How to Measure a Dog: 4 Essential Dog Measurements

Figuring out your dog’s precise measurements will help you purchase clothing and accessories, such as a dog sweater or a dog collar, that fit your dog comfortably and securely. While you can use size charts or sizing guides for different dog breeds, you will get a better fit if you measure your dog yourself. Here are four reasons you should measure your dog:

1. 1. Calculate the correct size for carriers and cages. Measurements like the dog’s body length can help you determine the right size dog cage or carrier for your pet. This can help keep your dog comfortable during flights and other travel, or if you want to keep your dog’s bed inside a dog cage.
2. 2. Ensure collars fit securely and comfortably. Your dog will likely wear its dog collar most of the time or for long stretches, like on a long hike or walk, so you want to make sure you get the perfect fit so your dog is not in pain or discomfort.
3. 3. Find the right size for clothing. Measure your dog for the perfect fit for many types of dog clothes, including dog sweaters and dog coats, to make sure the fabric fits comfortably around their neck or body.
4. 4. Get the right fit for a dog harness. Use measurements to ensure that a dog harness will fit snugly on your dog’s body and won’t cause chafing. Measurements can also help you decide what types of dog harnesses will fit your dog. Styles such as a step-in harness, which has harness straps and buckles that you can clip on and off, should fit your dog securely, without being too tight.

You can measure your dog at home. Here are a few tips to make the process easier:

1. 1. Gather the right tools. Use a fabric measuring tape to get the most accurate measurement, but you can also use string or a tape measure. Grab a notebook and pen to record your dog’s measurements.
2. 2. Measure your dog while it is standing. You will need to take most measurements with your dog standing. If possible, ask someone else to hold or pet your dog while it is standing to help keep the dog still and distracted as you measure.
3. 3. Try measuring against a wall. Positioning your dog against a wall helps keep your dog still while you measure.

Getting your dog’s measurements is simple, and the process is the same for small dogs—like French bulldogs, pugs, or dachshunds—and larger dogs, like greyhounds, German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, or Great Danes. Here is how to take four essential measurements:

1. 1. Body length: This is a measurement from the base of your dog’s tail to the top of your dog’s neck. To measure the body length, place the fabric tape measure right at the base of the tail—where the tail meets the body—and then extend the tape measure to the base of the neck, or where the neck connects to the dog’s back. Read and record the measurement.
2. 2. Chest girth: This is a measurement of the dog’s chest—the area from the top of the dog’s shoulder down around the armpits or the space right behind your dog’s front legs. With your dog standing, locate the widest part between the dog’s shoulder blades and wrap the tape measure around the dog so the tape passes right behind the dog’s forelegs. With the tape wrapped around the dog’s chest, read and record the measurement.
3. 3. Height: To measure your dog’s height, place your measuring tape at the base of one of your dog’s front paws. Extend the tape to the top of your dog’s head and note the measurement. You can calculate this measurement while your dog is sitting or standing.
4. 4. Neck girth: The neck girth is a measurement of the circumference of your dog’s neck. To take the neck measurement, hold the fabric tape measure right at the nape of the neck and wrap the tape around the dog’s neck, passing right over the top of the dog’s chest and around to meet again at the nape. Read and record the measurement.

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