How to measure your dog for a coat

Most coat returns come down to one thing: the wrong size. The good news is that measuring takes about two minutes, and you only need a soft tape measure (or a piece of string and a ruler).

1. Chest: the most important one

Measure around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs. Keep the tape snug but not tight; you should be able to slide two fingers underneath. If your dog falls between two sizes, chest is the measurement to go by.

2. Back length

With your dog standing straight, measure from the base of the neck (where the collar sits) to the base of the tail.

3. Neck

Measure around the neck where the collar normally sits, again with two fingers' room.

A few tips that save a return

• Measure standing, not sitting. A sitting dog gives a shorter back length.
• Fluffy or deep-chested? Measure through the coat, and lean towards the larger size for breeds with broad chests, such as bulldogs or Staffies.
• Between sizes? Pick the larger one if your dog has a thick coat or will wear a jumper underneath.
• Write it down. You'll want the same numbers next time.

Still not sure? Ask us

Send us your dog's chest, back length and weight, plus the breed if you know it, and a real person will recommend a size, usually within one working day. Contact us here.

Ready to choose? Each coat has its own size guide on the product page, including the StormBreaker raincoat and the Alpine Pro padded coat.