How to Measure Your Dachshund for Clothes: The Complete Sizing Guide
Getting the right size for a dachshund is one of the more genuinely tricky parts of shopping for your dog. Standard sizing charts don't always account for the dachshund's proportions — so even when you follow the guide, the fit can be off. This post walks you through exactly how to measure your dog, what to do with those measurements, and how to handle the common sizing edge cases that come up with long dogs.
The Three Measurements That Matter
For most dachshund clothing, you need three numbers:
1. Back length Measure from the base of your dog's neck (where a collar would sit) to the base of their tail. This is the most important measurement for a dachshund — it's where standard sizing most often falls short, and it's the number that most frequently pushes dachshunds into a larger size than their weight would suggest.
2. Chest circumference Measure around the widest part of your dog's chest, just behind the front legs. Keep the tape snug but not tight — you should be able to slip two fingers underneath comfortably.
3. Neck circumference Measure around the base of the neck where a collar sits. This matters most for sweaters and tops with a fitted neckline.
How to Take the Measurements
You'll need a soft measuring tape — the kind used for sewing works best. If you don't have one, a piece of string and a ruler works fine.
Get your dachshund standing on a flat surface if possible. It's easier with two people — one to hold the dog steady, one to measure. If your dog won't stand still, measure them lying down and add about half an inch to the back length measurement to account for the stretch of a standing position.
Be patient. Most dachshunds have opinions about this process.
The Dachshund Sizing Rule of Thumb
Here's the thing most sizing charts won't tell you directly: dachshunds almost always size up. Their back length typically places them in a larger size category than their weight or chest measurement would suggest.
If you're between sizes, go up. A slightly longer garment is almost always better than one that's too short — it won't ride up, it'll cover the back properly, and it'll keep your dog warmer.
Miniature vs. Standard Dachshunds
Miniature dachshunds (under 11 lbs) and standard dachshunds (16–32 lbs) have different sizing needs, but the same proportional challenges. Both have the long body-to-leg ratio that makes standard dog sizing unreliable. The same measurement approach applies to both — just expect miniature dachshunds to fall in the XS–S range and standards to fall in the M–XL range, with back length being the deciding factor in both cases.
Using the Sunbean Size Chart
Every product page on Sunbean includes a size chart specific to that garment. Because our pieces are designed for long-bodied dogs, you may find our sizing runs more true to a dachshund's actual measurements than what you're used to seeing elsewhere.
When in doubt: measure first, check the chart, and size up if you're on the border. If something doesn't fit, see our return and exchange policy.
Ready to shop? Browse our dog sweaters, matching sets, or bestsellers — all sized with your long dog in mind.