Igloo Dog House Size Chart | Petmate Indigo Sizes for Every Dog
My brother-in-law Jake bought a Medium Petmate Indigo for his Bernese Mountain Dog, Thor, last summer. Thor didn’t fit. His head touched the ceiling and he couldn’t turn around. Jake ended up returning it and buying the Extra Large, which Thor uses daily now. The lesson: size up for any dog close to the top of a range.
An igloo dog house size chart helps you match your dog’s weight and body dimensions to the right Petmate Indigo size. The Indigo comes in Small, Medium, Large, and Extra-large. Each size has a weight range and set internal dimensions. Dogs need room to stand, turn around, and lie flat. Too small and they cramp. Too big and the space loses body heat.
This guide covers all four Indigo sizes with dog house dimensions and weight ranges. It also gives breed fit picks, the key features of the igloo-shaped outdoor doghouse, and answers to common Petmate Indigo questions.
Table of Contents
Igloo Dog House Size Chart
| Attribute | Details |
| Product name | Petmate Indigo dog house |
| Brand | Petmate® |
| Shape | Igloo-shaped outdoor doghouse |
| Sizes | Small, Medium, Large, Extra-large |
| Weight range covered | Up to 125 pounds |
| Material | Durable plastic (HDPE) |
| Key feature | Patented dome design for high winds |
| Origin | Made in the USA |
Igloo Dog House Size Chart
This sizing chart covers all four Petmate Indigo dog house sizes. Each row lists dog house dimensions in centimeters, the dog weight range, and the breeds that fit best.
The plastic dog house comes in Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large. Pick the size where your dog lands in the middle of the range. That gives a roomy fit instead of a tight one.
| Size | Dimensions (L × W × H) | Dog Weight Range | Suitable Dogs |
| Small | ~66 × 60 × 48 cm | Up to 25 lbs (≈11 kg) | Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu |
| Medium | ~95 × 78 × 66 cm | 26–50 lbs (≈12–23 kg) | Beagle, French Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel |
| Large | ~114 × 86 × 79 cm | 50–90 lbs (≈23–41 kg) | Labrador, Boxer, Border Collie |
| X-Large | ~122 × 89 × 89 cm | 90–125 lbs (≈41–57 kg) | German Shepherd, Rottweiler |
Dimensions are approximate and can vary by 2 to 3 cm across product runs. The chart shows outer dimensions. Internal usable space runs about 10 to 15 percent smaller. Check the current Petmate spec sheet for the exact year you buy.
About the Petmate Indigo Doghouse
The Petmate Indigo is a year-round outdoor shelter. The igloo shape traps body heat in winter and stays cool in summer through rooftop vents. Petmate molds it from heavy-duty HDPE plastic and builds it in the USA. The design has held up across decades of cold winters and hot summers.
An extended roof sheds snow, and a patented dome keeps the house steady in high winds. The plastic shell resists sun, freeze, and impact, so it handles the freeze-thaw cycles that crack cheaper models. That mix of warmth, durability, and a fair price is why the Indigo stays one of Petmate’s best-selling dog houses.
Petmate made its first dog kennel in 1963 and has shaped the outdoor plastic dog house market since. The brand also sells wood dog house alternatives like the New Age Pet EcoFlex, but the plastic Indigo outsells them.
Key Features of the Petmate Indigo
The Indigo is more than a plastic box. A few engineering choices set it apart from cheap alternatives. Here is what each feature does.
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| Patented dome design | Keeps the house steady in high winds |
| Rooftop ventilation | Keeps air moving and cuts heat buildup |
| Offset doorway | Shields your pet from rain and wind |
| Extended roof | Sheds snow and debris |
| Raised floors with side moats | Drain moisture and keep floors dry |
| Tool-free snap assembly | Quick setup, no tools needed |
| Heavy-duty construction | Built for year-round outdoor use |
| Durable plastic shell | Stands up to sun, freeze, and impact |
The dome shape and weight keep the house planted in high wind. The offset doorway sits to one side, so rain, wind, and snow drift stay out of the sleeping area. Rooftop vents keep air moving and cut heat buildup in summer.
Raised floors with side moats drain moisture and keep the floor dry. The extended roof sheds snow before it can pile up and stress the structure. Snap-together assembly needs no tools. Put together, these features make the Indigo a solid outdoor dog shelter in any climate.
