You have found a harness you like, but there is no soft tape measure in the house. A ruler and a non-stretch ribbon can be enough to take the measurements you need.
The key is to follow the measuring diagram for the harness you plan to buy.
Get a flexible marker and a ruler
You can use a ribbon or a piece of string that does not stretch. Avoid elastic cords: they can change the measurement when pulled tight.
Keep an eye on your dog the whole time and put the materials away afterwards.
Take the measurements one by one
With your dog standing and calm:
- Place the ribbon where the manufacturer’s guide shows.
- Go all the way round without pulling so tight that you squeeze the body.
- Mark the point where the ribbon meets.
- Take it off, lay it flat and measure the length up to the mark.
- Write down the result and do it again to check.
This method, using string or ribbon then measured against a ruler, is described by the American Kennel Club among others.
Source: AKC measuring guide
Which measurements do you need?
It depends on the harness. Some guides ask for the chest girth and the neck; others add a length or another reference point.
Don’t replace a measurement with one taken from old equipment. A harness that has been worn may have been adjusted differently, and the length of a strap does not necessarily match the body measurement required.
Three easy mistakes to avoid
Measuring your dog sitting down. Their position can change the measurement. Wait until they are standing.
Adding several margins. If the instructions describe a particular method, follow it without then adding a few centimetres “to be safe”.
Choosing by breed alone. Two dogs of the same breed can have different proportions.
If the measurement falls at the edge of a size, don’t round it to make your dog fit the chart. Measure again, then check the advice for that model.
A reliable measurement is more useful than a quick choice between S and M.
Read also
- Neck and chest match two different harness sizes: how to choose?: if the measurements fall between two sizes.
- How to put a harness on your dog: step-by-step method: once the size is chosen, to put it on and fit it.
- Puppy harness: from what age and how to get them used to it?: to measure and equip a growing puppy.