Stop Pulling · Guide
How do I measure my dog for a harness?
The short answer
Measure the chest just behind the front legs and the neck where a collar sits, two fingers under the tape, then match both to one size row.
Weight and breed are poor guides to harness size, because two dogs of the same weight can have very different chests. Two tape measurements are all it takes.
The two measurements
Chest girth: wrap a soft tape around the ribcage just behind the front legs, at the widest point. Neck: measure where a collar naturally sits. Keep two fingers flat under the tape so the number is snug, not tight.
No soft tape? Use a piece of string, mark it, and measure the string against a ruler.
Reading a size chart
Both numbers should land in the same row. When they point to different rows, the usual rule, and the one printed on our product pages, is to take the larger size and adjust the straps down.
Puppies grow fast. Buy for today's measurements with room in the straps, and check the fit every couple of weeks.
Questions people actually ask
Straight answers
How tight should a harness be?
Two fingers should slide flat under every strap. Tighter can rub; looser lets a dog reverse out of it.
Can I size by weight instead?
Only as a rough first guess. Charts built on weight miss deep-chested and barrel-chested dogs. The chest measurement is what the harness has to fit.
Updated 2026-09-26. General information about pet gear, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
