Dog Prams: How to Measure Your Dog for the Right Size (Australian Guide)

Your 14kg Border Collie fits under a 20kg weight limit, so you order the pram. It arrives, and she can't stretch out or turn around in the cabin. Back it goes.

That's the number one reason Aussie pet parents send dog prams back and buy a second one. They size to the weight limit instead of the cabin. If you've looked at dog prams and felt unsure which size suits your dog, this guide fixes that.

You'll learn the three measurements that matter, plus a two-minute test that beats any tape measure. Measure once, buy once. Here's how.

What You'll Need

Grab these before you start. The whole job takes two minutes.

• A soft tape measure (a fabric one, like a sewing tape).
• A pen and paper, or your phone's notes.
• Your dog, relaxed and lying down.
• The internal cabin dimensions from the pram's product page.

Why Weight Limits Are Misleading

A pet stroller's weight limit tells you the maximum load the frame can safely carry. It says nothing about whether your dog will fit inside the cabin.

Here's the proof. A Whippet and a Bulldog both weigh 12kg. The Whippet is long and narrow. The Bulldog is short and wide.

One needs a long cabin. The other needs a wide one. Both fit under a 20kg weight limit, yet they need completely different cabin dimensions.

The weight limit is a safety number for the frame. The cabin dimensions decide whether your dog can ride in comfort. So when you shop for dog prams, read the internal cabin size first and the weight limit second.

The 3 Measurements You Need

You only need a soft tape measure and two minutes. Take each measurement while your dog is relaxed, then write it down.

Measurement 1: Lying Length

This is the most important one. Your dog will lie down for most of the ride, so the cabin must be long enough for a proper stretch.

1. Wait until your dog is lying on their side, not curled up.
2. Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
3. Add 10cm to that number.

Why add 10cm? Because dogs shift about on the move. They stretch, curl, and readjust. The extra room stops them being pressed against the cabin walls on a bumpy footpath.

Measurement 2: Shoulder Width

The cabin needs to be wide enough for your dog to lie on their side without being squeezed.

1. Measure the widest point across the shoulders while your dog stands.
2. Add 5cm.

For broad-chested breeds like Bulldogs, Staffies, and Boxers, width is the limiting factor rather than length. Don't skip this one.

Measurement 3: Standing Height

Your dog will pop up to look around. The cabin should be tall enough for them to stand without their head pressing the canopy.

1. Measure from the ground to the top of the head while your dog stands.
2. Add 8cm.

Dogs who like to sit upright and watch the world need more headroom than dogs who flop and sprawl. If yours is a proud sitter, add a little extra.

The Lie-Down Test: The Real Sizing Method

Here's the practical version that beats any tape measurement. It costs nothing and takes five minutes.

1. Grab a cardboard box, or use tape to mark the cabin dimensions on your floor.
2. Use the internal cabin measurements from the product page, never the external ones.
3. Encourage your dog to lie down inside the marked area.
4. If they stretch out flat with 5cm or more of space on all sides, it fits.
5. If they touch the walls, or their feet press the ends, it's too small.

This is the most reliable method going because it reads your dog's real posture, not a set of numbers. Cats and anxious dogs settle faster when they can see the space is theirs, too.

A Worked Example

Say you're sizing for Bella, a 14kg Border Collie. Lying flat, she measures 60cm nose to tail, so her target cabin length is 70cm. Standing, she's 26cm across the shoulders, so she needs 31cm of width.

You mark a 70cm by 31cm rectangle on the kitchen floor with painter's tape. Bella lies down, stretches out, and there's a clear hand's width around her. That's a fit. If her paws had pressed the tape line, you'd size up to the next model.

One Check Most Guides Miss: Turn-and-Settle Room

Fitting isn't the same as being comfortable. A dog that barely fits will feel boxed in on a longer outing to the beach or the market.

Before you buy, picture your dog doing these three things in the cabin:

• Turning around to face the other way.
• Circling once before they settle, the way dogs do on their bed.
• Shifting position from lying flat to sitting up.

If the space allows only one of those, size up. The goal is a cabin your dog can move in, not squeeze into. This single check saves most of the returns we hear about.

Dog Pram Sizing Chart by Breed (Australia)

Use this as a starting point, then confirm with the lie-down test. The chart maps common Australian breeds to the two Pawbella models: the Essential (up to 20kg) and the Ultimate (up to 22kg, with a larger cabin).

Breed	Typical weight	Lying length	Pawbella Essential	Pawbella Ultimate
Chihuahua	1–3kg	25–35cm	Comfortable	Comfortable
Pomeranian	2–3.5kg	30–38cm	Comfortable	Comfortable
Cavalier King Charles	5–8kg	40–50cm	Comfortable	Comfortable
French Bulldog	8–13kg	40–48cm	Comfortable	Comfortable
Beagle	9–11kg	50–58cm	Comfortable	Comfortable
Cocker Spaniel	12–15kg	55–62cm	Snug	Comfortable
Staffordshire Bull Terrier	12–17kg	50–58cm	Snug (width)	Comfortable
Border Collie	14–20kg	55–65cm	Too small	Comfortable
Kelpie	14–20kg	55–65cm	Too small	Comfortable
Labrador (senior/slim)	25–36kg	65–75cm	Too small	Check dimensions

Here's a quick read of the chart. Small and toy breeds are happy in either model. Medium breeds around 12–17kg are snug in the Essential and roomy in the Ultimate. For working breeds and larger dogs, go straight to the Ultimate, and always run the lie-down test first. If your dog tips the scales past 15kg, our guide to large dog strollers in Australia covers the extra clearance they need.

