Pope Dog Costume
Transform your furry friend into the most adorable Holy Father this Halloween.
The Pope Dog costume (often sold as the 'Holy Hound') is a hilarious and beloved choice for pets during Halloween and pet parades. This look transforms your dog into a miniature pontiff, complete with a tall mitre hat and regal red and white vestments. It is a crowd-pleasing outfit that is guaranteed to turn heads and win costume contests.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~15 min
- Budget
- $15–35
Try it on
See yourself as Pope Dog
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Pope Dog costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Pope Dog costume — one box instead of 3 pieces.
White papal cassock
A lightweight white fabric tunic or step-in shirt that covers the dog's front legs and chest.
DIY: Use a plain white dog t-shirt or cut a white pillowcase to fit your dog's chest.
Red and gold cape
A small red velvet or satin cape featuring printed gold crosses, fastening around the neck or belly.
DIY: Cut a piece of red felt, paint a gold cross in the center with fabric paint, and attach a ribbon tie.
Pope mitre hat
A tall, pointed white and gold fabric hat with an elastic chin strap to keep it secure.
DIY: Cut two matching pointed arch shapes out of white stiff felt, glue gold ribbon trim along the edges, and attach an elastic band.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Pope Dog costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Gently slide your dog's front paws through the sleeves of the white cassock tunic.
- 2
Secure the hook-and-loop fasteners of the tunic around your dog's belly, ensuring it is snug but not tight.
- 3
Drape the red cape over your dog's shoulders and fasten it securely at the chest.
- 4
Place the mitre hat on your dog's head, positioning their ears comfortably on either side.
- 5
Adjust the elastic chin strap under your dog's jaw so the hat stays upright without pinching.
Pope Dog for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair your Pope Dog with an owner dressed as a Swiss Guard, a nun, or a cardinal.
- group
- Dress multiple dogs as a papal conclave with one Pope and several cardinals in red capes.
- Plus size
- For larger dog breeds, look for XL sizes or use a real human toddler-sized pope costume modified with fabric scissors.
Tips
- Always measure your dog's chest girth and neck circumference before buying, as pet costumes tend to run small.
- Never leave your dog unattended while wearing a costume, especially with a chin strap.
- Have treats ready to reward your dog for keeping the tall mitre hat on for photos.
- If your dog dislikes hats, skip the mitre and just use the red and white cape for a stress-free look.
Pope Dog costume FAQ
- What does a Pope dog costume usually include?
- It typically includes a white step-in tunic, a red cape with gold cross details, and a tall white and gold mitre hat with an elastic strap.
- How do I make a DIY Pope dog hat?
- Cut two identical pointed arch shapes out of stiff white felt, decorate them with gold fabric paint or ribbon, glue the edges together leaving the bottom open, and staple or sew an elastic band to the base.
- Is the Pope dog costume comfortable for pets?
- Yes, if sized correctly. Choose lightweight fabrics, ensure the chest area isn't too tight, and make sure the elastic chin strap is loose enough for comfort.
Did you know? The 'Holy Hound' look became an internet sensation after photos of a pug named Caspar dressed as the Pope went viral on social media during a papal visit to the US.