Ill-fitting harnesses can lead to discomfort, chafing, or even injury to your canine companion. That said, ensuring your dog’s comfort and safety should be a priority; hence, learning how to measure a dog for a harness correctly is essential.
Pet parents often face the challenge of selecting the right harness size for their dogs. This is particularly even more daunting due to the wide array of dog harnesses available, each with varying styles and measurements.
Going about your dog’s proportions and choosing the best harness that matches their body is nothing short of daunting. Fortunately, this guide makes measuring your dog for a harness simpler and easier. Read on to get the answers you need.
How to Measure a Dog’s Girth for a Harness
Knowing how to measure a dog’s chest for a harness starts by taking your dog’s girth. This, which refers to your dog’s chest circumference behind the front legs, is one of the most crucial measurements to get accurately. This is to ensure a properly fitting harness.
As you know, a harness that’s too tight can be uncomfortable and may even restrict movements. On the other hand, a loose harness may not provide you with adequate control and may distribute pressure unevenly.
Avoid subjecting your dog to a negative harness experience. Below are the steps you can follow to measure your dog’s girth accurately:
- Measure your dog standing up: Measuring your dog’s chest girth is easier if they stand up comfortably.
- Use a measuring tape: Place the measuring tape around your dog’s widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs.
- Check the fit: The tape must be snug but not too tight—you must be able to insert two or three fingers between the straps and the dog’s body.
- Take note of the measurement: After determining the measurement in inches or centimeters, use the figures to determine the appropriate harness size according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How to Measure a Dog’s Neck
Dog necks vary according to their breed. Some are genetically predisposed to having thicker or longer necks, which may necessitate you to go for a smaller or larger harness size. For example, a Greyhound may have a slender, longer neck, while the Rottweiler’s neck measurements are significantly bulkier.
You can account for these variations by following the steps on how to measure a dog’s neck below:
- Select the right tool: Use a flexible tape measure for your dog. If you don’t have it, a string or ribbon and a ruler will work.
- Find the right spot: Make your furry friend stand up comfortably and place the tape 2 to 3 inches lower than where the collar usually sits.
- Check for comfort: Make sure the tape is snug but not too tight. You must still be able to fit your two or three fingers under the measuring tape.
- Mark and record the measurement: If you used a string or a ribbon, measure it with a ruler or simply read the measurement directly from the tape measure.
- Puppy considerations: If you are measuring a puppy for a harness, especially from a dog breed that grows significantly fast, it’s essential to regularly check the fit of their harness, since an improperly fitting one can lead to discomfort or injury.
Note: Dog breeds with thick fur, like Chow Chows or Border Collies, may appear to have thicker necks due to their coat. You have to press down gently through their fur to the skin when measuring to get an accurate figure.
To help you further, here’s visual demonstration on how to measure a dog for a harness, particularly when determining their chest and neck proportions:
How to Measure a Dog’s Length
Knowing how to measure a dog’s length for a harness may be crucial, especially if your pet has a longer build and you want the harness to have extended support for their body. That or when the harness is intended for specific purposes like mobility support.
You can ensure a proper harness fit with the dog’s length being considered by following the steps listed below:
- Make your dog stand: Encourage your dog to stand on a level surface in a natural stance while calm and relaxed.
- Start measuring: Using a measuring tape, measure beginning at the base of the dog’s neck, where the neck meets the back, down to the lower rib cage or the base of the tail if it’s for a full-body mobility harness.
- Record the measurement: Note down the measurement of your dog’s length and compare this with the dog harness sizing guidelines provided by the manufacturer since sizes differ.
How to Measure Your Dog for a Head Collar
There’s also a head collar, a specialized type of dog collar primarily designed for behavioral modification in dogs. This is used to guide and manage the dog’s direction. Due to this device controlling solely the dog’s head, using this requires the help of a professional dog trainer to prevent accidental injuries.
If this is deemed an essential tool in teaching your dog leash manners, here are the steps on how to measure a dog for this harness:
- Measure your dog’s neck: Wrap the tape around the upper neck of the dog where the head and neck meet.
