How to Measure Your Dog for a Coat: A Step-by-Step Guide

To ensure the best fit, it's important to get the right measurements. This guide will show you how to measure your dog for a coat, so you can find the perfect fit.

What You’ll Need:

• A soft, flexible tape measure (like the kind used for sewing or tailoring)
  
• A pen and paper to note down the measurements

Step 1: Get Your Dog in a Comfortable Position

Start by having your dog stand in a neutral position. You want them to be as relaxed as possible, with their back straight and paws on the floor. If you need them to stay still, it can be helpful to have someone assist you or use a treat to keep their attention.

Step 2: Find the Starting Point – The Base of the Neck

Now, take your soft tape measure and locate the base of your dog’s neck. This is just under where the collar sits. This will be the point where the coat starts. Make sure the tape is resting comfortably against the skin, not too tight, and not too loose. 

Step 3: Measure Along the Back

With the start of the tape measure at the base of the neck, carefully run it along your dog’s back, following the natural line of their spine. Continue measuring all the way to the very start of the tail. This is where the coat will end on your dog.

Step 4: Note the Measurement

Be sure the tape is flat against your dogs body (not twisted) and that the measurement is accurate. Note down the length in inches or centimeters, it doesn't matter.

Step 5: Double-Check Your Measurement

It’s always a good idea to measure twice to be sure. You want to get the most accurate measurement possible, so repeat the process if necessary. 

Step 6: Consult the Shape Guide

Now that you have your dog’s measurement, consult the shapes if you aren't sure what shape you need. 

 

Q&A

My dog is between sizes. What coat size should I buy?

If you have a female you can get away with a larger coat so size up. If you have a male be careful sizing up too much as you don't want the belt to get in the way when he does his business. My best advise here is double check the size and go closest to the tape size. For example if your dog is 42cm go for a 40cm

How can i measure my dog without a soft tape?

If you don't have a soft tape measure you can use some string. Hold the end of the string at the base of the neck, measure as normal along the dogs back, mark or cut the string at the tail measurement and measure the string against any tape measure.