Learning to measure your Dog is a valuable skill as a pet owner. Growth, the correct choice of a crate, a harness purchase, or competitions, knowing the precise height of your dog will guarantee a higher level of care and correct decisions. It is easy to measure the height of a dog when you know how to do it and what equipment to use.
This guide tells you all you need to know about how to measure the height of your dog correctly and without any doubts.
Why Measuring Your Dog’s Height Matters
It is not just a number when it comes to measuring the height of your dog. It makes you aware of the general growth of your dog and you make the correct decisions to keep your dog comfortable and safe. The height is often taken into consideration when choosing travel crates, dog doors, grooming tables, and even clothing or harnesses.
In the case of growing puppies, keeping track of height will allow you to keep track of healthy growth and identify abnormal growth patterns at the earliest stage. In the case of adult dogs, it aids in consistency in training equipment and adjustments to living space. Height is a common standard measurement, especially when you are involved in shows or organized training activities.
Simply put, understanding how to measure the height of a dog will assist you to take better care of them and prevent guesses when buying pet necessities.
Tools You Need for Accurate Measurement
No expensive equipment is required to measure the height of your dog.
It will only take a few simple tools:
- A ruler or a measuring tape
- A surface that is flat and does not have a slippery surface such as a floor or a wall
- A book or flat object to measure height (not compulsory but helpful)
- A second (not compulsory with wiggly dogs).
The most convenient one is a measuring tape since it is flexible and can be aligned with your dog. A wall can assist you in establishing a straight vertical reference point thus making measurements more precise.
It is important to have your dog standing naturally and calm before you start. Do not put them in an unnatural position since this may influence the accuracy of the measurement.
Understanding the Withers: The Key Measuring Point
The most significant idea of dog height measurement is the withers. The highest point of the shoulders of your dog is the withers, which is the meeting point of the shoulder blades at the base of the neck.
It is the standard position employed in nearly all height measurements of dogs since it does not change when the head is raised or lowered. The height of the withers measured to the ground provides a stable and accurate height measurement.
To find the withers, gently run your hand along your dog’s neck and shoulders. You will have a little bump at the junction of the shoulder blades–this is where you are to measure.
This step is important to understand as most individuals measure to the highest point of the head or ears hence giving wrong measurements.
Step-by-Step Process to Measure Your Dog’s Height
Measuring your dog’s height is a simple process if done correctly. To get the correct results, follow these steps:
To begin with, put your dog in a flat area where he or she can stand without falling. Ensure that the four paws are well placed on the ground.
Then make sure that your dog is standing straight and not sitting or leaning. They should have their head in a neutral position and not stretched up or down.
Next find the withers, the highest part of the shoulder blades. This is your starting point for measurement.
Now, hold your measuring-tape or ruler on the ground, and up to the withers. When you have a wall, you can use a flat object such as a book to mark the point at the withers and then measure the distance between the floor and the point.
At last, take a note of the measurement in inches or centimeters, whichever you choose. Do the same two or three times, so as to be consistent.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Measuring
Most pet owners commit minor errors that result in wrong height measurements. One of the most common errors is measuring to the top of the head instead of the withers. The position of the head of a dog varies so often that this technique is not reliable.
The other error is to measure when the dog is sitting, lying or moving. Always make sure that your dog is standing in a natural position.
The use of uneven surfaces is also a frequent problem. The measurement may be slightly different when using soft carpets or sloped floors, so it is always preferable to use a hard surface that is flat.
Other owners also draw the measuring tape too tight or at an angle. To get the right results the tape must be straight and vertical.
These errors can be avoided and will assist you in obtaining an accurate and reproducible measurement.
Measuring Puppies vs Adult Dogs
Puppies are a little more difficult to measure since they are more likely to move. Puppies are also fast growing and thus their height may change drastically in a short time. Measuring them after every few weeks is useful to monitor their growth patterns.
In adult dogs, measurements are more consistent. Most dogs do not grow after reaching their full size and therefore, you would only need to update the information occasionally, when you are changing equipment or monitoring health conditions.
Remember that big dogs can still be physically filling up even after they have reached their height, and so height does not necessarily indicate complete maturity.
It is the same with a puppy or an adult; the only difference is that one should always measure at the withers on a level surface.
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