How to measure a small dog for clothes
Updated October 24, 2026
Short answer: Measure chest girth first, then neck and back length, with a soft tape. Leave room for two fingers under the tape so the number is not skin-tight. Write inches and centimeters (1 inch = 2.54 cm). When chest girth and weight disagree, use the chest. If you are between sizes, size up.
What tools do you need?
- Soft measuring tape with inches and centimeters, or a string plus a ruler
- A treat so your dog stands square for about 20 seconds
- The size chart on the specific Amazon listing you will buy
How do you measure chest girth?
- Have the dog stand square, not sitting.
- Wrap the tape around the widest part of the rib cage, just behind the front legs.
- Slide two fingers flat under the tape. If they do not fit, loosen it and measure again.
- Read the number where the tape meets. Write inches, then multiply by 2.54 for centimeters (or read the centimeter side).
A too-tight tape produces a too-small shirt. Too-small is the main reason the Fung Fay white dress shirt comes back.
How do you measure neck?
Measure where the collar sits, with the same two-finger slack. Do not pull the tape into the fur. Collared shirts need this number as much as tees do.
How do you measure back length?
From the base of the neck (where a collar sits) to the base of the tail, along the spine, not over a hunched back. For shirts, chest usually matters more. For jumpsuits and overalls, back length matters a lot.
What about fluffy coats and puppies?
- Fluffy coats: measure over the coat as it naturally sits. Do not mash the fur down to the skin. The two fingers still have to fit.
- Puppies: if the dog is still growing and the chest is near the top of a size, size up. Measure again before the next order.
What happens if the measurement is wrong?
- Skin-tight tape → the garment is too small
- Breed name only (“Yorkie size”) or weight alone → the wrong band when the chest says otherwise
- Choosing the smaller size “so it looks tailored” → buttons strain and the dog won’t wear it
- Skipping the chart on that exact Amazon listing → a different product’s numbers
What should you do next?
Compare your three numbers on the sizing page and Fung Fay fit notes, then open the white dress shirt and finish on Amazon. The listing chart is the one that matches the garment you will receive.