Northland Climate Master Dog House Sizing Guide

Correctly sizing a dog house for your pet is important for its comfort and safety. A house which is too small can feel cramped and uncomfortable. A house which is dramatically too large will not keep your dog as warm in colder climates. We recommend taking the following measurements, then using them to select which dog house is most appropriate for your pet.

Dog Measurements

All measurements should be done with the dog in a relaxed standing position.

• Total Length - Measure from the base of your dog's tail to the end of its nose. This measurement should be smaller than, or at most equal to the width and depth of the dog houses interior dimensions. For regions with very cold winters, we recommend the interior dimensions of the house don't exceed the total length of the dog by more than 50% unless the house is equipped with a heat source.


• Total Height - Measure from the floor to the top your dog's head. This measurement should be smaller than, or at most equal to the height of the dog houses internal height measurement. Note that the interior height can be up to 50% more than the total height of the dog and still provide good heat retention during cold weather. For regions with very cold winters, we recommend the interior height of the house doesn't exceed the total height of the dog by more than 50% unless the house is equipped with a heat source.


• Shoulder Height - Measure from the floor to the top of your dog's front shoulder. The door opening height of the house should be a minimum of 75% of this measurement to allow for comfortable entrance and exit. With older dogs that have mobility issues you may want to select a larger door than is recommended for an average dog.


• Body Width - Measure the width of the dog at its widest point. In most cases this will be the width of the front shoulders. The width of the door opening should be a minimum of 1" larger than the total width of the dog in order to allow it to move in and out of the house easily.