A dog carrier for a dog up to 5 kg starts with the smallest size, which at Homies is the Homies Dog Carrier Backpack in size XS. Weight is only half the story. Measure your dog's back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, then check that your dog sits deep enough for the internal clip to hold it without its chest pressing on the edge.
XS fits back lengths of 30 to 36 cm. Our size guide names toy poodles, chihuahuas and miniature dachshunds for XS, plus other very small dogs.
That's the short version. Below: how to measure, what to look for in a small dog carrier, and what to do when your dog falls between two sizes.
Why weight alone picks the wrong size
Picture two dogs on the same kitchen scale, both at 4 kg. One is a chihuahua with a compact body. The other is a miniature dachshund, long and low.
The scale says they're twins. The tape measure says they need different amounts of bag.
All our sizes are tested up to 20 kg, so a dog under 5 kg is nowhere near the limit. What changes from XS to S to M is the length of the back. That's why we ask for a measurement, not a weight.
How to measure a tiny dog in 30 seconds
You need a soft tape. A sewing tape does the job. Stand your dog on all four paws on a flat floor and keep a treat handy.
- Find the base of the neck, where the neck meets the back.
- Run the tape along the spine to the base of the tail.
- Leave the tail out. It doesn't count.
- Read the number: XS is 30 to 36 cm and S is 36 to 43 cm.
- Falling between two sizes, or sitting at the top of XS? Take the larger size.
A folded towel in the bottom of the bag is a simple way to lift a small dog if the larger size feels roomy. Test it at home before the first walk.
Your dog measures under 30 cm? Message us before you order. We'd rather check with you than guess. The size guide has a size calculator.
What to check in a small dog carrier before you buy
A very small dog has less margin than a bigger one. These are the five things we'd look at.
- Depth. Your dog should sit low enough that head and front paws come out over the top edge while the chest stays supported. A dog on tiptoe to see out is sitting too high. We don't publish outer dimensions for the bag, so measure the dog and ask us if you're unsure.
- An internal safety clip. The Homies carrier has one. Use it on each trip, including the short hop to the corner shop.
- Breathable panels. Air should reach your dog. Ours have breathable panels.
- Padded straps. Your shoulders carry the bag for the whole walk, so soft straps matter to you as much as to your dog.
- A plan for cold days. Put a jumper on your dog and keep the trip short. If your dog shivers, head home.
All of our dog carrier backpacks come in olive green and black, in sizes XS, S and M.
Shoulder bag or backpack for a tiny dog?
A shoulder bag swings with each step and keeps one hand busy. A backpack sits against your back and frees both hands, which helps on a bike or a packed platform.
Slings have fans too. We lined them up in dog backpack vs sling.
Which breeds fit size XS?
Our sizing page names three groups for XS:
- Toy poodles. Josje Hermans writes: “sometimes it's too far and then the bag is really ideal (he's still young).”
- Chihuahuas. Compact bodies, so the depth check above matters more here.
- Miniature dachshunds. Long bodies, so the tape decides. Standard dachshunds, as long as they're not oversized, go to S. Our dachshund in a backpack guide goes deeper.
Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians and Maltese aren't named on the sizing page, so treat them like any other dog: tape first, then pick the size. More breeds are in our guide to small breeds that fit a carrier.
A dog that measures past 36 cm moves up to S. For that, read dog up to 10 kg. Carrying a puppy that is still growing? The puppy carrier guide covers that.
FAQ: carriers for very small dogs
Is a backpack safe for a 2 kg dog?
It can be, when your dog sits deep in the bag and is clipped in. Check at home first: put your dog in, clip it, and see whether the chest rests inside the bag or on the edge. If it rests on the edge, the bag is too shallow for that dog. Measure the back and message us if you're unsure.
My dog weighs 5 kg but has a long back. Which size?
Back length wins. A back that measures 38 cm falls in S, whatever the scale says. All sizes are tested up to 20 kg, so weight isn't what decides. Between two sizes, take the larger and add a folded towel to the bottom.
Can a tiny dog slip out of the top?
The internal clip is there to prevent it, so clip it in each time. Fit matters as well. A dog that sits deep with the chest supported has less reason to climb. If your dog can reach the edge with its back legs, check the size again.
Is a small dog cold in a backpack in winter?
Dress your dog for the weather, the same as on a walk. A jumper is a fair idea on a cold day. Keep an eye out for shivering, and if you see it, end the trip.
Pick the size, then the colour
For a dog up to 5 kg, measure first and pick XS if the number sits between 30 and 36 cm. Then choose olive or black in size XS. Each bag sold donates a meal to a dog shelter, so your tiny co-pilot helps another dog too.
Not sure yet? Check the size guide and message us with your dog's measurement.
