Dog Collar Size Guide: How to Measure for the Right Fit
By Amu Editorial · Updated
Getting the size right the first time is the difference between a collar your dog wears every day and a return. Amu collars are made-to-order and hand-stitched, so two minutes with a tape measure now saves a 2–3 week reorder later. This guide covers how to measure a dog for a collar, a full dog collar size chart, leash widths, and matching bracelet sizing for the human half of the set.
How to Measure Your Dog's Neck
Wrap a soft measuring tape around the base of your dog's neck, where the collar naturally sits — slightly above the shoulders, not up near the ears. Keep two fingers flat between the tape and the neck so the result is snug but never tight, then read the measurement in inches. No cloth tape? Wrap a string, mark where it meets, and measure the string against a ruler.
That single neck measurement is all you need to choose a collar size below. If your dog is still growing, measure again before ordering rather than guessing a future size.
Dog Collar Size Chart
Match your dog's neck measurement to a size. Width is ¾″ on XS–S and 1″ on M–XL. If you fall between two sizes, size up — every Amu collar adjusts down to a smaller setting.
| Size | Fits neck |
|---|---|
| XS | 8–12″ neck |
| S | 10–14″ neck |
| M | 14–20″ neck |
| L | 18–26″ neck |
| XL | 22–30″ neck |
Small breeds (Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Dachshunds) usually land in XS–S; mid-size dogs (Beagles, Border Collies, Cockers) in M; and larger dogs (Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds) in L–XL. Breed is only a starting point — always trust the tape over the breed.
Leash Widths
Two widths: ¾″ for smaller dogs and everyday walks, 1″ for larger or stronger pullers.
- ¾″ width — 6 ft length
- 1″ width — 6 ft length
Match the leash width to the collar weight: a ¾″ collar pairs with the ¾″ leash for small dogs, and a 1″ collar with the 1″ leash for larger or stronger pullers.
Matching Bracelet Sizing (the Human Half)
Unisex · 6 mm hand-stitched leather · snap closure with a ½″ extender. Measure where the bracelet will sit — snug but not tight.
- S — 6.25–6.75″ wrist · 16–17 cm
- M — 6.75–7.25″ wrist · 17–18.5 cm
- L — 7.25–7.75″ wrist · 18.5–19.5 cm
The matching bracelet is unisex and woven in the same country palette as the collar, so the dog and the person wear the same colors. Measure where the bracelet will sit on the wrist — snug, not tight — and the ½″ extender covers anyone between sizes.
Between Sizes? Size Up
When a measurement falls on a boundary — say a 14″ neck that reads as both S and M — choose the larger size. Amu collars adjust down across their full range, so a roomier collar still cinches to a perfect fit, while one ordered too small can't grow. Because every piece is made-to-order in 2–3 weeks, this one decision saves a full reorder cycle.