How to Measure a Small Dog for a Sweater (Chihuahua and Yorkie Sizes)

Here is how to measure a dog for a sweater: with your dog standing, wrap a soft tape around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs, then measure along the spine from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. The chest number picks the size. The back length tells you how much of your dog the sweater will cover.

Below: where the tape goes, how snug is right, where Chihuahuas and Yorkies usually start, and five of our real size charts side by side. Not sure your dog needs one? Read our guide to when small dogs need sweaters first.

How to measure a dog for a sweater, step by step

You need a soft tape measure, a few treats and a minute of your dog's patience (not the five minutes before dinner). No soft tape? AKC's dog apparel measuring guide suggests string, ribbon or a shoelace, wrapped snugly but not too tight, which you can then lay flat against a ruler.

1. Stand your dog up. Measure while they're standing, not sitting or curled up. The AKC notes that standing keeps the spine aligned and the weight evenly spread.
2. Chest. Wrap the tape around the largest part of the rib cage, usually just behind the front legs. Slip two fingers between the tape and your dog, then read the number.
3. Back length. Start at the base of the neck, where the collar sits, and run the tape along the top of the spine to the base of the tail.
4. Neck. Measure around the base of the neck where the collar sits. This one matters most for turtlenecks.
5. Weight. Weigh yourself holding your dog, then weigh yourself alone and subtract. PetMD's guide to dog sweaters says knowing your dog's actual weight helps you pick the right size.

Write the numbers down in inches, which all of our size charts use. Metric tape? Divide centimeters by 2.54.

Chest, weight or breed: which matters most?

Chest matters most. The AKC calls chest girth "often the most important measurement when sizing clothing," and every chart in this guide lists it. Weight is a useful cross-check, and breed is only a rough starting point.

Weight can mislead because the tape measures ribs and fur, not pounds. A smooth-coated Chihuahua and a full-coated Pomeranian at the same weight can measure differently around the chest. Weight bands can also leave gaps. On our Snow Day sweater chart, size S stops at 4.4 lb and M starts at 5.5 lb, so a 5 lb dog has to go by chest anyway.

Dog sweater size chart: five Lumi styles side by side

The same letter size doesn't mean the same fit. A size S has a 10.2 inch chest on our Snow Day cable knit and a 15.0 inch chest on our Froggy & Fruit hoodie. Here are five of our charts in one place.

Each cell shows chest / back length in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm). Match your dog's chest to the chart first, then check the back length.

What the numbers show:

• The Cocoa Bear onesie, Cloud Bear vest and Teddy Hug sweater share the same chest and back length from XS through L, so one chest measurement points to the same letter in all three.
• The Froggy & Fruit hoodie is 0.8 to 2.7 inches roomier in the chest at every size, which helps fluffy and broad-chested dogs.
• The Snow Day cable knit is cut narrow and long: its back length matches or exceeds its chest in every size, which can suit a slim dog that would swim in a wider cut.
• Allow some wiggle room. The vest and Teddy Hug charts both say measurements can vary by about 1 inch.

What size sweater does a Chihuahua wear?

Start with size M on our charts that list weight, then let the chest decide. The AKC breed weight chart lists the Chihuahua at 6 lb, which lands in M on the Cocoa Bear onesie, Cloud Bear vest and Snow Day charts. If your Chihuahua's chest is 13.8 inches or under, the onesie, vest and Teddy Hug charts point to S or XS instead.

Here is the same starting-point math for other small breeds, using the AKC breed weight chart. Your own dog may weigh more or less than the chart says. The Teddy Hug and Froggy & Fruit charts don't list weight, so size those by chest alone.

Starting sizes come from the pet weight bands on each size chart. Confirm with a chest measurement.

Coat changes the tape reading. Long-coated dogs like Yorkies and Shih Tzus can measure noticeably smaller after a haircut, and a toy poodle changes with its clip, so measure the coat your dog will wear under the sweater. By weight, a Shih Tzu at the top of its range is past our largest onesie and Snow Day sizes. The Teddy Hug and the hoodie go up to a 21.7 and a 24.4 inch chest.

Cats aren't on AKC's chart, so use the tape. The Cocoa Bear onesie and Cloud Bear vest are sized for cats as well as small dogs.

How tight should a dog sweater be?

Snug, not tight. You should be able to slide two fingers under the sweater at the chest and neck, and your dog should walk, sit and lie down without the fabric pulling under the front legs. PetMD's advice is to check the "armpit" area and the neck for freedom of movement, without too much extra fabric.

Too loose and too tight both cause trouble. AKC's guide to dog sweaters warns that a baggy sweater can get caught or tangled, and one that's too tight restricts movement. After the first try-on, check that:

• two fingers slide under at the chest and at the neck
• the leg openings don't rub or pinch while your dog walks
• the back hem stays clear when your dog goes potty
• nothing twists to one side after a lap around the room

What if my dog is between sizes?

Size up, especially if your dog is fluffy or broad-chested. AKC's measuring guide gives the same advice: when in doubt, choose the larger size. Our Teddy Hug sweater runs small, so size up there even if your dog is only a little over the line.

Check the back length before you order, though. If the bigger size is a lot longer than your dog's back, it can bunch or slide, and a different cut may fit better. For example, a dog with a 12.5 inch chest sits between XS and S on the onesie but lines up almost exactly with the Snow Day's M (12.6 inches).

How onesies, sweaters, vests and hoodies fit differently

The more of your dog a piece covers, the more measurements have to agree. A vest is the most forgiving, a four-leg onesie the least.

Four-leg onesie

The Cocoa Bear fleece onesie covers the legs, back and tummy and buttons along the back. Chest matters most for this style, but check the back length too, because a piece with four legs can't slide forward or back to make up the difference. The belly panel can be trimmed if needed.

Pull-over sweater

Pull-overs slip on over the head with two front-leg openings and no fasteners, so the neck and armpits are the fit points. The Snow Day cable knit turtleneck is an acrylic knit cut narrow and long. The Teddy Hug striped sweater is a light polyester layer with a ribbed collar and cuffs, plus a plush teddy riding in the back pocket.

Vest

A pull-on vest is the easiest to get right, because nothing wraps the front legs. Our Cloud Bear vest is sleeveless and stretchy, with a back D-ring for a light leash only. It isn't a harness, so don't use it for pulling.

Hoodie

The Froggy & Fruit fleece hoodie is a pull-over with two leg openings, a hood and a tie cord at the neck. It runs roomier in the chest than the other four styles here. If your dog likes to chew, take the cord out.

Sweater sizing FAQ

Should I measure over my dog's fur?

Yes, over the coat as it is today, with two fingers of room. If a groom is coming up, measure afterward.

How often should I re-measure a puppy?

Before every new sweater. A growing puppy can outgrow last month's numbers.

What if the sweater doesn't fit?

Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Orders take 6 to 14 business days to arrive, so measuring first saves your dog a chilly wait.