What size dog door for a German Shepherd? Most adult Shepherds fit a Hale Tall Large (11" x 19 1/2" flap) or Tall Large Plus (11" x 23 1/2"). Taller or broader dogs may need Extra Tall Large, Extra Large Plus or Giant. Let your own dog's shoulder height and chest width decide, not the breed name.
Hale's dog breed sizing guide lists German Shepherds at 22"-26" tall and 50-95 lbs, with five recommended sizes: TL, TLP, XTL, XLP and G. This post explains what those letters mean, how to measure your Shepherd for them, and how to pick between them. Hale has built pet doors in the USA since 1985.
What size dog door for a German Shepherd: the quick answer
Here are the five sizes the breed guide recommends for German Shepherds, with the numbers from Hale's standard size chart. Measurements are width x height.
| Size (code) | Flap (passage) opening | Rough opening | Pet width | Pet shoulder height | Chart weight note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tall Large (TL) | 11" x 19 1/2" | 13" x 21 5/8" | 8"-10" | 21"-24" | Taller dogs 50-95 lbs. |
| Tall Large Plus (TLP) | 11" x 23 1/2" | 13" x 25 5/8" | 8"-10" | 25"-27" | Tall, slender dogs up to 110 lbs. |
| Extra Tall Large (XTL) | 11" x 27 1/2" | 13" x 29 5/8" | 8"-10" | 24"-31" | Very tall, slender dogs up to 120 lbs. |
| Extra Large Plus (XLP) | 14" x 23 1/2" | 16" x 25 5/8" | 11"-13" | 25"-27" | Larger dogs up to 150 lbs. |
| Giant (G) | 15 1/2" x 27 1/2" | 17 5/8" x 29 5/8" | 12"-14" | 25"-31" | Most giant breeds. |
The American Kennel Club gives German Shepherd heights of 24-26 inches for males and 22-24 inches for females, and weights of 65-90 pounds for males and 50-70 pounds for females. The AKC breed standard measures that height "at the top of the highest point of the shoulder blade," the same spot Hale tells you to measure.
What the size letters mean
Hale makes 11 standard sizes, and the breed guide shortens them to letter codes. Once you see the pattern, the list makes sense:
- L = Large. The 11"-wide flap family starts here at 11" x 16".
- T = Tall. A tall size keeps the same width and adds height. Tall Large is 11" x 19 1/2".
- P = Plus. Plus adds more height again. Tall Large Plus is 11" x 23 1/2", and Extra Large Plus is 14" x 23 1/2".
- XTL = Extra Tall Large. The tallest 11"-wide flap, at 11" x 27 1/2".
- XL = Extra Large. The wider family: 14" across instead of 11".
- G = Giant. The biggest standard size, 15 1/2" x 27 1/2".
For a German Shepherd, the real choice is between two families. The 11"-wide sizes (TL, TLP, XTL) suit dogs about 8"-10" across. The wider sizes (XLP, G) suit dogs 11" across or more. Height then picks the size inside each family.
How to measure your German Shepherd for a dog door
Breed ranges are a starting point. The breed guide says it plainly: "your pet's actual shoulder height and width should always be the final decision-maker." You need three numbers.
1. Shoulder height (withers to floor)
Hale's sizing guide says the flaps should sit "at least an inch or two above the top of your pet's back, not the head." Measure from the floor to the withers, the top of the shoulders. Ignore the head and ears; the shoulders are what count.
If your dog won't stand still, Hale suggests standing next to them, putting your fingers level with their shoulders against your leg, and then measuring from the floor to that spot on your leg.
2. Chest width
Face your dog and measure across the widest point, then add an inch or two. Hale notes that long hair can make a dog look wider than it really is. Another way: open a door just wide enough for your Shepherd to walk through, measure that gap, and add an inch or two.
3. The step-over, or rise
The rise is the lip at the bottom of the pet door that your dog steps over. Hale's standard rise is 2 inches, and it matters mostly for wall installs. For a short-legged or older dog, or a door with a step on either side, Hale suggests installing the pet door lower.
Why mounting height matters for a German Shepherd dog door
A pet door is never at floor level, and that is the part most people forget. Hale's installation manuals give the rule: install the pet door so the distance from the floor to the top of the passage opening is above the shoulder of your largest pet.
So the number that matters is flap height + how far the bottom of the flap sits off the floor. On a people door, Hale's Door Model installation manual says the rough opening should be no less than four inches from both the bottom and the side of the door, to keep the door strong. That margin raises the flap, and it can push you to a taller size.
A worked example, using a made-up mounting height: say the bottom of the flap will sit 6 inches above the floor.
- A Tall Large flap (19 1/2" tall) tops out at 25 1/2". That clears a 23" female by more than two inches, but leaves a 25" male only half an inch.
- A Tall Large Plus flap (23 1/2" tall) tops out at 29 1/2", which clears even a 26" male with room to spare.
Measure your own door or wall before you order, and do the same sum. If it comes out close, go taller.
