How to Measure Your Dog's Neck for an 18" Cuban Link Collar

Quick answer

Wrap a soft tape measure around the middle of your dog's neck where the collar normally sits, keeping it snug but not tight, and write down the number. That is your dog's neck size. An 18-inch collar is the collar's total length, not the neck size it fits, so match the collar's stated size range to your measurement rather than to the number 18. If your dog measures near the top of a range, size up and use the adjustment.

Most collar fit problems start with one number: the neck measurement. Get it right and an 18-inch Cuban link collar sits where it should, stays put on walks, and does not rub. Get it wrong and you either fight a collar that slides over the head or one that presses on the throat.

This guide walks through measuring, checking the fit, and choosing the right size the first time. You will need a soft tape measure or a piece of string and a ruler, plus a minute or two while your dog stands still. Treat the measurement as the starting point and the fit check as the final word.

Measure the neck, not the old collar

Stand or kneel beside your dog so you are not leaning over its face, which invites squirming. Find the middle of the neck, between the ears and the shoulders, where a collar naturally rests. Wrap a soft tape measure around that point, keeping the tape level all the way around rather than angled up toward the head or down toward the chest.

Pull the tape snug enough that it touches the fur without pressing into the skin. If you can slide one finger under the tape, you have roughly the right tension. Record the number in inches and repeat the measurement once to confirm it. A soft tape is easiest; if you only have string, mark the overlap point and lay the string against a ruler.

• Checkpoint: the tape should sit level, not ride up behind the ears.
• Common mistake: measuring over a thick winter coat or harness and using that number year-round.

Add room for comfort, then compare to the collar size

A collar should not match your dog's neck measurement exactly. Add roughly one to two inches of breathing room so the collar can move slightly without slipping. A dog measuring 16 inches, for example, is usually comfortable in a collar sized around 17 to 18 inches, depending on coat thickness and how the collar is built.

Here is the part that trips people up: an 18-inch Cuban link collar refers to the collar's length, not the neck it fits. A chunky link collar also takes up more room around the neck than a flat nylon strap, because the links have thickness. Always check the size range printed on the listing and compare it to your measured number plus the comfort allowance.

• If your dog measures near the top of a listed range, choose the larger size.
• Thick-coated dogs often need the upper end of a range; short-coated dogs often sit lower.

Do the two-finger fit check after buckling

Once the collar is on, slide two fingers flat between the collar and your dog's neck. They should fit with mild resistance. If you cannot fit two fingers, the collar is too tight; if you can fit three or more easily, it is loose enough to slip over the head during a head shake. This check matters more than the tape measurement because it accounts for fur, link thickness, and how your dog carries its neck.

Watch your dog move for a minute. A properly fitted collar stays roughly in place, does not rotate down to the throat, and does not leave a pressed line in the fur when removed. If your dog scratches at it or ducks its head, loosen one notch or step up a size.

• Recheck the fit after a groom, a bath, or a seasonal coat change.
• Puppies need a recheck every few weeks because neck size changes quickly.

Match the collar style to your dog's build

Cuban link collars are heavier and more rigid than flat collars, which makes the fit check especially important. The weight can make a slightly loose collar slide, and a slightly tight one can feel stiff against the throat. If your dog has a thick neck or loose skin, a link collar may need to sit a touch higher on the neck than a flat collar would.

Breed shape matters too. Dogs with broad, sturdy necks and shorter muzzles, such as English Bulldogs, can be harder to fit with one-size-fits-all collars. Choosing a collar designed with that build in mind reduces the guesswork, and the color or style options let you match the collar to your dog without changing the size you need.

• Weigh the collar in your hand before buying if your dog is small or sensitive to weight.
• A collar that fits well should not need constant readjusting on walks.

Step-by-step collar measuring process

1. Step 1: Find the collar line: Locate the middle of the neck, between the ears and the shoulders, where the collar normally sits. Checkpoint: the tape should be level all the way around, not angled.
2. Step 2: Wrap and snug the tape: Wrap a soft tape measure around that point and pull it snug enough to touch the fur without pressing the skin. Common mistake: pulling so tight that the tape digs in, which adds inches you do not need.
3. Step 3: Record and repeat: Write down the measurement in inches and take it a second time to confirm the number. If the two numbers differ by more than half an inch, measure once more while your dog stands still.
4. Step 4: Add one to two inches: Add a comfort allowance of roughly one to two inches to your neck measurement. This is the number you compare against the collar's listed size range.
5. Step 5: Compare to the collar's size range: Check the size range on the listing, remembering that an 18-inch collar is the collar's length, not the neck it fits. Near the top of a range? Size up and use the adjustment.
6. Step 6: Buckle and do the two-finger check: Put the collar on and slide two flat fingers between the collar and the neck. Two fingers with mild resistance is the target; three or more means it is too loose.
7. Step 7: Watch your dog move: Let your dog walk and shake its head for a minute and see whether the collar stays in place. If it rotates to the throat or leaves a pressed line, adjust one notch or change size.

Products that fit this process

• Top Dog Collar English Bulldog: Offered in four color options: Red spiked, Blue Spiked, Pink diamond, and Wheat Diamond, and described as designed with the English Bulldog in mind. If your dog has a broad, sturdy neck, a collar built around that shape is easier to fit correctly than a generic collar, and you can pick a color that suits your dog.
• OralCal Plus Calcium Gel Supplement: A gel-format calcium supplement from thetopdogpetstore, listed in the Standard option. Not a sizing item, but a reminder to review the product label and packaging for complete details before use, the same way you should read a collar's size range before ordering.

Measure the neck, add one to two inches of room, and let the two-finger check make the final call. Do that and an 18-inch Cuban link collar will sit comfortably and stay put, no guesswork required.