Importance of a Good Dog Door
Why do you need the best dog door? If you want your pet to have the freedom of moving in and out of the house at will, you need to choose a safe, versatile option that fits your pet the best.
Choosing a dog door that doesn’t fit your needs, or has poor materials, can potentially result in injury to your dog. You might also find that the dog door simply doesn’t work the way you intended or entails too much work to install.
The best dog door fits your lifestyle and looks good in your home. It is also made from reliable materials that will not warp over time or fail during use.
Note of Caution: You should always exercise caution when leaving your dog outside unattended. Particularly motivated dogs can jump surprisingly large fences, dig beneath them, or even run through electric fences.
Five Best Dog Doors
As a certified dog trainer, I have seen clients use many different types of dog doors to various success and satisfaction. I’ve used my experience to handpick the best dog door for your dog.
Each of these dog doors has a certain scenario or feature that sets it apart from the rest: durability, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog door is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, ergonomy, and more.
Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog doors available!
All-Around Favorite Dog Door
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Review Highlights:
“… VERY reasonably priced, especially when compared to others on the market. Looks very nice. Feels very sturdy. Template was spot on, installation instructions were a breeze …”
“… This is a well made doggie door for 1/3 of the price compared to the most. The silver color trim looks good. Template came with was a perfect fit. Highly recommended …”
“… It was the exact fit! The magnet for the flap is very strong… very nice door and would recommend. …”
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This product is a great standard choice to use with your pet. It provides a good value without forfeiting quality, and you can choose between medium and large to best fit your pet.
Feature Highlights:
- Choose between two sizes to best fit your dog.
- Easy for pet owners to assemble.
- Made with heavy-duty vinyl to withstand weather.
- Easy locking panel when not in use.
This product is a great choice for a basic dog door. It comes with an easy to use installation guide, but as is the case with many dog doors, you must make the cuts yourself or hire someone to do so. The frame fits well using the provided guide and allows flexibility for some cutting error.
The dog door itself is quite sturdy and well built for the price. The vinyl flap has durable material and when you need a replacement it is simple and affordable to order and replace. The magnet strip at the bottom works to seal the flap closed when not in use. Recommended for: Pitbulls, Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Schnauzers, and more.
Most Durable Dog Door
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Review Highlights:
“… This is head and shoulders above any other dog doors I’ve ever used. Solid framing, metal tunnel, solid hinges and a quality lock-door for the inside… totally worth it …”
“… Excellent door. I bought a year ago, and it is still holding up perfectly. My dog goes in and out of this door about 1 million times per day, and there are no issues with it …”
“… I have installed just about every dog door available, and none are even remotely close to the quality and performance of the Endura Flap… it was worth every penny.. …”
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If you’ve been through multiple dog doors in an attempt to find something that can withstand your dog and the weather in your region, this door might just be for you. With double flaps and an aluminum frame, this one’s built to last.
Feature Highlights:
- Double-paneled double doors keep all weather out.
- Magnetically sealed along the top and sides of the doors.
- Sturdy aluminum tunnel.
This is one of the most durable and reliable dog doors on the market. It has extremely reliable and solid construction with an aluminum frame and heavy-gauge metal fittings. You simply cannot beat the quality of this product.
Not only do the materials provide a quality product, but the door also works exactly as intended. The magnetic seal keeps the door from swinging open and the double insulation keeps your A/C and heat in your home. Recommended for: Pitbulls, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and more.
Best Value Choice
[amazon-element asin=”B074SH454B” fields=”title”]
Review Highlights:
“… I love it, my dogs love it and my heating bill loves it. AND big enough for my great Pyrenees and low enough for my pug …”
“… The door frame is made of sturdy, thick plastic and screws into place. The door flap is heavier than most and has a magnet to hold the bottom when it slips back in place. More importantly I like the locking slide door …”
“… I wouldn’t want to be without a doggy door like this! He can go potty whenever he needs and he can patrol the yard whenever he chooses. My dog loves it too! …”
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This crate is the standard cousin of our “Sturdiest Dog Crate.” It is made with standard gauge wire to keep all but the most troublemaking dogs contained. It is a great value choice for most dogs, even those who chew.
Feature Highlights:
- Choose between four different sizes to best fit your dog.
- Sturdy frame is resistant to wear and tear.
- Average install time is just 20 minutes.
This product is another great choice if you are handy enough to install yourself. It has high-quality materials at an affordable price. However, the reviews mention that you should measure yourself when installing rather than using those listed in the instructions.
When installed correctly, this product gives you a great dog door at a great value. It has a durable vinyl flap that closes when your dog passes through. It also uses a magnetic closure to keep the flap shut. When your pet isn’t using it, you can use the lock-out slide to keep the flap closed. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, and more.
Best Door for Small Breeds
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Review Highlights:
“… the insulation layer is going to be super for keeping the dogs’ space free from cold breezes, etc… a great solution for keeping our pets safe and in acceptable climates while still protecting our home! Thanks PetSafe! …”
“… Getting through three flaps is more effort than just one flap, but it’s worth it for the climate control and heating / cooling bill! All three flaps fall back into their original position perfectly …”
“… This doggy door has been a dream. We installed it on the ground level of our basement door. I am no longer a door man for my dogs. Yah! …”
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This little door is a good product at a good value. Your small breed dog or cat can easily use this door to move in and out of the house with ease. The multiple flaps keep your home insulated and keep weather out.
Feature Highlights:
- Three-flap system provides great insulation.
- Comes with snap-on panel to keep door closed when not in use.
- Easy installation for a do-it-yourself project.
This door is a great choice for small breed dogs or even cats! The triple flap system takes a little getting used to, but your dog should adjust quickly and your energy bills will thank you! With the flaps, you receive much better insulation than standard dog doors.
Not only is this door versatile and easy to install, but it is also quite affordable for the quality. It is a great door for your small breed dog to move in and out when they need to go! Recommended for: Pomeranians, Maltese, Shih-Tzus, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and even Cats!
Best Door for Large Breeds
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Review Highlights:
“… Door is so heavy duty!! I love the double flap with the magnets. The magnets are STRONG… The whole door, even the slides are solid metal which makes me feel a lot safer. Everything is made really well …”
“… Easy to install even in a metal door. Large enough for our biggest dog… Neat looking and sturdy. Would recommend to anyone …”
“… We are very pleased with the quality of this dog door. I would totally purchase this door again and recommend it to anyone wanting an all around great quality door for their fur babies. …”
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This dual-flap system is a great choice if you have a large dog. It makes sure that your home remains insulated without forfeiting your dog’s freedom! You and your dog will both be happy with the results.
Feature Highlights:
- Durable materials for long-lasting use.
- Aluminum security panel locks in place when not in use.
- Heavy vinyl flaps with magnetic closure.
Forget the cheap plastic frames, this product will last you years. With a sturdy aluminum frame and a durable aluminum security panel, this door is here to last. The security panel also locks in place and keeps your home safe when your door is not in use.
With large dogs, dog doors tend to have a little more rough handling. Thankfully, this product is made with quality materials that stand the test of time and the test of dogs! It is a great, safe choice for large breed dogs. Recommended for: Great Pyrenees, Collies, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Doodles, and more.
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