If you’re reading this, we know you have made the decision to get a harness for your dog. That’s a great choice.
But before completing your order for a new harness, it’s always a good idea to have the size right. This means you need to take accurate measurements of your dog.
Having details of your dog’s breed and weight is not enough information that can guarantee you the right-fitting harness.
For example, a 45 – pound English Bulldog and a 45 – pound Border Collie have wildly different body shapes.
One is built like an athlete, and the other one is not. They could have the same weight, but totally different harness sizes.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll walk you through exactly how to measure a dog for a harness the right way.
In addition, we’ll give you more information on how to decode those confusing size charts, what to do when you’re between sizes, and how to tell if the fit is actually correct once it’s on.
Why Getting the Right Fit Matters
The temptation to grab any harness that looks right can take hold of you, but you should know of the dangers associated with a wrong-fitting harness.
If a harness is too loose, this makes it easier for your furry friend to get it off in less than two seconds after they wear it.
You must have seen this happen in the dog park, or maybe it has happened to you once or twice.
On the other extreme, a harness that’s too tight can also be dangerous to your dog. A tight harness can restrict your dog’s breathing, dig into the armpits, or cause chafing.
If you’ve ever seen a dog with raw patches under their front legs, then the cause might have been a tight harness that rubbed wrong.
And if your canine friend associates the harness with discomfort, good luck getting them to cooperate at walk time.
Aside from these well-documented dangers, we also have the training aspect that you should never ignore.
A front clip dog harness that doesn’t fit onto your furry friend properly won’t do its job of discouraging pulling. This beats the whole purpose of having a harness in the first place.
When you know how to choose the right size dog harness, you will appreciate the peaceful walks and effective training sessions that follow.
Grab These Supplies First
Before you start measuring your dog for a harness, you need to have the following supplies to make your work accurate.
The number one item you need is a soft measuring tape. We recommend picking the kind that’s used for sewing because it’s flexible.
As an alternative, you can also use a string or ribbon, then lay it against a ruler to get the readings.
We recommend you put aside lots of high-value dog treats during this brief exercise. You’ll want to pick tasty training treats that your dog loves.
Last but not least, we suggest you get a helper, if possible. This should be someone who distracts your dog with the treats during this exercise.
How To Measure A Dog for a Harness
Step 1: Measure the Chest Girth
This step is most important when measuring dog for harness. You’ll want to spend extra time getting this one right.
Your dog needs to be standing squarely on all limbs. Not sitting. Not lying down. Not begging with that cute head tilt. Standing straight is the only way to get an accurate measurement.
Locate the widest part of your dog’s rib cage (chest). In most dogs, this will be roughly 1 – 2 inches behind the front legs. It’s not directly in the armpit area.
Run your hands down either side of your dog’s chest. You’ll feel the ribs flare out the most at their widest point.
Place your measuring tape around their chest at their widest point, and make sure the tape measure is parallel to the ground.
Wrap the tape around snug but not tight. You should be able to fit two fingers between the tape measure and your dog’s body easily. Record that number.
Step 2: Measure the Neck
You won’t need a neck measurement for every harness, but you will for some, particularly those that go over the head.
It doesn’t hurt to have this measurement accurately taken, just in case you need it for your new harness.
Take this measurement around the base of the neck where the collar would normally lie. That is, where the neck meets the shoulders, not near the ears or lower down towards the chest.
As with the chest measurement, wrap your tape measure around comfortably, with enough room to fit two fingers between the tape measure and your dog.
You can simply measure your dog’s collar if it fits well. Write this number down beside your dog’s chest measurement.
Step 3: Double-Check Everything
This is the part that many people want to skip, but end up regretting later for not double-checking the figures.
We strongly recommend you measure both areas again. Remember dog’s wiggle a lot, and the tape can get shifted.
It’s easy to misread a measurement when you have a dog on your hands who would much rather be chewing on your feet.
Remeasure the dog’s chest area again and compare that new number to your original measurement.
If they are the same, you’re good to go. If they are off by more than half an inch, we recommend you measure again. Take whichever number you get twice.
Repeat with the neck measurement. Double-checking the figures will save you the annoyance of having to return a harness that doesn’t fit because you took one measurement.
Remember to reward your furry friend with some tasty treats for their patience and good behavior through this process.
Step 4: Compare your Measurements to a Size Chart
Every harness comes with a sizing chart. Locate it before purchasing. The important information will be in the product details or pictures.
Find the range of measurements for each size. Don’t go by ‘small, medium, large’ tags because they vary by manufacturer.
You’ll want to compare your dog’s chest girth measurement to the range that contains that number.
If your dog measures 19 inches and is under ‘medium’ (17 – 21 inches), then that is the size you would get.
