Max the Dog (The Grinch) Costume
Bring Whoville's favorite pup to life with a single antler.
Dressing up as Max, the Grinch's loyal canine companion, is a heartwarming choice for Christmas or Halloween. This adorable look centers around a cozy brown outfit, a red collar, and his signature single antler tied with a red string. It is perfect for solo cozy lounging, holiday parties, or pairing with a Grinch.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $20–55
Try it on
See yourself as Max the Dog (The Grinch)
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What you need for a Max the Dog (The Grinch) costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Max the Dog (The Grinch) costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Brown jumpsuit or union suit
A solid light-brown or tan fleece hooded jumpsuit to represent Max's fur.
DIY: Wear a matching light-brown sweatpants and hoodie set.
Single reindeer antler
A single brown plush or plastic antler attached to a headband.
DIY: Cut one antler off a standard novelty reindeer headband.
Red ribbon
A thick red ribbon or string to tie around the base of the antler.
DIY: Use a strip of red felt or yarn.
Red collar
A simple red dog collar or red fabric choker worn around the neck.
DIY: Cut a strip of red felt and secure it with velcro or a safety pin.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Max the Dog (The Grinch) costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the brown jumpsuit or matching sweat suit as your base layer.
- 2
Place the single antler headband securely on your head.
- 3
Tie the red ribbon around the base of the antler, wrapping it under your chin in a bow to mimic how the Grinch tied it on Max.
- 4
Fasten the red collar comfortably around your neck.
- 5
Slip on brown shoes or slippers to complete the canine look.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair tucked under the hood of the jumpsuit. Paint a small black circle on the tip of your nose with face paint, and optionally add a few light whisker dots on your cheeks.
Max the Dog (The Grinch) for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as the Grinch in his Santa suit.
- group
- Add Cindy Lou Who and Whoville citizens for a complete Grinch cast.
- kids
- A brown fleece onesie with a soft plush antler attached to the hood.
- Plus size
- Look for oversized brown fleece union suits or matching brown sweatpants and hoodies.
- pet
- Dress your actual dog in a red collar and a lightweight plush single antler headband.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Max the Dog (The Grinch) costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Max from the grinch dog costume
- Dress your actual dog in a red collar and a lightweight plush single antler headband.
Tips
- Ensure the antler headband is lightweight so it stays upright and comfortable all night.
- Opt for a fleece union suit if you are wearing this outdoors in cold weather.
- For photos, tilt your head slightly and give a loyal, wide-eyed expression just like Max.
Max the Dog (The Grinch) costume FAQ
- How do you make Max's single antler?
- You can use a standard reindeer headband, cut off one of the antlers, and tie a red ribbon around the base of the remaining one to look like the Grinch tied it on.
- What does Max wear around his neck?
- Max wears a simple red collar, which you can replicate with a red dog collar, a red choker, or a strip of red felt.
- Is this a good group costume?
- Yes, it is a classic pairing with the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, or other Whoville characters.
Did you know? In the classic 1966 animated special, Max is voiced by Dallas McKennon, who also provided the voice for Archie Andrews in the Archie cartoons.