The most common reason for returns of dog clothing is not the colour and not the quality. It's the size. Yet measuring correctly takes just two minutes. Here's how.
You need two measurements
1. Back length. From the base of the neck (where the collar sits) to the base of the tail. Your dog stands as well as possible. This is the most important measurement, and the one nearly all size charts are sorted by.
2. Chest girth. Measure once around the broadest point behind the front legs. For long-haired dogs, press the coat down lightly. You should be able to fit two fingers under the tape measure.
The three rules
- Between two sizes? Go for the larger one. Too tight chafes and your dog will refuse to wear it, while slightly too loose rarely causes problems.
- Chest girth beats back length. If only one of the two measurements fits the chart, go by the chest. A coat can be shorter, but it should never constrict.
- Special case: dachshunds and similar breeds. Long dogs with short legs don't need a “bigger size”, they need a different cut. That's why we list dachshund models separately: a normal coat in “long” just slips.
An honest note
For most coats and jackets, the size chart in centimetres is shown right on the product, as given by the manufacturer. If it still doesn't fit: just get in touch, you'll get a reply from a real person, no ticket number, and we'll exchange it without any fuss.
And then: view jackets and coats, hold your measurements up against the chart, done. For rainy weather in particular, it's also worth taking a look at our rain coat guide.