What sweatshirt size does my dog need?

The two measurements you need (and nothing more)

To know what sweatshirt size your dog needs, forget weight as the main figure and grab a tape measure. You only need two numbers. The first and most important is the chest girth: wrap the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs, with the tape snug but not tight. The second is the back length: from the base of the neck, where the collar would sit, to the base of the tail, with the dog standing.

With those two figures you can already choose a size confidently. The chest girth is what rules: it's the measurement that decides whether the sweatshirt goes on and whether your dog moves comfortably. If you've never measured your dog, we explain it step by step in how to measure your dog.

What dog sweatshirt size to choose: the FARA 961 chart

Here's what you were after. To know what dog sweatshirt size to choose, cross your dog's chest girth and back length with this chart:

Reading it is simple: find the size the chest girth of your dog fits into. If the chest and back fall in different sizes, the chest always rules, because it's the measurement that determines whether the garment goes on. You've got the interactive version in our size guide and the by-breed orientation in the dog size guide by breed and weight.

The quirks of size in a sweatshirt

The sweatshirt has a couple of specific details worth bearing in mind when choosing a size, and that don't apply the same way to other garments.

The first is the sherpa lining. Our sweatshirts have a soft, warm sherpa lining that takes up a little volume and is precisely what makes them so warm. That's why the size should have just the right amount of room: neither so tight it crushes the lining and loses warmth, nor so big it swims. The second is the hood: on a hooded sweatshirt, a size too small tenses the neck and pulls on the hood, while the right size lets it fall naturally over the back —we cover it in are hooded sweatshirts comfortable?. Getting the chest right solves both at once.

If your dog is between two sweatshirt sizes

It's the most common doubt, and the general answer is clear: go up to the larger one. A sweatshirt with a finger of room is comfortable and lets the sherpa lining breathe; a tight one squeezes the chest, tenses the hood and limits movement. Besides, in a warm garment, that small extra margin doesn't take away warmth.

That said, there are nuances depending on your dog's build, and we cover them in depth in our guide my dog is between two sizes, which do I choose?. But as a practical rule for the sweatshirt, when in doubt, the larger size almost always wins.

💡 FARA 961 tip: save your dog's chest girth in a phone note. It's the figure that decides its sweatshirt size, and you'll have it ready for any future purchase without measuring again.

Buy its sweatshirt with confidence

With the size clear, all that's left is choosing its own. Bear in mind that getting the sizing right is what guarantees the sweatshirt does its job: keep it warm without getting in the way and let your dog move as if it weren't wearing it. A well-chosen size is comfort, warmth and style in the same garment.

❄️ Find its ideal size. Sherpa-lined sweatshirts, warm and with urban style → — measure, choose a size and get it right first time.

⭐ Our pick: Bubble Gum Hoodie — sherpa lining · cotton + polyester · available from S to 3XL.

Conclusion: two measurements and its size sorted

Knowing what sweatshirt size your dog needs is a matter of two numbers —chest girth and back length— and a chart. Remember the keys: the chest rules, the sweatshirt asks for just the right room because of the sherpa lining, and when in doubt between two sizes, go up to the larger. With that, you buy its sweatshirt confident it'll fit perfectly. And if you're still unsure which garment suits it, start with how to choose the best clothes for your dog; and if the doubt is sweatshirt or raincoat, we compare them here.

Ready to find its own? Take its two measurements, compare them with our size guide and choose its sweatshirt in the dog sweatshirts section. Comfort first, attitude second.

📸 Show us your dog in its sweatshirt on Instagram: @fara961dogwear.