Large breed

    Dog Doors for a Golden Retriever

    Big, fluffy and friendly — we recommend an XL dog door. A typical Golden Retriever weighs 25–40 kg. Thick coat adds bulk, so we size up rather than down.

    Get a free quote for your Golden Retriever

    What size opening does a Golden Retriever need?

    Large to extra-large dog door, 314 × 390 mm and upwards.

    How to measure your Golden Retriever

    1. 1Measure your dog's shoulder height from the floor — the opening needs to be at least that tall.
    2. 2Measure the widest point, usually the chest or hips, and add 50 mm.
    3. 3Watch how your dog goes through a normal doorway: if they duck, the opening needs to be taller.
    4. 4Measure the chest clearance from the floor so the step-over is easy, not a jump.

    Where we fit it: Head height drives the fit for big dogs, not weight. We often end up fitting into a new toughened glass panel or a side panel, simply because a standard door doesn't have the flat area needed.

    Not sure? Try the Will It Fit checker.

    Microchip compatibility for a Golden Retriever

    UK dogs must be microchipped by law, and those chips are standard 15-digit FDX-B — exactly what the microchip pet doors we fit read. Larger dog doors are usually manual 4-way lock; chip-controlled access is available up to the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door size.

    Golden Retriever microchip tip

    Chip-controlled doors stop at the SureFlap pet door size, so a retriever gets a large manual dog door instead.

    Got the chip number handy? Check it against every flap we fit.

    Getting a Golden Retriever used to the dog door

    Tape the flap open, call your dog through from the other side, then lower it gradually over a few days. Never push them through — one bad experience takes weeks to undo.

    Fitting note: Thick coat adds bulk, so we size up rather than down.

    Dog doors we recommend for a Golden Retriever

    These are the models we fit most often for Golden Retrievers, in order of preference.

    Our top pick

    Large dog door (e.g. PetSafe Staywell Large)

    Roomy enough for retrievers, collies and similar large breeds.

    • Typical opening 314 × 390 mm
    • Manual lock; microchip options available
    More about this model
    Option 2

    Extra-large dog door

    For tall, deep-chested dogs that need real head height.

    • Typical opening 390 × 500 mm+
    • Manual lock as standard
    More about this model

    Ready to give your Golden Retriever the run of the garden?

    We fit into uPVC, composite, wooden and aluminium doors, windows and new toughened glass panels.

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