By RHODRI PHILLIPS

Last updated at 21:52 25 August 2007

It's been such a difficult summer to dress for - teeming down one minute, blowing a gale the next, and then - occasionally - an all-too-fleeting blast of sun.

Yet, with a designer outfit for every eventuality, Ed has managed to take it all in his stride - despite being a terrier.

Five-year-old Ed's impressive wardrobe of gear is worth more than £1,000.

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It includes a fetching £30 green waterproof jacket, a jaunty tailor-made coat to guard against the wind, T-shirts and caps to protect him from the sun, costing up to £20 a time, and an array of hooded jumpsuits.

Of course, no outfit is complete without a carefully selected accessory - and Ed has a number of swish bandanas to choose from. He even has his own £30 lifejacket for when he goes sailing.

His owner Harriet Athay, 37, is unapologetic about splashing out so much on his clothes.

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She said: "I don't think he looks ridiculous. He looks cool. If it is raining he doesn't leave the house without a jacket and if it's hot he always wears a T-shirt to protect him from sunburn.

"Strictly speaking, if it gets too hot I should keep him in the shade, but a T-shirt allows him to enjoy himself on the beach in the sun without me worrying about him."

The most expensive items in Ed's wardrobe are a £60 gem-encrusted leather lead with a stainless-steel clasp and an £80 Aquascutum jacket.

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Graphic designer Harriet added: "To other dog owners, who don't dress up their dogs, I would say their pets don't look as stylish as Ed. I have no problem with spending money on him.

"It doesn't hurt him. He's not in any pain. He is a very amiable dog, very patient. He doesn't mind at all."

Harriet is a keen sailor and now Ed is fully equipped to join her. She explained: "He enjoys it when I put his yachting jacket on as he knows it's time to go out on the boat.

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"He loves sailing with me and I wouldn't dream of having him on the boat without putting a lifejacket on him. It's the same when we go surfing. I like him looking stylish and I feel happier knowing he is safe."

But she admitted: "A lot of Ed's clothes, such as his special collars and leads, are just for high days and holidays. He doesn't wear an outfit every time he goes out."

Ed was a stray before he was rescued by the RSPCA and taken on by Harriet two years ago. She said: "When I first brought him home, he was understandably very unsure of himself, but two years of love and attention have changed all that.

"Before he got his new lifejacket he used to have just a bland, orange buoyancy jacket - very boring. As his wardrobe has grown he has blossomed into a confident little dog."

Most of Ed's clothing comes from the online dog designer company Barker & Ball, who donate a percentage of their profits to the RSPCA.

Harriet, of Christchurch, Dorset, has also spent £1,000 on clothes for her other dog, Humbug, a four-year-old whippet.

And not to be left out, she owns £10,000 of clothes for herself. Well, it's so important to be well groomed.