Choosing the correct pet door is one of the most important parts of the installation.

One of the questions we’re asked almost every day is:

“Should I choose the Large or the XL PetSafe pet door?”

The answer depends on your dog’s shoulder width and body shape, not simply their breed or weight.

At Platinum Pet Doors, we measure and recommend the most suitable pet door based on your dog’s size, ensuring it’s comfortable to use for years to come.

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Why Shoulder Width Is More Important Than Weight

Many people assume a heavier dog automatically needs the largest pet door available.

In reality, your dog’s shoulder width is usually the limiting factor.

A tall, lean dog may comfortably fit through a Large pet door, while a stockier breed of the same weight may require an XL.

That’s why we often ask customers to measure their dog’s shoulder width before recommending a pet door.

It helps ensure the correct size is chosen the first time.

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PetSafe Large vs XL

PetSafe Large

The PetSafe Large is suitable for many medium to large breed dogs.

Common examples include:

• Border Collie
• Kelpie
• Standard Poodle
• Boxer
• Labrador (many)
• Groodle (many)

For some Labradors and similar breeds, the Large provides plenty of room while maintaining a smaller opening in your glass.

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PetSafe XL

The PetSafe XL is designed for larger or broader dogs that need extra width and height.

Typical breeds include:

• Golden Retriever
• German Shepherd
• Rottweiler
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Great Dane
• Large Labradors
• Larger Groodles

The larger opening makes entering and exiting much easier for bigger dogs.

Common Breed Guide

Medium PetSafe

• Cavoodle
• Cockapoo
• Mini Labradoodle
• Moodle
• Cavapoo

Large PetSafe

• Border Collie
• Kelpie
• Boxer
• Standard Poodle
• Many Labradors
• Many Groodles

XL PetSafe

• Golden Retriever
• German Shepherd
• Rottweiler
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Great Dane
• Larger Labradors
• Larger Groodles

Please note: Every dog is different. Breed is only a guide. For larger breeds such as Labradors, Groodles and German Shepherds, we recommend measuring your dog’s shoulder width so we can recommend the most suitable pet door.

Why We Ask for Photos

When providing a quote, we usually ask for:

• A photo of your door (inside and outside)
• Your dog’s breed
• Your suburb
• Your dog’s shoulder width (for larger breeds)

These few details allow us to recommend the correct pet door and provide an accurate fixed quote.

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Can I Choose a Larger Door Just in Case?

SSometimes, yes.

If you have a young dog that’s still growing—particularly larger breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks or German Shepherds—it can make sense to install a larger pet door from the beginning.

We’ve seen plenty of puppies outgrow a Large pet door within 6–12 months. Some dogs even end up significantly bigger than their parents.

While we’d certainly be happy to install a second pet door later, we’d much rather recommend the right size the first time.

That’s why we take the time to ask about your dog’s age, breed and shoulder width before making a recommendation.

Our goal is to install a pet door that your dog can comfortably use for years to come, not just while they’re still growing.

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Our Recommendation

After installing thousands of pet doors across Sydney, we’ve found that taking a few simple measurements before ordering produces the best long-term result.

If you’re unsure whether your dog needs a Large or an XL, simply send us:

• Photos of your door (inside and outside)
• Your dog’s breed
• Your dog’s shoulder width
• Your suburb

We’ll recommend the most suitable option and provide a fixed quote.

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Real-World Experience

Over the years we’ve found that breeds such as Labradors, Groodles and German Shepherds can vary considerably in size. We’ve installed Large PetSafe doors for some Labradors, while others have required an XL. That’s why we don’t recommend a pet door based on breed alone—we prefer to see your dog’s shoulder width so we can recommend the correct size the first time.

That paragraph is based on your actual installation experience and explains exactly why you ask customers for shoulder width. It builds trust because it’s practical advice rather than a generic sizing chart.