Dog raincoat size guide: measure once, pick the right size

A dog raincoat fits when it closes comfortably around the chest and stays put on the walk. Everything else, the length down the back, the neck opening, how it looks, follows from that one measurement. This page gives you the method and the real numbers for our two rain pieces, so you can pick a size without guessing.

Measure three things

You need a soft tape measure and your dog standing square on four feet. Sitting shortens the back and widens the chest, so stand them up, even if it takes a treat.

1. Chest girth. Around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs. Snug enough to stay in place, loose enough to slide two fingers underneath. This is the number that decides a raincoat size. 2. Neck girth. Around the neck where a collar sits, two fingers of room again. It tells you whether the neck opening will be comfortable. 3. Back length. From the base of the neck, where the collar sits, along the spine to the base of the tail. It tells you how much of the back the coat will cover.

Write all three down in inches or centimetres. Our charts show both.

The All-Weather Jacket, XS to 4XL

The All-Weather Jacket is a rain-shedding shell over a warm lining, with a zip up the chest and a harness built in. Because the leash clips to the ring on the back and the pull sits on the chest panel, the chest girth has to match; the coat is cut shorter down the back than a plain raincoat of the same chest size, which is normal for a harness jacket.

Measurements are taken by hand and can vary by one to two inches between pieces. Pick the size whose chest girth is the first one at or above your dog's chest. If your dog's chest is exactly on a number, or within an inch of it, go up one size.

The Quilted Vest, S to XL

The Quilted Vest sheds drizzle rather than a downpour: padded channels, a high fold-down collar and a wide belly strap that adjusts, so each size covers a range of chests instead of one number.

A chest that falls in two ranges takes the larger size, so the strap sits in the middle of its travel rather than at the end.

Which size, by the dog

Every dog is measured, not guessed, but these are the sizes most owners of these breeds end up in, from the chest girths in our breed guides:

• Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers and toy breeds: XS or S.
• French bulldogs, pugs and Boston terriers: M or L, because a broad chest on a short back follows the chest.
• Beagles, corgis and cocker spaniels: L.
• Border collies, Australian shepherds and small Labs: XL to 2XL.
• Golden retrievers and larger Labs: 2XL to 3XL.

The dog apparel page shows the whole range side by side; the breed pages under fit guides give each breed's typical chest, neck and back range and the size that follows.

If it still does not fit

Try it on indoors and keep the tags on. If it is wrong, send it back within 60 days for a full refund and order the right size; shipping on the replacement is free, like every US order. Details are on the Shipping & Returns page.

Questions

Does the jacket go on over the head?

No. It zips up the chest, so it goes on like a vest: front legs through, zip up, done. Nothing passes over the head, which matters for dogs who dislike that.

Can the jacket replace a harness?

For everyday walks with a dog that walks nicely, yes: the leash clips to the ring on the back and the pull sits on the chest. For a strong puller, use your usual harness under the jacket.

Should I measure with the collar on?

Measure the neck with the collar off, where the collar normally sits. Measure the chest with nothing on; a harness underneath adds half an inch or so, which is one more reason to size up when you are close to a line.