How to measure a dog for a coat or hoodies

 

 Are you thinking of styling your pup for the winter? 

                                              trasferring articles

Great idea! 

Dog coats or jackets are not only functional, keeping your beloved companion nice and warm during winter months or cooler evenings, but they also serve as a profound fashion statement for many dog lovers.

However, in the same way as humans get annoyed with an article of clothing that just doesn’t seem to fit right, a dog coat that doesn’t sit well will annoy and irritate more than comfort and keep warm.

So, begin with getting your dog’s key measurements right before you make a purchase. 

Here are a few measurements you’ll need to take on your dog if you can get them to stand still long enough!

Length 

The length of your dog is measured from your dog’s neck, beginning just behind the collar, down the middle of its back and to the base of its tail.

Take this measurement when your dog stands upright instead of sitting with a haunched back or lying in an awkward or twisted position. 

This will help you get an accurate measurement.

Girth 

Your dog's girth is measured around his chest and behind his front legs.

Don’t measure around his abdomen, as this measurement will change with his eating and breathing, resulting in a dog coat that doesn’t fit right.

Instead, measure his circumference at the widest part of his chest.

Neck size

The neck measurement is taken around the base of his or her neck, where a collar would naturally sit.

Some dogs have excess skin around their necks or thick coats. Take this into consideration when taking your dog's measurements.

Use the right tools

Try to use a soft measuring tape that will conform to your dog's body. 

Any tape measure will do, as long as it’s marked in the same measuring unit (imperial vs. metric) as the size guide of the jacket or coat you intend on purchasing.

Once you have the measurements jotted down, consider the size guide of the retailer you’re interested in purchasing from.

How should a dog coat or jacket fit?

Dogs are active animals.

And that’s true for indoor and outdoor dog breeds. They are naturally inclined to run, jump, roll, chase and play. 

So make sure that your dog’s coat fits him/her perfectly and won’t obstruct or construe their movement in any way.

When in doubt, opt for a dog coat slightly larger than what you’d ideally want it to be, especially around your dog’s chest. This is for safety reasons, as anything too tight fitting could cause them a great deal of anxiety and potentially hinder their breathing.

Fitment around a dog's chest

A common misconception is that you can order a dog’s jacket based on its weight and breed.

It’s not that simple. 

Some dogs are heavier than others within their size range, and that would cause a jacket or coat to be oversized.

A dog jacket should fit snugly but not tight around his chest, leaving room for breathing and movement.

Fitment around a dog’s neck

As with the girth measurement, leaving enough room for the animal to move around is essential.

So always add about two fingers' width to the total number to allow for breathability. But no more than that, or the garment will fit too loosely around your dog.

Another consideration is whether or not your dog will wear a collar with the jacket or coat. If you don’t account for it, your dog could feel suffocated and irritated with its jacket.

Top tip for the perfect fit:

Growing dogs will be in between sizes more often than not. So if you’re unsure what size dog coat will fit the longest, try to get one with an adjustable drawstring around their waste line or chest.

This will help you get the perfect dog coat to fit your pup until he or she’s fully grown.

Why dress your dog in a coat or jacket

Other than being a real head-turner amongst animal lovers, a winter jacket or coat often has a real purpose.

Smaller, short-haired breeds often struggle with body heat retention. This is especially true if you live in cooler climates when nighttime temperatures dip to near freezing conditions.

A winter coat that fits right will help your furry friend retain his body heat and keep it nice and toasty on those cooler evenings.

Dog coats are also super helpful when out and about in the rainy season. When going on a long hike with patches of rain, a waterproof rain jacket for your dog will help him keep dry and happy.