RDFRG-02 · Defined Term 7

Size and Weight Restriction

Any stated limit on the physical size or weight of dogs permitted to stay, such as a 5 kg or 10 kg weight cap.

Definition

Any stated limit on the physical size or weight of dogs permitted to stay, such as a 5 kg or 10 kg weight cap.

Part of the Roch Dog Standard (RDFS-02) · Published by Roch Dog

Definition RDFRG-02 · Definition 7

Size and Weight Restriction

Any stated limit placed by an accommodation provider on the physical size or weight of dogs permitted to stay. This includes numeric weight thresholds such as dogs under 5 kg only or maximum 10 kg, size categories such as small dogs only, and any other policy that caps the permitted size or weight of a guest's dog. A hotel that posts a 5 kg weight limit without justification is excluding every normal family dog. A 15 kg limit still excludes the majority of dogs in the family dog benchmark range. Size and weight restrictions are permissible when clearly disclosed and reasonably justified by room dimensions, building constraints, or documented safety requirements. Blanket restrictions that exclude dogs falling within or below the family dog benchmark (see definition 2) are non conformant unless the justification is stated in the provider's published policy. An unstated or internal only justification does not satisfy this requirement.

Roch Interpretation

A hotel that sets a 5 kg weight limit is excluding every normal family dog. A 10 kg limit still excludes the majority of the family dog benchmark range. A 15 kg limit still falls below the benchmark floor of 20 kg. Unless the hotel can point to a specific reason in its published policy, such as compact heritage rooms or documented building constraints, weight caps below the benchmark do not survive scrutiny under the standard.

Examples

Compliant A boutique hotel limits dogs to 25kg and states in its published policy that the restriction is due to the compact dimensions of its listed heritage rooms.
Not compliant A hotel posts a 5 kg weight limit on its booking page with no explanation, excluding the vast majority of family dogs in the benchmark range.
Published by Roch Dog RDFRG-02 · Last updated 17 March 2026