FurSize / Measuring for clothes
How to measure a dog for clothes
Coats and sweaters ask for three numbers: chest, neck and back length. Back length is the one people skip, and it is why a coat that fits at the chest still rides up the back.
1. Chest
Wrap the tape around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs. Snug, with two fingers of room. This is the number most charts sort by.
2. Back length
Start at the base of the neck, where a collar would rest. Run the tape along the spine to the base of the tail. Do not measure to the tip of the tail. Have your dog stand square, not hunched or stretched.
3. Neck
Around the neck where the collar sits. Turtleneck-style sweaters are the reason this matters. Too small a neck opening is the second most common complaint after chest.
Charts that list only a size letter and a weight range are guessing. Look for the chest number. If the shop does not list it, ask or choose a shop that does.
Read the chart
Find the row whose chest range contains your dog's number. If you land on the line between two rows, think about material. Knit stretches, so the smaller size can work. Woven or waterproof fabric does not, so go up. The chart reading guide goes through an example.
Questions
Chest or back length first?
Chest first. A coat that is too tight at the chest is the usual reason for a return. Back length decides whether it covers the dog or rides up.
My dog is between two sizes. Which one?
For a coat or sweater, take the bigger size if the dog is still growing or has a thick coat. For a snug-fit item like a rain jacket, check the back length before deciding.
Do deep-chested breeds need different sizes?
Often, yes. Greyhounds, whippets and dachshunds are long or narrow for their weight, so weight-based sizing misleads. Use the tape.
Get a number you can reuse.
Type your dog's chest once. See the right size in every brand we cover.