Choosing between sizes for your Shepherd
Tall Large vs. Tall Large Plus
Tall Large is listed for dogs with a 21"-24" shoulder height, which covers the AKC range for females. Tall Large Plus is listed for 25"-27", which covers males at the top of the AKC range. If your dog sits between the two, the breed guide's advice is to size up: "A slightly larger opening is almost always better than forcing your pet through a door that is too tight."
Hale's manuals put it more strongly: "If in doubt, larger is better. It may be harmful for your pet to use a pet door that is too small." The sizing guide adds that hunching over can be hard on a dog's hips as it ages, and that flaps last longer when your pet isn't rubbing against the top of the door.
When to look at Extra Tall Large
Extra Tall Large keeps the 11" width but gives you a 27 1/2" flap, for "very tall, slender dogs." It makes sense for a lean, leggy Shepherd, or when the flap has to be mounted higher than usual.
When to go wider: Extra Large Plus or Giant
If your Shepherd measures more than about 10" across the chest, the 11"-wide flaps will be snug. Extra Large Plus (14" x 23 1/2") is listed for pets 11"-13" wide, and Giant (15 1/2" x 27 1/2") for 12"-14". Measure the body, not just the coat: Hale notes that long hair can make a dog look wider than it really is.
Puppies, seniors and two-dog households
German Shepherd puppies
Hale's sizing guide is short and to the point: "A puppy will grow!" Buy a door your dog will always be able to use. For a Shepherd puppy, size the door for the adult dog, not the puppy in front of you. The adult breed ranges above are your best guide until your dog is fully grown.
Older Shepherds
Hale notes that young pets can raise their legs up to their chest, but older pets may have trouble with this. Mount the door at a comfortable height, and consider installing it lower if your dog can't lift its feet very high.
A Shepherd and a smaller dog
With more than one pet, Hale's advice is to measure the tallest one and get a door that is "low enough for the shortest one to step over but tall enough for the tallest one to fit through comfortably." The Door Model manual adds that the tallest pet needs shoulder clearance and the shortest pet should not have to jump through the opening.
One approach is a taller door mounted lower. The Door Model manual's own photos show it: a homeowner with a Golden Retriever and a Chihuahua bought a taller door and installed it as low as possible. That worked because the door was fiberglass. The manual warns that in a wood door it would have caused a structural issue, so check your door's construction before mounting below the four-inch margin.
Door Model or Wall Model for a big dog
Every size above is sold in both the Door Model and the Wall Model, with the same flap sizes listed on each product page.
- Door Model: for people doors 1 1/4"-2" thick, in wood, metal and composite doors. Before you choose a tall size, check that nothing above the opening will get in the way of the security cover, and that the rough opening stays four inches from the bottom and side of the door.
- Wall Model: a through-wall door built for walls up to 10 inches thick. Hale's Wall Model installation manual says to try to place the pet door between studs, and that studs 16" on center give you 14" of room between them. The 11"-wide sizes have a 13" rough opening, which fits inside that space. Extra Large Plus (16" rough opening) and Giant (17 5/8") are wider, so talk to Hale or an installer before you cut.
For exact cut-out sizes and how they relate to the flap and frame, see our guide to dog door rough openings. You can also compare all Hale dog doors side by side, or find an installer near you.
Still not sure? Call before you cut
If your Shepherd falls between sizes, or your door or wall is unusual, call 1-800-646-4773 for a free consultation with an experienced installer before you order. Hale also notes that customization "is just a phone call away" when no standard size fits.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Large dog door big enough for a German Shepherd?
Not for an adult Shepherd, going by Hale's numbers. The Large size has an 11" x 16" flap and is listed for dogs with a 15"-20" shoulder height. German Shepherds stand 22"-26" in Hale's breed sizing guide, and the recommended sizes start at Tall Large. Measure your dog's shoulder height and add an inch or two before you choose.
What size dog door should I get for a German Shepherd puppy?
Size the door for the adult dog. Hale's sizing guide reminds owners that a puppy will grow, so buy a door your Shepherd will always be able to use. The AKC lists adult heights of 22-24 inches for females and 24-26 inches for males, and Hale's breed guide recommends Tall Large and larger for the breed.
Should I get a Tall Large or a Tall Large Plus for my German Shepherd?
Hale's chart lists Tall Large for a 21"-24" shoulder height and Tall Large Plus for 25"-27". Add how far the bottom of the flap will sit off the floor to the flap height. The total should be above your dog's shoulder. If your dog falls between sizes, Hale's breed guide says to size up.
Can a German Shepherd and a small dog share one dog door?
Yes, if the door is tall enough for the Shepherd and low enough for the small dog to step over. Hale's Door Model manual says the tallest pet needs shoulder clearance and the shortest should not have to jump. Mounting a taller door lower can work, but check your door's construction first.
Does a German Shepherd need a Giant dog door?
Only if your dog's measurements call for it, though it is on Hale's recommended list for the breed. Giant has a 15 1/2" x 27 1/2" flap for dogs 12"-14" wide. If your Shepherd measures more than about 10" across the chest, compare Extra Large Plus and Giant. For dogs 8"-10" wide, Hale lists the 11"-wide sizes.
