Measuring Your Dog

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to measuring your dog.. so I thought it would be nice to provide some instructions on how to measure your dog for their correct height as well as how to measure your dog for crates, collars, harness and coats. 

Alot of people assume you measure the height of a dog from the top of their head to the floor and this is actually true if you’re measuring them for a crate,  but a dogs true height is actually measured from the top of the front shoulders,  also known as the withers to the floor. For example this is the height measurement used by dog breeders, show dogs, and in the breed standards.

Tools to Measure Your Dog:

What you’ll need before you start:

1) Measuring Tape or Yard Stick

2) Pencil,  paper & tape (unless you don’t mind marking a dot on the wall) 

3) A carpenter’s level or something straight like a yardstick. You could even use a book. 

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOGS HEIGHT IN 3 EASY STEPS

Start with your dog standing on a level surface next to a wall,  their front feet should be directly under their shoulder blades, the hind feet should both me facing forward and aligned and they must stand still long enough to measure so you may need help with this task.

• STEP ONE: Feel for the top of your dogs withers.  Place the carpenter’s level or yard stick across the withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades), letting it rest ON the shoulder bones, with one end touching the wall.

• STEP TWO: Mark the wall (or paper taped to the wall) directly underneath the level or stick where it touches the wall.

• STEP THREE: Move your dog and measure the distance from the mark on the wall to the floor.

FINISHED!  Now if you’ve been careful – and honest – you should have an accurate measurement of your dog’s true height.

Less Accurate Methods, such as just running a tape measure from the shoulder to the floor can cause an inaccurate measurement and it’s also just not as easy to hold your dog still and also manage to hold and read the tape next to them unless you have a very obedient dog and and even then… it’s far less accurate.

Believe me I’ve tried and one attempt would read 21 inches the next 22 inches – so the wall method (above) is more accurate and just easier…you don’t even need the level,  a yard stick or book will work too but it’s definitely nice to have one on hand if you want the most accurate reading possible. 

How too Measure Your Dog’s Neck for a Regular Collar

Place a tape measure right above your dog’s shoulder blades at the back of her neck. Bring the tape measure forward to the point of her breastbone and around her neck.

Pull the tape measure so that it is snug, but not tight. Add two inches to this measurement. If the measurement is between two different collar sizes, purchase the larger size. Some specialty collars require different measurements.

MEASURING YOUR DOGS NECK FOR A MARTINGALE COLLAR

I personally recommend the Martingal style Dog Collars for gentle breeds like Labradoodles and Aussiedoodles. You measure your dogs neck directly behind the ears instead of lower on the neck. When the martingale is loose it will still hang loose around the neck. 

I send our puppies home with Petsafe Martingale Collars,  the ones with the snap? Even better…

Measuring your Dog for a Harness

Stand over your dog and place one end of the tape measure on his spine, just above the widest part of his rib cage.

With your other hand, wrap the tape measure behind his front legs and around his body, going underneath the widest part of his rib cage. Put your thumb on the number that meets up with the beginning of the tape measure. The higher number is the girth measurement.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOODLE FOR A COAT! 

Ok,  maybe you don’t think Doodles need coats..  well what if they live in Alaska or they just a really short haircut?  Maybe they might.. . Or maybe you just want a fancy Doodle. 

Measuring Your Dog for a Crate… 

Use the following steps to determine the correct dimensions.

Length: Measure the length of your dog from nose to tail. When measuring the tail, be sure to add approximately 2-4 inches to the overall length, depending on the size of your dog.

Height: To determine the height of the crate you will need, measure your dog from the top of the head to the ground. If your dog has naturally erect ears, measure from the tip of the ears.

Width: To obtain the width of your crate, add approximately 2 inches for smaller breeds and 4 inches for larger breeds.

PICKING THE RIGHT CRATE AND CRATE SIZE FOR YOUR NEEDS.. 

Travel and Shipping Crates

If your buying a crate for travel or shipping then you’re going to need a plastic OR soft sided crate (for carry-on travel.  There are pet and crate size restrictions for crates used for cargo shipping as well as carrying your pet on when flying.  If shipping the crate must have screws, not snaps. I prefer the plastic Petmate Sky kennel Shipping crates

For Soft-Sided Airline Approved Crates: Maximum dimensions for a soft-sided kennels when flying with your pet in cabin is 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm). Your pet must be able to fit with the bag zipped. 

