Buying a dog coat online is easy until you reach the size chart and realise you have no idea how long your dog is. This guide shows you how to measure your dog for a coat in cm and inches, using things you already have at home, and helps you decide whether your dog really needs one for a British winter in the first place.
It takes about five minutes, works best with a helper and a handful of treats, and saves the hassle of sending back a coat that gapes at the chest or stops halfway along the back.
Does my dog actually need a coat?
Plenty of dogs are perfectly happy without one. A Labrador, Collie or Husky has a thick double coat built for cold, wet weather. Others feel the chill quickly, and our winters, which are more damp and windy than truly freezing, can be hard on them. A dog that gets soaked in drizzle and then stands about in a cold wind loses heat faster than one out on a dry, frosty morning. Cold, wet walks are hard on feet too, so it's worth reading our guide to winter paw care as well.
Dogs that are more likely to benefit
- Short or thin-coated breeds such as Whippets, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Staffies and Boxers
- Small and toy dogs, including Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers and Yorkies, who sit close to cold, wet ground
- Puppies, who are still getting the hang of keeping warm
- Older dogs, and dogs who are slim or have little body fat
- Freshly clipped dogs, such as a Cockapoo or Bichon who has just had a short winter trim
Signs your dog is feeling the cold
- Shivering or trembling once you are outside
- Walking hunched, with the tail tucked in
- Lifting paws off the ground or trying to head for home early
- Digging in their heels at the front door on wet, grey mornings
If your dog shivers often indoors, or seems to feel the cold far more than they used to, please speak to your vet, as it can be worth ruling out anything else.
What you need before you start
- A soft fabric tape measure, the bendy kind from a sewing kit
- No tape? Use a piece of string, ribbon or a phone charging cable, mark it with your fingers, then lay it flat against a ruler or a metal DIY tape
- A pen and paper, or the notes app on your phone
- A few small treats to keep your dog standing still
Stand your dog on a flat floor with all four feet square underneath them, head up and looking forward. If your dog sits or curls their back, the numbers will come out wrong, so have your helper hold a treat just above nose height.
How to measure your dog for a coat: the three numbers
1. Back length
Find the point where the neck meets the shoulders, roughly where a collar would rest. Run the tape along the spine to the spot where the tail starts. Keep it straight along the top of the back rather than letting it drop down the sides. This is the number most size charts treat as the main one.
2. Chest (girth)
Wrap the tape around the deepest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs. Pull it snug but not tight. You should be able to slip two fingers flat underneath. Deep-chested breeds like Whippets and Greyhounds usually have a large chest number compared to their back length, so do not skip this one.
The chest measurement is also the key number for choosing a harness, so keep it handy if you're looking at our Everyday No-Pull Harness or, for puppies and small dogs, the Cloud Soft Harness & Lead Set.
3. Neck
Measure around the base of the neck, where it widens into the shoulders, again leaving room for two fingers. This is usually a little lower and bigger than your normal collar size.
Measure each one twice. If the two readings differ, use the larger one.
Converting between cm and inches
Many UK shops list both, but some only give one. The sum is simple: one inch is 2.54 cm.
- To turn cm into inches, divide by 2.54 (for example, 46 cm is about 18 inches)
- To turn inches into cm, multiply by 2.54 (for example, 12 inches is about 30.5 cm)
Round to the nearest half inch or whole centimetre. A dog will not notice a few millimetres, but your size choice might.
Matching your numbers to a size chart
Start with the chest. A coat that is a little long is usually wearable, but one that will not close around the chest is not. Then check the back length and neck sit sensibly in the same size.
As a worked example, a dog with a 50 cm chest, a 30 cm back and a 34 cm neck sits comfortably in Medium on our Herringbone Dog Coat in brown, which has a wool-blend outer and fleece lining. It also comes in a softer pink herringbone. If your dog falls between two sizes, the bigger one is usually the safer pick, particularly for fluffy dogs whose fur adds bulk.
Checking the fit once it arrives
- Length: the coat should finish near the base of the tail, not partway down it
- Chest: fastenings should close without straining, with two fingers' room underneath
- Movement: watch your dog walk, trot and sit. The coat should not rub behind the front legs
- Belly: on male dogs, make sure the underneath of the coat will not get in the way when he lifts his leg
Let your dog wear it around the house for a few minutes first, with a treat or two, so the first walk in it is no big deal.
Coat, jumper or hoodie?
A lined, water-resistant coat suits muddy fields and blustery days out. A lighter layer such as our Cosy Sweatshirt Dog Hoodie is handy for a chilly house in the morning, quick trips into the garden, or a short dog that feels the draught on the sofa. Many owners of thin-coated dogs end up with one of each. You'll find all our coats and hoodies together in Pet Apparel. And now the clocks have gone back, a rechargeable LED collar is worth adding for those dark teatime walks.
Frequently asked questions
At what temperature does a dog need a coat in the UK?
There is no single number, because it depends on your dog's breed, age, size and coat. Wind and rain matter as much as temperature. Watch how your dog behaves outside and use the signs above as your guide.
Can my dog wear a coat indoors?
Most dogs do not need a coat in a heated home and can get too warm. Take outdoor coats off once you are back inside. A light hoodie can help a thin-coated dog on a cold morning, but keep an eye on them.
My dog is between sizes. Which should I choose?
Go by the chest measurement first, and if you are still unsure, pick the larger size. Adjustable fastenings let you take up a little slack.
How often should I re-measure my dog?
Puppies grow fast, so check every few weeks. For adult dogs, measuring once at the start of each autumn is usually enough, or sooner if their weight changes or they have a big haircut.
Ready to wrap up warm? Browse our Winter Edit for coats, cosy beds and walking essentials picked for the British winter.