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Buying a new dog harness isn’t always as easy as it seems. Sizing across manufacturers is rarely consistent, and weight ranges aren’t a big help, since dog proportions vary widely—even between pups in the same weight class. The best way to ensure a safe fit is to measure your dog for their new harness with a measuring tape.
The right harness can be your dog’s best friend! Whether you’re taking a stroll with your pet or they are in the loving care of a sitter, using the right harness will keep walks a safe experience for all.
We’ve asked the experts about what to measure, how to know a good fit when you see it, and how to keep your pup calm while you wrangle the tape—no matter what kind of harness you choose.
How To Measure a Dog’s Chest Girth for a Harness
Your dog’s chest girth plays a major role in harness sizing, as it will tell you how wide they are. For measuring, you’ll want to use a flexible fabric tape. To ensure an accurate chest measurement, Dr. Maria Baker, DVM, a chief veterinarian at Pet-How, recommends the following steps.
1. Measure your dog standing up. Measuring the chest will be easier and more accurate if your dog is standing. You’ll also be able to determine the chest’s widest point and measure the girth consistently.
2. Position the tape around the widest part of your dog’s chest. For most dogs, this will almost always be right behind their front legs. However, a few barrel-chested breeds might need the tape further back on their torso.
3. Make sure the tape isn’t too tight. The tape measure should be snug but not tight. As a rule of thumb (pun intended), you should be able to fit two fingers between the tape and your dog’s body.
4. Note the measurement. This may seem like a no-brainer, but having a notepad or your phone on hand to record the dimensions will help you keep the measurements accurate.
Always check to see if you can fit two fingers around the chest and neck to ensure a proper fit.
How To Measure a Dog’s Neck
Because dog breeds vary so widely around the neck, this measurement could be what pushes your pup up to a larger size. For example, some tall but slender breeds like Whippets may end up taking a smaller size than, say, a short and burly Bulldog, even if they have a similar weight.
Dr. Baker recommends the following steps for accurately measuring your dog’s neck.
1. Measure your dog in an upright and comfortable position. Your dog can sit or stand as long as you can easily measure the entire neck and ensure the tape is straight.
2. Wrap the tape around your dog’s neck close to where their collar hits. For short dogs with thin necks, find the area between the shoulder bone and where the skull begins to taper behind the ears. For dogs with a lot of fur, take a snug measurement that accounts for all their neck floof.
If you’re having trouble finding your dog’s neck measurements, use their collar as a guide and measure the point of attachment with your tape measure.
3. Make sure the tape is not too tight, and note the dimensions. As with the chest girth, ensure you can fit two fingers between the tape and your dog, and include the neck measurements in your notes.
How to measure your dog for a head collar, like a Halti or Gentle Leader
A Halti or Gentle Leader gives pet parents extra control if they have a dog who pulls. Since these leads have a component that goes across the muzzle, we’ve included some quick measuring tips.
1. Wrap the tape around the widest point of your dog’s muzzle. This is almost always just below the eyeline.
2. Double-check for comfort. The tape should be snug but not overly tight. Your dog should still be able to open their mouth and pant comfortably, even with the tape in place.
How To Keep Your Dog Still While You’re Measuring
Chances are, your dog will sense that something is up when you come to them with your measuring tape. To help manage their excitement and movement, prep your space and have a strategy ahead of time. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Choose the time of day wisely
Measure your dog at a point in the day when they’re most likely to be the calmest, especially if you have an easily excitable, nervous, or young pup. If your dog has a lot of energy, take them for a long walk beforehand or exercise them with a game of fetch or tug, then wait for them to settle.
Puzzle toys and other forms of mental enrichment can also work a dog’s brain and help soothe their mind ahead of time by encouraging natural behaviors like chewing and licking.
Pick a comfortable place
Measure your dog in an area of the home where they’ll feel most at ease. Choose a spot away from the noise and bustle of other family members and avoid spaces they may be hesitant to encounter, like the bathroom. You’ll also want to give them plenty of room so they doesn’t feel trapped and like they can’t move away—which brings us to the next tip.
Let your dog opt-out
It’s never a good idea to force your dog into anything. Instead, give them the option to move away. You can also enlist a buddy to distract them or give them treats (lick mats are especially handy) while you take the measurements.
Dr. Baker also advises giving your dog a lot of praise and letting them take breaks when needed. If your dog starts to get nervous or overly fidgety, stop and try again later.
How Tight Should a Dog Harness Be?
In general, you should be able to fit two fingers between your dog’s body and their harness—but not much more than that. Your dog should be able to walk and run comfortably, using their regular gait and speed, without the harness rotating or sliding.
If your dog shows or vocalizes discomfort, or refuses to walk, stop using the harness and troubleshoot. Here’s how.
1. The Just-Right Fit. Check that the harness adheres to the two-finger rule around the neck and chest. If the harness is too snug in these areas and can’t be adjusted, you’ll need to consider a larger size. Similarly, if the harness is loose and could slip off, you should go smaller so your dog doesn’t wriggle out and escape.
2. Proper Positioning. The back piece should rest along your dog’s back without sliding around or rotating to the side. If your dog has a long back, make sure the back piece allows enough room to move freely. The chest straps should also rest comfortably across the front and not dangle by the legs or be too close to your dog’s neck.
3. No Chafing or Hair Loss. After removing the harness, check for signs of chafing, rubbing, or hair loss (outside of normal shedding). These are all indicators that the harness isn’t a good fit.
4. Easy Movement. Your dog should be able to move freely in all their usual activities: walking, running, jumping, and snoozing. Y-shaped harnesses are some of the best designs, as they don’t restrict your dog’s front legs from moving sideways or forward.
5. Easy to Don and Doff. The harness should be easy to put on and take off, and the process should be comfortable for your dog. If your dog isn’t a fan of a harness that goes over their head, opt for a step-in model instead.
Why your dog’s harness isn’t working
Besides needing a better fit, there could be a few other reasons why a harness isn’t working for your dog, including the material and design. Here are some potential issues and possible solutions to help you find the best option for your dog.
1. The harness doesn’t have any give. Harnesses made of materials like stiff leather can be uncomfortable for some pups and feel restrictive. They can also be heavy and hot, especially in warmer temps. Instead, consider opting for a breathable material that’s a bit more pliable, like nylon and mesh.
2. The harness takes too long to dry and causes chafing. Waterproof harnesses are excellent choices for dogs that spend a lot of time outside and love the water. When picking a harness for a water-loving dog, choose quick-drying materials like neoprene that offer plenty of cushioning.
3. The harness needs to be stronger. While mesh harnesses are lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for small pups and dogs who overheat easily, they’re not always the best for big dogs who pull. Nylon and thick padded polyester are better suited for stronger dogs. Two leash attachment points and a traffic handle are also excellent features to help control pulling pups.
4. The harness has too much padding. Extra padding can help keep a big puller safe and prevent chafing. However, if your dog overheats easily or is a tinier pup drowning in a lot of padding, consider choosing a design with thinner straps instead.
Photo by Rover.com