How to Measure Your Dog for a Custom Collar | Fit It Right the First Time

Getting the right fit for a custom collar saves you the hassle of returns, and more importantly, keeps your dog comfortable and safe. When you measure for a custom collar, the one measurement that matters most is neck circumference taken at the collar’s natural resting spot, not where you think it looks best.

Where to Measure and What You’ll Need

Find the spot where the collar actually sits on your dog’s neck. That means the middle of the neck, not high up behind the ears and not down low near the shoulders. A collar placed too high rides up and chokes; one placed too low slips off or lets the dog back out of it.

Grab a soft cloth tape measure if you have one. No tape measure on hand? A piece of string works just as well, then you measure the string flat against a ruler. Skip the rigid metal tape, which won’t bend around the neck properly.

Wrap the tape or string around the neck at that resting spot. Keep it snug but not tight to the skin. Write down that number in inches or centimeters, exactly as measured.

Do You Add Extra Room for a Custom Collar?

Here’s where custom collars differ from off-the-shelf ones. The raw neck measurement you just took is the starting point, but many custom makers want you to account for the buckle and hardware before they cut the leather or webbing.

Some makers want the snug neck size plus a set allowance built in. Common examples include adding 1 inch for small dogs, 1.5 inches for medium dogs, and 2 inches for large dogs. But this varies by maker, so check the specific product page before ordering.

Measuring an Existing Collar Instead

If your dog already has a collar that fits well, you can measure that instead of the dog. Lay it flat on a table and measure the inside circumference.

The catch is knowing where to measure. Do not measure the collar end-to-end, which includes the buckle prongs and adjustment holes and gives you a number bigger than the actual wearing size. Instead:

• Measure from the center of the buckle to the adjustment hole you currently use.
• Or measure from the point where the buckle’s two sides meet, which is the true contact point against the neck.

Common Measuring Mistakes That Ruin the Fit

• Measuring too high or too low — behind the ears or down on the shoulders instead of the middle of the neck.
• Pulling the tape too tight or leaving it loose — the two-finger rule is the standard for a reason.
• Measuring an old collar end-to-end — always use the buckle reference point instead.
• Adding your dog’s coat bulk — some sellers say to exclude it, but confirm that against the specific maker’s instructions since it varies.

When you’re ready to shop, our tested picks for the best custom dog collars cover makers with clear sizing instructions and quality hardware that holds up to daily wear.