How to Measure Your Dog for Clothes: The Complete Size & Fit Guide

Finding the perfect outfit for your pup starts with one thing: the right measurements.

At Posh Dog Life, we work with more than 500 dog apparel and accessory vendors, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: there is no standard sizing in dog clothing.

A Small in one dog dress may fit completely differently from a Small in another. An XL could be designed for a small dog in one brand and a much larger dog in another. That’s why you should never assume your dog is a Small, Medium, Large or XL based on something they already own.

And while your dog’s weight can be helpful as a general reference, dog clothing should not be selected by weight alone because every dog has a different body shape.

The most important measurement is your dog’s chest.

The Golden Rule: Always Check the Product's Size Chart

Because sizing varies so dramatically between dog clothing manufacturers, every product at Posh Dog Life has its own size chart.

Always measure your dog's chest circumference (called chest girth) and compare those measurements with the size chart on the individual product page before selecting a size.

Even if you’ve purchased a Medium from Posh Dog Life before, that does not necessarily mean your dog will wear a Medium in the next item.

Think of it like shopping for women's clothing. You might wear one size in one designer and a completely different size in another.

Dog fashion works the same way.

If your dog's measurements fall between two sizes, we recommend going up to the next size for a more comfortable fit.

Posh Dog Life Dog Measurement Guide

How to Measure Your Dog's Chest

If you take only one measurement, make it the chest.

Using a soft measuring tape, wrap the tape around the deepest and widest part of your dog's chest. This is generally just behind the front legs, under the armpits (see photo).

The tape should be snug enough to give you an accurate measurement, but it should not be tight.

For instance, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is quite fluffy and has a 20 inch chest girth. Given that, for comfort, I'd choose her a item that goes up to 21 inch chest.

Why Chest Size Matters Most

Think about putting on a pair of jeans. If the jeans won't fit over your hips, they're not going on—no matter how much you try to squeeze into them.

Your dog's chest works the same way.

If the garment doesn't fit comfortably around the widest part of your dog's chest, it isn't going to fit properly.

And unlike that pair of jeans we may be determined to squeeze ourselves into, we certainly don't want to squeeze our dogs into their clothes.

We recommend allowing approximately ½ to 1 inch of wiggle room around the chest, depending on the garment and your dog's build.

Your pup should be able to walk, sit, play and strut comfortably.

The American Kennel Club also identifies chest girth—measured around the largest part of the rib cage, generally behind the front legs—as typically the most important measurement for dog clothing and harnesses.

THE POSH DOG LIFE FIT RULE:
CHEST FIRST. SIZE CHART SECOND. SIZE LABEL LAST.

How to Measure Your Dog's Neck

Using a soft measuring tape, measure around the base of your dog's neck where the clothing, collar or necklace will naturally sit.

For collars and dog necklaces, allow enough room to comfortably slip two fingers (about an inch) between the collar and your dog's neck. This provides wiggle room and helps ensure the collar isn't uncomfortably tight.

The neck measurement is particularly important when fitting clothing on dogs with distinctive body proportions, including French Bulldogs and other broad-necked breeds.

If your dog's neck measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger size.

How to Measure Your Dog's Length

Measure your dog's back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail while your dog is standing naturally.

Don't measure all the way up the neck or down the tail.

Length is particularly useful for breeds with longer bodies.

For example, Dachshunds have long backs relative to their chest size, so both the chest and back length should be considered when choosing clothing.

Special Considerations for French Bulldogs

French Bulldogs can be particularly tricky to fit because of their broad chests, thick necks and relatively short bodies.

For a Frenchie, we recommend checking all three measurements:

• Chest

• Neck

• Back length

Don't simply size up to accommodate a broad chest without checking the other measurements. A larger size may fit the chest but end up far too long through the body.

Instead, compare all three measurements with the individual garment's size chart to find the best overall fit.

Special Considerations for Dachshunds

Dachshunds present almost the opposite challenge.

Their elongated bodies mean a garment that fits beautifully around the chest may be too short along the back.

