Dog Size Guide

This is not about the weight of your dog but about assessing the physical size of your dog. This is to help you when you need to purchase items such as a dog collar, a dog bed or a dog restraining harness for your car.

Is your dog size miniature, small, medium, large or extra large?

Even within a given breed, dogs will vary in size so the breed sizes given below are for your for guidance only.

You will need to use discretion when deciding the practical size of your dog. One tip is to consult a vet or a friend who has a similar size dog to yours. You can then get actual measurements of their dog's bed/collar/lead length etc. for comparison. When buying items such as a dog bed, you will need to be reasonably accurate as to the size of your dog and the bed you are about to buy. This is because if you buy a bed that is too small there is no adjustment to make the bed bigger. With a collar they should be adjustable to suit your dog's neck size. The same is true for a restraint harness that you would use in your car to keep your dog safe.

Examples of Small Dogs
Jack Russell, Corgi, Terrier, Chihuahua, Jack Russell, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodles, King Charles, Maltese, Silky, Cairn and West Highland Terriers.

Examples of Medium Dogs
Labrador, Retriever, Border Collie, Miniature Poodle, Dachshund, Cocker Spaniel, Beagle.

Examples of Large Dogs
German Shepherd, Labrador, Boxer, Doberman, Setters.

Examples of Extra Large Dogs
Great Dane, Bull Mastiff, Rottweiller, Newfoundland.

The above information relates to a normal healthy dog of a specific breed. Cross breeds are harder to estimate but again you may know someone with a similar size pure breed to use for comparison. Do not confuse the above guide to dog sizes with the actual weight of a dog. If you have a dog that is overweight it may need a larger sized collar/harness/dog bed etc. However, this is not really the way to go. If your dog is grossly overweight it is better to get your dog down to the correct weight and size before you buy a new item. If you are unsure about all of this it is worth a quick visit to your vet for guidance.

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