How to measure your dog for a coat or sweater

You need three numbers: chest girth, neck girth and back length. Take them with a soft tape measure while your dog is standing, then compare them to the chart on the product page. If a number lands between two sizes, go up one. That is the whole method. The rest of this page explains each measurement and the quirks of our own charts.

The three measurements

Chest girth. Wrap the tape around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs. Snug, not tight: you should be able to slide two fingers under it. On most dogs this is the measurement that decides the size, because a coat that cannot close around the chest does not fit, however good the length looks.

Neck girth. Around the neck where a collar sits. Two fingers under the tape again. It matters most for pullovers (the knits) and for anything with a fastened collar.

Back length. From the base of the neck, where the collar sits, straight along the spine to the base of the tail. Make sure your dog is standing square, not sitting, because sitting shortens the back by an inch or two.

Write the numbers down in inches or centimetres, whichever you measure in. Our charts show both.

Which number matters for which piece

Each of our coats is cut differently, so the measurement that decides the size changes.

• All-Weather Jacket: chest first. The harness is built into the jacket and the leash pulls on the chest panel, so the chest girth has to match. Back length is short for the chest size (a size M is 18.9 in around the chest and 11.6 in down the back), which is normal for a harness jacket.
• Heritage Turtleneck: chest and neck, because it pulls on over the head. The knit stretches, so a dog on the upper edge of a size is usually fine, but a looser fit means going up.
• Fireside Cable-Knit: chest. It is cut for small dogs only; the largest size, XL, is 16.5 in around the chest and 15.7 in long.
• Quilted Vest: chest, but each size covers a range (S is 16 to 21 in) because the belly strap and the collar toggle adjust.
• Trench Coat: neck and weight. It is a toy-breed coat; XL is for dogs up to about 16 lb with a neck up to 11.4 in.

The charts, side by side

Chest girth per size, in inches. Full charts with neck, back length and centimetres are on each product page.

Notice that the same letter means different things on different pieces. A dog that wears M in the Heritage Turtleneck (17.3 in chest) is an M in the jacket too (18.9 in), but would not fit the Fireside at all. Always read the row, not the letter.

When your dog is between sizes

Go up. A coat with a little room can be snugged with a strap or a stretchy knit; a coat that is too small cannot be made bigger. The jacket and the vest are measured by hand and can vary by an inch or two between pieces, which is one more reason to leave room.

If chest and back length point to different sizes, follow the chest and accept the length. A jacket that stops short of the tail still keeps the body dry. A jacket that is too tight across the chest will be returned.

If it still does not fit

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

Questions

Should I measure with the collar on?

Take it off for the neck measurement, then add the two fingers of room. For the back length, start where the collar normally sits.

My dog will not stand still. Any tricks?

Measure at the end of a walk, when they are tired, and have someone hold a treat at nose height so the head stays up and the back stays straight. Two tries and take the larger number.

Do your sizes match other brands?

No, and nobody's do. Use the inches on the chart rather than the letter you buy elsewhere.