If your dog is between sizes, we recommend you get the larger size. Harnesses usually come with adjustable straps.
Remember, you can always snug up a harness that’s too large, but you can’t stretch a harness that’s too small.
If your puppy is still growing, get the larger size. Ensure it’s not so loose that they can escape from it currently.
Step 5. Buy the Harness and Check the Fit
Buy your harness and wait for it to arrive. When it does, try it on your dog immediately. Don’t wait until it is too late to discover you’ve made a mistake.
Do the two-finger test on each strap. You should be able to feel the harness fitting snugly against their body without any pinching or cutting in.
Observe your dog as they move around the room for a minute. Nothing should move around, twist, or pull up towards their throat.
They should not be able to wiggle back out of it with only a little bit of effort. Also, they should not look stiff or uncomfortable.
Dog Harness Sizing Chart
Reference this chart for general guidelines. Remember to check the brand you are purchasing for their specific sizing chart.
| Size | Chest Girth | Neck | Weight | Example of Breeds |
| XS | 12 – 16 in | 8 – 12 in | Under 10 lbs | Chihuahua, Yorkie, Toy Poodle |
| S | 16 – 20 in | 10 – 14 in | 10 – 25 lbs | Pug, Shih Tzu, Mini Dachshund |
| M | 18 – 25 in | 14 – 18 in | 25 – 50 lbs | Beagle, Corgi, Cocker Spaniel |
| L | 24 – 32 in | 16 – 22 in | 50 – 75 lbs | Labrador, Boxer, Husky |
| XL | 30 – 40 in | 20 – 28 in | 75 – 100 lbs | German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman |
| XXL | 36 – 46 in | 26 – 32 in | 100+ lbs | Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard |
How To Find the Best Harness for Your Dog
Finding the correct size is just one part of the equation. Choosing the right dog harness means selecting a style that fits your dog’s personality, physique, and your walking needs.
1) Different Types Of Dog Harnesses
There are many reasons to choose one style of dog harness over another. Let’s review the popular options that you have:
Back-clip harnesses are the most common. The leash clips to your dog’s back between the shoulder blades. They are put on like a shirt and buckle around the midsection.
They’re great if your dog already knows how to walk on leash without needing any jerk correction. They’re comfortable and keep the leash away from your pup.
A step-in dog harness lies flat on the floor, and your furry friend steps both front paws into the leg holes to put it on.
You lift up the sides and clip them together at the back. Step in harness for small dogs are popular because most small dogs do not like anything fitting over their heads.
Front-clip harnesses clip the leash to the dog’s chest instead of their back. Dogs that pull are turned back towards you instead of continuing to lunge forward.
Front clip dog harnesses are perfect for pulling dogs, lungers and dogs who haven’t learned leash manners yet.
You should especially consider front clip harness for large dogs since they can put a lot of power behind their pull.
Dual-clip harnesses have both a D-ring on the front of the harness as well as on the back. Clip your leash to the front D-ring when training and the back when going for a casual stroll.
Vest harnesses cover more of your dog’s body. They offer additional support and are ideal if you want more pressure distributed around your pup.
These harnesses work well on toy breeds, senior dogs, or dogs with breathing problems. The best harness for small dogs is always lightweight, so you’re not weighing your little guy down.
2) Comfort and Safety Features
Strap width is often overlooked. Narrow straps are fine for small, lightweight dogs but can dig into bigger dogs- particularly pullers. Wide straps will spread out pressure more evenly.
Padding is useful for comfort, especially around the chest and abdomen. Your dog will benefit from padding most if they have a short coat and don’t have fur to soften the straps.
Look for reflective strips or stitching if you walk before dawn, after dark, or anywhere near roads. They won’t bulk up your pup’s gear but will help drivers and cyclists see your dog.
Handles built into the back of the harness allow you to grab hold of your dog. Useful for lifting small dogs over fences, navigating larger dogs through traffic, or quickly gaining control.
How To Put on A Dog Harness Properly
Putting on a dog harness will vary depending on the design. Over-the-head styles go over your pup’s muzzle and rest at the front of the neck, then you fasten the body strap.
Step-in harnesses lie flat on the floor so your pup can step both front paws into the leg holes, then you pull the straps up and connect them at the back.
How to put on a front clip harness will typically involve both. Slip it over your pup’s head first, then secure the body straps with the D-ring positioned in the center of your dog’s chest.
Conclusion
As you have seen from this guide on how to measure a dog for a harness, ensuring you have the correct fit for your pooch is simple.
All you need is five minutes with your measuring tape, a moment to compare your measurements to a size chart, and a fit check when you receive your harness.
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Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.
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