Measuring for a Large Breed Pet Door

Giant breed dogs are loving, playful animals, but their incredible size, which is the thing that sets them apart, can also be a disadvantage, when searching for appropriate gear and supplies like large pet doors. Many door manufacturers don’t even bother to produce bigger doors; however, they are available. One way to ensure that your large-breed pet gets a suitably-sized door is to choose a large-breed pet door that will accommodate him or her as they grow.

Before You Buy Large Pet Doors

Before beginning the search for large pet doors, do some breed research. What is the typical height and width of the breed? Fat, furry puppies may become far larger sized dogs, so plan for future growth. If purchasing a dog from a breeder, ask questions about the parents’ size. This may give you some clues as to how big the pet could get.

Picking a Door Size

A good rule of thumb for any pet door is to choose one that is 5cm wider and 5cm taller than the adult pet’s dimensions. The animal should comfortably access the door without scraping their body on the top, bottom, or sides.

The most important step in installing a pet door is cutting the right size hole in the door. Just to be safe, we recommend taking the following measurements twice. Do measure the pet several times, using the shoulders as the guide — that’s where dogs are the tallest. It is important to get an accurate read. You don’t want a pet door that is way too large.

Plan ahead when choosing a pet door for a large breed animal. Getting the measurements right is important.