Buying a Dog Stroller: Which One Suits Your Dog?
Which dog stroller suits your dog? The checklist for weight capacity, lying space, wheels, folded size and entry, plus the Petstro dog strollers up to 30, 45 and 55 kg compared.
In short
- Choose a weight capacity with a reserve: if your dog weighs 28 kg, a model up to 30 kg is too tight.
- Measure the dog lying down: it must be able to stretch out in the stroller and sit upright.
- Pneumatic tyres cushion better than EVA wheels, especially on gravel and cobblestones.
- Measure the boot before buying and remember that you will have to lift the stroller.
- Always attach the safety tether to the harness, never to the collar.
Contents
A dog stroller is not a toy for lapdogs but, for many owners, the solution when their dog can no longer walk as far as they can. Whether it is an old dog, recovery after an operation or two small dogs in the city: which stroller suits is decided by a few dimensions and details that you should check before buying. Here is the checklist for finding the right model.
What do you need the dog stroller for?
The most important question first, because it decides on size, wheels and entry.
- Dog stroller for old dogs. Your senior still likes to walk, but not the whole round any more. In the stroller, your dog rides along for the way there or back and walks the stretch it can manage. A comfortable entry and a lying area where it can stretch out are important.
- After an operation or injury. When the vet has prescribed rest, but the dog should not stay at home for weeks. You discuss with the vet how much exercise is allowed. The stroller should then be big enough for the dog to lie down without twisting.
- Puppy. It should get to know the world but is not yet allowed to walk long distances. A small model is enough while the puppy is still growing, but plan for the size of the adult dog.
- Several small dogs. Two Maltese or Havanese together need more space than one dog of the same total weight.
- City, trains and crowds. At markets, in stations or at events, the dog in the stroller is protected from feet and jostling. Manoeuvrability and a small folded size count here.
- Country tracks and woods. On gravel and roots you need large pneumatic tyres, otherwise the ride gets bumpy.
- Dog show. The dog arrives in the ring clean and rested. Some models can be extended with a grooming plate to make a grooming table.
Buying a dog stroller: the checklist
1. Weight capacity with a reserve
The stated maximum load is an upper limit, not a guideline. If your dog weighs 28 kg, a model up to 30 kg is tight. Factor in the blanket, shopping and a few kilos in case your dog puts on weight, and choose the next class up instead. With several dogs, the total weight counts.
2. Lying area and interior height
Measure your dog lying down, from the nose to the base of the tail, and add a few centimetres. Then sitting, from the floor to the top of the head. A dog that cannot lie down or sit upright in the stroller will soon stop wanting to get in. Old dogs and dogs after an operation in particular lie down for almost the whole ride.
3. Wheels: air or EVA
Pneumatic tyres absorb shocks and run much more smoothly on cobblestones, gravel and grass. They need pumping up from time to time and, like a bicycle tyre, can get a puncture. EVA wheels are made of foamed plastic, puncture-proof and maintenance-free, but harder. For rough terrain and for dogs with joint or back problems, pneumatic tyres are the better choice. A swivelling front wheel makes the stroller manoeuvrable, two front wheels make it more stable.
4. Suspension
Many dog strollers have no suspension of their own but cushion via the pneumatic tyres. For the city and country tracks that is usually enough. The bigger the tyre, the smoother the ride.
5. Folded size, weight and boot
Measure your boot before you order: width, depth and the height of the loading edge. A large stroller quickly weighs 15 kg and more, and you must be able to lift that regularly. Many models fold without tools and the wheels can be removed, which makes the package much flatter. The same goes for bus and train: the smaller the folded size, the more easily you get onto crowded trains. You can find out the rules for dogs on public transport from your local transport operator.
6. Entry
An entry at the back with a large zip opening is standard. For old and heavy dogs, a model with two doors is practical: get in at the back, get out at the front, without the dog having to turn around in the stroller. Large dogs are best lifted in with one arm under the chest and one under the pelvis, rather than letting them jump.
7. Brake and safety tether
A parking brake on the rear wheels is a must as soon as you stand at traffic lights or on a slope. Inside there should be a short safety tether. Attach it to the harness, not the collar, and so short that your dog cannot jump out. Reflectors make you visible at dusk.
