The joke here works because of the angle. From the side, at a distance, a small plush cowboy appears to be sitting astride your dog and riding him down the pavement. It is a one-gag costume and it makes no pretence otherwise, but it is a good gag, and it survives being seen from across a park in a way that most novelty outfits simply do not.

The rider is a soft stuffed figure mounted on a body piece that straps over the dog's back, with adjustable fastenings underneath so it can be pulled snug enough not to slide sideways as your dog moves. The outfit is deliberately light, because the whole illusion falls apart if the dog is weighed down or walking oddly, and it is shaped to leave the legs and shoulders free. It goes on and comes off in a few seconds, which matters more than it sounds.

• Plush cowboy rider mounted on a strap-over body piece
• Western denim styling
• Four sizes: S, M, L and XL
• Adjustable fastenings for a snug, non-slip fit
• Light build that leaves the legs and shoulders free
• Quick to put on and quick to take off

On sizing and on wearing time. Sizes here are broad, and the fit depends on back length and chest girth rather than on your dog's weight, so measure along the spine from collar to tail base before choosing. Costumes are for short, supervised periods: a party, a photograph, the last ten minutes of a walk. Take it off if your dog freezes, tucks the tail, or keeps trying to shake it loose. Not every dog finds this funny.

Who it's for: Confident, unbothered dogs and owners who want one very good photograph out of Halloween or a birthday.