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Have you found the perfect dog sweater but need help deciding which size to choose? You’re not alone. Whether you’re looking for functional outdoor gear like rain jackets and booties or just a fun accessory like a bandana, knowing how to measure a dog for clothes can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. With a few tips and tricks, you can easily find your dog’s measurements to ensure a good fit.
To help you out, we consulted Alex van der Walt, a veterinary assistant and author at Animals Around the Globe. With her expert insight, we’ve developed a detailed guide on measuring your dog, from top to tail, to find comfortably fitting clothes.
How To Measure a Dog’s Chest Girth
According to veterinary assistant Alex van der Walt, measuring chest girth is essential to ensuring your dog can breathe normally while wearing items like rain jackets and cooling vests. For clothing that’s more about style than function, go with a looser fit, as long as it doesn’t hang down and restrict movement.
The best tool for an accurate measurement is a flexible fabric tape measure, similar to what a tailor might use—just make sure it doesn’t get twisted when taking your dog’s sizes.
You’ll also want to jot down the measurements as you go to keep everything straight. Having the exact number is helpful as you consider different fabrics and whether or not they stretch and can be adjusted. With that in mind, here are the steps to measuring your dog’s chest.
- Make sure your dog is standing. Measuring the chest is easier and more accurate when your dog is standing. Enlist a buddy to give your dog treats and affection if you need help getting them in position.
- Wrap the tape around the widest part of your dog’s chest. For many dogs, this will be right behind the front legs. However, the widest part may be further back for a few dogs, such as barrel-chested breeds.
- Make sure the tape is comfortably snug. As a rule, you should be able to fit at least two fingers between the tape and your dog’s body for a comfortable, safe fit.
How To Measure a Dog’s Neck
Van der Walt also emphasizes the importance of finding accurate neck measurements so your dog can move their head freely and comfortably while wearing sweaters, fleeces, bandanas, and other clothing items that cover the neck.
Because dog breeds vary so widely in stature, this is the measurement that could push your dog up a size, regardless of weight. To measure your dog’s neck, Van der Walt recommends the following steps.
- Measure your dog in an upright and comfortable position. Your dog can be sitting or standing as long as you can measure their neck entirely with the tape straight.
- Wrap the tape around your dog’s neck at the place where the collar sits. If you have a short dog with a thick neck, find the area between the shoulder bones and where the skull begins to taper behind the ears. For extra-fluffy dogs, make sure you’re measuring through the fur to ensure a snug fit. You can also use your dog’s collar, noting where it attaches, as a guide.
- Make sure the tape is not too tight. As with the girth, two fingers should fit between the tape and your dog. Record your dog’s dimensions and size up a bit if you’re unsure about any measurements.
How To Measure a Dog’s Height
Measuring your dog’s height is crucial for finding the right fit for full-body clothing like snow suits and pajamas. Here’s how to ensure the right size.
- Make sure your dog is in a standing position. A sitting position will not work for this measurement.
- Start from the floor and measure to the top of your dog’s shoulders. A dog’s height is measured from paws on the floor to the top of the shoulders when standing. Pull the tape up in a straight line—no need to wrap it around your dog’s shoulders, even if they have a larger build.
How To Measure a Dog’s Topline
Your dog’s topline is their body length, from their shoulders to the beginning of their tail. Getting accurate topline measurements is especially important if you have an extra-long or short breed that doesn’t fall under general sizing (we see you, Corgis and Dachshunds). Here’s how to measure the topline correctly.
- Measure your dog while they’re standing. You’ll also want to make sure your dog’s spine is straight for a more accurate reading.
- Place the end of the tape between your dog’s shoulders and measure until the beginning of the tail. If you are having trouble finding your dog’s shoulders, use your finger to trace a line from the top of one front leg, over the back, and to the top of the other leg in a semi-circle. This should give you a good idea of where the center of your dog’s shoulders is. Use that as your starting point. As for the ending point, stop your measurement at the point where the tail begins.
- Account for the sex of your dog. You may also need to take special note of clothing depending on the sex of your dog. For instance, you’ll want shorter clothing for male dogs so they can pee.
