Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Measure a Dog’s Height: 3 Key Tips

cute fat pug sits wrapped in a yellow measuring tape near a white brick wall

Measuring a dog’s height is a bit different than measuring human height, but it’s essential if you want to order your dog custom-fit jackets, harnesses, sweaters, clothing, or other size-sensitive accessories. Tall dogs fare poorly in undersized crates, too, so it’s important to correctly size your dog’s private space and give them lots of room to lounge.

If you’re confused about how you’re actually supposed to go about measuring your dog’s height, look no further. We’ll let you know everything you need, where to measure, and all that good stuff. Read on for the details to get started measuring today!

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

 

Before You Begin

Assuming you’re measuring your dog to get their size for clothes, you have to first ask yourself: will my dog wear clothes? Not all do, and some dogs take lengthy training to acclimate to the idea of wearing clothing. Before you take their size to order clothing, we suggest fashioning your own dog garments out of old clothing first.

It doesn’t have to be custom-fit; you just need to get your dog used to the idea of wearing clothes in general.

If your dog’s already familiar with wearing clothes but they’ve grown a lot since last winter, things get easier. You don’t need much to get started measuring your dog. A soft measuring tape/measuring stick and bag of treats should do the trick for quick measuring sessions, but especially hyper dogs might call for an assistant to help you keep them still.

How-to-Measure-Dogs-Height
You are free to use this image but we do require you to link back to Dogster.com for credit.

1. Position Your Dog

It’s a rookie mistake to assume you can just measure your dog’s height anywhere. To get accurate results, you need to find a plain wall where you can make a mark with a pencil or marker. If you’d like to keep a visual record of how your dog grows over time, plan to use this wall to measure how your dog grows over their life. It’s an amazing reminder of how far you and your pup have come, but it’s not mandatory by any means.

First, have your dog stand upright next to your wall on a flat surface. Their chest, neck, and legs should be upright but relaxed. You also want to make sure that their legs are evenly spaced and not bent or crooked in any weird positions. If your dog has a hard time staying still or standing upright, you may wish to have your assistant hold your dog in the correct position. You may also opt to use a leash to accomplish the same effect, but it may be a little trickier.


2. Locate the Withers

A dog’s withers are the highest midway point between their shoulder blades, located just a bit behind the base of their neck. If you’re unsure you have the right spot, feel for a bony protrusion jutting upward behind their neck. It’s harder to find the withers of a shaggy dog, while you may have a slightly easier time with a short-haired breed.

If you have a level handy, you can hold that across their withers to see if they’re even. If not, you may need to make some minor adjustments to the way your dog is standing.  Once you have the withers and your dog is in the right position, mark that spot on the wall with your pencil/marker.

If you’d rather avoid marking up your wall, stick a piece of masking tape at the spot and make your mark there—just carefully remove it later once you’ve recorded the height elsewhere.

Now you can give your good boy or girl a well-deserved treat for being so patient during this process and letting them go on their way.

cute brown dog being measured by owner
Image Credit: SvetikovaV, Shutterstock

3. Measure!

Assuming you’ve done everything right so far, the mark on your wall is your dog’s height. Simply take your measuring tape or other tool and measure from the ground up to the mark, then write their height down for later reference.

Before writing it down, double-check that your measuring tool is perfectly straight. Deviating even a little can mess up your whole measurement, so it’s key to do it right the first time.

Depending on exactly what you need the height for, you might want to write it down in both inches and centimeters since some international retailers might use metric measurements rather than imperial.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

 

Conclusion

Dogs don’t grow as tall as humans or stay still nearly as well, which makes measuring them awkward at times. However, with a handy bag of treats and perhaps an assistant at your side, you can make short work of this task in just a few minutes.


Featured Image Credit: Tanya Dol, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

8 Best Dog Whelping Boxes – 2025 Reviews & Top Picks

One of the most joyous times of a pet parent’s life is when their best four-legged friend becomes pregnant, but it can also...

13 Livestock Guardian Dog Breeds: Info, Pictures & Origins

If you have any experience with owning livestock, you know there are predators out there who want your livestock for dinner. Depending on...

American Water Spaniel Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Facts, & Traits

The American Water Spaniel is one of the lesser-known Spaniels, but they’re still worth getting to know. They have a charming appearance and...

Why Do Puppies Cry & Whine? 6 Vet-Verified Reasons & Care Tips

When puppies cry or whine, it can be heartbreaking. When it continues, it can become stressful, frustrating, and overwhelming. But just like babies,...

More related

Can Rottweilers Swim? How to Train Them (Vet-Reviewed)

People often think that swimming comes naturally to dogs. Labrador Retrievers provide proof of that assumption. Sometimes, it’s hard to get them out...

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal Cookies? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Info

For humans, oatmeal cookies are generally considered a healthier alternative to other cookies because they contain whole-grain oats, which are high in fiber,...

F1b Goldendoodle: Info, Pictures, Origin & More

The Goldendoodle, a delightful mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, is a popular designer breed known for its playful and affectionate...

Do Owls Attack Dogs? Vet-Approved Tips to Protect Your Pup

Owls are fearsome creatures and incredible flyers. They are capable of being unmatched predators. If you have noticed an owl in your area...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Scallions? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Risks

If your dog licks their lips as your vegetable stir-fry sizzles on the stove, you might wonder if it’s safe to slip them a bite. It might not seem dangerous to give them just a taste, but you should first...

Can Dogs Eat Scallions

Can Dogs Eat Fortune Cookies? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Most Chinese food in the United States comes with a fun dessert—a classic fortune cookie. Fortune cookies are a charming way to cap a filling meal. Some diners end up with too many fortune cookies after eating, making it tempting...

Can Dogs Eat Fortune Cookies

Nutro vs Blue Buffalo Dog Food: Our 2025 Comparison

Choosing the best food for your dog can be tricky, given the quality of kibbles available today. Nutro and Blue Buffalo are well-regarded pet food brands that have many fans, not only canine but also human. They both offer a...

Dogster_Dog Food Nutro VS Blue Buffalo

Can Dogs Eat Cranberries? Vet-Reviewed Nutritional Guide

Cranberries are sweet yet slightly bitter-tasting fruits used in a range of dishes. They mostly consist of water, but they are naturally rich in antioxidants and several vitamins and minerals too. We often enjoy cranberries for breakfast, dessert, or as...

Can Dogs Eat Cranberries

Can Dogs Eat Brussels Sprouts? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Tips

When it comes to Brussels sprouts, it seems that you either love ‘em or you hate them, there is no in-between. There are people out there who adore this veggie and could eat them with every meal. Then again, some...

Can Dogs Eat Brussels Sprouts

Can Dogs Eat Squid? Vet-Verified Health Benefits & FAQ

Dogs can eat squid in small amounts occasionally. The squid must be cooked to ensure that there aren’t any food-borne illnesses in the squid. Seasonings should also be avoided, as many are toxic to dogs. Squid itself is completely fine,...

Can Dogs Eat_squid

Farmina Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ (Vet-Approved)

Farmina Dog Food Review Summary Farmina dog food is available at retailers in the United States and Europe. Farmina is an Italian pet food company that produces three lines of dog food full of only high-quality ingredients. It’s difficult to...

Dogster_Farmina Dog Food Review

How Much Food Should My Havanese Eat Per Day? Vet Reviewed Guidance

A lot goes into feeding a dog, so if you’re stumped on how much to feed your Havanese, you’re not alone. The truth is, there is no set answer on how much to feed your Havanese. Each dog requires a...

Havanese dog eating