Are you freaking out because you’re afraid to buy dog boots because you don’t know what size to get? I’ve been there and I know how frustrating this can be. Have no fear because I have the answer that you’re looking for and so much more. (hint, a dog paw size chart is helpful, but keep reading to learn more…)
Chihuahuas + MinPins fit XXS. Pugs + Yorkies fit XS. Size S fits small Bulldogs + Mini Schnauzers. Dalmatians + Terriers fit in M boots. German Shepherds + Labrador Retrievers fit L boots. XL sizes fit Rottweilers + Bloodhounds. XXL boots fit St. Bernards + Great Danes. Consult a dog paw size chart.
I know how hard it seems to determine the best size for dog boots, but I’m going to help you figure it out for your pooch. Besides the sizing chart shared below, I’m also going to share other important topics like the importance of measuring your dog’s paws, ways to accomplish this task, and more.
If you’ve struggled to figure it out, please stick with us for a little while longer. This jam-packed article has all the important details. Plus, I’ll tell you exactly the way to find out the right boot size for your dog.
Want Vs. Need: Are Dog Booties Really Necessary For My Pup?
I guess this all depends on who you are and how you feel about certain things. As an example, how do you feel about your dog walking around out in the elements without protection on his or her feet?
Does it bother you when you have to walk your dog through snow and ice and its feet aren’t covered? I know about you, but I hate needlessly hurting my dog, because that’s exactly what’s happening when I force it to walk through freezing cold snow or slippery ice just so it can do its business outside.
Or how about this:
Are you okay with letting your dog walk across the hot pavement and blistering concrete during a brutal summer? I want the pads on my dogs’ feet burning up in the sun because I wasn’t smart enough to buy boots to keep its little paws protected.
And I certainly hope you feel the same way. Because dogs are our best friends and they deserve to be taken care of just like you’d take care of anyone else you love.
For me, buying my dog a pair of the best dog boots is an absolute must. It is not a want but it’s an utter need. If you feel the same way, continue reading to find out about the importance of measuring your dog feet size before buying its next pair of boots.
Related article: Best Dog Paw Protection Booties
Measure Twice, Buy Once: The Importance Of Measuring Your Dog’s Paws Before Shopping For Dog Booties
Looking at a dog boots size chart is definitely beneficial when trying to find the perfect size for your pup. But it isn’t going to be effective unless you measure the pause beforehand, because some sizing charts require paw size in inches before you can figure out if your dog wears a small, medium, large, or bigger.
But it’s far from the only reason to measure your dog’s paws ahead of time. Other reasons include the following:
Pet Safety
I touched on this in the intro but it definitely bears repeating. You do not want to leave the bottom of your dog’s feet unprotected in many situations.
Sure, if your dog’s inside the house and it’s running around on soft rugs, this is never going to be an issue. But if the dog is outside and running through the woods, as an example, it could accidentally step on jagged rocks, broken tree branches, busted glass bottles, and other potentially dangerous and harmful elements that could hurt its feet.
Trust me when I tell you, you do not want to see the pain on your pup’s face after it burns its feet on a blisteringly hot concrete because you forgot to put his or her boots on. It is not a pretty sight.
Loss Prevention
Some people put dog booties on their pup’s feet that are way too large for their dog. This is a big mistake because these dog boots are going to fall off all the time. And before long, you’re going to see that one or both of the booties are totally missing. They probably fell off a mile back when you were walking through the park and you didn’t even notice.
Learn how to measure for dog boots to get the right size so your dog’s booties never fall off again.
Wacky Walking
Finally, if you buy the wrong size boots for your dog, it’s possible that your favorite furry friend will start walking around and looking really funny while it’s happening. This wacky walking will happen because you ordered the wrong size and the boots are either too large or too small for your pooch.
Want to prevent this from happening? Make sure you learn how to measure your dog’s paws so you can order the correct size and make it easier and more comfortable for them to walk around wearing their new protective booties.
