How to Measure Your Dog for a Red Dingo Padded Harness

By DogTuff | Published: 2026-10-14

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to measure your dog's chest for the Red Dingo Padded Harness, check the fit, and adjust the straps correctly so the harness stays comfortable and secure on every walk.

Quick answer

Measure your dog's chest girth at the widest point behind the front legs, then choose the Red Dingo Padded Harness size that matches that number. For growing or borderline dogs, size up rather than down and use the harness's full adjustability to fine-tune the fit. Always recheck the girth after putting the harness on, because a correct measurement on a loose dog can still need strap adjustment once the harness is fitted.

Why chest girth is the measurement that matters

Harness sizing is driven by chest girth, not by weight or breed. Two dogs of the same weight can have very different chest depths, so a scale or a breed chart will only get you close. The Red Dingo Padded Harness is fully adjustable and easy to fit, so the girth measurement is the anchor point; the adjustable straps then handle the rest of the shape. If you only have a collar size on hand, treat it as a rough starting point and still measure the chest before ordering.

What you need before you start

Use a soft fabric tape measure, the kind used for sewing. If you do not have one, a piece of string or a shoelace works: wrap it around the chest, mark where the ends meet, then lay it flat against a ruler. Have a few small treats within reach. A dog that is standing still and relaxed will give you a more accurate number than one that is sitting, lying down, or squirming.

How to double-check the number

Measure the chest girth twice and compare the readings. If they differ by more than about half an inch, measure a third time and use the middle figure. Round up to the nearest whole inch rather than down; a harness that is slightly roomy can be adjusted, while one that is too tight cannot be made larger. Write the number down before you go to the size selector so you are not trying to remember it while browsing.

Step-by-step harness measuring process

1. Stand your dog on a level surface: Ask your dog to stand squarely on all four feet on a flat floor. A standing dog gives the most accurate chest girth because the chest is at its natural widest. Common mistake: measuring a sitting or lying dog, which compresses the chest and gives a reading that is too small.
2. Find the widest point behind the front legs: Locate the deepest part of the chest, just behind the front legs and over the shoulder blades. This is the point where the harness will sit, so it is the number that matters most. Checkpoint: if you are unsure, run your hand along the ribcage and feel for the spot where the chest is fullest.
3. Wrap the tape snugly, not tightly: Wrap the tape measure around the chest at that widest point, keeping it level all the way around. It should sit flat against the fur without squeezing the skin. Common mistake: pulling the tape so tight that it digs in, which adds an inch or more to the reading.
4. Record the number and round up: Note the measurement in inches and round up to the nearest whole inch. If your dog is between two sizes, choose the larger size and use the adjustable straps to take up the slack. Checkpoint: a harness that is slightly too large can be adjusted; one that is too small cannot be stretched.
5. Put the harness on and recheck the girth: Fit the Red Dingo Padded Harness, fasten the bucklebones, and slide two fingers under each strap. The padded chest and back panels should rest flat, and the harness should not slide more than an inch when you tug gently. Common mistake: assuming the measured size will fit perfectly without strap adjustment, especially on deep-chested or narrow-chested dogs.
6. Adjust while your dog is standing: Tighten or loosen the adjustable straps one side at a time until the harness is even on both sides. Walk your dog a few steps and watch for rubbing behind the front legs or slipping over the shoulders. Next step: if the harness still shifts after adjustment, remeasure the chest and consider the next size up.

Product facts

Red Dingo Padded Harness - Yellow: Red Dingo's New Padded Dog Harness has soft padding on chest and back areas for maximum comfort. Fully adjustable and easy to fit - incorporating all of Red Dingo's quality features, including reflective trim for safety and style, dual D-rings which gives the dog owner more control of their pet, and twin bucklebones which makes this harness the easiest to take on and off. The padding sits exactly where the tape measure runs, so a girth measurement taken at the widest chest point tells you how much padded harness has to fit around your dog. The dual D-rings and twin bucklebones mean you can adjust the fit without fighting with the hardware on every walk.