Half of harness returns are due to sizing, and almost all of them could have been avoided with a tape measure and two minutes. This is how to get it right the first time.
There is only one measurement that matters
Forget about weight. Two 15 kg dogs might need different sizes depending on whether they have a broad or narrow chest, and weight-based charts fail constantly because of this.
What you need to measure is the chest girth: the full circumference of the torso, passing through the widest part, just behind the front legs. This is the point that holds the harness and determines whether it will be too tight or slip off.
How to measure, step by step
- The dog must be standing, in a normal and relaxed position. If they are lying down or sitting, the measurement will be inaccurate.
- Wrap the tape measure around the torso behind the front armpits, at the widest point of the ribcage.
- Adjust without tightening. The tape should be against the fur, without sinking in. If you have to force it, it is too tight.
- Write down the number in centimeters and measure again to confirm. It is common for there to be a two or three-centimeter difference between attempts.
If you don't have a sewing tape measure, use a string or a charging cable: wrap it around, mark it with your finger, and then measure it against a ruler or a construction tape measure.
The chart
These are the chest girth measurements for our anti-pull harness:
| Size | Chest girth | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| S | 40 – 52 cm | Small dog: Poodle, Shih Tzu, Jack Russell |
| M | 50 – 65 cm | Medium dog: Beagle, Cocker, small Border Collie |
| L | 60 – 80 cm | Large dog: Labrador, German Shepherd, Boxer |
| XL | 75 – 95 cm | Very large dog: Mastiff, Saint Bernard, Great Dane |
Breeds are just a quick reference. Always go by the measurement.
If you fall between two sizes
Notice that the ranges overlap on purpose. If your dog measures 51 cm, they fit in both S and M. The rule:
- Choose the larger size if it is a puppy still growing, if they have long or thick fur, or if they are at the upper limit of the smaller size.
- Choose the smaller size only if the dog is clearly narrow-chested and already an adult, because a loose harness will rotate and the front clip will stop working.
The two-finger test
When your harness arrives, adjust it and check this before heading out: you should be able to fit two flat fingers between the strap and the dog's body at any point. Not one, and not four.
With less, it rubs and marks the skin in the armpits. With more, it rotates at the first pull and the dog can slide a leg out, which is the most common way for a dog to escape in the middle of a crosswalk.
Check the fit every few weeks for puppies, and with every change of season for adults: a dog with winter fur does not measure the same as one freshly groomed.
Why a front-clip harness and not a regular one
A conventional harness attaches the leash to the back. When the dog pulls, the force goes forward and you go behind; it is the same mechanism that a sled works with. That is why some dogs pull more with a harness than with a collar.
The front clip changes the physics: by attaching at the chest, the pull turns the dog toward you instead of propelling it forward. It is not magic and it does not replace training, but it turns an impossible walk into a manageable one while the dog learns.
Ours also adds a control handle on the back—useful at a crosswalk, at the vet, or when getting into a car—and reflective bands for night walks, which in winter make up half of all walks.
What else is needed for the walk
With the harness on, what completes the outing is simple: a leash that lets you give them room in the park and brake them at the crosswalk, a waste bag dispenser attached to the leash itself so you don't forget again halfway down the street, and water if the walk lasts longer than half an hour or if it's hot.
That is exactly what the Walking Pack contains: the four things you end up buying the first month, bundled together and cheaper than separately.
If you have the measurement and are still unsure, send it to us at hola@nuvorashop.es and we will tell you which size to order. And if it doesn't fit when it arrives, you have 30 days to return it.