Compare our sizes to another brand and Dog Socky suddenly seems to run "big". That's correct. It's deliberate. We measure paw width, not the ankle, the way most other dog socks do. Here we explain why that difference exists and why it actually works out better for your dog's fit.

Two spots to measure, two very different outcomes

A dog's paw has roughly two measurable points. The ankle, where the sock usually closes. And the wide paw pad underneath, which carries the weight and touches the floor. Most brands measure at the ankle, since that's the spot where the sock closes around the paw.

We measure at the wide paw print, while the dog is standing and its weight rests on the paw. In almost every dog, that print is wider than the ankle above it.

Why the paw print matters

The grip of a non-slip sock sits under the paw pad, not around the ankle. Measure at the ankle and you get a sock that closes well there, but that can fold or shift under the foot. Measure the wide paw print and the sock closes exactly where it contacts the floor. That's why our sizes run a little larger than brands that measure the ankle: we simply measure a wider part of the paw. Read more about that difference in why dog sock sizes vary between brands.

A common misconception

"Our socks run big" sounds like a downside, as if something's off about the sizing. It isn't. It's the result of a deliberate choice for a different measuring spot, one that suits a non-slip sock better. A larger size letter with us doesn't mean the sock fits looser than expected, it means we used a wider part of the paw as our starting point.

What this means if you switch brands

Does your dog wear size M elsewhere? Don't assume the same letter applies with us. Measure again using our method: the spread paw print while your dog is standing, not the ankle circumference. Our guide on measuring paw width shows exactly how that works. The size calculator converts your measurement into the right size.

Why we chose this approach

For an ordinary sock, it hardly matters where you measure: all it needs to do is keep the paw warm. For a non-slip sock, that's different. The function sits specifically under the foot, so that's where the fit needs to be tightest. Measure at a different point and you're optimizing for the wrong spot.

Our non-slip dog socks have double-sided silicone grip, both on top of and underneath the sock. Even if the sock rotates slightly while walking, grip is still there. That margin works best combined with a sock that fits well around the wide paw print in the first place.

An example with numbers

Say a dog's ankle measures 5.5 centimeters, while that same dog's spread paw print is 6.8 centimeters wide. A brand that measures the ankle lands on size M. With us, that dog falls into size L at 6.8 centimeters.

Neither measurement is wrong. They just measure a different part of the same paw. For grip under the foot, the wider size based on the paw print gives the better fit.

Not sure? Just measure again

There's no shame in measuring twice. In fact, it prevents most returns. Stand your dog on a flat floor, measure the spread front paw at its widest point and repeat that for the back paw. If the result doesn't match what you expected based on another brand, trust the new measurement.

Conclusion

We deliberately measure differently from most brands, not to make things complicated, but because the wide paw print determines whether the grip stays put under the foot. Forget old size letters from other brands and measure again with the size calculator for the right Dog Socky size.

One method, applied consistently

What matters most isn't which method you choose, but that you follow it consistently. Measure at the ankle once and the paw print the next time. You'll get a different result with every new order. Stick to the spread paw print and the outcome stays reliable, even if you need a new size in a few months.

Frequently asked questions

Why do your sizes run larger than other brands?

Because we measure the wide paw print instead of the narrower ankle. That wide point is simply larger than the ankle above it, so the same dog ends up with a different size letter with us.

Is measuring at the ankle wrong, then?

Not wrong, but less suited to a non-slip sock. Measuring at the ankle mostly tells you how the sock closes, while the grip needs to sit under the paw pad instead.

Do I need to measure my dog again if I already know a size from another brand?

Yes. A size letter from another brand tells you little with us, because the measuring method is different. Measure the spread paw print and compare it with our size chart.