Small dog clothes: sizes, breeds and what to wear
In short: a small dog is usually one that weighs up to about 10 kg (22 lb) as an adult: toy terriers, chihuahuas, yorkies, pomeranians, toy and miniature poodles, maltipoos and miniature dachshunds. For clothes, weight is only a hint — the size is decided by chest girth. Most small dogs fit Feel with Fill sizes XS–M (chest 27–41 cm / 10.6–16.1 in), and some take an L. Small dogs get cold sooner than big ones, so they need clothes earlier in the season: a longsleeve or hoodie when it is cool, an anorak in the rain, a jumpsuit in winter. If the chest is under 27 cm (10.6 in), we can make any model to your dog’s measurements.
Small dog clothes sizes: from XS to L
The table shows which small dogs most often fall into each size. The breed only tells you where to start; your measurements decide.
| Size | Chest girth | Back length | Small dogs it usually fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom | under 27 cm (10.6 in) | under 21 cm (8.3 in) | the tiniest toy terriers (under 1.5 kg / 3.3 lb), mini yorkies, teacup poodles, small-breed puppies |
| XS | 27–32 cm (10.6–12.6 in) | 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in) | toy terrier, chihuahua, toy poodle, most yorkies, micro maltipoos |
| S | 31–36 cm (12.2–14.2 in) | 26–30 cm (10.2–11.8 in) | chihuahua, yorkie, pomeranian, toy poodle, rabbit dachshund |
| M | 35–41 cm (13.8–16.1 in) | 31–35 cm (12.2–13.8 in) | larger yorkies, pomeranian, maltipoo, miniature poodle, miniature dachshund |
| L | 40–46 cm (15.7–18.1 in) | 36–40 cm (14.2–15.7 in) | larger maltipoos, miniature poodle, miniature dachshund |
Neighbouring sizes partly overlap: with a 31–32 cm (12.2–12.6 in) chest both XS and S can fit, so let the back length decide. For a dachshund, a ready size chosen by chest girth is often too short in the back. French bulldogs and corgis are sometimes counted as small dogs, but their chests are wide (roughly 50–70 cm / 20–28 in) and our XS–XL chart is too small for them: please ask our manager whether we can make a piece to their measurements. A side-by-side breed table is on the dog clothes size by breed page.
Why small dogs get cold faster
The smaller the body, the more surface area it has per kilogram, and that surface is where a dog gives off heat: a 2 kg (4.4 lb) chihuahua loses warmth much faster than a 30 kg (66 lb) labrador. On top of that, a small dog’s chest and belly travel just a few centimetres above wet pavement or snow. Many toy breeds have a fine coat with little undercoat — toy terriers, chihuahuas, yorkies, poodles and their crosses — and a clipped coat keeps even less warmth in. The exception is the pomeranian with its double coat: it copes better with dry cold and mostly needs clothes in slush. If your dog shivers, lifts its paws or asks to be picked up within the first ten minutes of a walk, it needs a warm layer.
What a small dog should wear in each season
| Weather | What works | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| 59…50 °F (+15…+10 °C), cool | a thin knit layer | longsleeves and turtlenecks |
| 50…32 °F (+10…0 °C), dry | a fleece vest, or a plush or brushed hoodie | hoodies, vests |
| rain and wind between seasons | a fleece anorak — fleece does not soak through | anoraks |
| 32…23 °F (0…−5 °C) | a solid outer layer over the back and chest, with a hoodie underneath if needed | the waterproof “Puffy” puffer vest or the water-repellent “Brooklyn Jacket” — see vests and jackets |
| 23…14 °F (−5…−10 °C), slush, wet snow | a jumpsuit that keeps the belly warm and the legs out of the slush | fleece or the water-repellent “Heaven” — jumpsuits |
| below 14 °F (−10 °C) | a padded puffer jumpsuit and shorter walks | “Gossip-puffer”, with a hoodie underneath if needed |
Wind and damp chill a dog more than dry frost, so chihuahuas and toy terriers may need clothes from 50 °F (+10 °C). In summer small dogs rarely need clothes, and in a warm home it is best to take them off. More on the cold season: winter dog clothes and does my dog need clothes.
How to measure a small dog
Measure your dog standing up, using a soft tape measure. Take three measurements: chest girth — the widest part of the ribcage just behind the front legs; back length — from the base of the neck to where the tail starts; neck girth — at the spot where your dog wears its collar. On a small dog neighbouring sizes differ by only 4–5 cm (about 2 in), so measure the chest twice and do not flatten the coat. For a hoodie under a jumpsuit, add 2–3 cm (about 1 in) to the chest. If the numbers do not fit one size (say, the chest is an S but the back is an XS), order “Custom size”. Step-by-step instructions and the chart in inches are in the size guide.
Small dog clothes from indoors to frost
How to choose comfortable clothes for a small dog
A small dog struggles to move in stiff, heavy fabric, so choose light materials: fleece, knit, plush, a light puffer. The back zip on the fleece jumpsuit or the snap fastening on the “Puffy” vest makes dressing much easier, and the harness opening on “Puffy” and “Heaven” helps if you walk on a harness. Tight clothes are bad news for long-coated yorkies and maltipoos: constant rubbing tangles the coat into mats. Buying a size “to grow into” does not work either: the spare fabric slides to one side and gets under the paws.
Buying small dog clothes from Feel with Fill
Feel with Fill is a Ukrainian dog clothing brand that has been sewing in its own workshop in Kyiv since 2023. Models come in XS–XL (chest 27–51 cm / 10.6–20.1 in), and for very tiny dogs or dogs with unusual proportions we sew to measure for 15% extra. Production takes 3–6 business days from payment, or less if your size is in stock. Orders within Ukraine ship free from UAH 4,000 (after discounts), and smaller ones go at the carrier’s rates. International shipping is arranged individually with our manager and usually takes 1–2 weeks. Details are on the shipping page.
FAQ
What is the smallest dog clothes size?
At Feel with Fill it is XS: chest 27–32 cm (10.6–12.6 in), back 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in), neck up to 22 cm (8.7 in). If the chest is under 27 cm, choose “Custom size”.
What size should a small dog wear?
Most often XS–M: toy terriers and chihuahuas XS–S, yorkies XS–M, pomeranians S–M, maltipoos anywhere from XS to L depending on build, miniature poodles M–L. But the chest girth, not the breed, decides the exact size.
At what temperature does a small dog need clothes?
The most cold-sensitive ones from about 50 °F (+10 °C) in wind or rain. Below 32 °F (0 °C) they need an insulated top, below 23 °F (−5 °C) a jumpsuit. When it is colder than 14 °F (−10 °C), keep walks to 10–15 minutes even in clothes.
Jumpsuit or vest for a small dog in winter?
A jumpsuit is the better choice: only it covers the belly and legs, and on a small dog they almost touch the snow and road salt. A vest is handy between seasons, and a hoodie works as a second layer under the jumpsuit in hard frost.
What if the size does not fit?
You have 14 days to exchange or return a standard size. Return postage is on you, unless the piece is faulty or we sent the wrong item, in which case we pay. Pieces made to measure or sewn in a non-standard colour are not eligible for exchange or return.
Similar breeds: chihuahua clothes · toy terrier clothes · yorkie clothes · pomeranian clothes · maltipoo clothes · toy poodle clothes · dog clothes size by breed
