How to measure your dog's neck

Below are the 5 steps for measuring a dog's neck.

1. Measure the neck at the place where the collar will naturally stay on

Dog necks can be very different from each other. You measure specifically for your dog in the place where his collar will naturally stay on, without the collar interfering with his breathing or movement.

2. Measure while the dog is sitting

You will get different measurement results depending on the position of the dog. We recommend that the dog is seated while measuring, as this is between the position of standing and lying down. Standing also allows the dog to move more, which can make measuring more difficult.

3. Use a flexible, thin measuring tape

You could also use a string and ruler or a tape measure. However, it is difficult to measure a round, uneven surface such as a neck with these tools and the chance of getting the wrong measurements is therefore higher. So make sure you work very accurately if you use such tools instead of a tape measure.

4. Make sure the tape measure is against to the skin, but can still slide

Tighten the measuring tape so that it touches the skin. Then make sure that the measuring tape is loose enough so that the tape can still slide effortlessly over the skin. With a dog with a lot of hair, this will be a little more difficult than for a dog with little hair.

5. Read off the correct value

If necessary, you can compare this value with the original collar. But pay attention to how you measure: the flat length and the circumference of the band are different lengths. Read here how to best measure a dog collar.

Thickness of the collar

Now that you have the correct size, you need to make sure that the collar will actually be this size. The thickness of the knot and the type of closure are important factors here.

The thickness of the knot is perhaps the most important variable.This thickness varies from knot to knot. 'Benno's Happiness' is for example 12 mm thick, while 'Snakes Alive 4 Colors' is on average only 7 mm thick. It can also vary from person to person. This thickness affects the total length you need to tie. 

How can you take all this into account? Here you can read more about the effect of the knot thickness and fortunately there is also a jig formula that can help you with this.

Size of the collar closure

The type of closure, and in particular the size of the closure, also plays a role. When you choose an AluMax buckle, you are working with a rather thick buckle. Do you prefer an adjustable Biothane adapter that is very thin? Then you need to take this into account as well. 

The most important dimension to take into account is the length of the closure, which you must subtract from the total length of the collar to find out what length you need to tie.

Check the length of your collar

Now we take a leap forward. After you have knotted the collar and are ready to finish it off, you can check the length again, just to be sure. 

Of course you do this preferably before you have completed the collar, so that you can still adjust something if necessary. A tape measure or a measuring tower are handy instruments here.

Close the collar and place the measuring tape tightly along the inside of the collar. In this way you measure the collar where it is smallest. If you use the measuring tower, this works the same as the conical shaped tool at a jeweller's which you can use to measure a ring size. 

You slide the collar over the tower and the collar will automatically stop on an edge. The number indicated on that edge is the inside size of the collar in centimetres.

The collar doesn't have the right size? Here you will find common collar size problems and solutions, see if this helps you too!