What Size Dog Towel Do I Need? A Practical Guide for Every Dog

Q: Is an 80 x 120 cm towel big enough for a dog?

An 80 x 120 cm towel gives generous coverage for many small and medium dogs and can cover the main body of many larger dogs. Very large dogs or dogs with dense, long or double coats may still need the towel repositioned, wrung out or followed by a second towel or dog-safe dryer.

October 31, 2026

Choose a dog towel that is long enough to cover the main body and wide enough to reach around the sides and belly. Body size matters, but coat length and density often matter just as much because they determine how much water the towel needs to absorb.

A small dog with a thick double coat can take longer to dry than a larger dog with short, smooth fur. The right towel therefore cannot be chosen from breed size or weight alone.

This guide explains how to assess coverage, coat type and everyday use so you can decide whether one towel will be enough after a bath, beach swim or rainy walk.

The Quick Answer

Small dogs: choose enough fabric to wrap around the full body without losing control of the towel.
Medium dogs: look for full back coverage plus enough width to dry the chest, belly and legs.
Large dogs: prioritise both surface area and absorbency; you may need to reposition the towel as you work.
Long, curly or double coats: coat density may require a second towel or dog-safe dryer even when the first towel is generously sized.
Beach use: lightweight, quick-drying fabric that releases loose sand easily is more practical to carry and clean.

Why Dog Towel Sizes Can Be Confusing

Terms such as small, large and extra-large are not standardised, so the measurements are more useful than the label.

One brand may describe a 60 × 100 cm towel as large, while another may offer 70 × 140 cm as its larger option. A thicker product may absorb more water but take up more room, while a lightweight towel may be easier to carry, wring out and dry between uses.

The shape also matters. A long, narrow towel may work well along a dog's back but provide less fabric around the belly. A more balanced rectangle gives you greater flexibility for wrapping, pressing and repositioning.

A Simple Way to Check Towel Coverage

Measure your dog from the shoulders to the base of the tail.
Consider the distance over the back and down both sides towards the belly.
Compare these measurements with the towel dimensions.
Allow extra fabric for holding, folding and pressing around the chest, legs and paws.

You do not need a tailored fit as you would with a dog coat. The goal is practical working coverage: enough towel to dry one section while still having a reasonably dry section available for the next.

Dog Towel Size Guide by Body and Coat

Dog Type	What the Towel Should Do	What to Expect
Toy or small, short coat	Wrap around most or all of the body with fabric left for the paws and face.	One generously sized towel will usually provide ample working coverage.
Small, long or curly coat	Cover the full body and provide enough dry fabric to press into the coat in sections.	Coat density may matter more than the dog's small body size.
Medium dog	Cover the back and sides, with enough length to reposition around the chest, belly, legs and tail.	A large rectangular towel is usually the most versatile option.
Large, short coat	Cover the main body and allow section-by-section drying of the legs and underside.	One absorbent towel may be sufficient, although it may need repositioning.
Large, long or double coat	Remove substantial surface water and reach dense areas close to the skin.	A second dry towel or dog-safe dryer may be needed for the undercoat.
Very large or giant dog	Provide broad body coverage without becoming difficult to control when wet.	Two manageable towels may work better than one extremely bulky towel.

Is an 80 × 120 cm Dog Towel Big Enough?

An 80 × 120 cm towel provides generous coverage for many small and medium dogs and useful main-body coverage for many larger dogs.

For a small dog, this size can usually wrap around the body with plenty of fabric left for the paws, tail and head. For a medium dog, it offers enough surface area to work around the full body in sections. For a larger dog, it can cover the back and sides while being repositioned for the chest, belly and legs.

However, no single measurement guarantees that one towel will completely dry every dog. A very large dog or a dog with a long, dense or double coat may hold more water than the towel can manage in one pass. In that situation, use a second towel or finish with a dog-safe dryer rather than rubbing harder.

Coat Type Can Matter More Than Weight

A dog's weight is easy to compare, but it does not reveal how much water the coat will retain. Smooth coats release surface water relatively quickly. Long, curly and double coats can remain damp closer to the skin even when the outer layer feels nearly dry.

Short and Smooth Coats

Prioritise broad coverage and an easy grip. One absorbent towel can often remove most surface water when used with a pressing motion.

Long or Silky Coats

Choose enough fabric to blot the coat in sections. Avoid vigorous rubbing, which can encourage tangles.

Curly or Wool-Like Coats

Absorbency matters because moisture can remain near the roots. Gentle brushing may also be needed as the coat dries.

