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You’re a pet parent on a mission for your dog’s first collar and harness—or maybe you’re in the market for a raincoat, bed, crate, or booties. You look at the gear, and you look at your pup. You measure your dog with your eyes. That seems about right, you think. But it isn’t. Three orders and two returns later, you’re at your breaking point. How exactly are you supposed to measure your dog?
We feel you. Buying a harness—or anything that needs to be fitted to your dog’s body—is tough. But “eyeballing it” or going by weight alone isn’t the best route because not all dogs are built the same. Some have stockier chests, some have thinner necks, and some have longer torsos. Plus, there are no industry standards for pet gear sizes: what’s considered a large for one brand could be the equivalent of a small for another.
This is where your trusty measuring tape comes into play. Whether you’re shopping for walking gear or a Halloween costume, we’ll explain how to measure your dog’s height, weight, length, and other proportions—taking you through the entire process so you can get it right on the first go!
What Measurements Should You Take?
If you look at a dog size chart, you’ll usually see three different measurements: neck girth, chest girth, and body length (sometimes called the topline). When looking for items like a crate or carrier, it’s also helpful to know your dog’s height. Here’s how to get each measurement.
How to measure your dog’s neck
Neck girth is the circumference of your dog’s neck, measured about where your pup’s collar hits. To get the measurements, place one end of your tape at the nape of the neck, just above the shoulders, then wrap the cord down to the top of the chest and around to meet the other end. You want to fit two fingers comfortably between your dog’s gear and their body—so follow suit with your measuring tape and leave a little room.
GlobalP via iStock
How to measure your dog’s chest girth
Chest girth is the circumference of your dog’s chest. To take this measurement, find the widest part of your dog’s rib cage. On the German Shepherd above, that happens to be right behind the forelegs—but this isn’t always the case. Some pups’ rib cages widen a little farther back on their bodies, like the Dalmatian below.
Chest girth tends to be the most reliable measurement for sizing dog clothes, but body length is still good to have in your back pocket.
GlobalP via iStock
How to measure your dog’s body length
Body length is measured from the base of your dog’s neck to the base of their tail—or, put another way, from the start of their shoulders to the end of their hips. Pro tip: If you’re buying a long sweater or a costume for a male dog and there’s no groin cutout, consider shortening this measurement a little so your pup has room to pee in peace.
How to measure your dog’s height
Knowing your dog’s height helps when you’re looking for a crate. To measure height, have your dog stand up straight against a wall, with their feet evenly spaced. Then, place your measuring tape at the highest point of their back (aka their withers). Usually, this can be identified by a small notch or indent between the shoulder blades. With your measuring tape running down your pup’s front leg, measure from the withers down to their paw.
How to Measure Your Dog for a Harness
Getting the right harness size for your dog is essential for their safety and comfort. Choosing a harness that suits your dog’s unique anatomy is also important. For example, even in a bigger size, a harness that fits your petite Dachshund may not work as well on a barrel-chested Bulldog.
When sizing a harness, many pet parents make the mistake of focusing only on the neck-girth measurement. That’s helpful, but it’s not enough since harnesses also need an excellent chest fit, especially for no-pull and padded options.
For a well-fitted harness, first measure your dog’s neck. Place your measuring tape where your dog would typically wear their collar. Then, take your dog’s chest measurements, wrapping your measuring tape around the widest part of their rib cage. (Avoid measuring right up against your dog’s armpits.)
If your dog is between sizes, check out your chosen product’s adjustment options—buckles or fasteners can make it possible to alter the size for a better fit.
How to Measure Your Dog for Clothing and Costumes
For dog clothing and costumes, you’ll need three measurements: neck, body length, and chest girth. In addition to the instructions above, Amber and fabulous model Olive demonstrate the easiest way to measure all three.
Once you have your dog’s measurements, find the size chart for the product you’re considering. Most trusty manufacturers of clothes and costumes have a sizing chart you can reference, like this one from Rubie’s Costume Company.
You’ll notice chest girth, neck girth, and body length (“neck to tail”) all show up alongside helpful information about sleeve lengths and armhole widths. Breed suggestions and weight estimates are great supplementary tools—though they alone won’t help you find the right fit, especially with pups with unusual dimensions.
Once in a while, you’ll hit a snag—perhaps your dog is between sizes, with a body length suited to one size but a chest girth to another. When this happens, it’s usually best to go with the larger option. A garment that’s a hair loose is better than one that restricts your pup’s movement—or is too small to be wearable at all. You can often adjust a costume or sweater to make it a little tighter, but it’s difficult to add fabric when there’s none to spare.
Another handy tool if you’re on the fence is product reviews. Not every review is reliable. But if there’s a consensus in the comments that a sweater is running small despite the measurements (sometimes the result of material without much give or smaller components not listed in a size chart), we’ve found it’s worth heeding!
As you’re shopping, you might also run into other measurements. This popular winter dog coat on Etsy, for example, offers dimensions including the underside (measured from the dip at the front of the neck to the base of the rib cage or where the clothing should end), height (top of the shoulder to the ground), and neck length (the base of the neck to the top of the head).
How to Measure Your Dog for a Collar
Since a collar that’s too large can slip off, and a collar that’s too tight can restrict your dog’s airways, it’s crucial to get the right size. Remember that small puppies grow quickly into adults, so an adjustable collar that accommodates their increasing neck size is best.
For a traditional flat collar with a side-release buckle, you’ll just need your dog’s neck size. Keep the measuring tape snug, but leave room for two fingers to slide underneath. Compare the collar’s adjustable length range to your dog’s neck circumference.
Sizing your dog for a slip-on martingale collar without a buckle requires an additional step. On top of the neck size, you’ll also need to find your pup’s head measurements. To do this, measure around the widest part of your dog’s head, generally around the jawline.
How to Measure Your Dog for a Bed or Crate
A properly sized crate and dog bed can give your pup a nice spot to rest.
Dogs should be able to stand up straight in their crate without needing to crouch. When laying down, they should be able to sprawl out fully. To find a crate that fits your dog, you’ll need their height and body length measurements. Once you have these numbers, add two to five inches for the best crate size.
Dog beds should be large enough to accommodate various sleep styles (sprawlers, curlers, leaners) but compact enough so your dog feels secure. For a comfortable and cozy fit, measure your dog’s body length and add six to 12 inches.
How To Measure Your Dog for Boots
miriam-doerr via iStock
Yes, it’s true—dogs need boots sometimes. Cold, snow, and city streets dusted with salt can all be rough on your pooch’s paws, as can hot pavement and long summer hikes. Keep in mind, however, that some dog shoes will work better in certain conditions and on different terrain.
To measure your dog’s paws, start from the tip of the longest toenail and run your tape to the bottom of the biggest heel pad. One trick to make the job easier is to have your dog stand on a piece of paper while you draw an outline of their paw with a pencil—then, all you have to do is measure the outline.
Just like with clothes, we recommend opting for the larger size if you’re in any doubt.
Dog booties can be a harder sell than dog harnesses and clothes, so once you have the right fit, we recommend letting your dog test them out at home for an hour or so before you hit the pavement. That lets your pup get the hang of them in a comfortable space. We don’t recommend leaving your dog in boots for too long, though—dogs sweat through their paws and generally need their toe beans free to breathe.
How We Chose
The harnesses, pet apparel, and other dog gear featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews, and interviews with veterinary experts. 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.
