How to Measure Your Dog's Neck for a Chain Collar
The short answer
Wrap a soft tape measure around your dog's neck where a collar naturally sits — roughly halfway between the ears and the shoulders. Pull it snug against the coat, then check that two fingers slide flat underneath. That number is your dog's neck measurement. Match it to a size chart; don't add anything to it yourself.
What you need
A soft fabric tape measure, the sewing kind. If you don't have one, cut a length of string, wrap that around the neck, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler. A rigid metal tape won't follow the curve and will read short.
Step by step
- Get your dog standing. Sitting bunches the neck and skews the reading. Standing, relaxed, head level.
- Find the right spot. A collar sits about midway down the neck, not right behind the ears and not at the shoulders. If your dog already wears a collar, use where that sits.
- Wrap and pull snug. The tape should press the coat down lightly and follow the neck without gaps.
- Check with two fingers. Slide two fingers flat between the tape and the neck. They should pass comfortably. If they don't, loosen slightly and read again. If there's slack left over, tighten.
- Read the number where the tape meets itself. Write it down.
Matching the number to a size
Good size charts already build in room for a comfortable fit, so use your snug measurement directly. Ours works like this:
| Neck measures | Order |
|---|---|
| 12–13.5 in | 14 inch (Cuban only) |
| 14–15.5 in | 16 inch |
| 16–17.5 in | 18 inch |
| 18–19.5 in | 20 inch |
| 20–21.5 in | 22 inch |
Between two sizes? Go up. A chain sitting slightly loose looks correct. One that pulls does not, and can't be fixed after the fact.
Four mistakes that throw the number off
Measuring over a thick coat without pressing down. A double-coated dog can read two or three inches larger than its actual neck. Press the tape into the coat.
Measuring just after grooming. Same problem in reverse — you'll get a number that's too small in six weeks. If a groom is imminent, measure after.
Guessing from weight or breed. Two Labradors of the same weight can differ by three inches at the neck. Breed charts are a sanity check, never a substitute.
Measuring a puppy for something months away. Puppies outgrow collars fast. If your dog is still growing, measure now and buy now — don't try to predict.
Using an existing collar instead
If your dog already has a collar that fits well, lay it flat and measure from the buckle pin to the hole currently in use. That gives you the working length, which is usually close to a good chain size. Still worth confirming with the tape.
Sizing the matching owner's chain
Necklaces are measured differently — by the full length of the chain, not the wearer's neck. An 18 inch chain sits just below the collarbone on most adults and is the most common choice. 16 inch sits higher, 20 to 24 inch sits down the chest. If you own a necklace whose drop you like, measure that flat and match it.
If you're not sure, ask
Every Canine Carats piece is made to order, which means all sales are final — so we'd genuinely rather check the number with you first. Send us your dog's measurement and breed by contact form or text 718-366-5722 and we'll tell you which size to order. It takes us a minute and costs nothing.
Full chart and breed reference: size guide.