Dog Car Seat for Medium Dogs: Which Size Fits a 15 to 50 lb Dog
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"Medium dog" is the trickiest size to shop for. Pet brands use it for anything from 15 to 50 lbs, which is a 3x difference in weight. A seat built for a Beagle won't hold a Border Collie. So instead of guessing, go by your dog's weight.
Medium dog car seat sizes
| Your dog weighs | Take | Typical breeds |
|---|---|---|
| 15-35 lbs (7-16 kg) | Medium | French Bulldog, Pug, Dachshund, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Corgi (smaller), Shih Tzu, Cavalier |
| 35-50 lbs (16-23 kg) | Large | Border Collie, Australian Shepherd (smaller), Brittany, Springer Spaniel, Whippet, Staffie, Bull Terrier |
If your dog sits right on the line, around 33-37 lbs, take the larger size. A dog with room turns around and lies down; a squeezed dog stands up and fidgets.
What a medium dog needs from a car seat
- Room to lie down. A medium dog won't sit up for a two-hour drive. It needs to curl up.
- High walls. Something to lean against on corners, so it isn't thrown sideways.
- Height. Medium dogs on the floor of the back seat see nothing. A raised booster lets them look out, which settles many restless or anxious dogs.
- Real anchoring. A 30 lb dog shifts a loose seat easily. Look for LATCH/ISOFIX clips plus a headrest strap.
- A harness tether. Short enough that your dog can't reach the front seat.
- A washable cover. Medium dogs shed and get muddy. A removable, machine-washable cover is non-negotiable.
Medium dogs we get asked about most
- Beagle (20-30 lbs): Medium.
- French Bulldog (16-28 lbs): Medium. See Frenchies and Pugs.
- Dachshund: standard size takes the Medium, miniatures the Small. See dog car seat for Dachshunds.
- Cocker Spaniel (20-30 lbs): Medium.
- Corgi (up to about 30 lbs): Medium; a heavy male, Large.
- Border Collie (30-45 lbs): usually Large.
- Australian Shepherd: smaller females Large; most males are over 50 lbs and need the XL.
Two medium dogs?
Two dogs that each weigh under about 25 lbs can share our XL. For two heavier dogs, use one seat each. More in dog car seat for 2 dogs.
Still unsure? Read the full size guide or compare all four sizes. Free shipping, ships in 24-48 hours.
Related guides
- Dog car bed vs pillow vs booster seat
- Dog car seat for puppies
- How to keep your dog in the back seat
Breed weights are typical ranges; weigh your dog. TheDogCarSeat is a comfort and containment product, not a crash-tested restraint system.