How to Choose the Right Size for Your Greyhound, Whippet or Long Dog

Finding Your Hound's Perfect Fit

Measuring a noodle horse should not require a maths degree, three assistants and a packet of treats. Choosing the right Hound-Tee size is actually pretty simple once you know which measurement matters.

How to Measure Your Hound Correctly

Chest is king. Whether you've got a Greyhound, Whippet, Italian Greyhound, Galgo or a long-ish dog of mysterious origins, start by measuring around the deepest part of their chest, just behind the front legs. Weight and length can be useful guides, but the tape measure wins.

Grab a soft measuring tape and get your hound standing up. Yes, we realise this is already asking a lot. The tape should sit against their body without pulling tightly or hanging loosely. Measure twice if you can — long dogs have an uncanny ability to change shape halfway through being measured.

Once you've got that number, the hard bit is over. Check the Hound-Tees size chart, choose the appropriate breed fit and find their chest measurement. If they're between two sizes, go up.

Why Chest Measurement Matters Most

There's a reason we care so much about chest measurement. Sighthounds have a fairly ridiculous body shape: a big, deep chest followed rather abruptly by a tiny waist. Two Greyhounds can weigh exactly the same and be completely different shapes — one tall and narrow, another built like a small refrigerator. As a rough guide, a Medium generally fits a Greyhound around 28kg with a 71–76cm chest, and most female Greyhounds wear a Medium. But if weight and chest suggest different sizes, go with the chest.

Does Back Length Matter?

Back length matters, but not as much as people often think. There's only around 2cm difference in length between consecutive Hound-Tee sizes, so getting enough room through the chest is more important. A Hound-Tee should finish above the tail, and if your hound is particularly short or long, we can alter the length.

Measure Your Hound, Not Their Old Hound-Tee

We also don't recommend measuring an old Hound-Tee to work out their size. Cotton elastane naturally relaxes with wear, so the beloved tee your dog has spent three winters sleeping in won't measure like a brand-new one. Measure the hound, not the Hound-Tee.

How Should a Hound-Tee Fit?

When it comes to fit, think activewear, not dressing gown. Hound-Tees are designed to sit snugly against the body without restricting movement. Loose clothing can shift while your hound sleeps, slip backwards or allow a leg to escape somewhere it shouldn't. You should be able to comfortably slide two fingers underneath the neck and leg bands, and the tee should sit smoothly over the body and finish above the tail. If your hound can walk, stretch and curl into a croissant comfortably, you're looking good.

Want to make sure you've nailed the fit? Read our guide: Snug, Not Squished: How a Hound-Tee Should Fit

Choosing the Right Size Across Tees, Tweaters and Sweaters

Generally, you can order the same Hound-Tees size across our Tees, Tweaters and Sweaters. Tees are snug and stretchy, Tweaters are mid-weight with a little less stretch, and Sweaters are deliberately designed with more room so you can layer a Tee underneath. Don't size down in a Sweater because it looks roomier, and you don't need to size up just because you're planning to layer. If your hound sits right between sizes, ask us — different fabrics behave differently and we can help.

Finding the Right Fit for Galgos

Galgos are a particularly good example of why measuring matters. Many fall somewhere between a Whippet XL and Greyhound Small, but they vary enormously, so don't choose a size based on breed alone.

Can Other Dog Breeds Wear Hound-Tees?

And you don't need official long-dog credentials to wear Hound-Tees. Over the years we've dressed Lurchers, Staffies, Kelpies, Pointers, Dachshunds and plenty of magnificent mystery mixes. Hound-Tees are designed around sighthound proportions — narrow necks, deep chests and little waists — so body shape matters. Dogs with broader necks or heads will usually suit a crew neck better than a skivvy, while our Italian Greyhound range can be trickier for non-sighthounds because it's designed around those very particular tiny Iggy proportions.

Custom Fits for Unique Hound Shapes

If your hound is an unusual shape, you're also among friends. Long, short, enormous chest, tiny neck, substantial bottom, three legs or mobility issues — we've altered Hound-Tees for all sorts of bodies. We can adjust length, necks and sleeves, add cardigan-style snap openings and look at custom fits for more unusual shapes.

Not sure which layer your hound needs? From lightweight Tees to winter-ready Sweaters, find their perfect match in our Tee, Tweater or Sweater? The Hound-Tees Warmth Guide.

The Final Fit Check

So, the short version? Measure around the deepest part of your dog's chest, just behind the front legs, and match it to our size chart. If they're between sizes, go up. Use weight as a guide, don't size down in a Sweater because it's designed to be roomier, and don't measure the ancient Hound-Tee your dog has spent three winters sleeping in.

Measure the hound. Check the chart. Choose the size.

Still not sure? Send us your hound's chest measurement and a photo and we'll help you work it out. Long dogs are weird shapes. It's kind of our speciality.

VIEW THE HOUND-TEES SIZE CHART