How to measure a puppy for clothes (and predict how much it'll grow)
Knowing how to measure a puppy for clothes has an extra difficulty that doesn't exist with an adult dog: the puppy won't stop growing. What fits perfectly today can be too small in three weeks. That's why buying puppy clothes always raises the same doubt: which size do I pick if it's going to change? In this guide we teach you to measure your puppy properly, to predict how much it has left to grow and to decide sensibly when to buy and when to wait, so you don't waste money on a garment that lasts no time. Let's get to it.
Why measuring a puppy is different
With an adult dog you measure once and have its size for years. With a puppy, the picture changes constantly, and that's the crux of it. A puppy can grow several centimetres of chest girth in a matter of weeks, especially in medium and large breeds during its first months.
This means two things. First, that measurements expire fast: the size you take today is valid now, not in two months. And second, that you need to measure more often than an adult if you want the clothes to keep fitting well. It's not complicated, but it does require bearing it in mind before you rush off to buy a whole wardrobe that will be too small in no time.
How to measure your puppy step by step
The technique is the same as with an adult dog, just with a bit more patience, because puppies move even more. You need the two usual measurements: the chest girth (the widest part of the ribcage, behind the front legs) and the back length (from the neck to the base of the tail), with the puppy standing and relaxed.
With a puppy, the trick is to turn measuring into a game: do it after it's played and is a bit tired, reward it with treats and don't obsess over the millimetre. You've got the full step by step, valid for adults too, in how to measure your dog. And with those two measurements, the exact size comes from our size guide.
What clothing size for a puppy: the margin rule
Here's the million-dollar question: what clothing size for a puppy that won't stop growing. The honest answer has nuances, because it depends on how much it has left to grow.
If your puppy is in full growth, it makes sense to leave a small margin and pick the size that fits with a little room, so it lasts more weeks. But careful, use your head: a reasonable margin isn't buying a huge garment "so it lasts a year". A garment that's too big tangles between its legs, bothers it and can even be a risk. The ideal margin is the one where the garment fits comfortably now and will still work for a few more weeks, not a whole size too big. If you're torn between two, we help you decide in dog between two sizes.
And if your puppy is already close to its adult size (small breeds stop growing sooner), then measure it and buy its real size, as you would with an adult.
How to predict how much your puppy will grow
Predicting the final size helps a lot when deciding. It's not an exact science, but there are reliable clues. The most useful is the breed: if it's purebred or predominant, a quick search will tell you the approximate adult weight and size, and with that you know how much it has left to grow. Another classic clue is the paws: a puppy with big paws relative to its body usually still has a lot of growing ahead. And the life stage: small breeds reach their adult size around 8-10 months, while large ones can keep growing until 15-18 months.
By cross-referencing this with our size guide by breed and weight, you can get a fairly accurate idea of what size your dog will end up. That lets you decide whether it's worth buying now with a margin or waiting a bit.
💡 FARA 961 tip: with a puppy in full growth, measure it every 3-4 weeks and note the progress in a phone memo. Seeing how its measurements change will help you anticipate when the next size is due.
Buy now or wait? Decide sensibly
The most honest question of all: is it worth buying clothes for a puppy that's going to grow? It depends on the case, and here's our recommendation without beating around the bush.
If your puppy is cold now —it's a cold-sensitive breed, it's winter or it shivers on walks—, don't leave it uncovered waiting for it to grow: buy its current size with a small margin and, later, when it outgrows it, move up to the next. Its wellbeing now is worth more than saving a purchase. In cold-sensitive toy breeds, like the chihuahua, this is especially clear: we cover it in chihuahua clothes. If, on the other hand, it's summer or your puppy has no need for a coat, you can calmly wait until it's near its adult size before investing in clothes that last.
Yes, this means you'll probably have to rebuy a size later, and that's fine: it's normal with a puppy, just like its clothes, its collar or its bed. We'd rather tell you straight than recommend a giant garment that won't serve it. When it needs it now, take a look at our dog sweatshirts in small sizes.
Conclusion: measure often, leave a fair margin and don't rush
Getting puppy clothes right is a matter of accepting one reality: it grows, and its clothes have an expiry date. Measure it every few weeks, choose its current size with a reasonable margin —never a huge garment—, predict its adult size by looking at the breed and the paws, and decide sensibly whether to buy now (because it needs it) or wait (because it doesn't). With that, your puppy will be comfortable at every stage without you wasting money.
Ready to find its current size? Take its two measurements and compare them in our size guide to get it right first time. Comfort first, attitude second.
📸 Show us your puppy on Instagram: @fara961dogwear.
Frequently asked questions
What clothing size do I buy for a growing puppy?
Its current size with a small margin so it lasts a few more weeks, never a much bigger garment "so it lasts a year", because it would bother it and even be a risk. Measure it and compare it with the size guide.
How often should I measure my puppy?
Every 3-4 weeks if it's in full growth. A puppy's measurements expire fast, especially in medium and large breeds, so it's worth measuring more often than an adult.
How do I know how much my puppy will grow?
Look at the breed (it gives you the approximate adult size), at the size of its paws relative to its body (big paws = still growing) and at its age. Small breeds stop growing around 8-10 months; large ones, around 15-18.
Is it worth buying clothes for a puppy?
Yes, if it needs them now (it's cold or it's a cold-sensitive breed): its wellbeing comes first. If it doesn't need them and it's summer, you can wait until it's near its adult size. It's normal to have to rebuy a size as it grows.