3 Ways to Measure Your Dog’s Paws
Today, I’d like to tell you about three methods that you can easily use right away to properly measure the exact size of your dog’s feet. Take a close look at these options and figure out which choice seems the most comfortable for your dog. These tips provide the best ways to get an accurate poor measurement every time.
Using A Cloth Tape Measure
A cloth tape measure is the perfect tool to measure your dog’s feet. You do not want to use a metal tape measure because it can hurt and possibly even cut the foot or leg of your dog if it’s squirming around and giving you trouble. Avoid sharp edges at all costs.
With a cloth tape measure, you can measure the circumference and width of your dog’s paw. When your dog is feeling nice and calm – lying down is always best – grab hold of their foot and use the cough tape measure to measure the circumference of the foot and the width of the paw.
Now, write these measurements down because you’ll need to compare them to a dog boots size chart.
Paw Tracing
Some people like using this method but I can tell you that it isn’t my personal favorite, but that doesn’t mean it will not work for you. I always tend to have really squirmy dogs that don’t want to cooperate, so I often find this method more difficult than others.
Obviously, you need to put down a blank piece of paper and grab a pen or pencil. Now, get your dog to step on the paper and hold their foot firmly in place. From here, you will take your pen or pencil and trace around the outside of your dog’s paw. I recommend tracing the foot quickly because you never know when your dog is going to get distracted and take off before you finish the job!
You also failed to get a circumference measurement with this method, which means it might not help you determine the best size using every sizing chart. But you can always measure the outline afterward if that would help.
The Wet Paw Method
In this situation, you’ll need another piece of paper and water. And if you’re really feeling bold, you could put a little food coloring in the water for extra effect.
Place the paper down on the floor or a flat surface. Pick up your dog’s paw and don’t get in the water or food coloring. Remove the Paula and gently place it on the piece of paper. This will make an image of your dog’s paw print.
From here, you’ll need to measure the paw print in order to get an accurate reading of the size of your dog’s paw.
Using A Dog Paw Size Chart
Personally, I found great success using different types of dog boots size charts and I’m sure you will too. Some charts assign a size including XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL to assign to the different types of dog foot sizes. In this particular case, instead of matching the size chart with a specific measurement, the creative individuals often mention the names of the dog breeds that fall under each size.
As an example, a XS dog paws size is usually one of the really little guys and gals like your keys, Jack Russell Terriers, toy poodles, and Shih Tzus.
Or if you prefer, you can check out a dog paws size chart based on specific measurements that match up to certain dog breeds. As another example, a XL dog paw is typically 4 inches or more, and larger dogs like Great Danes and St. Bernard’s will have massive paws of this size.
We also created our own short using the first method. We matched up sizes with common dog breeds that often have paws in this particular size range. Take a look and see where your dog lands on this chart:
The Last Word On A Dog Paw Size Chart
Getting your dog’s paw sizing right is serious business. Otherwise, you could end up buying little booties that are just too small for your huge mastiff. Or vice versa, you could end up buying gigantic boots for your tiny little schnauzer.
To make sure this never happens, I’ll recap everything shared above. Pay attention to the following points:
- Dogs need booties in certain situations. It’s best to put them on before going outside on a snowy cold day or a blisteringly hot afternoon.
- Make sure to properly measure your pup’s paw before purchasing boots. Use a cloth tape measure, trace the paw, or get a paw print to get an accurate measurement.
- Picking the correct boot size is an absolute must. It keeps your dog’s paws safe from harm. And it prevents the boots from falling off or making your dog walk awkwardly because they are the wrong size.
- Use a dog paws size chart to determine the proper size boots for your pup. We’ve shared our expertly crafted and accurate size chart with you above.
If you follow the guidelines set forth today, you’ll have no trouble finding the best pair of dog boots in the correct size. Please make sure to use this valuable information and you’ll have the best dog booty shopping experience possible.
