Taking care of a dog is certainly not a piece of cake. You need to have a constant watch on how well it is growing and whether its equipment is of the perfect size. And for that purpose, measuring your dog on a regular basis is very important!
Measuring dog height is not like measuring a human being; it has several aspects. So, in this blog, we will tell you how to measure a dog accurately without leaving any space to make mistakes. Let’s begin!
3 Tips for Measuring a Dog
Measuring your dog doesn’t require you to go somewhere. You can always measure them in the comfort of your house if you know the correct process. We have listed down three tips that will make the dog measurement process even easier for you:
1. Get Hold of the Right Tools
The measuring tape is the perfect equipment for understanding your dog’s height. However, if not available, you can go for a string. Keep a notebook and pen to record the measurements.
2. Take Measurements by Making Your Dog Stand
Keeping the dog in a standing position gives you the perfect measurements. If possible, ask someone to hold the dog and distract it while you measure it.
3. Try to Measure Against a Wall
Measuring your dog by positioning it against a wall helps to keep your dog still if you have got no one to assist you.
How to Measure a Dog: 4 Essential Dog Measurements
Dogs require certain accessories such as blankets, collars, and harnesses that need them to be measured accurately from time to time. Their equipment comes in various sizes and shapes; so, make sure you go for the correct one to save yourself from the hassle of returns or exchanges.
The following section will tell you how to have the proper measurements of your dog for each type of gear.
1. Length of the Body / Topline
Measuring the length of the body is very crucial for the proper fitting of every gear. It should be measured in a way that the gear or clothing is not too loose or not too tight. So, let’s look at some of the steps by which you can record the correct measurements:
- Make your dog stand.
- Take a tape measure.
- Place one end of the tape at the base of the dog’s neck and extend it to the base of its tail.
- Record the measurements.
However, for male dogs, you might have to adjust the recordings a bit.
2. Chest Girth
The chest is known to be the largest part of a dog’s body lying just behind the front legs. So, any mistake in the measurement of this part can push you towards choosing the wrong equipment.
- Make your dog stand.
- Wrap the measuring tape around the desired portion.
- For the perfect amount of snugness, use the two-finger rule. Slide your two fingers between the tape and your dog.
- Record the measurements.
3. Height of the Dog
Measuring the height of the dog can be a tricky job. Follow the steps mentioned below to get the precise measurements:
- Even though some people say you can measure while sitting, we insist you make your dog stand.
- Determine the withers on the dog. Wither is known as the highest point of the shoulder blades of a dog.
- Place one end of the measuring tape as the base of one of the front paws and extend it to the wither.
- Record the measurements.
4. Neck Girth
Neck girth is basically the circumference of your dog’s neck. This is generally needed at the time of buying dog collars.
- There is no need for the dog to stand. Wrap the tape around the neck of the dog using the two-finger rule to ensure there is enough space for the dog to breathe.
- Record the measurement.
What are the Reasons for Measuring a Dog?
Having the correct and precise measurements of your fur baby will help you to purchase your dog’s clothing and accessories properly, such as dog blankets or dog collars, that make your dog feel comfortable.
Although you can grab size charts or sizing guides during your purchase, you will always get a better fit if you measure your dog with yourself. Here are some of the reasons why measuring your dog is important:
1. Helps Get the Correct Size for Carriers and Cages
Carriers and cages come in handy when opting for a flight or other travel options with your pet. For this reason, you must have a precise body length measurement so that you get the perfect cage for your fur baby that makes it feel comfortable during the whole journey.
2. Ensures Proper Fit of the Dog Collar
Dog collars are generally worn by dogs for most of the time or for long stretches such as while going out for a long walk. So, you need to make sure the dog collar is not causing irritation or pain to your pup.
3. Helps Find the Correct Size for Blankets and Clothes
Dog blankets and clothes need to have the perfect measurements as short blankets won’t serve the purpose of covering the dog and short clothes will cause great discomfort to your loved babies.
If you are looking for some customized blankets for your dog, click here.
4. Ensures the Correct Fit for Dog Harness
Harnesses should fit snugly on your dog’s body and must not cause chafing. Perfect dog measurements help you to choose the best harness for your dog that fits securely without being too tight.
How Does a Dog's Height Affect its Abilities and Behaviors?
It might come as a shock to you but according to research, it has been found that the height of dogs greatly affects their personality and behavior. Dogs having a shorter height are found to be more aggressive than taller dogs. Taller dogs, on the other hand, are found to be much more loving and compassionate towards their fellow mates and pet parents.
Takeaway
Grown-up dogs don’t change much with time but when a pup is growing into an adult dog, several changes are seen physically. Therefore, you might need to re-measure your dog every two-three weeks to make sure everything your dog owns is of perfect size which makes it feel comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I measure the height of a small or toy-breed dog in the same way?
Yes, you can measure your small or toy-breed dog in the same way as we have explained in the earlier parts of our post. Correct measurement ensures proper fitting of dog equipment that doesn’t cause irritation or other issues.
Can I measure my dog’s height by myself, or do I need assistance?
It entirely depends upon the understanding between you and your dog along with the size of your dog. If your dog complies with whatever you say, there is no need for assistance.
However, in some cases, you might need a bit of assistance to hold the measuring tape in proper places.
Should I measure my dog’s height in inches or centimeters?
You can measure your dog’s height either in inches or centimeters, whichever you find comfortable. But you might need to convert the units when going shopping, according to the units mentioned in the product details.
Reference Links:
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/canine-corner/201603/dogs-size-and-head-shape-predicts-its-behavior
- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-measure-a-dog
- https://shop.akc.org/pages/the-ultimate-dog-apparel-measuring-guide
- https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Dog-Height#:~:text=The%20height%20measurement%20on%20a,an%20accurate%20measurement%20every%20time
