Measure Your Dog For Air Travel

When travelling with your dog, you'll need to get an airline carrier or crate that's the right size for your pet. This is important for your dog's comfort and safety, and airlines are very strict about these rules. To measure your dog for an airline carrier, you'll need to measure their height and length. For height, measure from the floor to the top of their head or ears, adding a few inches to the final number. For length, measure from the base of the tail to the tip of the nose, again adding a few inches. It's important to note that you should never add too much to the measurements, as this could cause issues at the airport.

Nose to tail

To measure your dog from nose to tail, you will need a tape measure or a piece of string. It is important to get your dog to stand up as straight as possible. You will not be able to get an accurate measurement if your dog is laying down, sitting, or sniffing the ground.

Coax your dog to stand in a corner with its bottom against the wall and its side flat along the wall. Hold their head level and mark where the tip of their nose ends with a pen or pencil. Make sure they have not arched their body, as this will shorten the measurement.

Place the tip of your tape measure on your dog's spine at the point where its collar rests. Hold the tip in place with one hand. Lay the measuring tape straight across your dog's back, following its spine, until you reach the point where its tail meets its body.

Read the measurement on the tape where your dog's tail begins. This is the nose-to-tail measurement. It is important to note that this is not the same as the nose-to-tail-tip measurement, which would be significantly longer.

Elbow to ground

To measure your dog's height, place their bottom in a corner with their side flat against a wall. Hold their head level and mark the wall at the tip of their nose with a pen or pencil. Next, measure from the floor to the mark on the wall. This is measurement A.

Now, measure from the elbow joint in the forearm to the ground. This is measurement B.

It is important to get accurate measurements to ensure your dog's crate is suitable, safe, and comfortable for them. The crate must be the perfect size for your dog, or the airline may refuse to let your dog travel.

To get measurement B, measure from the ground to the elbow joint in your dog's forearm. This is the height from the ground to the dog's elbow.

Make sure your dog is standing in a natural position when you take this measurement. You can also try measuring from the floor to the highest point of your dog's shoulder and adding a few inches for their head.

Remember, your dog needs to be able to stand up in their carrier. So, once you have measurement B, add another 1-2 inches for clearance in the carrier. This is the final height measurement for your dog.

It is important to note that some airlines may require additional space for short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, to ensure they have ample breathing room.

Shoulder width

To measure your dog's shoulder width, you'll need to measure across the widest part of your dog, which is usually the shoulders. This is also known as the shoulder height or shoulder blade height.

• Stand your dog against a wall or door frame. This will give you a fixed point of reference for the measurement.
• Ensure your dog is standing straight and square, with all four paws on the floor and spaced out evenly. Their legs should be perpendicular to the floor, with their paws placed shoulder-width apart.
• Locate the withers of your dog. The withers are the highest point of the shoulder blades, located behind the base of the dog's neck. It may be easier to locate the withers on dogs with shorter coats.
• Place a level across your dog's withers. Use a long level, such as a carpenter's level, and place it on the dog's withers with one end touching the wall. Ensure the level is flat and level.
• Mark the wall. Make a mark on the wall at the point where the bottom of the level touches it. This transfers the height of the dog's shoulders to the wall. You can use a pencil, a piece of removable tape, or even just hold your finger at the spot if you don't want to mark the wall.
• Measure from the ground to the mark. Once your dog moves away, use a measuring tape or yardstick to measure from the ground up to the mark on the wall. This will give you the height of your dog's shoulders.

It is important to keep your dog as still as possible during the measurement process. You may need an assistant to help hold your dog still or distract them so you can take the measurement.

Additionally, some dogs may be slightly taller when in a sitting position, so it is recommended to take measurements in both positions and use the larger of the two measurements.

Ear height

When preparing for airline travel with your dog, it's important to ensure that their crate or kennel is the correct size to comply with airline regulations. Measurements must be accurate, as airlines will refuse to let your dog fly if their crate is too small. One of the key measurements you'll need to take is the height of your dog's ears.

To measure your dog's ear height, start by placing your dog in a suitable corner inside your home or garden, with their bottom in the corner and their side flat along the wall. Hold their head level and make a mark with a pen or pencil at the top of their head. If your dog has pointed ears, measure from the tip of their ears. If they have floppy ears, the measurement will be from the top of their head, as the tips of their ears may not be visible or may not be erect.

It's important to note that some dogs may be slightly taller when sitting, so you should measure them in both positions and use the larger of the two measurements. Additionally, do not add any extra inches to the measurement – providing accurate measurements is crucial to ensure your dog's comfort and safety during their flight.

Standing height

When measuring your dog's standing height, it's important to keep them as still as possible. If your dog is particularly active, you may need an extra pair of hands to help keep them in place.

To measure your dog's standing height, you will need to measure from the floor to the top of their shoulders, known as the withers. The withers are the highest point of your dog's body and are located at the indentation between the shoulder blades, where the neck and shoulders meet.

Stand your dog against a wall or door frame to give you a fixed point for measurement. Ensure your dog is standing up straight with all four paws on the floor, spaced out evenly, and legs perpendicular to the floor. Their paws should be about shoulder-width apart.

Next, you can use a long level, such as a carpenter's level, to measure their height. Place the level on top of their withers, keeping it flush against the wall, and mark the point where the bottom of the level touches the wall. Once your dog has moved away, measure from the floor to the mark on the wall. This will give you their height.

If you don't want to mark your wall, you can simply hold your finger at the spot or use a piece of removable tape. Alternatively, you can use a measuring tape or yardstick to measure directly from the floor to the top of their withers.

Remember, when measuring your dog's height, you do not measure to the top of their head or neck, as you would with a human.

Frequently asked questions