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 guide and a ruler
You can use a ribbon or a piece of string that does not stretch. Avoid elastic cords: they may change the measurement when pulled tight.
Keep an eye on your dog throughout and put the materials away afterwards.
Take the measurements one at a time
With your dog standing and calm:
- Place the ribbon where the manufacturer’s guide indicates.
- Go round without pulling so tight that you squeeze the body.
- Mark the point where the ribbon meets.
- Remove it, lay it flat and measure the length up to the mark.
- Write down the result and do it again to check.
This method, with a string or ribbon transferred to a ruler, is described in particular by the American Kennel Club.
Source: AKC measuring guide
Which measurements should you take?
It depends on the harness. Some guides ask for the chest and neck girth; others add a length or another reference point.
Do not replace a measurement with one from old equipment. A harness that has been worn may have been adjusted differently, and the size 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 “just in case”.
Choosing by breed alone. Two dogs of the same breed can have different proportions.
If the measurement falls at the limit of a size, do not round it to make your dog fit the chart. Take it again, then check the model’s recommendations.
A reliable measurement is more useful than a quick choice between S and M.
Read next
- Neck and chest fall into two different harness sizes: how to choose?: if the measurements fall between two sizes.