Dog clothes size chart: how to measure your dog and choose a size
Updated October 5, 2026
Measure your dog standing, with a soft tape: chest girth around the widest part of the ribs just behind the front legs, neck girth where the collar sits, and back length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Choose the size by chest girth and use weight only as a cross-check. If the chest falls between two sizes, take the larger one and check the back length.
How to measure your dog
Use a soft sewing tape, or a string laid along a ruler. Measure while your dog stands square with the head up. A sitting dog bends its spine, so the back length comes out short. Keep the tape flat, leave room for two fingers under it at the chest and neck, and note the date.
| Measurement | Where the tape goes | What it sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Chest girth | Widest part of the rib cage, just behind the front legs | Tops, coats, onesies, costumes, harnesses |
| Neck girth | Base of the neck, where a collar rests | Harnesses, collars, necklines |
| Back length | Along the spine, from the base of the neck to the base of the tail | Tops, coats, raincoats, onesies |
Choose by chest girth, not weight
When a chart's chest and weight ranges point to different sizes, follow the chest. The AKC's measuring guide calls chest girth the most important measurement for clothes and harnesses. Weight says nothing about shape, so a deep-chested dog and a slim one of the same weight can need different sizes. If the chest says L and the weight says XS, measure again.
Why S at one shop is M at another
Letter sizes have no common standard, and one brand can size a sweater and a raincoat differently. This table shows, for each letter, the narrowest and the widest chest and weight range it covers across the brands in the Pawlooks catalog.
| Size | Chest from | Chest to | Weight from | Weight to | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 28–30 cm (11–12 in) | 34–36 cm (13–14 in) | 1–1.5 kg (2.2–3.3 lb) | 2.5–3 kg (5.5–6.6 lb) | 137 |
| S | 34–40 cm (13–16 in) | 41–55 cm (16–22 in) | 2–5 kg (4.4–11 lb) | 5–12 kg (11–26 lb) | 152 |
| M | 42–55 cm (17–22 in) | 48–70 cm (19–28 in) | 5–12 kg (11–26 lb) | 8–23 kg (18–51 lb) | 152 |
| L | 49–70 cm (19–28 in) | 56–85 cm (22–33 in) | 8–23 kg (18–51 lb) | 12–35 kg (26–77 lb) | 152 |
| XL | 57–85 cm (22–33 in) | 66–105 cm (26–41 in) | 12–35 kg (26–77 lb) | 18–50 kg (40–110 lb) | 112 |
Where the ranges overlap, one dog can be an S at one shop and an M at the next. Order by the measurements on the listing, not by the letter you bought last time.
Which size most products list for each weight
Before you measure, use this table for a first guess. It shows, for each weight, the size most products in each category list and how many of them agree. A cell with no size means many products make nothing for that weight. Confirm the guess with the chest girth.
| Weight | Tops52 products | Harnesses22 products | Raincoats29 products | Costumes49 products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kg (4.4 lb) | XS · 100% | XS · 64%32% have no size | XS · 97%3% have no size | XS · 88%2% have no size |
| 4 kg (8.8 lb) | S · 100% | S · 68%32% have no size | S · 100% | S · 100% |
| 7 kg (15 lb) | S · 79% | S · 100% | S · 100% | S · 82% |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | M · 79% | M · 68% | M · 100% | M · 82% |
| 15 kg (33 lb) | L · 79% | M · 100% | L · 100% | L · 71% |
| 25 kg (55 lb) | L · 79%21% have no size | L · 100% | L · 100% | L · 82%18% have no size |
| 35 kg (77 lb) | XL · 77%23% have no size | L · 68% | XL · 52%48% have no size | XL · 47%53% have no size |
If your dog is between two sizes
The AKC advises taking the larger size when in doubt, since a slightly loose fit is more comfortable than a tight one. The table shows what to measure per item and which size to pick.
| Item | Measure | Between two sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Top or sweater | Chest, back length | Larger, if the back still ends before the tail |
| Onesie with four legs | Chest, back length | Larger, so the legs do not pull |
| Harness | Chest, neck | The size that puts your dog's chest mid-range |
| Raincoat | Back length, chest | Larger, so it reaches the tail |
| Costume | Chest | Larger, but nothing that drags |
| Boots | Paw width: press a front paw onto paper, trace it, measure the widest part | Trace again instead of sizing up |
| Hat or bow tie | Usually one size | Check the strap length |
Tops for male dogs need a shorter belly panel so the fabric stays dry when they pee. See the dog raincoat guide for wet walks and the winter coat guide for cold ones.
Fluffy coats and grooming
On a thick coat, press the tape through the hair to the body before you add the two-finger allowance, or you measure the coat instead of the dog. A short clip, a seasonal shed of the undercoat or a grown-out coat can change the size, so measure again after grooming.
Puppies that are still growing
According to the AKC, small breeds usually stop growing at 6 to 8 months and giant breeds at 12 to 18 months, and young dogs keep adding muscle after that. Until then, measure every few weeks and buy one size at a time.
Check the shop's own chart
Each product has its own chart, even within one brand, so compare your numbers with the listing before you order. If it lists only weights, ask the seller for the chest range. On Pawlooks, every pick lists the size its own chart gives your dog and the chest girth it fits, and a weight entry makes the match closer. It is a guide, not a guarantee.
Picks from the Pawlooks catalog
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IllustrationPrices and sizes change. Check the listing before you order.
Size guides by breed
Shape and coat change the fit as much as weight. Each breed guide covers the standard weight and the body and coat details that matter.
- Poodle, three varieties
- Pomeranian, thick double coat
- Maltese, long silky coat
- Bichon frise, curly coat
- Chihuahua, sometimes below the smallest size
- French bulldog, wide chest
- Dachshund, long back
- Golden retriever, deep chest
- Corgi, long body on short legs
- Shiba Inu, dense double coat
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy dog clothes by weight or by chest size?
By chest girth. Weight is a good cross-check, but two dogs that weigh the same can have very different chests, and the chest decides whether a top or harness closes comfortably.
How tight should dog clothes be?
You should be able to slide two fingers flat under the fabric at the chest and the neck. Your dog should walk, sit and lie down without the seams pulling or the garment twisting.
Can I measure my dog without a tape measure?
Yes. Use a string, ribbon or shoelace where the tape would go, pinch it where the ends meet, and measure that length on a ruler.
How often should I measure my dog?
Measure a puppy every few weeks until it is fully grown. Measure an adult dog before each season, after a big haircut and after any change in weight.