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Measuring your dog is an important task in ensuring the correct size for your dogs comfort!
Dog collars are measured by neck circumference.
This measurement is taken from the circumference of the neck where the collar will sit.
- Dog collars should be snug with enough room to fit two fingers between your dogs neck and the collar.
- The collar should not be loose enough to slip over your dogs head.
- Collars should also not be so tight as to restrict breathing or cause coughing.
There are 2 ways in which you can determine the right size collar for your dog.
Option 1: measure your dog's old collar (if it's the right size). To do this lay the dog collar out and use a tape measure from the outer edge of the buckle to the hole used to find the right length.
Option 2: measure your dog's neck. To do this use a tape measure to measure how you wish the dog collar to fit around your dog’s neck i.e. with enough room as not to be tight but not too loose that the head slips through. A rough gauge is to allow two - three fingers to fit easily under the tape whilst measuring. Alternatively measure your dog’s neck, then add a couple of inches.
Note: for Sighthounds such as the Greyhound and some other long necked breeds, the collar is worn much higher, actually at the top of the neck below the head, but in measuring for coats and similar garments, the neck measurement for these dogs is taken lower than the collar, about midway between collar level and withers.
For dogs with short thick necks, such as Pugs, and dogs with a very full coat in the neck/chest area like Pomeranians, determining the neck measurement can be a bit tricky.
For most clothing, and neckwear accessories like bandanas on this type of dog, you may want to use a neck measurement taken a bit lower than collar level (closer to the withers) for a more flattering fit.
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