Dense or Double Coats

Use the towel to remove as much water as possible, then check the undercoat. A second towel or dog-safe dryer may be necessary.

Choose the Size for the Situation

The same dog may need different levels of towel coverage after a rainy walk, full bath or ocean swim.

Situation	What You Need	Towel Priority
Wet paws after a walk	Targeted drying around feet, legs and belly.	Easy handling and a convenient size near the door.
Full bath	Whole-body drying from the back to the paws.	Coverage and absorbency.
Beach or pool swim	Whole-body drying after a fresh-water rinse.	Light weight, quick drying and easy sand release.
Camping or road trip	A towel that can be reused and stored without taking over the bag.	Packability, fast drying and machine washing.
Multiple dogs	Enough clean, dry fabric for each coat.	Several manageable towels rather than one already saturated towel.

How Many Dog Towels Do You Need?

One absorbent towel may be enough for a small or medium short-coated dog. A large dog, dense undercoat or especially wet beach swim may require more capacity.

Consider keeping:

one towel in regular use at home;
one clean spare while the first is being washed;
one in the car for beach trips, rain and unexpected muddy adventures; or
separate towels when drying multiple dogs.

If a towel becomes completely saturated, switch to a dry one rather than continuing to rub the wet fabric over the coat. The objective is to transfer water out of the coat, not simply move it around.

The biggest towel is not automatically the best towel. Choose enough coverage to work efficiently, but keep it light and manageable when wet.

Size Is Only One Part of a Good Dog Towel

A correctly sized towel will still be inconvenient if it is bulky, slow to dry or difficult to clean. Alongside the measurements, look for:

Absorbency: so pressing and blotting remove water effectively.
Quick drying: particularly useful for frequent swims or humid weather.
Manageable weight: easier to control around moving dogs and carry in a beach bag.
Machine washing: important after mud, sand and repeated use.
Easy sand release: helpful for Australian beach and coastal routines.
A distinct design: makes it easy to keep the dog's towel separate from household towels.

Five Questions Before You Choose

Does the towel cover the main body? Compare its length and width with your dog's back and sides.
How much water does the coat hold? Long and dense coats need more absorption than smooth coats.
Where will you use it? Bath-only towels and travel towels have different weight and packing priorities.
Can you control it when wet? An oversized, heavy towel may be harder to handle than two lighter towels.
Will it dry before the next use? Consider your washing routine, storage and local weather.

Where the LumiBay Dog Towel Fits

The LumiBay Sand-Free Dog Towel measures approximately 80 × 120 cm. It is designed to provide generous coverage without the bulk of a heavy household bath towel, making it practical for baths, beach swims, rainy walks and travel.

The lightweight, absorbent fabric is designed to dry quickly, release loose sand more easily and go into the washing machine after use. For very large dogs or dense double coats, it can remove surface water efficiently before a second towel or dog-safe dryer finishes the deeper coat.

LumiBay is family-owned by Australian dog lovers. Our dog towels come in four coastal prints: Tropical Tide, Coastal Mosaic, Beach Days and Cabana Stripe. Each print also coordinates with a LumiBay adult changing poncho, creating practical matching sets for dogs and humans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size towel does my dog need?

Choose a towel long enough to cover your dog's main body and wide enough to reach around the sides and belly. Also consider coat density and how wet your dog usually gets, because a small thick-coated dog may hold more water than a larger short-coated dog.

Is an 80 × 120 cm towel big enough for a dog?

An 80 × 120 cm towel gives generous coverage for many small and medium dogs and can cover the main body of many larger dogs. Very large dogs or dogs with dense, long or double coats may still need the towel repositioned, wrung out or followed by a second towel or dog-safe dryer.

Does dog size or coat type matter more when choosing a towel?

Both matter, but coat type often determines how much water must be removed. Long, curly and double coats can retain moisture close to the skin, while a larger dog with a smooth short coat may be quicker to towel-dry.

How many towels do I need for a large dog?

One sufficiently large and absorbent towel may remove most surface water from a large short-coated dog. A very large dog or one with a dense coat may need a second dry towel or a dog-safe dryer to finish the undercoat.

Do I need a different towel for the beach and bath time?

Not necessarily. One absorbent, quick-drying and machine-washable dog towel can work after baths, beach swims and rainy walks. For beach use, lightweight fabric that releases loose sand easily is particularly practical.

Can I use one dog towel for more than one dog?

You can use one large towel for more than one dog if it remains clean and dry enough to absorb water effectively. For multiple wet dogs, separate towels are usually more practical and hygienic, especially if a dog has a skin condition or is particularly muddy.