Article Summary. Method 1. Stand your dog against a wall. When you are measuring the height of your dog, you will need it to be standing so you can get an accurate measurement. You should also put the dog against a wall or door frame. This will give you a fixed point next to the dog that you will use during measurement. Make sure that your dog is standing up straight. Its legs should be perpendicular to the floor and its feet should be shoulder width apart.
Feel for the dog's withers. The withers on a dog is the highest point of its shoulder blades. It is located behind the base of the dog's neck. Feel around this area on your dog and locate the top bony point of the shoulder.
You may even be able to identify the withers just by looking at the dog's body. Place a level across your dog's withers. Using a long level, such as a carpenter's level, place the length of it on the dog's withers with the end touching the wall. Make sure the level is indeed level, then mark the point where the bottom of it is touching the wall. This has transferred the dog's height measurement onto the wall. However, if you don't want to mark up your wall, you can simply hold your finger at the spot on the wall or place a piece of removable tape in that spot.
You can also make the measurement against your refrigerator and use a magnet to mark your spot. Measure from the ground to your level mark. Allow the dog to move away from the wall. Once the area is clear, you can easily measure from the ground to the mark that you made. Experts use this tool to precisely measure a dog's height, depending on the breed. You can use the measuring bar on puppies or grown-up dogs as the material is soft and sturdy.
You can find measuring sticks found in both inches and centimeters, but make sure you get the right size for your dog's breed. Measurements for dog shows work differently than the standard way. These measurements are necessary information to determine whether your dog fits the breed's height range. Dog show judges use a wicket to assess the dog's height. A wicket is a measuring tool shaped like a U with two legs standing firmly over the surface. The top of the wicket has an adjustable bar to make sure it fits perfectly over your dog's withers.
Judges will measure your dog's height only once, so make sure your dog is comfortable with measuring tools before exposing him to dog shows. If your dog does not stand still during the measuring phase of the dog show, then it will be eliminated without a second chance. There's not a specific measuring tool for dogs as you can use anything to measure them. But we do recommend using the following items to get a proper height reading:.
Tape Measure: This is an excellent option as many people own one. All you'll need to do is place it next to your dog, make sure it stands still, and cover the length of the withers to the paws.
Tape measures come in inches, feet, and metric systems like meters and centimeters. Although, you can also use a folding ruler if you have a small dog breed. Carpenter's level: This tool will give you a mostly accurate reading as long as you place it firmly onto the shoulders of your dog.
If you set it up to the neck, you'll get an inaccurate reading. Frame: The do-it-at-home tool of dog measurement: place your dog's head over the edge so that he stands still. Then, proceed to take the readings. If not, here are a few suggestions for measuring your dog. Not only that, these measurement instruments are cheap, and you can easily find them at your own home.
A measuring tape. You can easily find a measuring tape at home. They are easy to use and will give you an accurate reading. If your dog is easily irritated and distracted, the best instrument to measure his height is measuring tape.
A door frame. You can quickly put your dog next to a wall to measure him using a door frame. Moreover, your dog will not be able to move around much in that position. A pencil for marking. A pencil is the best instrument for drawing a mark on the wall. You can easily clean it, and it does not make such a visible line on the wall. A magnet for marking. If you are hesitant about a pencil line on your wall, you can make your dog stand next to the refrigerator and place a magnet on it.
It checks whether a surface is horizontal or vertical. Its accuracy depends on its sensitivity. Some dogs resist standing under the Wicket. Ensure that your dog is comfortable before being made to stand under the Wicket. If you can measure your dog from a wicket, it will give the most accurate measurement. Not only that, withers determines whether your dog conforms to the quality of its breed. Generally, a dog should have clear-cut withers. It also directly impacts the most crucial point of complying with the owner, which is the shoulder.
If a collar, leash, or harness is tied improperly on your dog , it can cause multiple health hazards like choking and blood flow loss. I hope this article has helped you just a bit in the everyday life as a dog owner. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. So of course, measuring the dog at the withers at home with precision is important before entering the show ring.
Judges may at times decide to verify the height at dog shows using a wicket which they are allowed to use only one time and must get it right that first time around.
Because of the possibility of getting measured by a judge, it's not a bad idea to get the dog used to being around the wicket and measured with it as some dogs not used to it may get easily spooked. Home Curiosity. By Jennifer By Dr. Jennifer Masucci veterinarian. Related Articles. By Adrienne Farricelli. By Carol. Ivana Crnec veterinarian.
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