Extra Large Dog Doors

If you have a Marmaduke in your house, finding a pet door is only half the battle. The first is finding where to put it.

Extra large dog doors are not made by every manufacturer. They are not as popular as the smaller doors for cats and miniature dogs. Even when you find a store that carries extra large dog doors, you still need to be certain it is the appropriate size for your big old loving beast. Even large dogs come in all sizes. Then you can decide where to install it.

You need to properly measure your large dog. Here are some tips on how to do that as suggested by one of the leading large dog pet door manufacturers.

Open a door just wide enough for you dog to get through comfortably without banging it.. That is how wide you need the flap to be. Make note of the horizontal length of that gap.
Don't try to get the dog to stand still for measuring. You will rarely get it right.
The top of the flap on the pet door should be about one inch above the dog's shoulder blades or withers. It is okay for a dog to bend it's head to get through. They won't mind. It is almost natural for them to do so.
The bottom of the flap, in order for it to be comfortable for the pet to step through, should be no higher off the floor than 1/3 of the measurement you made for the withers. That is called a rise. Also take into account the age of the dog. Older dogs may require even less of a rise.

Let's say your dog is 22" at his withers. Then you need an extra large dog door that has a flap gap of at least 23-24 inches tall and the rise should not be more than 7-8 inches off the floor. If you have a door or wall space that can accommodate that measurement, your in business and will soon have a happy pup. Many large dog pet doors do have some adaptability so you can make slight adjustments in height and width.Taller flaps are usually wider. That has to be taken into consideration. Also, be sure to get a very sturdy door as larger pets obviously weigh more and can bound through a door with more strength than the smaller breeds of dogs. Make sure the flaps are well secured and of a sturdy material.

Remember, if your large breed dog is not full grown, it will be before you know it. Allow for that growth factor. Talk with your vet or breeder to get an approximate idea of how big your bundle of love will get. After all, you don't want to buy another door six months from now and cut a larger hole in your wall or door, right? You also want to make sure the locking mechanism is stronger than your pet's capability to push on it. Big dogs, especially those 100 pounds or over, can be pretty strong, and determined! You need a large door pet door that will withstand that much pressure on a regular basis.

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