How to Measure Your Dog for a Service Dog Vest (Girth Guide)

How to Measure Your Dog for a Properly Fitting Vest

All of our vests are sized by girth—the measurement around your dog’s ribcage just behind the front legs. Here’s the quick, reliable way we do it in-house (as shown by Emily with our demo dogs, Chip and Dale).

What You’ll Need

• Flexible sewing tape measure (or a strip of string plus a ruler)
• Your dog standing naturally on a flat surface

Step-by-Step: Measure Girth

1. Find the spot just behind the front legs at the widest part of the ribcage.
2. Wrap the flexible tape around the body at that point—snug, not tight.
3. Read the number where the tape meets. Example: Chip measures a 30" girth.
4. Measure twice to be sure, then write it down in inches (or centimeters).

Fit Tips

• Keep the dog standing—measurements change when sitting or lying down.
• Don’t measure over bulky clothing or another harness.
• If your dog is between sizes on a product page, pick the option that allows comfortable adjustment.

Next Step: Choose Your Vest

Use your girth number to select the size on the vest’s product page. You’ll find mesh options for hot weather, padded styles for comfort, and small-dog versions for a lighter feel.

Questions about sizing? We’re happy to help—send a quick note with your measurement and a photo of your dog standing: Contact Us.