Will My Dog Fit in a BuddyRider®?
It's the first thing every dog owner wants to know, and it's a fair question. Every dog is different, so before you order, let's make sure your buddy is a good fit.
The good news: Buddyrider is designed to suit a wide range of small to medium dogs, and checking is simple. All you need is a tape measure and a couple of minutes.
Dog Size & Weight Requirements
Buddyrider suits dogs that fit within these measurements:
If your dog is under about 6kg, we'd also recommend adding the Buddybooster Cushion Insert — it gives smaller dogs a snugger, more secure and comfortable fit inside the seat. The cushion can also be enjoyed by dogs up to 10kg.
Buddyrider was originally designed with a Parsons Terrier in mind, but it works well for a good range of small and medium breeds — we've fitted everyone from Maltese and toy poodles through to sturdier little all-rounders.
How to measure your dog
You don't need anything fancy — just a soft tape measure and a calm dog (a treat helps).
- Weigh your dog. Use your bathroom scales — weigh yourself holding your dog, then weigh yourself alone, and work out the difference. Compare this to the 11.5kg limit above.
- Measure length. With your dog sitting, measure from the front of their chest to about an inch past the tip of their tail.
- Measure width. With your dog sitting, measure across the widest part of their body (usually the hips or shoulders).
- Check collar size. Measure around your dog's neck where their collar normally sits, to make sure it falls within the 35-39cm adjustable range.
If your dog measures close to any of these limits, or you're just not confident measuring them yourself, that's exactly what Garry's here for — see below.
Not sure? Just ask
Give me a call and I'll happily talk you through it — or if you're in Tauranga, bring your dog along and try a Buddyrider in person before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the maximum weight Buddyrider can hold?
Buddyrider is designed for dogs up to 11.5kg.
My dog is small — will they still fit securely?
Yes - for dogs under about 6kg, we recommend adding the Buddybooster Cushion Insert. It fills out the seat so smaller dogs sit snugly and securely, rather than shifting around inside it.
Does Buddyrider suit specific breeds, or just size?
It's really about size rather than breed — as long as your dog fits the weight, length and width guide above, most small-to-medium breeds do well in a Buddyrider. We've had great results with Maltese, toy poodles and similar small dogs, right through to sturdier little breeds.
What if my dog is right on the edge of the size limits?
Give me a call. I can talk through your dog's specific size and temperament and let you know honestly whether Buddyrider's a good fit — or whether it isn't.