- Measure the snout: You should also measure the circumference of your dog’s snout, starting about ½ inch below their eyes right before the edge of the lips. Ensure the tape is not too tight so your dog can still pant or open their mouth.
- Record the dog’s measurements: Take note of each measurement as you go, and check them against the product sizing chart.
Tips on How to Keep Your Dog Still While You’re Measuring
Now that you know how to measure a dog for a harness, another common hurdle you might face is your dog becoming distracted or not staying still. Keeping your dog from moving around is important so you can determine accurate measurements and ultimately ensure the harness fits perfectly and comfortably.
Here are some tips you can follow to keep your dog stationary while you measure them for a harness:
1. Exercise first: Before measuring, Take your dog for a walk or play session. This will help them burn pent-up or excess energy, making them more likely to stay still.
2. Choose the right time: Measure your dog only when they are relaxed. It may be hard to coax them to stay still if they’re in their hyper state.
3. Get an assistant: If possible, have a friend or family member help you by holding the dog to keep them from being distracted while you measure them for a harness.
4. Use treats: Positive reinforcement will help your dog focus on your commands. Holding a treat near your dog’s nose to direct their attention toward you and reward them after completing each measurement to reinforce positive behavior will make the process easier.
5. Practice handling: Get your dog used to sensation by regularly touching and handling them calmly. This can make them more comfortable with being handled and less likely to move during harness measuring.
6. Keep sessions short: As much as possible, keep measurement-taking short and quick. Prolonging the session may cause your dog to feel restless.
7. Familiar environment: When measuring a dog for a harness, do so in a familiar and comfortable environment to minimize anxiety and distraction.
Ways to Know if the Harness Fits Properly
Harnesses, while great tools in controlling and keeping your dog safe, can cause harm to dogs if they’re not fitted properly. Should they come in the wrong size, harnesses can affect the natural posture and gait and even restrict movements.
If this happens, your dog’s comfort, security, and safety are compromised. Avoid this by learning the ways on how to ensure the dog’s harness complements their proportions:
- Check the strap placement: Ensure the harness lies flat against your dog’s body without rubbing or pinching.
- Two-finger rule: You can tell if the harness properly fits if you can fit two fingers comfortably under all the harness straps. This is crucial to prevent discomfort and chafing.
- No escape: A well-fitting dog harness should stay in place and not allow your dog to wiggle their way out easily if you pull on it using a leash.
- Even distribution: The dog harness should be correctly placed in the right areas, distributing pressure evenly across the chest and shoulders, not around the neck.
- Check for chafing: The harness may not properly fit if you take your dog out for a walk or run and the dog’s skin under the straps shows signs of rubbing or chafing.
- Movement freedom: Your dog should be able to move freely. At the same time, they walk, run, or play without the harness shifting excessively or restricting their natural movements.
- Breathing and barking: Check if your dog can breathe freely and bark without the harness causing undesirable constriction around their throat or chest.
- Visual inspection: Always inspect the dog harness for any sign of wear and tear. Frayed straps or broken buckles should indicate the harness needs a replacement since a damaged one can affect its fit and function.
Dog Harness Size Chart by Breed
Sizes vary between different harness styles and brands. Hence, referring to the manufacturer’s sizing guides is vital to selecting one that fits your dog properly.
However, having a general idea of what harness size might suit your canine based on breed and the dog’s weight on average can also be a helpful starting point.
Below is a harness size chart for dogs, serving as your preliminary guide in choosing whether your dog needs a small, medium, large, extra-large, or XXL harness.
