Dog House Sizing Guide

The Right Pad for Your Pooch

To determine dog house size, your dog’s weight is a good starting point. However, if your breed is between sizes or your dog’s weight doesn’t accurately reflect his or her body size, it’s best to measure your dog. Ideally, the dog house needs to be just big enough for your pup to enter, turn around, and lie down. Anything larger is at your discretion, but during the colder months, body heat retention is sacrificed if the dog house size is too big for your pet. To measure your dog and correlate it to dog house size, follow these easy steps.

1 Shoulder to ground:
To determine dog house door size

Measure your dog from shoulder to ground. 75% of this measurement equals the size of the dog house door you should look for. Large doors aren't necessary - dogs typically lower their heads to enter a dog house.
Shoulder to Ground x .75 = dog house door size

Example: If your dog's shoulder-to-ground measurement is 19 inches, the door opening needs to be at least 14 inches high.

2 Nose to tail:
To determine dog house width and length

Measure your dog from nose to flank - tails don't count. Add 25% to this measurement to determine the best width and length of dog house.
Nose to Flank + (Nose to Flank x .25) = dog house width and length

Example: If your dog's nose-to-flank measurement is 24 inches, look for a dog house with both a width and length of around 30 inches.

3 Head to ground:
To determine dog house height

Measure your dog from head to ground. Add at least 25% to this measurement to determine the optimum dog house height. Don't add more than 50% of the measurement, however. Body heat retention should be considered.
Head to ground + (Head to ground x .25-50) = dog house height

Example: If the dog's height is 22 inches, then the total dog house height should be approximately 27.5 to 33 inches.

Taking the time to measure your dog and know the best approximate size dog house for him makes a world of difference when shopping. You’ll be sure to provide a happy home for your hound.