How To Measure a Dog’s Paws for Boots
Getting the right paw size is crucial for boots and footwear, as they need to offer your dog a full range of motion and comfort. We’ll admit it, though: measuring paws can be tricky. But Van der Walt has some great hacks to help pet parents get the best size. Here’s what you can do.
- Get out a blank piece of paper and a pencil.
- Have your dog step onto the paper and trace the outline of their paw. As you trace the outline, ensure your dog’s step is natural and not forced. They should be putting their full weight on their paws without your assistance (avoid pressing them down).
- Measure the length and width of the traced paw. If you find that your measurements are between boot sizes, opt for the larger set of boots.
Clothing-Specific Tips
A dog who is comfortable in their clothing will have no problem exhibiting their usual behavior. They should be running, walking, playing, and acting normally without any signs of discomfort. With the help of Van der Walt, we’ve put together some specific recommendations for different types of clothing.
Coats and jackets
Generally, coats and jackets should cover your dog from the neck (where the collar is) to the base of the tail. But it’s okay if it runs shorter or longer if that’s what your pup prefers.
Coats usually fall into two categories: blanket style and jacket style. A blanket-style coat will sit on your dog’s back and come down on each side around their shoulders. They’re useful for shedding rain and keeping off the chill.
A jacket-style coat, on the other hand, will cover your dog’s stomach along with their chest, shoulders, and thighs. These are handy for keeping a dog clean on a muddy day or warm and dry on a snowy one.
To ensure a good fit, run your hand along the coat opening—either around the neck or leg straps. If the coat is too tight, it will pinch your hand. If it’s too big, there will be a noticeable gap. You’ll also want to account for a size that will cover a harness if you use one to walk your dog.
Sweatshirts and sweaters
Sweaters, fleeces, and sweatshirts should be nice and snug for warmth and insulation, especially for short-haired breeds and seniors. However, they shouldn’t be so tight that they restrict movement in any way.
Look for options that are easy to put on and remove while also watching for any buttons or zippers that could be irritating. Take note of the material as well: a nice cotton hoodie will likely maintain its shape after washing, while a knit sweater might need special care so it doesn’t shrink.
Vests and bandanas
When sizing for vests, pay close attention to your dog’s chest girth. Choosing vests with adjustable straps will also give you some leeway in sizing.
For bandanas, measure your dog’s neck around the widest point. it should be snug but not too tight. Next, add a minimum of one or two inches (up to three or four inches if you have a super fluffy dog) to the circumference so there’s plenty of room around their neck.
Dresses and skirts
If you have a fashionista on your hands, dresses and skirts can be an adorable way to show off your dog’s personality and style. When choosing a length, check that the dress or skirt doesn’t drag so much that it could cause your dog to trip or get in the way of using the bathroom. Dresses may be more of a challenge than skirts to find the right fit, though simple designs with elastic bands will give you more flexibility in size.
Boots
Most dog booties will have a chart that shows the width and length. Always go larger if your dog is between sizes; an ill-fitting boot could cause circulation issues. Prioritizing the width is also key to a properly fitting winter boot, and choosing flexible materials will ensure your dog’s paws stay comfortable.
Hats
If your dog doesn’t mind something on their head, a hat is a cute accessory that can also protect from the sun. When sizing your dog, measure the circumference of their head and the distance between their ears, especially if the hat has ear holes.
A chin strap or other adjustable feature can help keep the hat in place and prevent it from obstructing your dog’s view (while gazing lovingly up at you).
How To Know if Your Dog’s Clothes Fit Well
According to Van der Walt, clothing that fits well should conform to your dog’s shape and shouldn’t be excessively tight in any area. Your dog should move naturally while wearing the clothing, and the fabric should not bunch or sag. If your dog is acting normally, chances are their clothes fit and are comfortable.
Conversely, if your dog is heavily panting, scratching, pawing, attempting to remove the clothing, or refusing to walk, they’re undoubtedly in discomfort. If the signs are subtle and you’re unsure of your dog’s comfort levels, have them wear the clothing for a short time only, then check for any chafing, irritation, or hair loss.
How We Chose
The dog clothing featured here was selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews, and an interview with a veterinary expert. We considered a range of pet parent needs, prioritizing comfort, safety, and quality materials. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.