Snug, Not Squished: How a Hound-Tee Should Fit

How Should a Hound-Tee Fit?

If you've put a new Hound-Tee on your long dog and thought, is this supposed to be this snug? — probably, yes.

A Hound-Tee is designed to fit more like activewear than a dressing gown. It should sit close to your hound's body without squeezing, pulling or restricting movement. The basic rule is simple: snug, not squished.

Why a Snug Fit Matters

That close fit is deliberate. Greyhounds, Whippets and Italian Greyhounds spend an impressive amount of their lives sleeping, twisting, roaching and rearranging themselves into positions that don't appear anatomically possible. If their clothing is too loose, it can shift around, slip backwards or leave enough room for a leg to disappear inside it.

Comfort and Freedom of Movement

A correctly fitted Hound-Tee should follow the shape of your hound's body. The fabric should sit smoothly over the chest and shoulders without straining, and your hound should be able to walk, stretch, curl up and conduct all normal long-dog business without restriction.

The Two-Finger Fit Test

Our favourite quick check is the two-finger test. You should be able to comfortably slide two fingers underneath the neck and leg bands. The bands should sit neatly against the body without digging in or gaping, and your hound's front legs should move freely without the fabric pulling across their shoulders.

And don't panic just because you can see the shape of their chest or muscles through the garment. Sighthounds are all deep chests, shoulders and tiny waists. A Hound-Tee following those contours isn't too tight — that's what it's designed to do.

At the other end, a Hound-Tee that's too big will usually tell on itself. Fabric may hang away from the body or bunch and shift around. The neck and armholes may gape, the garment might slip backwards, or your hound may perform the classic disappearing-leg manoeuvre and wake up looking like a sausage with one leg missing.

Loose doesn't automatically mean comfortable. You want enough room for your hound to move freely, but not enough spare fabric for them to rearrange the garment themselves.

A tee is too small if it's restricting movement, pulling hard across the chest or shoulders, digging into the neck or armpits, or you can't comfortably get two fingers underneath the bands. Watch your hound standing and walking — if their normal movement changes or the fabric is visibly straining, it's too small.

The length is much simpler. A Hound-Tee should finish just above the tail. It doesn't need to cover the entire back, and there's only around 2cm difference in length between consecutive sizes. If your hound is unusually long or short through the body, we can alter the length.

Signs Your Hound-Tee Is Too Big

At the other end, a Hound-Tee that's too big will usually tell on itself. Fabric may hang away from the body or bunch and shift around. The neck and armholes may gape, the garment might slip backwards, or your hound may perform the classic disappearing-leg manoeuvre and wake up looking like a sausage with one leg missing.

Loose doesn't automatically mean comfortable. You want enough room for your hound to move freely, but not enough spare fabric for them to rearrange the garment themselves.

Signs Your Hound-Tee Is Too Small

A tee is too small if it's restricting movement, pulling hard across the chest or shoulders, digging into the neck or armpits, or you can't comfortably get two fingers underneath the bands. Watch your hound standing and walking — if their normal movement changes or the fabric is visibly straining, it's too small.

Getting the Length Right

The length is much simpler. A Hound-Tee should finish just above the tail. It doesn't need to cover the entire back, and there's only around 2cm difference in length between consecutive sizes. If your hound is unusually long or short through the body, we can alter the length.

The Final Fit Check

Still staring at your hound wondering whether it fits? Send us a photo. A side-on photo of them standing naturally, along with their chest measurement, is usually enough for us to tell whether you've got a good snug fit, need to go up a size, or your hound is simply standing like a weirdo.

The important bit is this: close is good. Restricted isn't.

Do the two-finger test, watch them move and check where the tee finishes. If they're comfortable, moving freely and capable of immediately going back to sleep, you've probably nailed it.

CHECK THE HOUND-TEES SIZE CHART