Sizing is the single biggest driver of returns in pet apparel. Every buying guide and forum thread we could find lands on the same point: an ill-fitting coat is returned, no matter how good the fabric is. For a wholesaler, that means a size chart that works is worth more than a prettier product photo.
The three measurements (in order of importance)
- Chest girth — around the widest point just behind the front legs. This is the governing dimension for almost every coat. Leave room for two fingers.
- Back length — from the base of the neck (the shoulder blades) to the base of the tail, not to the tail tip. Too short and the dog's lower back is exposed; too long and it interferes with movement and toileting.
- Neck circumference — where a collar sits, with one finger of ease.
Measure with the dog standing naturally, not sitting — a sitting dog reads small. Take each measurement three times and average.
Why weight is the wrong shortcut
Two dogs can both weigh 10 kg and need very different sizes. A Corgi and a Greyhound at the same weight can differ by around 8 cm in chest girth alone. Selling "M = 10 kg" is how a retailer ends up with a pile of returns. Always lead with chest and back length.
Breed-specific fit notes buyers ask about
- Deep-chested (French Bulldog, Pug, Boxer): allow one to two fingers extra at the chest or the dog will change how it walks when the coat is on.
- Long-backed, short-legged (Dachshund, Corgi): back length is critical; belly coverage matters, and a too-long coat causes tripping.
- Sighthounds (Whippet, Greyhound): buy for back length first, chest second — these dogs are long and narrow and standard size runs are usually too boxy.
- Giants (Mastiff, German Shepherd): confirm the size run actually goes to XXL/3XL; many stop at L.
A note on which dogs should not wear a coat
This is worth stating plainly on a retail page because it reduces returns and builds trust: double-coated breeds (Husky, Malamute, Samoyed, Golden Retriever) generally do not need a coat for ordinary winter walks. Their undercoat is the insulation, and a coat can trap moisture and mat the fur. Coats earn their place for short-haired and toy breeds, senior or ill dogs, and sustained exposure in sub-freezing or wet conditions. A practical field test owners use: feel the ears and belly — if they are cold, a layer helps; if warm, take it off.
For wholesale buyers: building a size run
When you order 100 pieces across a style, the size split matters more than buyers expect. A common starting distribution for a mixed European retail order is roughly XXS–XS 15%, S–M 45%, L–XL 30%, XXL 10% — but you should tune it to your breed mix. We produce to your own size chart at no tooling cost, and we return a per-size measurement sheet from production so your QA team can check tolerances before the goods ship.