HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOG FOR THE HARNESS

Checkmate It's a Cloudy Day, HCT, JHD, HT, HTADI-s, PT

Cloud, a Shetland Sheepdog, earned his titles in sheep herding. After retirement, he needed more activity. I chose carting for him and he became the symbol for Custom Dog Carts when we began making the carts. He was a proud carter and loved the attention he got when doing it. He also became a happy participant in Nose Work.

He illustrates how to measure from the withers to the knob on the breastbone. This is a critical measurement for the harness as it allows enough space to put the yoke over the head and sit properly on the withers and the breastbone.  

1. Holding a non-stretchable ribbon or cord at the top of this withers (see the number 1 on the photo).
2. Using your other hand, run the non-stretchable ribbon or cord  diagonally under his fur to the know on his breastbone (see number 2 & 3 on the dog's photo).
3. Put finger on the knob of the breastbone holding the non-stretchable ribbon or cord (see number 2 and 3 on the dog's photo).
4. Remove non-stretchable ribbon/cord and measure in inches. Repeat on other side of body.
5. Make sure the non-stretchable ribbon or cord is straight on the diagonal. The diagonal above shows a curve, which is wrong.

  

You can see how the yoke of the harness goes over the dog’s head and rests on the breastbone and also on the withers. Accurate measuring is crucial as the harness is the basic tool for pulling the cart.

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HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOG FOR THE CART

There are three critical measurements for the cart. The shafts must lie horizontally along the dog’s side AND parallel to the ground. 

Boone of the Big House, TKE, CDX,  RM3, RATCH, CGC, RACH, NN, AN, NW2, SWN

Boone is talented and intelligent Hound mix. His titles reflect awards in dog sports such as Tricks, Obedience, Rally, Barn Hunt, Scent Work, and all around good dog as a Canine Good Citizen.

In this photo Boone is shown in a side view so you can see the yardstick standing vertically against him with the number One (10) at his feet. Have the dog stand as shown.

A frontal view illustrates the yardstick vertically in front of the dog with the number One (1) on the ground by the dog’s feet.

Boone’s owner points to the knob on the breastbone. If you need to use a shorter ruler, make sure that it is vertical.

If you can’t find the knob, hold the dog’s head up and run your finger from the underside of the head down the middle of his neck and chest until you feel the knob.

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You have a smaller dog? The same type of measurement is done. Illustrating the smaller dog is Oakley, a bulldog from Alabama.

UKC Ch Wildwood Little Miss Sure Shot
TDGCH, RACH2, CD, BN, RM7, RAE4, FDC, NAP, AJP, DCAT, TT, OSD, CGCA, CGCU, TKE, FITG, PSD, AtoZ, 20:1, RATN

Oakley is a Bulldog Hall of Fame girl. She is a winning show dog, as well a,s multiple championships in other dog sports. A talented bulldog she  in dog in tricks, obedience, rally, agility, lure coursing and parkour.  She is also a Canine Good Citizen and Farm Dog certified.

Using yardstick measure for floor to withers. Make sure the number one (1) is at the dog's feet and visible in the photo.

  

Make sure the dog is standing upright without slouching. Place the yardstick as shown with the number one (1) visible at the dog's feet.

Pointing a finger at the knob on the breastbone helps you determine exactly where it is and shows it to us.