Did your parents ever measure your height against the doorframe when you were a kid? Well, those carvings in the wood might be useful when it comes to knowing how to measure your dog’s height.
Knowing your dog’s exact height is fun, but it can also be useful when you’re trying to buy clothes, beds, crates, and things like that. It’s also a good idea to compare your pup’s size against the breed standards to ensure they’re developing properly.
But what exactly does “dog height” mean?
Unlike humans, a dog’s height isn’t measured from the top of their head but from the ground to the highest point of their shoulders, called the withers.
Tools You’ll Need
As with any job, before you dive into it, you should prepare all the tools that might come in handy. Don’t worry — you won’t need any fancy gadgets or a math degree.
1. Measuring Tape
Your best bet is a flexible measuring tape, but if you’re in a hurry and can’t find one, a rigid ruler will do the trick.
This is the actual tool that you will be using to measure the distance from the floor to your dog’s withers.
2. Flat Surface
You’ll use this to line up your dog’s height correctly and ensure there isn’t a slant or anything. You can use basically anything from a carpenter’s square to a nice, sturdy book.
3. Wall or Doorframe
Just like your mom used to line you up against the doorframe, you’ll be doing the same with your pup.
Have a pencil or a piece of chalk close at hand to mark the height on the wall or doorframe.
4. Treats
Now, some dogs are eager to cooperate and play along with their owner in this activity, but others might be more restless.
With the latter, a few tasty bribes will ensure the operation runs smoothly.
5. A Helping Hand (Optional)
Consider calling for backup if the tasty bribes aren’t enough for your dog to stand still. Getting a friend or a family member to help you should make everything easier.
Steps to Measure Your Dog’s Height
Now that you’ve got all the tools ready to go, it’s time to start measuring your dog’s height.
It’s pretty straightforward, but you need to follow a few key steps to ensure accuracy and avoid frustration.
Step 1: Find the Withers
First things first — you need to know where the withers are. As we said, those are the doggy equivalent of our shoulders — the highest point of your dog’s shoulder blades, to be precise, right where the neck meets the back.
Measuring at this point provides a consistent and reliable height chart across different breeds. That cannot be said about measuring from the top of the head because you have to take into account posture, ear position, etc.
For short-haired breeds, the withers are pretty easy to spot. For long-haired or fluffy breeds, run your hands along their back and shoulders to feel for the spot where the neck transitions to the shoulder blades.
Step 2: Position Your Dog
This is the part that feels like getting a toddler to sit still for a passport photo. Luckily, if you’ve got the treats and some help from a friend, it shouldn’t be that hard.
To start, get your pup on a flat, even surface, such as a hardwood floor or a tiled area. Avoid rugs and soft surfaces, as they can throw off the measurements.
Next, get your dog to stand in its natural stance. There should be no slouching or stretching, and all four paws should be squarely on the ground and evenly spaced.
Step 3: Measure the Height
Once your dog is calm and settled, it’s time to finally break out the tape measure and reveal the magic number.
Place the tape on the ground next to your dog and align it vertically with their withers. Extend it upwards and note the height at the point of the withers — and that’s it!
If your dog isn’t comfortable with the tape measure and starts wiggling around, there is an alternative way to do it. Take a pencil or a piece of chalk and mark your dog’s withers height on the wall behind them. Then, just measure its distance to the floor.
Tips for Accurate Measurement
Even if you have the most cooperative pup in the whole world, the measuring process might not always run smoothly on the first try. Here are a couple of tips to get the most accurate measurement possible.
Tip 1: Make Sure Your Dog is Standing Straight and Still
This might be the trickiest part, but it’s also the most important. Your dog needs to be in their natural stance, so double-check that all four paws are firmly on the ground and evenly spaced.
If your dog tends to wiggle, wait until they’re calm or give them a gentle command like “stay.”
Tip 2: Measure More Than Once
There’s no shame in not getting it right on the first try. In fact, one might say that not double-checking your measurements is a little cocky.
If you have a young pup or a breed that is generally restless, it might take a few tries to get a reliable measurement. Take your time, and don’t force it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s now turn our focus to some of the most frequent mistakes people make when measuring their dogs. Here’s what you should avoid:
- Skipping the flat surface: Measuring your pup on a squishy rug or uneven ground is a surefire way to end up with a height that’s more fiction than fact.
- Measuring the wrong spot: Measuring from the head will give you a number that’s way off and won’t be much use when shopping for crates.
- Ignoring posture: If your dog’s stance is off, their height will be too.
- Rushing through the process: Take your time, double-check your work, and don’t be afraid to measure a couple of times.
Measuring your dog’s height doesn’t have to be a hassle. With the right tools, a little patience, and a few tasty bribes, you’ll have your pup’s measurements down in no time.
Ready, Set, Measure!
Measuring your dog’s height might seem like a small task, but it can make a big difference when it comes to finding the perfect crate, coat, or bed. By following the steps and tips outlined above, you’ll ensure accurate measurements and make the process smooth and stress-free for you and your furry friend.
So grab your tape measure, line up your pup, and get ready to add their height to the family chart — because every inch of them deserves love and care!
