A drool bib only works if it sits where the drool lands. Too small and the slobber goes straight past it onto the chest fur. Too big and it flaps about at dinner time. The good news: getting the size right takes one measurement and about two minutes, and you don’t need your dog to stand still for long (a biscuit helps).
What you need
- A soft tape measure (the bendy kind used for sewing).
- No tape measure? Use a piece of string or a phone charger cable, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler.
- A treat, and ideally a second pair of hands.
Step 1: measure around the neck
Wrap the tape around your dog’s neck where a collar normally sits. Keep it snug but not tight: you should be able to slide a finger under it. Read the number where the tape meets.
On fluffy breeds like Newfoundlands, press the tape gently into the coat so you measure the dog, not just the fur.
Step 2: match it to a size
Our bibs fasten with an elastic neck strap. Find your number in the table:
| Size | Neck (collar) | Bib width | Bib length (middle) | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra small | 21 to 23cm | 25cm | 18cm | Small breeds (not toy breeds) |
| Small | 24 to 26cm | 28cm | 21cm | Medium to small breeds (not toy breeds) |
| Medium | 28 to 30cm | 30cm | 26cm | Giant breed puppies, or medium to large breeds |
| Large | 36 to 38cm | 34cm | 29cm | Giant breeds, e.g. Newfoundland and Saint Bernard |
Good to know about the stretch: the elastic neck strap stretches more than the collar size in the table, but please don’t choose a size that only fits when the strap is pulled tight. Allow around 6 to 8cm of stretch, so the bib sits comfortably and never feels tight on your dog’s neck.
The same table, with a measured photo of each bib, is in the size guide on every bib page.
Step 3: check the size is offered for your bib
Most of our bibs come in several sizes, but not every design comes in all four. The size guide on each bib page tells you which sizes that bib comes in, so check it before you choose.
Measuring tips from our workshop
- Measure, don’t guess by breed. Two Saint Bernards can have very different necks. The breed column is a starting point; your tape measure has the final say.
- Growing puppy? Giant breed puppies often start in Medium and move up to Large as they grow.
- In between two sizes, or outside the table? We can make custom sizes. Email us your dog’s neck measurement at [email protected] and we’ll tell you what we can do.
Which bib for which dog?
If you share your home with a champion drooler, these are a good place to start:
- Saint Bernard dog bibs: embroidered with your dog’s name, in sizes made for big jowls.
- Newfoundland dog bibs: for the biggest, loveliest slobber machines.
- All dog bibs: every design, with the size filter at the top to show only the bibs that come in your dog’s size.
Every DoggiesWorld bib has a soft towelling front, a waterproof backing and an adjustable neck strap, and is made to order in our workshop in Scotland. Measure once, pick your size, and you’re ready for a drier chest at every meal.
