How to Measure Your Dog for Clothes (3 Measurements)

Most returns in dog clothing come down to one thing: the wrong size. The good news is that you only need a soft tape measure, a treat and about two minutes.

What you need

• A soft sewing tape measure (or a piece of string and a ruler)
• A few treats
• Your dog standing up straight – not sitting

1. Chest girth – the most important measurement

Wrap the tape around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs. Keep it snug but not tight – you should be able to slip two fingers underneath. This is the number that decides the size, because a garment that is too tight across the chest restricts breathing and movement.

2. Neck girth

Measure around the base of the neck, where a collar would sit. This matters most for turtlenecks, hoodies and coats with high collars.

3. Back length

Measure from the base of the neck (between the shoulder blades) to the base of the tail. Long-body breeds like Dachshunds and Corgis need this most, because a sweater that fits the chest may be too short on the back.

Add a little room

Add about 2 inches (5 cm) to the chest measurement for ease of movement. For thick double-coated dogs, or if your dog will wear a harness underneath, add 3 inches.

Between two sizes?

Go with the larger size for coats, raincoats and pajamas (they need room to move), and the smaller size for stretchy knits and t-shirts. Chest-heavy breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs should always size by chest, even if the back ends up a little long.

Ready to check? Use our dog clothes size calculator, or browse dog sweaters and winter coats.