How to Measure Your Dog for a Biothane Slip Collar

By Collared Creatures | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: Guides pratiques

Learn how to measure your dog for a biothane slip collar with a simple tape method, plus how width and hardware choices affect fit and comfort.

Quick answer

Measure the widest part of your dog's neck, just behind the ears and above the shoulder blades, with a soft tape held snug but not tight. Add a small allowance for fur and comfort, then choose a biothane slip collar size that matches that measurement.

Why a slip collar needs a different measurement than a buckle collar

A buckle collar sits at a fixed point and only needs to be large enough to pass over the head. A slip collar tightens and loosens as your dog moves, so the measurement that matters is the widest part of the neck, not the base of the neck where a standard collar usually rests. Measuring too low can produce a collar that is too loose at the top of the neck and slides down during walks.

Measure the neck itself, not the chest or the base of the neck. If your dog has a thick coat or a lot of loose skin, hold the tape snug enough to compress the fur slightly so the collar does not end up oversized.

Width and hardware change how the measurement feels

Biothane comes in different widths, and a wider strap spreads pressure more evenly but takes up more room on the neck. If your dog is between two measurements, a wider strap is less forgiving than a narrow one. Hardware colour is a style choice, but the weight of the hardware can affect how the collar hangs on a small dog.

The Red Waterproof Biothane Slip Collar is handmade in Yorkshire and available in different hardware colours and biothane widths. Because the width is a selectable option, measure first and then choose the width that suits your dog's size and coat rather than choosing a width and hoping the fit works.

When to remeasure

Puppies and dogs that are losing or gaining weight should be remeasured every few weeks. A collar that fit in winter may sit differently once a heavy coat drops in spring. If the collar leaves a mark or your dog scratches at the neck, remeasure before assuming the collar is faulty.

Steps to measure your dog for a biothane slip collar

Gather a soft measuring tape: Use a flexible fabric tape, or a piece of string that you later lay against a ruler. A rigid tape measure will not follow the curve of the neck accurately. Check that the tape is not stretched or twisted before you start.
Find the widest part of the neck: Run your hand along the neck to locate the point just behind the ears and above the shoulder blades, where the neck is thickest. This is the point a slip collar passes over. Do not measure at the base of the neck where a buckle collar normally sits.
Measure snug, not tight: Wrap the tape around that widest point and pull it snug enough to sit against the fur without pressing into the skin. Record the measurement in centimetres or inches, whichever the collar sizing uses. If the tape leaves a visible dent, it is too tight; loosen and remeasure.
Add a comfort allowance: Add a small allowance, roughly the width of one or two fingers, so the collar can move without rubbing. Dogs with thick or double coats may need a little more room than short-coated dogs. Write down both the snug measurement and the allowance so you can compare against the size guide.
Repeat the measurement twice: Measure a second time, ideally with a helper holding the dog steady. If the two measurements differ, take the average and check it against the collar's size options. A difference of more than a couple of centimetres suggests the tape moved; measure again.
Match to the collar's size and width options: Compare your final measurement with the size range for the Red Waterproof Biothane Slip Collar, then choose the biothane width that suits your dog. A wider strap is a better choice for larger, stronger dogs, while a narrower strap suits small necks. If your measurement falls at the top of one size, check the next size up before ordering.
Test the fit when the collar arrives: With the collar on, check that it slips over the head without force and tightens only when the lead is tensioned. You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and the neck when it is relaxed. If the collar does not sit at the widest part of the neck when relaxed, the size or width may need changing.

Product facts

Red Waterproof Biothane Slip Dog Collar: Red waterproof Biothane slip collar, handmade in Yorkshire, with selectable hardware colour and biothane width. Choosing the width after measuring gives you a better chance of a comfortable fit, and the waterproof material rinses clean after muddy walks.
Red Waterproof Biothane Slip Dog Collar