For Dachshunds, pay particular attention to:

• Chest

• Back length

Again, don't rely on the size label. Use the actual measurements.

Don't Choose Dog Clothing Based on Weight Alone

One of the most common sizing mistakes is choosing an outfit based primarily on a dog's weight.

Two dogs can weigh exactly the same amount and have completely different body shapes. A stocky dog with a broad chest may require a very different size from a slender dog of the same weight.

Weight can be useful when a manufacturer includes it as an additional sizing guideline, but your dog's actual measurements—especially the chest—should guide your decision.

Small, Medium and Large Are Just Labels

This may be the single most important thing to remember when shopping for dog clothes:

Ignore the letter on the label. Pay attention to the inches on the size chart.

At Posh Dog Life, we carry clothing from more than 500 vendors and designers, and their sizing systems vary enormously.

That means we may carry an XL designed for a small dog and another XL designed for a large breed.

Neither one is necessarily wrong. They're simply different sizing systems.

That's why comparing your dog's measurements with the specific size chart for the specific product you're purchasing is so important.

How Much Extra Room Should You Allow?

Your dog's clothing should fit comfortably without being excessively loose.

As a general guideline, we recommend allowing approximately ½ to 1 inch of extra room around the chest.

For collars and necklaces, allow enough room to comfortably fit two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck.

Consider your dog's build, coat and the type of garment as well. A fluffy dog may need more room than a short-haired dog with the same body measurement.

Dog clothing and accessories should never restrict breathing or normal movement.

When in doubt or between sizes, we recommend choosing the next size up.

Before You Order: Measure, Don't Guess

It takes less than a minute to measure your dog, and it can make the difference between an outfit that fits beautifully and one that doesn't fit at all.

Before choosing a size:

1. Measure the widest part of your dog's chest.

2. Measure the neck and back length when the garment or your dog's body type makes those measurements important.

3. Find the size chart on that specific product page.

4. Compare your dog's measurements with the chart.

5. Allow approximately ½ to 1 inch of wiggle room around the chest.

6. For collars and necklaces, allow enough room to comfortably fit two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck.

7. If your dog falls between sizes, choose the next size up.

8. Choose based on the measurements—not simply the S, M, L or XL label.

And don't assume the size you bought last time will be the size you need this time.

Measure. Check the chart. Then let your pup strut their stuff.

At Posh Dog Life, we believe dog fashion should look fabulous—but most importantly, it should fit comfortably. Taking a few seconds to measure your pup before ordering is the best way to help find that perfect fit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Clothing Sizes

What is the most important measurement for dog clothes?

Chest girth is the most important measurement for most dog clothing. Measure around the widest and deepest part of your dog's chest, generally just behind the front legs.

Can I choose dog clothes based on my dog's weight?

Not reliably. Dogs of the same weight can have very different body shapes and proportions. Weight can be a useful secondary guideline, but you should primarily use your dog's actual measurements.

Are dog clothing sizes standardized?

No. There is no universal sizing system for dog clothing. A Small, Medium or XL from one manufacturer may fit completely differently from the same labeled size from another manufacturer—or even another style.

How do I measure my dog's chest for clothing?

Using a soft measuring tape, measure around the widest part of your dog's chest, generally just behind the front legs. Keep the tape comfortably snug rather than tight.

What should I do if my dog is between sizes?

We recommend choosing the next size up if your dog's measurements fall between two sizes. Your dog's comfort should always come first.

Do I need to measure my dog every time I buy clothes?

Not necessarily—but you should check the size chart every time. Once you have accurate chest, neck and back-length measurements, keep them handy and compare them with the individual size chart for every garment you purchase.

One Last Posh Dog Life Tip

Create a contact for your dog in your phone and save their chest, neck and back-length measurements there. That way, whenever you shop for dog clothing online, you'll always have your pup's measurements at your fingertips—no measuring tape required!

Chest first. Size chart second. Size label last. That's the Posh Dog Life way to find a fabulous fit.

Also in Bark of the Park Blog | Dog News | Poshdoglife.com