How to Measure Your Dog for the Best Fit

Here are my top tips to help you measure your dog and choose the right size with confidence.

🐾 1. Start with the Right Posture

Always measure your dog while they are standing up straight.
It might sound obvious, but a sitting or lying dog will give you inaccurate back length measurements. A standing posture ensures everything is aligned and you get the truest fit.

📏 2. Measuring the Back

You’ll often see instructions to “measure from the base of the neck.”
But where is that exactly?
After a few trials, I found that the best starting point—especially for whippets—is the top of their shoulder blades (those little sharp bones at the base of the neck). From there, measure all the way to the start of the tail.

✳️ Pro tip: It’s better to have a couple of extra centimeters than to end up with clothing that’s too tight or too short!

💨 3. Chest Girth – The Most Important One!

This measurement should be taken at the widest part of the chest, which is usually just behind the front legs, around the armpit area.

This is the key measurement that determines whether a garment will fit.
If the chest fits—even if the back is slightly longer—the clothing will still be comfortable.

🐶 4. Neck Girth

Measure around the widest part of the neck, not up near the head.
This is where the collar or garment neckline will sit, so it needs to be snug but not tight.

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🤷 What If My Dog Doesn’t Match One Size Exactly?

Totally normal!

Here’s something I didn’t understand at first:
Size charts usually reflect clothing measurements—not dog measurements.

So if your dog’s chest measures 55 cm, and a size chart says “Chest 55 cm,” that garment will be too tight. That’s why it’s best to choose a size where your dog’s measurements are slightly smaller than the clothing’s.

✔️ Chest fit is most important.
If your dog’s chest fits in one size but the back is a bit short, you can size up one size for more coverage.
❌ Avoid sizing up more than one size—it might look baggy or cause discomfort.
❌ Never size down—even a stretchy band won’t save a garment that’s too tight.

📷 Need a Visual? Let’s Talk Pandora!

Here are Pandora’s measurements:

• Back length: 49 cm

• Chest girth: 55 cm

• Neck girth: 29 cm

On paper, she matches the W1 size—but in reality, W1 is too tight.
She fits best in:

• W2 for a snug, clean fit

• W3 for a slightly looser, more relaxed look

I’ve included some photos of her in different sizes to help you visualize the fit (scroll below 👇).

✅ Final Tips

• Always measure your dog standing up

• Chest fit is key—if that’s right, the rest will follow

• It’s okay to size up one size for more back coverage

• Don’t stress if the size chart doesn’t match perfectly—clothing is more flexible than math!

• Koro Dog Wear items are handmade, which means actual garment measurements may vary by 1–2 cm. Please take this into account when choosing a size—especially if your dog is between sizes.