There are many different types of harness available, and different measurements you’ll need for each one. Harnesses used for towing (like the kind used on sled dogs or weight pulls) will require different measurements than a walking harness. If you won’t be bringing your pet to the store to get fitted in person, you may need to bring any or all of the following measurements with you.
- Neck circumference: measure your pet from just ahead of the withers/shoulders at the base of the neck to the top of the breastbone. This measurement doubled is the neck circumference. Be sure to slide the measuring tape underneath the fur — you want to measure the pet, not the fur. Some dogs have very thick ruffs that can make getting a good neck measurement tricky.
- Girth: measure your pet at the deepest part of the chest, just behind the front legs.
- Distance to tail: measure your pet from the top of the breastbone, between the front legs, along the stomach and up to the base of the tail.
- Distance to end of ribs: measure your pet from the top of the breastbone, between the front legs, and along the stomach to the last rib.
- Length of back: measure your pet from the base of the neck (just ahead of the shoulders) to the start of the tail. This measurement is often used in fitting pet clothes as well, and can help you choose between sizes with a range of measurements.
When the harness is on your pet and the straps have been adjusted, you should be able to fit several fingers flat against the skin and fur between the body and the girth strap (the strap that goes around the armpits and chest). As a general rule of thumb, the girth strap should be twice as long as the strap that goes over the withers (the shoulders). The chest strap should be able to slide up and down without chafing your pet’s chest.
Introducing your pet to a harness can be a tricky thing. You don’t want your pet to have negative associations with the harness, or he just won’t want to wear it! Give the pet a chance to examine and sniff the harness while it’s lying on the floor or on a chair. Give him time to get used to the feeling of the harness on the shoulders and across the chest.
Always check the harness for damage (like fraying or chew marks) and fit before using. A harness that is too loose can tangle the pet’s legs or trip him while walking.