Note: Soft-sided pet carriers are allowed to slightly exceed recommended since they are adjustable and be conformed to under-seat space.

Carry-on Pricing: Additional $125 service charge each way. Also an additional $125 service charge for stopovers over 4 hours within the US, or 24 hours international.

For more info, see the United pets travel page.​

BEST AIRLINE APPROVED CARRY ON CRATES

The Sherpa Deluxe Soft Sidded Carry-on Crate

• Lots of room,  mesh sides for easy views and puppies can feel less trapped if its a first time in a bag. 
• Size Large is for pets up to 18″ L x 11″ H and up to 22 lbs

Petsfit Expandable Travel Dog Carrier with Fleece Mat, Airline Approved Pet Carrier

Maximum Weight. The small Petsfit carrier is suitable for pets up to 12 lbs., medium carrier is 16 lbs., and the large carrier is 20 lbs.

Snoozer Wheel Around 4-In-1 Pet Travel Carrier Sizes. Medium (for pets up to 9 lbs) or Large (for pets up to 10 lbs).

The Sturdibag Large Airplane-Friendly Carrier is another duffle-style carrier with multiple doors, straps, and windows for your canine’s comfort during flight.

The DoggyDolly by TotieTotie An airline approved,  fun and unique looking dog carrier with a style all its own!

Compare More Soft Sided Shipping Crates and Prices on Amazon!

Plastic Shipping Crates for Flying Pets in Cargo

Sky Kennel Crates are Airline Approved. Closes  with Bolts not snaps. Sturdy and Safe Crates. 

Crate Sizes for Potty Training

When you’re potty training a puppy,  you want your puppy or dog’s crate to have just enough room for them to stand up without their head touching the top and then just enough room for them to turn around and lay down comfotably without giving them too much room where they can essentially make one side a “bathroom” and the other side a “bedroom“. There should be just enough room for them to sleep comfortably in their crate until they’re fully potty trained.

All Midwest metal dog crates include a metal divider,  I recommend buying the predicted adult size crate for your puppy and then you can use the divider to adjust how much space your puppy has during potty training. Puppies grow so fast. They might even grow out of a small crate before they complete potty training. 

Doodle Sizes.. 

There is a wide range of adult Doodle sizes and even size terms can vary from breeder to breeder..  one breeders description of a standard,  mini or moyen size may be alot different then another breeders so always ask your breeder about your puppies parents height,  not just weight. 

There are some VERY TALL STANDARD DOODLES AND POODLES! 

Some “Standard” Goldendoodles,  Labradoodles and Poodles are well over 26-28 inches tall at the shoulder and 85-100 lbs and then some “Standards” are closer to 20 inches and 40 lbs. Same goes with mini and moyen sizes. My mini Aussiedoodles are 15-20 lbs while another breeders might be 10-15 pounds. Yes,  its crazy but its just how it is.  

BIG DIFFERENCES,  Same size terms. 

Knowing the actual height of your Doodle puppie’s parents is the most telling measurement in regards to figuring out what your Doodle puppies adult size will be.

I recommend the medium size crates for my Mini Aussiedoodles and the large size crates for my moyen and standard size Labradoodles and Aussiedoodles. 

Dreamydoodles Northwest Sizes:

• Mini Aussiedoodles: 15-20 lbs – 14-16 in. 
• Moyen Labradoodles: are 30-35 lbs – 16-18 in. 
• Standard Labradoodles: 40-55 lbs 21-23 in. 
• Standard Aussiedoodles: 40-50 lbs 20-22 in. 

(depending on specific bloodlines and parents.) 

MIDWEST CRATES FOR THE HOME

Small Dog Crates

Medium Dog Crates:

Large Dog Crates:  

XLarge Dog Crates:

XXLarge Dog Crates 

• Size: 46L x 30W x 33H
• Dog Weight: 90 lbs. and up
• Breeds:
  Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bloodhound, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greyhound, Neopolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard and more.

Large Size Crate with a Standard Size Goldendoodle – Midwest Crates on Amazon! All sizes!

Hope this helps!

 

Try Puppyweights.com to help figure out your puppy’s adult size and weight.

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