Measuring Your Dog’s Neck: What Matters
Before purchasing a collar, it’s essential to know your dog’s exact neck size. But what’s the best way to measure it—and how can you be sure the collar will fit just right?
Why the Right Fit Matters
A properly fitted collar isn’t just about comfort—it’s about safety.
- Too tight, and the collar can restrict breathing, cause discomfort, or even injure your dog.
- Too loose, and it may slip off, leaving your dog unprotected if they wander off.
Finding the perfect fit ensures your dog stays safe, secure, and comfortable every day.
How to Measure Your Dog’s Neck
1. Measure where the collar will sit
Every dog’s neck is shaped differently, so always measure at the spot where the collar naturally rests—just below the mid-neck and above the shoulders. This placement ensures the collar fits comfortably without interfering with breathing or movement.
2. Measure while your dog is sitting
A dog’s neck size can change slightly depending on their position. Measuring while seated provides the most accurate result since it’s the natural middle ground between standing and lying down. Standing may cause extra movement, making it harder to measure accurately.
3. Use a soft, flexible measuring tape
A tailor’s measuring tape works best because it easily wraps around the neck. If you don’t have one, use a piece of string and compare it to a ruler—but be extra precise, as it’s trickier to measure a rounded surface this way.
4. Check the fit
The tape should be snug against the skin, but never tight. A good rule of thumb: you should be able to slip two fingers comfortably between your dog’s neck and the collar. For accuracy, measure more than once to confirm your results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Measuring too loosely or too tightly.
- Measuring in the wrong place (it should be just below mid-neck, above the shoulders).
- Guessing instead of measuring, or using stiff tools like a carpenter’s tape or measuring app.