Short answer
Buy your puppy's collar and harness to fit its measurements today and adjust or replace them as it grows1,2, but buy its crate with its adult size in mind, as the RSPCA and PDSA suggest3,4. Add an ID tag for the collar, and choose a bed that lies flat inside the crate.
The first kit at a glance
This article answers one question from our complete guide to sizing your puppy through the first year.
| Item | Size for | How to size it |
|---|---|---|
| Collar | Now | Fits now, easy to adjust1; two fingers underneath, not over the head5 |
| ID tag | Any time | Owner's name and address, on the collar or a plate or badge attached to it6 |
| Harness | Now | Chest measurement against the brand's chart; regular checks as your puppy grows2 |
| Lead | Now | Light enough for your puppy; we suggest matching the clip to the size of the collar or harness ring |
| Crate | Adult size | Big enough to grow into3; use a divider while small |
| Bed | The crate | Lies flat inside the crate floor |
Collar and ID tag
The Royal Kennel Club says to buy a collar "that fits them now but is also easy to adjust as puppies grow very quickly"1. It adds: "Don't get one you think they'll grow into eventually, because that's just going to be too big, heavy and intimidating."1
For fit: not so loose that it can slip over the head, nor so tight you can't slip two fingers underneath5.
The Control of Dogs Order 1992 says every dog "while in a highway or in a place of public resort shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it"6. The Order lists some exceptions, for example for certain working dogs, so check the legislation if you think one applies.
Full details: puppy collar size and fit.
Harness
Measure the chest around "the widest part of your dog's chest just behind the front legs"7, then check the brand's chart. If your growing pup is truly between two sizes, Ruffwear says to choose the larger size7. Don't buy the adult size: gear that is too large can chafe or slip7.
Our breed puppy harness guides show the sizes most adults of each breed need, so you know where your puppy is heading. Start with when can a puppy wear a harness?
Lead
There's no lead sizing chart from the sources we use. We suggest a light lead with a clip that suits the size of the ring on your puppy's collar or harness. The Royal Kennel Club makes a similar point about collars: one bought too big will be "too big, heavy and intimidating"1.
Crate
The RSPCA says: "For a puppy, get a crate that's big enough for your pup to grow into."3 The PDSA says to choose "based on their adult size or increase crate size as they grow"4.
To size it, measure length and sitting height and add room. Lords & Labradors says to "Add 5-10cm to each measurement"8. Pet Crates Direct suggests a crate at least 6 inches (15 cm) longer than your dog's body length and 6 inches (15 cm) higher than its shoulder height9. For a puppy, use your breed's adult size: our breed puppy crate guides give it.
Use a divider while your puppy is small: see how crate dividers work for a growing puppy. For the car, the RSPCA says a puppy is better protected in a smaller space than its adult-sized crate3.
Bed
If the bed goes in the crate, size it to the crate, not the puppy: we suggest a bed or mat that lies flat across the inside of the crate floor. Check the crate's inside dimensions, and remember a thick bed takes away some height. More on this in what size crate does my dog need?
What not to buy yet
- An adult-size collar. The Royal Kennel Club says don't buy one to grow into1.
- An adult-size harness. Too large can mean chafing or slipping7.
- Lots of spare collars or harnesses in one size. Your puppy will soon outgrow them.
Sizes for your breed
Our puppy guides give the adult harness sizes and crate size for each breed, and what to do at each stage:
- Labrador Retriever puppy harness size · Labrador Retriever puppy crate size
- Golden Retriever puppy harness size · Golden Retriever puppy crate size
- German Shepherd Dog puppy harness size · German Shepherd Dog puppy crate size
- Cockapoo puppy harness size · Cockapoo puppy crate size
- French Bulldog puppy harness size · French Bulldog puppy crate size
- Cavapoo puppy harness size · Cavapoo puppy crate size
- Border Collie puppy harness size · Border Collie puppy crate size
- English Springer Spaniel puppy harness size · English Springer Spaniel puppy crate size
Breed puppy harness guides
Our puppy guides take each breed from 8 weeks to 12 months: how it grows, when to re-measure, and when to move up a size.
- Labrador Retriever puppy harness size8 weeks to 12 months, stage by stage
- Cockapoo puppy harness size8 weeks to 12 months, stage by stage
- Cavapoo puppy harness size8 weeks to 12 months, stage by stage
- Border Collie puppy harness size8 weeks to 12 months, stage by stage
- German Shepherd Dog puppy harness size8 weeks to 12 months, stage by stage
Find your puppy's harness size All breeds
Questions
What size collar should I buy for a new puppy?
One that fits now and is easy to adjust1. Measure the neck where the collar sits.
Should I buy an adult-size crate for a puppy?
Should I buy an adult-size harness for a puppy?
No. Buy for your puppy's chest now. Gear that is too large can chafe or slip7.
What size bed for a puppy crate?
We suggest one that lies flat across the inside of the crate floor, so size it to the crate.
Does my puppy need an ID tag?
In a highway or public place, yes, with some exceptions6.