Dog Christmas Sweater Size Guide: How to Pick the Right Fit
By the Puppy Union team · Updated
A Christmas sweater should look good in the photo and still let your dog walk, sit and play. Here is how to get the fit right first time.
Measure three things
- Chest girth – around the widest part of the chest, behind the front legs. This decides the size.
- Back length – from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. The sweater should end just before the tail.
- Neck girth – where a collar sits. Turtlenecks need about an inch of room.
Add about 2 inches (5 cm) to the chest measurement and compare it with the size chart on each sweater. Our size guide has a calculator and typical sizes by breed.
How a knit should fit
Snug but not tight: you should be able to slide two fingers under the sweater at the chest and neck. Knits stretch a little, so if your dog is between sizes, size up for deep-chested dogs and down for slim, narrow-chested dogs.
Fit tips by body type
- Deep chest (French Bulldogs, Pugs): size by chest, then check the length – standard sweaters can be long on a short back.
- Long body (Corgis): look for a back length that reaches the base of the tail.
- Tiny dogs (Pomeranians): choose XS with a stretchy rib at the neck and leg openings.
- Thick double coats (Huskies): a light knit is plenty – keep it for photos and short walks.
Care
Wash cold on a gentle cycle, reshape and lay flat to dry. See our guide on how to wash dog clothes.
Shop dog Christmas sweaters (with order-by dates for delivery before December 25) or all dog sweaters.
Frequently asked questions
Should a dog sweater cover the belly?
Most sweaters have a short belly cut so boys and girls can go to the bathroom without getting it dirty. The chest should be covered; the belly behind it is usually open.
My dog is between two sizes – which one?
Size up for deep-chested breeds and for thick fur; size down for slim, narrow-chested dogs. Check the chest measurement on the product's own size chart.