To measure an old dog collar, lay it flat, then measure from the end of the buckle to the hole your dog actually uses. If that collar fits well today, that number is your dog's collar size, and you never have to chase a wriggling dog with a tape measure.
It's the easiest sizing trick there is. It does depend on one thing, though: the old collar has to fit properly. Here's how to do it and how to check.
Why measure an old collar instead of your dog?
Some dogs won't stand still for a tape. Puppies chew it. Nervous dogs back away. Big fluffy dogs hide their neck under so much coat that you're never sure where the tape is sitting.
A collar your dog already wears doesn't have any of those problems. It lies flat on the table, it doesn't move, and it's been sitting in the right spot on the neck for months. If it fits, it has already done the measuring for you.
It's also handy when you're buying a gift and can only borrow the collar for five minutes.
How do you measure an old dog collar, step by step?
You need a soft tape measure or a ruler, and the collar. Take it off your dog first. Don't try to measure it on the neck.
- Lay it flat. Unbuckle the collar and lay it out straight on a table. Smooth out any curl so it isn't bending up off the surface.
- Find the hole your dog uses. It's usually easy to spot. It's the one that's stretched a little, or the one with the worn edge.
- Measure from the buckle to that hole. Start at the end of the collar where the buckle folds over, the very edge of the buckle frame. Measure along the strap to the centre of that worn hole.
- Write the number down in inches. Measure twice. If the two readings disagree, take a third.
- Measure the width too. Lay the tape across the strap. It's worth knowing if your dog is happy in a half inch, five-eighths or a full inch.
If the collar has a slide adjuster and a clip buckle instead of holes, leave the length set where it is. Clip it closed, then unclip it and lay it flat. Measure from one end of the buckle to the other end, buckle included. That's the length your dog wears.
How do you know the old collar fits well enough to copy?
This is the step that makes the number worth trusting. Before you take the collar off, put it on your dog and check two things.
- The two-finger test. Slide two fingers flat between the collar and your dog's neck. They should fit snugly without forcing. If you can fit a whole hand, it's too loose. If you can't get two fingers in, it's too tight.
- The ears test. Hold the collar and gently ease it towards your dog's ears. It should stop at the head, not slide over it.
If the collar passes both, measure it as it is. That number already includes the two-finger room, so don't add extra on top. People do this a lot, and it's how they end up with a collar that's an inch too big.
If it fails, move it one hole tighter or looser until it passes, then measure to that hole instead.
When shouldn't you trust an old collar's measurement?
An old collar is a good guide, but not a perfect one. Measure your dog directly instead if any of these apply:
- The holes are stretched or torn. A worn hole can add a quarter of an inch or more, and that's enough to let a narrow-headed dog back out.
- The strap has stretched. Some cheaper strapping stretches over time. If it feels thin and floppy, the number will be off.
- Your dog has changed. Weight gain or loss, a puppy growth spurt, a winter coat coming in or being clipped short all change the neck.
- The collar is a different style. A harness, a martingale or a slip lead measures differently. Only copy a flat buckle collar.
- It never really fit. If the old one twisted, rubbed or slipped over the head, don't copy it.
If you're in doubt, do both. Measure the old collar, then measure your dog's neck with a tape and add two fingers. If the two numbers are within half an inch of each other, you've got your size. Our guide to measuring your dog for a collar walks through the tape method.
How do you turn that number into a size?
Match your number to the chart on our size guide:
- Small: 8 to 11 inches
- Medium: 11 to 14 inches
- Large: 14 to 18 inches
- XL: 18 to 22 inches
- XXL: 22 to 28 inches
Each collar adjusts about 4 inches within its range, so you have room either side of your number. If yours lands right on the line between two sizes, size up.
Want the new collar made to match the old one exactly? Send the length and width through the custom order form. We'll make it to your number and confirm the details with you before you pay anything.
And if it arrives and isn't quite right, the size guide covers that too: send it back within 30 days and we'll adjust it for free.
Ready to replace that tired old collar? Browse our handmade dog collars and pick a print your dog will wear for years.
FAQ
Should I add two fingers when I measure an old collar?
No, not if the collar already passes the two-finger test on your dog. The room is already built in. Only add it when you're measuring your dog's bare neck with a tape.
Can I measure a harness the same way?
Not reliably. A harness is sized by chest girth, not neck length, so measure around your dog's chest behind the front legs. The harness chart is on the size guide.
What if my dog's old collar is on the last hole?
Then it's close to its limit. Choose the size where your number sits in the middle of the range, so you have room to adjust either way.
Ready to measure? Grab the old collar, then pick a new one from our handmade dog collars.