To gain an approximate idea of the size/s of jacket which may fit your dog, click here and a pop-up window will show you a range of the typical breeds of dogs which suit each size of life jacket. On the basis that you've got a reasonable idea of how your dog compares in size to the breeds listed, this should give you a general idea of which size of life jacket may suit your dog.

Now measure around your dog's chest. This is the most important measurement - if the jacket doesn't fit around your dog, it's not going to fit! From behind the front legs, measure all the way around the widest part of its rib cage and over its back. Remember to add an inch or two if you're planning to use a harness under the life jacket; also, bear in mind if your dog has a heavy seasonal coat, or whether its size may increase.

Now look at the 'Essential' part of the table below, and you'll see that your dog's chest measurement will have either determined the appropriate size of life jacket or, possibly, left you with a choice of two sizes. If, for example, your dog's chest measured 14" you'll see from the table that the suitable life jacket is a 'Tiny' size. If the chest measured 15", then both 'Tiny' and 'Toy' are suitable sizes. Where there are two suitable sizes, the better size will become evident when you look at the 'Desirable' (maximum weight) and 'Preferable' (minimum length) part of the table.