How to measure a dog for harness

An ill fitted one will allow your dog to slip out easily and dart away. Generally speaking, a harness gives the owner more control and make it easier to hold them back. Also, they are less likely to come off than a collar. Here is everything you need to know about how to measure your dog before you buy a harness.

Knowing the dog’s precise measurement will help you purchase a harness for dog that fits comfortably and securely. It will also ensure that your dog in not in pain and will be willing to wear it for a long time while going for walks or hiking trips. Use these measures to get a dog harness that ensures it fits snugly on your dog’s body and does not cause chafing. These measurements can also help you decide what types of harness will fit your dog properly. Styles such as a step-in harness, which has harness straps and buckles that you can clip on and off, should fit your dog securely, without being too tight.

There are standard size charts that are available and one can easily follow them, however, you will get a better fit if you measure yourself. A measurement chart has been shared below for your reference.

SIZE | NECK GIRTH | CHEST GIRTH

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| S | 13.8’- 19.3’ | 19.1’ - 29.3’

| M | 14.8’ - 19.7’ | 20.5’ - 36.0’

| L | 16.1’ - 23.2’ | 20.5’ - 36.0’

| XL | 19.3’ - 30.7’ | 20.3’ - 39.6’

To get a harness for dog with a perfect fit, you need two measurements: the neck girth and the chest girth. The neck girth is a measurement of the circumference of your dog’s neck. To take the neck measurement, hold the measuring tape right at the nape of the neck and wrap the tape around the dog’s neck, passing right over the top of the dog’s chest and around to meet again at the nape. Which means simply wrapping up measuring tape just below the narrow part where your pet normally wears a collar. If you're having trouble deciding where to measure, feel for it’s shoulders. 

This is a measurement of the dog’s chest—the area from the top of the dog’s shoulder down around the armpits or the space right behind your dog’s front legs. With your dog standing, locate the widest part between the dog’s shoulder blades and wrap the measuring tape around the dog in a way that the tape passes right behind the dog’s forelegs. Now, carefully read and record the measurement. The chest measurement is very important as that’s what the harness is going around. These measurements will help you choose the size of dog harness.

Another parameter in the weight. A dog with a girth of thirty inches may wear a medium or large harness depending upon it’s weight. Similarly, a 50-pound dog may need a medium size while a 75 pound dog may need a large one.

#1. Get the right measuring tape

Use a fabric tape to get a more accurate measurement.

#2. Measure when your dog is standing

Best measurements can be taken while the dog is standing. If possible, get someone to hold and engage with your dog.

#3. Measure against a wall

This will ensure that your dog is still and you will get a much more accurate measurement.

There are a variety of harnesses to choose from. For example, reversible harness, brightly coloured harness, padded harness, front hook harness, step-in strap harness, vest style harness, over-head strap harness and so on.

Following these tips will help you choose the best dog harness for your furry pet so you feel confident while outdoors and enjoy the time together.