Visual Guide To Measuring Your Dog |
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| Support the dog in a normal standing position using a support sling. All four paws should be flat on the ground and the top line of the dog should be straight. Have another person keep the dog's attention so that the head is facing forward. Make sure that the dog's front legs are set squarely beneath the shoulders, not bracing forward or back or splayed to the sides. |
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Using a metal tape measure, ruler or yardstick, follow the front legs up to the top of the shoulder blades and measure A. |
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Measurement B is taken from the center of the front leg to the beginning of the rear leg. This measurement tells us how long the side rails need to be in front of the saddle. |
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Placing one hand against the inside of the rear leg, measure straight across the widest part of the pet's thigh, being careful not to compress the muscle, for measurement C. |
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Placing your hand between the dog's legs, and gently pushing upward, measure from the dogs pelvic floor (bone) to the ground for measurement D – "floor to groin." |
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Use your caliper to measure straight across the widest part of the pet's body for measurement E. Be sure to take E measurements at the shoulders, ribs, and rump. (You should be able to comfortably pass the caliper over each widest point.) Click here for instructions to make and use the caliper. |
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