Best Dog Doors NZ — The Complete 2026 Buyer's Guide
Choosing a dog door in New Zealand comes down to three decisions: where it's going (glass, timber, PVC or metal), how big your dog is, and whether your glass is single or double glazed. This guide walks through all three, then compares every Dogwalk® model side by side: usable opening sizes, cut-outs, glass and panel ranges, so you can buy once and buy right. Dogwalk® doors are designed in New Zealand by Pet-Tek International, manufactured from UV-stabilised polycarbonate for NZ conditions, and backed by a 3-year warranty* with spare parts available for every model.
- Match the usable opening (width × height) to the dog: 187×190mm Maxi for toy breeds, 180×227mm Small (W-SDD) for small dogs, 216×237mm Intermediate for Shih Tzu to Corgi size, and 270×300mm glass / 270×307mm wood Medium for medium to semi-large dogs such as Beagles, Border Collies, Spaniels and Blue Heelers. Labradors and larger: measure first.
- Glass fitting models install via a single round glazier cut-out (320mm or 385mm); wood fitting models are a DIY job in timber, PVC or metal panels.
- Ranch sliders and modern double glazing are almost always toughened glass, so a replacement panel with the hole pre-cut is the standard route.
Step 1 — Where Is the Door Going?
Glass panel, ranch slider or patio door: choose from the glass fitting Dogwalk® range. A glazier core-drills one round hole: a faster, cheaper and lower-risk job than the rectangular cut-outs imported brands require. The full process is covered in our glass fitting guide (identical for dog doors, just a larger hole).
Timber, PVC or metal door panel: choose from the wood fitting Dogwalk® range, a straightforward DIY installation with a jigsaw, covered in the fitting instructions included with every door.
Double glazing: the dual glaze glass models suit sealed units up to 32mm thick. If the glass is toughened (nearly all ranch sliders), your glazier orders a replacement panel with the hole pre-cut; routine work, explained in our double glazing guide.
Step 2 — What Size Does Your Dog Need?
Measure your dog at its widest point and its body depth (top of the back to the bottom of the chest), then add 25mm to each: that is the minimum usable opening width and height. Then check the position: the bottom of the opening sits about level with the belly and the top at least 25mm above the shoulder. Full method in the measuring guide. As a quick reference by breed size:
- Toy breeds (Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Maltese, Toy Poodle; shoulder height up to about 300mm): the 187×190mm usable opening of the Maxi pet door range is usually sufficient.
- Small dogs (Shih Tzu, Cavalier, Jack Russell, Pug, French Bulldog, Miniature Schnauzer, Corgi; up to about 360–380mm): the Small wood fitting dog doors (W-SDD, 180×227mm) or the Intermediate glass models (216×237mm).
- Medium to semi-large dogs (Beagle, Cocker and Springer Spaniel, Border Collie, Blue Heeler, Kelpie, Staffy; shoulder height 450–500mm): the Medium dog doors, 270×300mm usable opening in glass or 270×307mm in wood.
- Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Huntaway (over 500mm at the shoulder): at or above the top of the Medium range. Many do use it, but measure first: width + 25mm must fit inside 270mm and body depth + 25mm inside 300mm. If it is close, contact us before ordering.
In-between sizes? Go up, not down; a dog squeezing through a tight flap will stop using it. Puppies: buy for the adult size of the breed.
The Dogwalk® Range Compared — Every Model
Glass Fitting Dog Doors
| Model | Best For | Usable Opening (W×H) | Glass Range | Cut-Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-DDSLC / G-DDSLW, Medium slim line | Medium to semi-large dogs, single glazing | 270×300mm | 4–20mm | 385mm |
| G-DDC / G-DDW / G-DDB, Medium dual glaze | Medium to semi-large dogs, double glazing | 270×300mm | 3–32mm | 385mm |
| G-IDDSLC / G-IDDSLW, Intermediate slim line | Small to medium dogs, single glazing | 216×237mm | 4–13mm | 320mm |
| G-IDDC / G-IDDW / G-IDDB, Intermediate dual glaze | Small to medium dogs, double glazing | 216×237mm | 4–32mm | 320mm |
Wood Fitting Dog Doors
| Model | Best For | Usable Opening (W×H) | Panel Range | Overall Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-SDDW / W-SDDB, Small slim line | Small dogs & large cats, thin panels | 180×227mm | 11–30mm | 325×240mm |
| W-SDDTW / W-SDDTB, Small tunnel | Small dogs & large cats, thick doors & walls | 180×227mm | 11–52mm | 325×240mm |
| W-DDW / W-DDB, Medium | Medium to semi-large dogs | 270×307mm | 5–36mm | 400×355mm |
All models: white (W) or clear/smoke (C) with black (B) options as listed, UV-stabilised polycarbonate construction, 4-way locking, 3-year warranty*. Usable opening = clear width × height once fitted. Specifications from catwalk-petdoors.com product pages, September 2026.
Most NZ homes (ranch slider + medium to semi-large dog): G-DDC Medium dual glaze; the 3–32mm glass range covers virtually every sealed unit, fitted via replacement panel. Small to medium dog in double glazing: G-IDDC Intermediate dual glaze. DIY into a timber back door: W-DDW Medium wood fitting. Small dog through a thick wall or solid-core door: W-SDDTW small tunnel; its 52mm range handles what other doors can't. Labrador or bigger? Measure first (Step 2) and contact us if it is close.
What Sets Dogwalk® Apart in NZ
- Round cut-out for glass: one core-drill pass, no corner stress points, the format glaziers prefer. Full detail in why glaziers prefer round cut-outs.
- Built for NZ conditions: UV-stabilised polycarbonate that won't yellow or go brittle in New Zealand sun, designed here since 1999.
- No batteries, no electronics: mechanical 4-way locking that works through power cuts and never needs charging.
- Spare parts for life: replacement flaps, rings and locks for every model, including doors fitted 20+ years ago.
- Insulation-friendly: dual glaze models preserve the thermal performance of double glazed homes; see keeping your home warm with a pet door.
Getting It Installed
Glass: any glazier; give them the model, cut-out size (320mm Intermediate / 385mm Medium), glass type and thickness. Under an hour for cuttable glass; replacement-panel lead time for toughened. Wood: DIY with a jigsaw and drill using the supplied template, or any handyman. New to dog doors? Our dog door training guide gets most dogs through confidently within a week. Two details on the checklist come straight from the tooling room: the flap-to-body gap is machined to next to zero tolerance under a full brush seal, and the draft angles inside the body are set so water drains out of the door rather than pooling in it. Neither shows up on a spec sheet, and both decide how the door performs in year five.
Watch: Glass fitting installation
Watch: Wood fitting installation (DIY)
Frequently Asked Questions
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