How to Measure Your Dog
When looking to buy your dog a new harness, coat or collar, you will always need to know your dog's measurements. While it might be tempting to select a product size based on your best guess, this can lead to unnecessary and time-consuming exchanges or returns down the road.
Even within the same breed, not all dogs are shaped the same. Eg Medium dogs do not always fit into medium sized clothing. This is something you may not realize if you are picking out dog apparel or accessories like harnesses and collars for the first time.
We use a few key dog measurements in our size charts: chest girth, neck girth, back length, and sometimes weight.
We know that measuring your dog for harnesses, clothes, pet carriers, and shoes is confusing. Here, we show you how to correctly measure your dog's neck girth, chest girth and back length.
HOW TO MEASURE DOG NECK GIRTH
When you are buying a collar and some jackets or sweaters, you need to know your dog’s neck circumference. Even if it is an adjustable collar, your dog's measured neck size still has to fit within the stated neck girth range.
To measure your dog’s neck girth, take soft measuring tape and loop it around your dog's neck. Make sure the measuring tape is placed between your dog’s shoulder blades and the top of his chest. Pull the tape so that it is snug but not too tight. If you do not have a tape measure, you can use a piece of string and then measure the string with a ruler afterwords. You can also measure your dog’s current collar from the end of the buckle to the exact hole that is being used.
Keep in mind that when your dogs sits down or rolls over, his skin and body fat are redistributed. A dog collar that fits when he is standing up might be too tight when he lies down. Take a few measurements when your dog is positioned differently to ensure proper fit.
Collars should not be too snug around your dog's neck, so use the “two-finger rule”. Once you fasten your dog’s collar, you should be able to easily slide two fingers under it.
Another way to ensure the collar isn't too snug is to follow this method. If your dog is a small breed, add 2-3cm to its neck size. Add 5-6cm if it is a medium breed between. If your dog is large, add 7-8cm inches to his collar size.
Is your dog’s collar between sizes? Choose the larger one.
HOW TO MEASURE DOG CHEST GIRTH
When looking to buy a harness or coat, you will need to know your dog's chest girth. Chest girth is the measurement around the largest part of your dog’s rib cage, usually just behind the front legs.
To measure chest girth, start by holding one end of measuring tape on your dog's spine. While your dog is standing, wrap the tape behind your dog's front legs and around his body. Do not measure right under your pup's armpits unless this is the widest part of the waist. Place the end of the measuring tape next to the beginning; where it crosses is your measurement. To get the right amount of snugness, use the "two finger rule" and place your pointer and middle finger between the measuring tape and your dog.
HOW TO MEASURE DOG BACK LENGTH
Find your dog’s back length (or topline) by placing the start of your tape measure on the base of your dog's neck. The base of your dog's neck is where a collar would sit naturally. Hold the tape measure in place with one hand, then pull the tape straight across your dog's spine until you reach the base of the tail.
Do you have a male dog? If yes, you may need to slightly shorten the measurement depending on the fit of the item. If the coat or hoodie you are buying is not shaped to avoid doggy messes (i.e. the underbelly of the apparel item should be shorter than the back length of the apparel item), there's a chance your dog will wee on it!
