How to Measure Your Boston Terrier for Clothes
If you're scrolling on Instagram or Facebook, you've probably seen people dressing up their dogs. The clothes look so cute! Now you want to dress your Boston Terrier to look as cute as those social media dogs, but you may not know what size to get them.
You know what size you wear, but how do you know what size will fit your dog? It's not like you can always take them to the store and have them try everything on in the fitting room.
Boston Terriers are all a general size, but your dog's clothes may fit differently than others. Here's how to measure a dog for clothes, Boston Terrier edition!
Size Charts
There are size charts that you can find online to get a rough estimate of what size you should get for your dog.
As a general guideline, a lot of people go by weight to find the right size that will fit their dog.
For example, this is a standard weight chart that may help you find a starting point:
- Extra small: 3 to 7 pounds
- Small: 7 to 15 pounds
- Medium: 15 to 25 pounds
- Large: 25 to 35 pounds
- Extra large: 35+ pounds
This can be helpful because obviously a Boston Terrier puppy won't weigh the same as an adult dog, which means that they probably both won't wear a large.
There are many size charts you can find online, and most of them list a Boston Terrier as a Large +. There are standard dog size charts, but because Boston Terriers have a wide chest, they may not fit into a large that a regular dog would fit into.
On average, a Boston Terrier's measurements may look similar to this:
- Length: 15"
- Neck: 14 1/2" - 16"
- Girth: 21"-23 1/2"
Just like people, every dog is different, and what might fit for your neighbor's Boston Terrier might not fit on yours.
It's also important to know that just like people's clothes, each manufacturer may have a different size or sizing chart. Everyone makes their clothing a little bit different, so check on the website to see if they have a customized sizing chart to help you decide what to buy.
How to Measure a Dog for Clothes
Now that you have a general guideline of what measurements of your dog will fall under which size, you need to know how to measure a dog for clothes.
You may have trouble getting them to stand still while you measure them, but rewarding them with a treat after or during can make the process a lot easier.
Now, go dig the measuring tape you use for your own online clothes shopping and use it to measure your dog. If you don't have a measuring tape, you can normally find cheap ones in the weight loss section of a department store or at a fabric store.
Neck
First, you should wrap it around their neck (but not tight enough that it will choke them). Take off your dog's collar before you do this so you make sure that the measurements you're getting are accurate.
Measure the circumference of their neck in inches, and you should be measuring wherever their collar normally rests.
A good rule is the "two-finger rule." To check for this, make sure you can slip two fingers between the dog and the tape measure.
Once you have the measurement, write it down so that you don't forget it.
Rib Cage
Next, you want to measure the circumference of your dog's rib cage. You will do this by measuring the top of their back (right below their neck) and then under their chest (right behind their front legs).
Remember that the tape measure should be somewhat tight around their body. However, you don't want it too tight to cause them discomfort. Measure as tight as you would want their clothes to fit them. Once you have this measurement, write this one down as well.
You can use the two-finger rule here as well.
Back
The third step is to measure all the way from the base of their neck down to where their tail begins. You can do this just on their back.
If your Boston Terrier is a boy, you may want to subtract these measurements a little more. If you already know what clothes you're buying, you should check to see if there is a cut out on the underside for his groin and stomach. because if there isn't, he will probably end up peeing all over his new clothes, which won't be fun for him or you.
If he is a boy, subtract two inches from this measurement and write it down as well.
Chest
Because Boston Terriers are known for having wide chests, this will be one extra step that you may not normally do on other dogs.
All you have to do is measure the width of their chest, so put the tape measure on their chest in the front, and measure from the left front leg to the right front leg.
Compare to Size Chart
Once you have your measurements, you can compare them with the references above, or find a chart online or on the website where you're purchasing the clothes.
If you're not sure about the measurements and which category your dog would fall into, use the chest measurement as the most important point of reference. And when in doubt, go with the larger size.
Find Your Dog Some Cute Clothes
Boston Terriers are really active, so finding them some comfortable clothes can keep them warm or dry from the rain and cold as they run around outside.
Knowing how to measure a dog for clothes is important because especially if you order them online, you want to make sure that they fit your dog comfortably.
So now that you know what size your cute Boston Terrier is, you can finally pick out some clothes for them.