Ways to Measure Your Dogs Neck Size

There are 3 easy ways to measure your dog's neck size to determine what size collar you should buy for them. If you have a tailor's flexible measuring tape laying around, that would be best, but if you don't, you can use their current collar or carefully use a phone charging cable and a tape measure. 

1) Use a tailor's flexible tape measure: Hold the end of the flexible tape measure between your finger and thumb and gently wrap the other side around your dog's neck (thickest area), and pull it snug enough that you can fit two fingers between it and your dog's neck. Line up the end of the flexible tape measure with the appropriate mark on the tape measure. If the measurement falls between a solid inch marking, but less than the half-inch mark, we suggest rounding up to the half-inch mark (for example 16 1/4" would become 16 1/2"). If the measurement falls between a the half-inch mark, but less than a solid inch mark, we suggest rounding up to the next inch mark (for example 16 3/4" would become 17"). 

2) Use their current collar: To achieve a great fit, make sure the current collar is adjusted properly to their neck. You may need to adjust the current collar, as stretching may occur over time. After achieving a good, proper fit on the dog, remove the collar from their neck and lay on a flat surface. Measure from the spot indicated in the first image on the 'male' end of the buckle to the end of the 'female' buckle end, as shown in the second image. 

In the scenario the images show, I would find that my dog's ideal collar size would be 16.5 inches.

Note: do not measure end to end. This is a very common mistake. Doing so can cause your measurement to be an inch or two off.

3) Using a phone charging cable: It's easy and something most everyone has laying around. Hold the end of the cable between your finger and thumb and gently wrap the other side around your dog's neck (thickest area), and pull it snug enough that you can fit two fingers between it and your dog's neck. Let go of the charger end (USB plug) of the cable and mark the spot on the cord with your finger that met the charger end.  From there, use a tape measure to get the measurement from your cable measurement.