By Chantal Gilbrich Categories: Fashion October 23, 2021 2:17 pmDog wool has so far been considered a waste product.The undercoat of dogs can be used in many ways in fashion.We explain how sustainable the fabric is.The term "dog wool" means the combed out undercoat of dogs.This is a very fine, fluffy and soft wool, which according to Deutschlandfunk Nova should be comparable to cashmere in terms of quality.It not only keeps you warmer than wool, but also adapts to the respective weather conditions thanks to its climate-regulating properties.Note: You can also find dog wool under the name "Chiengora".This is a product with a protected brand name from the small company YarnSustain Schönrock Uhl, which collects dog wool with the association modus intarsia eV, sells it to the textile industry and donates the proceeds to animal welfare.The French "chien" means "dog" in German.This substance comes primarily from long-haired dogs, such as huskies, Samoyeds or Australian Shepherds.When grooming, dog owners have to regularly comb out the undercoat, i.e. the dog’s winter coat.This is the only way to avoid tangles.Franziska Uhl from modus intarsia describes dog wool in an interview with Deutschlandfunk Nova as follows: "The undercoat of dogs is superfine, soft, almost even softer and finer than cashmere or mohair".Therefore, they also recommend washing the products from Chiengora only by hand.modus intarsia is the first company to sell Chiengora products in Germany.The range includes, for example, headbands, cardigans and pillows.For the production, the two women depend on donations from dog owners and breeders, who can send the excess fur from their pets to the company's warehouse by post.For each submission, the entrepreneurs donate to animal welfare organizations such as "SOS Dogs Romania" and pay the donors a small compensation so as not to make a profit from it.However, the material does not only consist of pure dog wool.Instead, this is also mixed with the fur of alpacas and merino sheep.Before Uhl and Schönrock process the dog wool, they soak it twice in water and then wash it at 40 degrees.Then the fabric is odorless and also suitable for allergy sufferers, since the impurities that can trigger animal hair allergies are removed from the fiber.Depending on the processing purpose, the Chiengora then ends up in the hand knitting or industrial spinning mill, where it is processed further.By reusing dog wool as a by-product of grooming, the two founders want to initiate a rethink in the textile industry.Not only do you want to renegotiate the value of waste products, you also want to focus on the welfare of the animals.The following aspects indicate that Chiengora is a sustainable material:Chiengora is a substance whose raw material has so far received little attention: dog hair.Using them sensibly now saves resources and by buying regional products you support short transport routes.By washing your clothes sustainably and then drying them naturally instead of in a dryer, you can enjoy them for a long time.Do you like this post?Tags: how to dress pets