Measuring for a dog harness can sometimes be a real challenge and the different measurements and specifications of harnesses and manufacturers can lead to confusion. But if you are meticulous, you will be rewarded with a perfectly fitting harness in the end!
We have summarized everything you need to know about dog harness fit and dog harness size in this blog post.
Dog harness – the right fit
To determine the right size of dog harness for your dog, you should first ask yourself: How do I know if my dog's harness fits?
With a Y-harness for dogs, three points are crucial for the correct fit of the dog harness - the position of the belly strap, the fit of the chest strap and the point where the chest strap and chest bridge meet.
You should also make sure that the harness does not fit too tightly and restrict your dog's movements or causes chafing. More room is also well meant, but not necessarily well done. If the harness is too loose, your dog may slip it off or it may slip so that the pull/pressure is no longer properly distributed. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to slide your flat hand under all the straps.
How does the belly strap fit correctly?
The belly strap of your dog harness fits correctly, when there is a distance of about one hand's width between the belly strap and the front leg.
For particularly small dogs, this distance may need to be adjusted slightly. It is important that the belly strap does not touch the dog's elbow when it is moving freely in the harness.
A properly fitting belly strap is important so that the dog's shoulder freedom is not restricted, the elbow does not rub against the harness and the strap remains on the rib area even when the harness is pulled.
How does the chest strap fit correctly?
The chest strap of the dog harness should be positioned so that the shoulder blades remain free.This is important, so that your dog's shoulder freedom and freedom of movement are not restricted.
How do the chest strap and chest bridge fit correctly?
The point where the chest strap and chest bridge meet must not be too high on the dog's neck. For a correct fit, this part of the harness should be at the upper end of the sternum. This way, the harness has a good contact surface to distribute pressure without resting on the larynx.
Dog harness size measuring guide
Are you wondering what measurements you need for a dog harness?
Usually you need four measurements! Most harness manufacturers provide measurements for the belly circumference, the length of the back bridge, the length of the chest bridge and the neck circumference or a sternum-neck measurement.
If you want to measure your dog for a new harness, we always advise you to use a flexible measuring tape. If you don't have one to hand, you can also use a string and a folding rule/ruler and, if necessary, find a helper to get exact measurements.
In the following sections, we will tell you how to measure your dog for a SPRENGER Y harness!
How do I measure my dog's belly circumference?
A common mistake when measuring dogs for a harness is that the belly circumference (sometimes also called chest circumference) is measured too close to the front leg. So where to measure a dog's chest circumference?
The answer is actually simple: exactly where the harness strap should sit later, i.e. about a hand's width away from the front leg.
It is important that the measuring tape is positioned at the same distance from the front legs on both sides. If your dog quickly becomes fidgety when being measured, it can be helpful to get a second person to help.
How do I measure the chest bridge and back bridge of a dog?
With most dog harnesses, the chest bridge and back bridge are not adjustable, but have a fixed length. These measurements are easily overlooked by many dog owners, but they are crucial for the correct fit of the harness and have no/little leeway.
The chest bridge is measured from the highest point of your dog's sternum to the point where the belly strap lies, i.e. a hand's width behind the front leg. If the chest bar is too short, the belly strap will not have enough distance from the front leg at the end and may rub. If the chest bar is too long, the belly strap will end up too far back and your measured belly circumference will no longer fit.
The back bridge is measured from your dog's neck to the point where the measuring tape ran when you measured the belly circumference. The length of the back bridge is often confused with the length of the dog's back. The length of the back bar and the length of the dog's back are not the same. For a correctly fitting harness, the back bar must always be shorter than the length of the dog's back.
Neck circumference for dog harness
Do you need the dog's neck circumference for a dog harness? No!
The neck strap on a dog harness is much further down the dog's neck than a collar or chain, which is why your dog's neck circumference is not relevant to the size of the harness. The measurement taken at the dog's neck, which is often confused with the neck circumference, is actually the sternum/neck measurement and this is how you measure it:
Place the measuring tape at the highest point of the sternum and measure on one side up to your dog's neck, i.e. in the same position as the neck strap should later be on the dog. Attention: You do not have to measure the circumference!
Size chart for dog harnesses
Our table shows you the dimensions of our Y-harnesses in the various sizes. Please note that the harnesses are infinitely adjustable at the neck strap (or chest strap) and the belly strap. The chest bridge and back bridge are not adjustable, so dog owners of breeds with atypical body shapes (e.g. dachshunds) should measure their dogs carefully before buying or compare the measurements with an existing well-fitting harness.
All dimensions are subject to a tolerance of +/- 1 cm.
The straps of the dog harness are 15 mm wide in size XXS, 20 mm wide in sizes XS and S and 25 mm wide in sizes M-XL.
Are you looking for a size recommendation based on your dog's breed? No problem, just read on!
Note: These breed recommendations are only a rough guide and you should always measure your dog yourself and compare the measurements before ordering.
Dog harness size XXS
Our SPRENGER Y-harness 2.0 in size XXS fits especially small dog breeds such as dachshunds or chihuahuas.
Dog harness size XS
Our SPRENGER Y-harness 2.0 in size XS fits dogs of smaller breeds such as Jack Russell Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers or Miniature Poodles.
Dog harness size S
Our SPRENGER Y-harness 2.0 in size S is perfect for small dog breeds such as Cocker Spaniel or Beagle. In addition, it is also the right dog harness puppy size for larger dog breeds.
Dog harness size M
Our SPRENGER Y-harness 2.0 in size M is the right choice for most medium-sized dog breeds such as Labradors, Dalmatians or Australian Shepherds.
Dog harness size L
Our SPRENGER Y-harness 2.0 in size L is a good choice for large dog breeds such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds or Malinois.
Dog harness size XL
Our SPRENGER Y-harness 2.0 in size XL is especially suitable for large dog breeds such as Kangals, Dogue de Bordeaux or Leonbergers.
