Getting the size right is the difference between a harness or coat your dog actually wears and one that lives in a drawer. The good news: you only need a soft tape measure and about two minutes. Here is how to measure, and how to read the size guides on our product pages.
The three measurements that matter
Most dog wear is sized on these, so take them before you shop:
- Chest girth: the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs. This is the single most important number for harnesses and coats.
- Neck: around the base of the neck, where a collar naturally sits.
- Back length: from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. This sets how much of your dog a coat actually covers.
Keep the tape snug but not tight: you should be able to slip two fingers underneath. Measure your dog standing, not sitting.
Harnesses
Our No-Pull Dog Harness runs from S to XL and adjusts at the neck and chest, so chest girth is your guide. If your dog lands between sizes, size up and tighten the straps. Deep-chested breeds like greyhounds and staffies should trust the chest number over weight.
Raincoats
The Reflective Dog Raincoat covers S to 5XL and has a full neck, chest and back-length chart on its product page. Match all three to your measurements. When back length and chest disagree, prioritise back length for coverage and check the chest still fits, because a coat that stops short of the tail leaves the part that gets wettest exposed.
Padded jackets
Our All-Weather Dog Jacket also runs S to 5XL, but it sits closer to the body than the raincoat, so it comes up small. If you are on the line between two sizes, or your dog has a deep chest or a thick coat, size up. Too snug here means less warmth and more wriggling out.
Still unsure?
When a measurement lands right on a size break, go up rather than down. You can tighten almost everything; you cannot add length. Browse the full range in dog supplies, or see our shortlist of tested favourites in The Edit.
Frequently asked questions
Should I size by weight or by measurement? Measurement wins every time. Weight is a rough starting point, but two dogs at the same weight can have very different chests.
My dog is between two sizes. What now? Size up. Straps and adjusters take in the slack, and a little room is far more comfortable than a tight fit.
How do I stop a harness rubbing? Check the chest strap sits behind the front legs rather than in the armpit, and that you can fit two fingers under any strap. Padding at the contact points helps too.
Can cats wear these? The harness and coats are cut for dogs. For cats, look at the Breathable Summer Pet Vest and the rest of our cat range.