Sole shoes start with your dog's actual paw measurements. We build each pair specifically for that dog's breed, paw shape, and dimensions. The result is a shoe that fits the way it's supposed to — and stays on.

We currently make custom shoes for French Bulldogs, Dachshunds (standard and miniature), Pugs, Corgis, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Boston Terriers — with more breeds being added regularly.

If your breed isn't listed, contact us. Because every shoe is built to measurements rather than a template, we can often accommodate breeds outside our standard range.

Yes — when the measurements are accurate. Before we begin production, we verify that your measurements align with breed-specific averages. If something looks off, we'll ask you to re-measure before we proceed.

Every dog's paws are unique, even within the same breed. That's why we treat each shoe as its own project. If something isn't right when the shoes arrive, contact us at moe@barkandsole.com and we'll work through it with you.

Fit issues are uncommon because we verify your measurements before production. But if something isn't right, get in touch at moe@barkandsole.com. We'll work with you to resolve it.

The most common cause of fit issues is an inaccurate measurement — which is exactly why we check before we start.

Almost certainly. Dogs refuse shoes for one of two reasons: the shoes are uncomfortable, or they're not used to them. Custom shoes address the first problem directly — when there's no pinching, rubbing, or slipping, most dogs tolerate them far better.

For the second: gradual introduction helps. Start with short indoor sessions and plenty of rewards. Most dogs come around within a week. The ones who don't are usually still wearing shoes that don't fit.

Yes — and this is one of the most important things we do. Our shoes are used by dog owners and recommended by vets for.

VDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)— protecting paws from knuckling abrasions during recovery<

Degenerative myelopathy — paw dragging protection as the condition progresses

Post-surgical recovery — keeping wounds clean and paws protected

Histiocytoma and paw wounds — acting as a physical barrier against licking and dirt

Arthritis— improving grip and reducing slip-related joint stress

If your vet has recommended paw protection, our year-round shoe is the most commonly used for medical purposes. Always involve your vet in decisions about your dog's recovery plan.

At the moment, we don't offer longer shoes as part of our standard selection. Longer paws require more complex tailoring and the production cost is significantly higher. If your dog has longer paws, contact us through our contact form — we're happy to explore a custom solution.

Yes. If you prefer to skip manual measurements, send us a 3D paw scan or file. It allows us to craft an even more precise fit.

Our shoes wear similarly to Crocs or sneakers — durable for everyday use, but they will gradually show wear depending on how active your dog is and the surfaces they walk on

1. They Match Your Dog’s Paw Shape
Traditional dog shoes follow a generic design, but every breed has unique paw shapes:

a) Oval, longer than wide (Hare-type paw)
b) Round, nearly equal in length and width (Cat-type paw)
c) Oval, wider than long (Broad-type paw)

2. They Fit Perfectly
Most dog shoes follow a "one-size-fits-all" model with limited sizing options. Custom-made shoes are designed specifically to your dog’s exact paw measurements. Did you know that hind paws are typically 15-20% smaller than front paws—so buying the same size for both fore and hind legs won’t work!

3. They Account for Breed-Specific Paw Features
Did you know that dew claws and carpal pads are positioned differently depending on the breed? Custom dog shoes consider these unique features, ensuring a better fit and improved stability.

4. They Are More Comfortable
Comfort is key—especially for stubborn dogs who refuse to wear shoes! A well-fitted shoe increases the chance your dog will actually wear them. The more comfortable, the less resistance you’ll face when putting them on.

5. They Are More Sustainable
Did you know that 70% of dog shoes go unused because they don’t fit properly? What a waste of resources! The biggest issues:

a) Wrong shoe shape = too tight or too loose
b) Incorrect size = uncomfortable fit
c) Poor breed fit = fastening straps in the wrong position

With custom-made shoes, you get the right shape, size, and design—ensuring your pup actually wears them instead of rejecting them.