DOG SPORTS SPECIALISTS ✦ EXPERT HARNESS FITTING ✦ SPORTY PAWS ACADEMY
MEASURING YOUR DOG
Getting the right harness starts with getting the right measurements. Here’s how to measure your dog accurately so you can choose the best size and style for them.
BEFORE YOU MEASURE
A few simple things make a big difference to the accuracy of your measurements.
DOG STANDING NATURALLY
Measure your dog standing squarely on all four feet, with their head in a natural position.
USE A SOFT TAPE
Use a flexible fabric measuring tape and keep it close to the body without pulling it tight.
MEASURE TWICE
Take each measurement a couple of times. If you get different results, measure again before choosing a size.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOG
Use the numbered guide below to take each measurement. Keep the tape close to your dog’s body without pulling it tight.
1. MAXIMUM HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE
Measure around the widest part of your dog’s head, including the ears. This tells us whether the harness can comfortably pass over the head.
2. COLLAR CIRCUMFERENCE
Measure around the neck where your dog’s collar would normally sit.
3. LOWER NECK CIRCUMFERENCE
Measure around the base of the neck, just in front of the shoulders, following the position shown on the diagram.
4. CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE
Measure around the deepest/widest part of the ribcage, comfortably behind the front legs rather than tight into the armpits.
5. HALF BACK LENGTH
Measure in a straight line from the base of the neck to the midpoint shown on the dog’s back.
6. FULL BACK LENGTH
Measure in a straight line from the same starting point as measurement 5, at the base of the neck, all the way to the base of the tail.
GOT YOUR MEASUREMENTS?
Use the measurements above alongside the size guide on your chosen product. Different harness styles use different measurements, so always check the sizing information for the specific harness you’re considering.
Not sure which harness is right for your dog?
Not every harness suits every dog or every activity. Start with our guide to choosing the right style for your dog.
Already got your harness?
Once it arrives, the next step is checking how it sits on your dog – including how a pulling harness fits in its working position.