8. Ventilation and weather protection
Mesh windows all round and a viewing window on top provide air and eye contact. Even so, never leave your dog in a closed stroller in the sun in summer. For rain there are matching rain covers.
Dog strollers for large dogs
From about 30 kg the choice gets small. With a dog stroller for large dogs, pay particular attention to a sturdy steel frame, large pneumatic tyres and a lying area where your dog can really lie down. For large, heavy dogs and for seniors who find it hard to turn around, a model with two doors is worthwhile. Also bear in mind that you will have to lift the stroller into the car.
The Petstro dog strollers at a glance
We stock the dog strollers from Petstro in three weight classes. All have a powder-coated steel tube frame, a 600D Oxford polyester cover, ball bearings, a parking brake at the rear, an internal safety tether, reflectors, mesh windows and a sky window. They fold without tools and are prepared for a bicycle trailer adapter, which is available as an accessory.
| Model | Weight capacity | Lying area | Interior height | Weight | Folded size without wheels | Wheels | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petstro Safari | up to 30 kg | 70 × 43 cm | 60 cm | 13 kg | approx. 87 × 50 × 20 cm | 360° swivelling front wheel, pneumatic tyres at the rear | rear, zip |
| Petstro JetPro | up to 30 kg | 70 × 43 cm | 60 cm | 13 kg | approx. 87 × 50 × 20 cm | 360° swivelling front wheel, pneumatic tyres at the rear | rear, zip |
| Petstro Skyline | up to 45 kg | 88 × 52 cm | 69 cm | 14.5 kg | approx. 98 × 59 × 20 cm | pneumatic tyres front and rear, swivelling front wheel | rear, zip |
| Petstro Silver Wing | up to 55 kg | 88 × 52 cm | 69 cm | approx. 16 kg | approx. 98 × 59 × 20 cm | two 360° swivelling front wheels, pneumatic tyres at the rear | two doors: in at the back, out at the front |
All dimensions are manufacturer information from our product descriptions. The tyres arrive uninflated. You will find the detailed side-by-side comparison with all details and colours on our page Petstro Dog Strollers Compared.
Which model for whom?
- Safari and JetPro are technically identical and differ in design and colours. They suit small to medium-sized dogs up to 30 kg and everyone looking for a lighter, more compact stroller for the city and the boot. You will find all models under Dog strollers up to 30 kg.
- Skyline is the XL model for large dogs up to 45 kg or two smaller dogs. With pneumatic tyres front and rear, it is the first choice for country tracks and woods. To choose from: Dog strollers up to 45 kg.
- Silver Wing carries up to 55 kg and is the only model with two doors. It suits large, heavy dogs, seniors and breeders with several dogs. To choose from: Dog strollers up to 55 kg.
Accessories worth having
- Rain cover – available to fit Safari and JetPro as well as Skyline and Silver Wing.
- Bicycle drawbar – turns the stroller into a bicycle trailer, for Safari and JetPro or Skyline and Silver Wing.
- Grooming plate and table – for shows, if you want to groom right at the stroller.
You will find everything else under Dog stroller accessories.
How to get your dog used to the stroller
- Put the stroller, unfolded, in the flat with the favourite blanket inside. Let your dog sniff it and reward every step into it.
- Feed treats in the stroller for a few days, doors open, brake on.
- Close the door for short moments while you sit next to it.
- The first ride goes a few metres through the flat or the yard, slowly and without kerbs.
- Only then go outside, at first on quiet paths.
Most dogs ride along relaxed after one to two weeks; anxious dogs need a little longer.
What we recommend
- Petstro Skyline – our all-rounder for dogs up to 45 kg and for everyone who is also out and about away from paved paths.
- Petstro Silver Wing – for large seniors and dogs after an operation that should not turn around in the stroller. Up to 55 kg, two doors.
- Petstro Safari – for small and medium-sized dogs up to 30 kg, when weight and folded size matter. Available in several colours.
- Petstro JetPro – technically like the Safari, in a sporty design.
cotonluv is an authorised dealer of all the brands we stock.
Your next step
Lay your dog's measurements next to the table and compare the models in detail on our page Petstro Dog Strollers Compared. Not sure which size fits? Send us a photo of your dog and its weight on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
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Hand-picked by us – as an authorised retailer, straight from the manufacturer.