Sizing for Senior, Recovering, and Anxious Dogs

Getting around with a senior dog can be heartbreaking when the legs no longer keep up. This is the moment a pram earns its keep, so it's worth sizing with extra care.

For these dogs, add more room than the numbers suggest:

• Senior dogs with stiff joints need space to shift weight off a sore hip. Add 5cm to your lying length.
• Recovering dogs in a cone or a splint need clearance, because the cone widens their profile. Measure with the cone on.
• Anxious dogs settle better in a larger, calmer cabin where they can turn away from passers-by.

If your dog is older or on the mend, our guide to senior dogs and mobility walks through when a stroller genuinely helps and how to introduce it gently.

Sizing a Cat or a Small Dog

Cats and toy breeds have the opposite problem: the pram is rarely too small, but it can feel exposed. Cats want to hide, so a cabin with a zip-up canopy beats an open one.

Measure a cat the same way you'd measure a dog, nose to tail base while they're stretched out. Then add the same 10cm. Because most cats sit between 3kg and 6kg, both Pawbella models suit them, and the detachable carrier lets a nervous cat travel in a den they already know.

Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

A few small errors cause most of the wrong-size buys. Dodge these and you'll get it right the first time.

• Trusting the weight limit alone. It's a frame rating, not a comfort rating.
• Using external dimensions. Always size to the internal cabin, which is smaller than the outside of the pram.
• Measuring a curled-up dog. Measure lying flat on the side for a true lying length.
• Forgetting the puppy will grow. For a young dog, size to the expected adult length, not today's.
• Ignoring width on broad dogs. For Staffies and Frenchies, width decides the fit more than length.
• Buying for a squeeze. If it barely fits in the shop test, it'll feel tight on a real outing.

After You've Sized It: Getting Your Dog Used to the Pram

The right size is half the battle. A cabin that fits means nothing if your dog refuses to hop in, so a gentle introduction matters as much as the measurements.

Take it slow over a few days. Here's a simple order that works:

1. Leave the pram open in a room your dog likes, with a familiar blanket inside.
2. Drop a few treats in the cabin and let them climb in on their own terms.
3. Once they're settled, zip the canopy and reward them for staying calm.
4. Push the pram a few metres indoors, then reward again.
5. Take a short first outing somewhere quiet, like your own street.

Most dogs relax within a week. A well-sized cabin speeds this up, because a dog that can turn and settle feels safe far quicker than one that's wedged in tight. That's one more reason to size for movement, not just for fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dog prams a good idea?

Yes, for the right dog. Prams are brilliant for senior dogs, recovering pets, small breeds who tire on long walks, and hot Aussie days when the pavement burns paws. They let your dog join the outing without overdoing it. For a full rundown, see our dog pram buying guide.

What size dog pram do I need?

Take your dog's lying length (nose to tail base, lying flat) and add 10cm. Match that to the internal cabin length on the product page, then confirm with the lie-down test. Dogs up to 12kg suit a compact model, while medium and larger dogs need a bigger cabin like the Ultimate.

Should dogs be in prams?

For dogs who can't manage the full distance, absolutely. A pram keeps older, smaller, or recovering dogs part of the daily adventure. It's inclusion, plain and simple. Active dogs can walk the fun bits and ride the rest.

Are dog prams allowed in shops?

It varies by store. Many Australian shopping centres and cafés welcome dogs in prams because the dog stays contained and off the floor. Check the individual venue's policy first. Our guide to dog-friendly shopping in Australia has the current rules.

Can I fit two small dogs in one dog pram?

Often, yes. Add the lying length of both dogs if they sleep side by side, or measure them curled together if they bunk up. Two Cavaliers or a pair of small Terriers usually share the Ultimate's cabin happily. Run the lie-down test with both dogs in the marked area so you know they can settle without squabbling over space.

How do I measure a dog that won't stay still?

Measure in stages during a calm moment, or take the number while they sleep. If tape measuring is a struggle, skip straight to the lie-down test with a marked box, which works even with the wriggliest dog.

The Bottom Line

Sizing a dog pram isn't about the weight limit. It comes down to three measurements, one honest lie-down test, and a cabin your dog can turn and settle in. Get those right and you'll buy once, not twice.

If you're ready to explore together, compare the Essential and Ultimate pet strollers to find your fit. The lightweight Essential Pet Stroller suits small dogs and cats, while the roomier Ultimate Pet Stroller carries dogs up to 22kg. Both are designed in Melbourne, dispatched within 24 hours, and backed by our 30-day happiness guarantee.

Your next adventure together is just around the corner.