Knowing how to properly measure your dog will help you select the size that best suits their body shape when shopping for collars, harnesses, coats and clothes.
Before you begin, here are 4 top tips that are good to know to help you measure your dog correctly
1) The best position for them to be in is standing to ensure all body parts are correctly in line
Standing your dog by a wall can lessen any movement whilst measuring and if you have another person around, have them pet your dog whilst you measure them to keep them calm and distracted to further lessen any movement
2) Use a soft tape measure that can easily mould to your dogs body shape
If you only have a stiff tape measure, you can use a piece of string or something similar to mark the distance which you can then place against the stiff tape measure to calculate the correct measurement
3) Have something on hand that you can record each measurement down on as you go
Using a pencil and paper, the notes app on an electronic device or a digital document such as Google sheets are all great options to use to note down your calculations on. It can also be useful to add the date you recorded the measurements down on if you have a puppy that has not yet reached full size as you will need to re record measurements again for in the near future
4) Pick the right time
It's best to measure your dog when they are awake and not over stimulated. If you try to measure your dog when they are asleep or sleepy they'll want to keep sitting or lying down and if they are excited or playful they'll want to keep moving and both will lead to difficulties in measuring your dog accurately
Now you're prepared, here are 4 simple steps that are easy to follow to correctly calculate your dogs body measurements
Step 1) Measure the length of their back
Place and hold your tape measure at the base of their neck and follow along to the base of the tail. Read and record the measurement.
Step 2) Measure their chest girth
Place and hold the tape measure at the lowest and widest part of their chest and follow your tape measure around their body to the same point. Read and record the measurement.
Step 3) Measure their neck girth
Place and hold the tape measure at the lowest and widest part of their neck, where their collar would sit and follow your tape measure around their neck to the same point. Read and record the measurement.
Step 4) Measure their height
Place and hold the tape measure at your dogs front paws and follow the tape measure up towards the top of their head. Read and record the measurement.
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For dogs that've not yet reached full maturity, please note that their measurements are likely to change as they grow (by how much will depend on the breed) and clothes and accessories should be replaced in line. Re measuring your dog every few weeks will help you ensure that your dog isn't wearing clothes or accessories that'll cause discomfort or injury as their bodies change and they grow into adults
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