| Breed | Average Weight Range (lbs) | Suggested Harness Size |
| Chihuahua | 2 – 6 | XS |
| Pomeranian | 3 – 7 | XS |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 – 7 | XS |
| Dachshund | 16 – 32 | S |
| Shih Tzu | 9 – 16 | S |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 – 20 | S |
| Cocker Spaniel | 20 – 30 | M |
| Beagle | 18 – 30 | M |
| Border Collie | 30 – 45 | M |
| Bulldog | 40 – 50 | M – L |
| Boxer | 65 – 80 | L |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 – 80 | L |
| Golden Retriever | 55 – 75 | L |
| German Shepherd | 50 – 90 | L – XL |
| Siberian Husky | 35 – 60 | L |
| Rottweiler | 85 – 130 | XL |
| Great Dane | 110 – 175 | XL |
| Mastiff | 120 – 230 | XL – XXL |
| Saint Bernard | 120 – 180 | XXL |
Common Problems Regarding Harness Fitting
Several common issues can arise with different harnesses, affecting their functionality or your dog’s willingness to wear them, regardless of whether you have purchased the right size.
Below are some of the usual issues you have to be aware of:
It’s Stiff
A stiff harness can restrict your dog’s movement as its inflexible materials do not conform to your dog’s body. This may lead to uncomfortable walks or behavioral issues when it’s time to put the harness on. To resolve this, opt for a harness made from flexible materials like nylon and mesh.
There’s Too Much Padding
Despite purchasing the correct dog harness size, canines, particularly small dogs, may drown or appear too bulky if it has too much padding. This can cause weight and pressure on the body, which may cause discomfort and strain.
Excessive padding can also trap heat,, especially during a hot day, potentially leading to overheating, especially for brachycephalic dogs or those with respiratory issues. That said, consider choosing a harness with breathable, moderate padding to avoid unnecessary bulk and heat accumulation.
It’s Not Waterproof
If a harness isn’t waterproof, it can easily absorb moisture, which may cause it to become heavy for your dog. If the wet harness stays on your dog for a long period, it may lead to chafing, which may make you initially think it’s due to the wrong harness size.
However, the reality is that the harness is not water-resistant and it puts your dog at high risk of developing skin infections and rashes. You can remedy this by looking for a waterproof, quick-drying harness so your active dog can enjoy water activities without health consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Tool Would You Use to Measure Your Dog?
The tool you can use to measure your dog is a soft tape measure. This standard equipment measures various parts, such as the dog’s neck, girth, and length.
If a measuring tape is unavailable, you can have simpler alternatives, like a string or ribbon. You can measure them against a ruler or a yardstick after using them to measure the contours of your dog’s body.
How Do You Tell If a Harness Is Too Big for a Dog?
You can tell that a harness is too big for a dog if it shifts or rotates around the dog’s body during movement. You may also notice excessive slack in the straps even though you’ve adjusted them to their tightest setting.
Also, if you can pull the harness off over their head without unfastening the buckles, it may indicate the harness is too loose. Another sign is if the dog can easily slip a leg out or wriggle out of the straps.
What Kind of Harness Is Best for a Dog?
The harness style that’s best for a dog largely depends on their behavior and needs. You have the Halti harness, which is ideal for leash training dogs and teaching them to stop pulling. You also have the Y-shaped harness, which is beneficial for dogs that need freedom of movement. This is practically suitable for all-day wear and active dogs.
Another popular harness type is the step-in harness, which is ideal for dogs not used to wearing the harness over their head. The step-in harness is convenient as it only makes your dog step into the harness loops and buckle the gear on the dog’s back. Like other harnesses, it has a leash attachment point, making it a go-to type if you’re seeking functionality and convenience.
Final Word
For dog owners, knowing how to measure a dog for a harness is vital for your pets’ overall comfort, safety, and control effectiveness during walks or activities. Carefully measuring your dog’s proportions and considering their specific needs based on their behavior and physical characteristics will help you select the most appropriate harness type.
Once you put the harness on your dog, verify that it does not restrict movement, cause discomfort, or allow it to escape.
Additionally, you should be mindful of common fitting issues such as stiffness, excessive padding, or inappropriate materials, which can impact your dog’s overall well-being.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding how to measure a dog for a harness starts by measuring their girth, neck, and length.
- Opt for a dog harness with adjustable straps to fine-tune the fit as your puppy grows or changes in size.
- Ensure the harness you choose for your dog allows freedom of movement and does not chafe or pinch their skin.
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