You've probably seen a cute dog coat and wondered how practical it is on a dog.Short-haired dogs that don't have a lot of body fat can benefit from the coat's protection against wind, cold, and water.It's possible for a coat to provide safety features, like reflective tape, for added visibility at night or to protect the body after surgery.It's important to choose the right coat for your dog since there are coats for every size and breed of dog.
Step 1: You need to gather your supplies.
Measure the dog's length and girth with a measuring tape, pencil, and paper.Someone may be able to help you hold the dog steady while you take the measurements.You can use the treats to encourage your dog to hold still.
Step 2: There is a place to measure your dog's girth.
Measure the girth of your dog by getting him to stand up.The widest part of the dog's chest is located behind the elbow points.To feed your dog treats, ask a friend to hold the treat above his nose.This will make your dog stand taller.
Step 3: Measure your dog's body mass.
The measuring tape should be behind your dog's shoulders.The tape should be rolled along his side until it reaches the widest point of the ribcage.Wrap the tape underneath the rib cage and back over the other side of the body to join it.Make sure the tape isn't tight against the skin.Behind the front legs is the widest point of the rib cage.This is similar to the part of the elbow a person leans on.
Step 4: Take the measurement and write it down.
Write down the final measurement once you've wrapped the measuring tape around your dog.At the point where the free end of the measuring tape touches the beginning edge, use the measurement you see.
Step 5: Determine where to measure your dog's length.
Measure the length of your dog's body between the base of the neck and the tail by getting him to stand upright.Feed your friend treats to encourage your dog to stand upright.
Step 6: Take a measurement of your dog's length.
The measuring tape should be placed at the base of the neck where it joins the shoulders.The measuring tape should be extended along the length of the spine until it reaches the base.If you don't know where you want the coat to sit around the dog's neck, you should measure from that point to the base of the tail.
Step 7: Take the measurement and write it down.
The number you see is where the measuring tape touches the base of the tail.This is the measurement of your dog's length.
Step 8: The right material should be selected.
To keep your dog warm, to keep him dry, or for stylish reasons, you should know why you're buying the coat.If you're looking to keep your dog warm, you might want to buy a coat made of wool or cotton.If you're trying to keep him dry, look for a slick rainproof material that will keep the water away from his skin.If you're getting a coat for purely fashionable reasons, make sure to check for any buttons or laces that could trip your dog.In the name of style, don't sacrifice your dog's safety.
Step 9: Measure and coat size.
If you like a coat, look at the size guidelines on the package.It is possible to find a range of measurements that correspond to a specific size.Take your dog's girth and length measurements and check their sizes against them.Breeds that are typically that size will be listed on the sizing charts in some coats.Since all dogs are individuals, the actual measurement is more reliable than simply going by breed.If you have a large border collie, you should choose a coat for a small Labrador instead of a standard collie.
Step 10: Consider how the coat will fit.
You have to choose a size up or down for your dog.If the coat is a fashion accessory, you should choose the smaller size, but keep the fastenings loose.If you want to protect your dog against the weather, choose a larger size up.If your dog is large, such as a well-padded Staffie, then go a size up.If the dog is slim and slender, then it's a good idea to downsize.If your dog has short legs, you need to make sure that the coat doesn't drag on the ground.If you want the coat to clear the ground, you need to look for coats specifically designed for long, low dogs.