Max the Dog Costume
The Grinch's loyal hound, complete with his signature single antler.
Max the Dog from Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a heartwarming, beloved character choice for holiday events and Halloween. Perfect for couples or groups pairing up with the Grinch, this look is instantly recognizable by its signature single reindeer antler. The costume consists of a comfortable brown base, a red collar, and a makeshift antler tied to the head.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $15–45
Try it on
See yourself as Max the Dog
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What you need for a Max the Dog costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Max the Dog costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Brown jumpsuit or sweat suit
A solid light brown or tan fleece jumpsuit, onesie, or matching hoodie and sweatpants set.
DIY: Use a matching tan sweatshirt and sweatpants from your closet.
Single antler headband
A single yellow or light brown felt antler attached to a headband, tied with a red ribbon.
DIY: Cut an antler shape out of yellow craft foam, hot glue it to a headband, and tie a red ribbon around the base.
Red collar
A simple thick red collar or a wide red ribbon tied around the neck.
DIY: Tie a length of thick red ribbon or fabric around your neck, securing it comfortably.
Brown face paint
Skin-safe makeup to draw a dog nose and whiskers.
DIY: Use a brown eyeliner pencil to draw the nose and whisker dots.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Max the Dog costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the light brown jumpsuit or matching sweatpants and hoodie base.
- 2
Place the single antler headband securely on your head, ensuring the antler stands upright.
- 3
Tie the red ribbon or fasten the red collar comfortably around your neck.
- 4
Using brown face paint or eyeliner, paint the tip of your nose black or dark brown.
- 5
Add three small whisker dots on each cheek to complete the canine face.
- 6
Finish the look with comfortable brown shoes or matching slippers.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair simple or tucked under a brown hood. Use brown or black makeup to color the tip of your nose and add a few whisker dots on your cheeks.
Max the Dog for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed in a green furry Grinch costume.
- group
- Combine with the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, and other Whos from Whoville.
- kids
- A brown fleece toddler onesie with a soft, plush single-antler hood is warm and comfortable.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting brown fleece tracksuit provides a comfortable, size-inclusive base.
- pet
- An actual dog wearing a lightweight red collar and a soft, single-antler headband.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Max the Dog costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Max grinch dog costume
- An actual dog wearing a lightweight red collar and a soft, single-antler headband.
Tips
- Make sure the antler is lightweight (foam or felt) so it doesn't flop over or cause a headache.
- If wearing this outdoors for a holiday parade, layer thermal underwear beneath the brown jumpsuit.
- For photos, strike a loyal, wide-eyed pose or sit on all fours next to your Grinch partner.
Max the Dog costume FAQ
- How do you make Max's antler?
- Cut an antler shape out of yellow or light brown craft foam, glue it to a thin headband, and tie a red ribbon around the base of the antler.
- What color is Max the dog?
- Max is a light brown or tan mixed-breed dog.
- Is this a good last-minute costume?
- Yes, you only need a brown outfit, some red ribbon, and a piece of cardboard or foam to cut out the antler.
Did you know? In the classic 1966 animated special, Max is voiced by Dallas McKennon, who also voiced several famous Disney characters.