STRUCTURE | DIXY'S
Built around the dog’s body
Structure is the way a product is built around the dog’s body.
This does not only apply to collars or harnesses, but also to coats, sweaters, rainwear and garments used in everyday life.
A product may use good materials and still have the wrong structure. And when the structure does not work properly, the dog feels it through movement.
We observe how a product behaves during real-life use:
- where pressure is created
- how weight is distributed
- how natural movement is respected
- whether it interferes with shoulders, neck, chest or front legs
A harness with a horizontal chest strap may limit shoulder extension during walking.
A collar that is too thin on a strongly built dog may concentrate pressure on a very small area.
A poorly cut coat may create friction under the armpits, shift during movement or restrict the dog’s stride.
A sweater that is too tight may create tension across the chest, neck and front of the body.
A stiff raincoat may protect from rain while still interfering with the dog’s natural movement.
For this reason, structure is never evaluated only while standing still or through a photograph.
We observe the dog while walking, sitting, running, sniffing and moving in everyday life.
A product enters the selection only when it follows the body without interfering with movement.
Because a well-designed product should not simply sit on the dog.
It should move together with the dog.