Discover our videoHow to properly measure your dog to choose the right size?
Choosing a dog outfit doesn't just depend on weight or breed.
Two dogs of the same size can have very different proportions: a longer back, a wider chest, a thinner neck, a more compact build.
That's why a size guide alone is not always enough.
To choose the right size, you must first properly measure your dog.
A measurement taken too quickly or in the wrong place can result in a garment that is too tight, too large, or simply uncomfortable when worn. Conversely, a few carefully taken centimeters often help avoid most fitting errors.
In this guide, we show you how to measure your dog step-by-step to choose clothing adapted to their body shape.
Why Accurately Measuring Your Dog is Essential
Many owners first look at the displayed size: S, M, L...
But in practice, that's not enough.
A dog garment must respect:
- back length,
- chest circumference,
- neck circumference,
- and especially how the dog moves.
A well-fitting garment should allow the dog to walk, sit, and lie down normally.
That's why it's important to accurately measure your dog before choosing a garment size.
Required equipment
To measure your dog accurately, you don't need a lot of tools.
You simply need:
- a flexible tape measure,
- possibly a notebook or your phone to write down the measurements,
- a few treats if your dog moves around a lot.
The most important thing is to measure a calm dog, standing, and not sitting or lying down.
The 3 essential measurements for choosing the right size
To choose dog clothing, three measurements are generally essential:
- Neck circumference
- Chest circumference
- Back length
These three reference points already help avoid most mistakes.
1. How to measure a dog's neck size
Neck size is measured at the base of the neck, where a collar naturally rests.
The tape measure should be placed around the neck without being too tight. It should stay close to the body, but leave a slight gap to avoid any compression.
A simple rule is to leave a little ease, so that the garment does not constrict a sensitive area.
2. How to measure a dog's chest circumference
The chest girth is often the most important measurement when choosing a size for a dog's clothing.
It is taken around the widest part of the chest, usually just behind the front legs.
The measuring tape should remain horizontal and not go up towards the back or down too low under the belly.
Again, avoid pulling too tight.
Clothing that is too tight around the chest can restrict movement and breathing.
This is why accurately measuring a dog's chest girth is essential before making a purchase.
3. How to Measure a Dog's Back Length
To measure a dog's back, one generally starts from the base of the neck, between the shoulder blades, to the beginning of the tail.
The tape measure should follow the line of the back without going down the sides.
You should not start too high towards the head, nor go all the way to the end of the tail.
This measurement is particularly important for covering garments, such as coats or outdoor wear.
Step-by-step: how to properly measure your dog
What to do if your dog is between sizes?
This often happens.
In this case, you need to consider:
- the cut of the garment,
- the most sensitive area,
- and the required ease of movement.
If your dog has a broad chest, the chest measurement should remain the priority.
If your dog has a particularly long back, this measurement becomes more important depending on the model.
There is no single universal rule.
The right choice always depends on the garment and the dog's actual build.
How to then check that the size is correct
Even after carefully measuring your dog, a final test is useful once the garment has been tried on.
A well-fitting garment should allow the dog to:
- walk normally,
- sit down comfortably,
- lie down easily,
- move without visible tension.
If the dog freezes, shortens its steps, or tries to remove the garment, the size or cut is probably not suitable.