Size Recommendations by Breed
The right Indigo size comes down to adult weight and body shape. Use this chart as a starting point, then check it against your dog’s real measurements. You can add the Petmate Indigo door flap, a heating pad, or a snow skirt for extra comfort.
| Breed | Adult Weight | Recommended Size |
| Chihuahua | 2-6 lb | Small |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4-7 lb | Small |
| Pug | 14-18 lb | Small |
| Beagle | 20-30 lb | Medium |
| French Bulldog | 16-28 lb | Small or Medium |
| Cocker Spaniel | 20-30 lb | Medium |
| Border Collie | 30-45 lb | Medium |
| Labrador Retriever | 55-80 lb | Large |
| Boxer | 55-80 lb | Large |
| German Shepherd | 50-90 lb | Large or XL |
| Husky | 35-60 lb | Medium or Large |
| Rottweiler | 80-125 lb | XL |
| Great Dane | 100-150 lb | Consult vet, XL may be tight |
| Saint Bernard | 120-180 lb | Consult vet, XL may be tight |
For a large breed dog house, dogs in the 50 to 90 lb range fit the Large, and dogs from 90 to 125 lb need the XL. The XL suits German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and most giant-adjacent breeds. Dogs over 125 pounds can struggle even in the XL. A Saint Bernard or adult Great Dane sits near or above that ceiling, so measure before you buy.
When to Size Up
Move up a size when your dog sits at the top of a weight range, has a long tail, or shares the doghouse with another dog. A Lab at 78 pounds fits the Large, but only just. The next size up gives more room to settle.
| Situation | Recommendation |
| Dog at top of weight range | Size up |
| Long tail (Vizsla, Weimaraner) | Size up |
| Two small dogs sharing | Use next size up |
| Puppy that will grow | Buy for adult size |
| Cold climate | Size down for heat retention |
| Hot climate | Size up for airflow |
The igloo shape traps body heat. That helps in cold weather but can feel stuffy when it’s hot. In summer, point the door away from direct sun and leave airflow around the house. In winter, the enclosed space plus a door flap keep the inside 15 to 25 degrees warmer than the outside air.
Accessories Worth Buying
The Indigo ships as a bare shell. A few add-ons make it work better all year. The door flap is the most popular one.
| Accessory | Price Range | Best For |
| Petmate Indigo door flap | $15-25 | Blocking wind, rain, snow |
| Self-heating pad | $30-50 | Cold climates |
| Raised floor panel | $20-35 | Keeps dog off cold ground |
| Weatherproof bed | $40-80 | Added comfort indoors |
| Snow skirt | $20-30 | Blocks snow drift |
The door flap is the best first buy. It blocks wind, rain, and snow and keeps the inside close to body temperature. A raised floor panel helps where the ground freezes. For more on matching size to breed, see our dog size chart for weight ranges and biggest dog breeds for XL picks.
How to Measure Your Dog
Measure your dog instead of guessing. Three numbers matter: length, height, and weight. Measure while your dog stands calmly. The house has to let the dog stand, turn, and lie down without cramping.
| Measurement | How to Measure | Add for House Size |
| Length | Nose tip to base of tail | + 15 cm (6 in) |
| Height | Top of shoulder to floor | + 15 cm (6 in) |
| Weight | Standing scale | Use as sizing guide |
| Width | Widest part of shoulders | + 10 cm (4 in) |
Your dog needs to stand without hitting the ceiling and turn without scraping the walls. Adding 15 cm (6 inches) to length and height gives a good cushion. For long-tailed breeds like a Vizsla or Weimaraner, add a little more length so the tail fits without pressing the back wall.
FAQs
What size Petmate Indigo dog house do I need?
Match your dog’s weight to the ranges: Small under 25 lb, Medium for 26 to 50 lb, Large for 50 to 90 lb, and X-Large for 90 to 125 lb. If your dog sits at the top of a range, go up a size.
How do I measure my dog for an igloo dog house?
Measure nose to base of tail for length and shoulder to floor for height, then add about 15 cm (6 inches) to each. The house should let your dog stand, turn, and lie down without hitting the walls or ceiling.
Is the Petmate Indigo warm enough for winter?
Yes, with the right add-ons. The plastic walls hold body heat well. Add a door flap and a self-heating pad for cold climates, and a raised floor panel so your dog isn’t on frozen ground. The igloo shape was built for harsh weather.
Can two dogs share one igloo dog house?
Yes, if they already share space well indoors. Size up one level: two 40 lb dogs want a Large, not a Medium, and two large dogs need an X-Large. If they don’t get along, give each its own house.
Is the Petmate Indigo better than a wood dog house?
The plastic Indigo is easier to maintain than wood. Wood looks more natural but rots, attracts pests, and needs repainting. The plastic shell resists all three and is made in the USA. For more sizing help, see our dog house size chart and dog crate size chart.