Breed Size

OVERVIEW

Breed size categorizes dog (and sometimes cat) products by the physical size range they are designed for. It is the primary sizing dimension for accessories, clothing, food portions, and housing. Unlike apparel sizing, breed size maps to weight ranges and body proportions, not measurements.

This field is essential for dogs and highly relevant for cats. For other species, size is typically covered by the product's own dimensions. If you sell harnesses, beds, collars, coats, or food, breed size is not optional.

BUSINESS VALUE

Why this field matters

  • Sizing errors are the #1 cause of returns in pet accessories — breed_size prevents this

  • Pet owners self-identify by their dog's size category before any other attribute

  • Food products have portion sizes tied directly to the animal's weight range

  • Recommendation engines can auto-filter grids by the customer's saved pet profile

  • Apparel and accessories require precise size-to-breed mapping for safe use

TECHNICAL SETUP

How to configure this field in Accentuate Custom Fields

Where

ACF dashboard → Templates tab → Product scope → Add new field

Label

Breed Size

Name / Key

breed_size

Namespace

accentuate (default)

Field type

Shopify >> Single-line text (List)

Multi-value

Yes — a product can span M and L simultaneously

Use Shopify >> List type so each size tier is a separate array element. This enables precise collection conditions and storefront filtering.

STEP-BY-STEP IN ACF

  1. In ACF, open the Templates tab and select the Product scope

  2. Click "Add new field".

  3. Set Label to "Breed Size" — Name auto-fills as "breed_size"

  4. Namespace: leave as "accentuate”

  5. Select field type: Shopify >> Single-line text (List)

  6. Enable "Allow multiple selections" — a jacket can be M and L

  7. Click Done, then Save

  8. Open a collar or harness product and verify the field is visible in the ACF editor

Shopify admin (optional pinning): To pin in Shopify admin: Settings → Custom data → Products → Add definition. Namespace: "accentuate", Key: "breed_size", Type: Single-line text (List). ACF will recognize the existing definition automatically.

Repeatability: Shopify >> List types handle multi-value natively. No repeatable section configuration needed.

REFERENCE VALUES

Example values — adapt to your catalog

Value

When to use

XS / Extra Small

Under 5 kg; Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle

S / Small

5–10 kg; French Bulldog, Beagle, Shih Tzu

M / Medium

10–25 kg; Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog

L / Large

25–45 kg; Labrador, Golden Retriever, Husky

XL / Extra Large

Over 45 kg; Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Mastiff

All sizes

Universal products — adjustable, stretchable, or one-size

BEST PRACTICES

  • Always include the weight range in the product description alongside breed_size

  • For food, link breed_size to the feeding guide printed on packaging

  • If a product spans two tiers (M–L), populate both values in ACF

  • Keep the vocabulary consistent across the full catalog — no inventing new tiers

  • Add a size guide link in the product description for accessories

COMMON MISTAKES — AVOID THESE

  • Using breed names as size values: "Labrador" is not a valid size tier

  • Omitting breed_size from food products — portion sizing is safety-critical

  • Inventing tiers like "medium-large" — this breaks filters and confuses customers

  • Skipping this field for cats — carriers and beds absolutely need it

  • Not updating breed_size when a supplier changes sizing specifications

IN CONTEXT — EXAMPLE PRODUCT

📏 Padded Fleece Dog Coat — Winter Edition

Pet type: Dog

Breed size: M / Medium (10–25 kg)

Age group: Adult

Season: Autumn, Winter

Safety notes: Reflective trim; velcro fastening; no loose threads

Developer Implementation

Liquid note: Access via .value for Shopify >> List types. Loop over the array to display each size tier.

Liquid — Storefront Rendering

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