Which Dog Pool Is Right for Your Dog? Bone Pool™ vs. Paw Pool™
Choosing a dog pool starts with your dog, not just your yard.
How much room does your dog need? How easily can they step in and out? Are you setting up a backyard for one dog, or planning water-play areas for a daycare full of different sizes and personalities?
I introduced the Bone Pool™ in 2005. More than 21 years later, my advice is straightforward: choose a pool that fits the dogs using it and the way you plan to use it.
The Bone Pool™ and Paw Pool™ share the same heavy-duty material, but their sizes, heights, and draining methods are different. Here’s how to decide.
The Bone Pool™: More room for your setup
The Bone Pool™ measures 66 inches long by 44 inches wide by 11 inches high. Its capacity is 85 gallons when filled to the top, and it includes a solid brass cap and drain for water removal.
If space is your first concern, the Bone Pool is the larger option. Start here when you want a bigger pool footprint for your backyard or facility.
Those measurements are overall dimensions, not a breed or weight rating. Consider your dog’s body size, comfort stepping over the side, and room to turn around. If you’re unsure about fit, contact us before ordering.
You also don’t need to fill the pool to its maximum capacity. Choose a water depth appropriate for your dog and always supervise water play.
The Paw Pool™: A smaller footprint and lower sides
The Paw Pool™ measures 38 by 39 inches and stands 6 inches high. Its capacity is 20 gallons when filled to the top.
Designed specifically for smaller dogs, it offers a more compact option for smaller outdoor spaces. Its lower sides are another important difference to consider when comparing the two pools.
The Paw Pool also drains differently. Rather than using the Bone Pool’s brass drain, its paw-shaped design flexes slightly so you can tip it to empty the water.
If you’re choosing for a smaller dog or working with limited space, the Paw Pool is a good place to start.
Same material, different sizes
Both pools are made from high molecular weight polyethylene, or HMWPE. Both feature heavy-duty, chew-resistant and UV-resistant construction.
Choosing the smaller Paw Pool doesn’t mean choosing a lighter-duty material. You’re choosing a different size and shape.
Chew-resistant does not mean chew-proof, though. Proper use matters. In particular, don’t leave an empty Bone Pool in a dog play yard or turn it upside down for use as a seat or play platform.
Choosing for a dog daycare or pet resort
For a commercial setup, think beyond the size of one dog. Consider how you organize play groups, where staff supervise, and how you’ll empty and maintain each pool.
A Bone Pool may be the starting point for an area where you want the larger footprint. A Paw Pool can provide a separate, smaller option for your small-dog area.
A mixed setup is worth considering if you serve dogs of different sizes. You don’t have to make one pool size work for every group.
Plan the layout around access, supervision, and your daily routine rather than assuming a particular number of dogs will fit in a pool at once.
When does a multi-pool package make sense?
Start with the spaces you actually need to serve.
If you have separate play yards, multiple supervised water-play areas, or a combination of larger and smaller dogs, more than one pool may be practical.
We offer Bone Pool packages and mixed Bone Pool and Paw Pool packages. For example, the one Bone Pool and one Paw Pool package gives you both sizes, while the two Bone Pool package provides two of the larger pools.
The best package is the one that matches your layout, not simply the one with the most pools.
Which pool should you choose?
Choose the Bone Pool™ when you want the larger footprint and a built-in brass drain.
Choose the Paw Pool™ when you want a compact pool designed for smaller dogs, with lower sides and tip-to-drain emptying.
Consider both when your household or facility needs different options for different dogs.
Continental U.S. shipping is included with both pools. If you need help choosing, contact us with your dog’s size and the space you’re working with. We’ll help you assess the fit before you buy.
Built for dogs. Chosen for yours.