ESSA Size Guide: Douglas Plush Sizes Explained

It can be hard to picture the size of a plush toy when you can't hold it first. This guide explains the measurements on our product pages and puts our Douglas plush sizes side by side, from tiny pocket size to X-Large.

Buying as a gift? Start here

If you are a parent or grandparent choosing an ESSA for a birthday, for Christmas or as a surprise, and it will be their first plush, the most sensible choice is one of the Medium plush toys. With a Medium, the chance of disappointment is very low. We do not recommend starting with a pocket size or tiny pocket size.

• Medium (about 41 cm): does a bit of everything. It can be played with, used like a puppet, filmed for videos and content, carried around, taken on outings, be a travel buddy and still be cuddled.
• Large (about 45–48 cm): choose this if you want extra cuddle. Our Large plush toys are usually from the DLux range, which is extra furry, so they are much better for cuddling.
• X-Large (about 58–61 cm): big enough for an adult to cuddle and sleep with, but too big to carry around.
• Pocket size and tiny pocket size (about 13–20 cm): small enough for a school bag, or even a pocket. They are often chosen for places where someone would rather not show their ESSA; it stays close and private, so they feel safe and not judged.

What the size on the product page means

Each product page shows a main size, for example 16" (41 cm). This is the plush's overall size, measured from nose to tail. Some plush toys that sit, such as Argento or Milo, are measured by their sitting height instead; their page says "Tall Sitting". It is the easiest figure to use when you compare two plush toys.

What the dimensions mean

Under Additional Information on each product page you will also see the dimensions, for example 20 × 30 × 13 cm. These show the approximate space the plush takes up as it sits or lies. They are smaller than the main size because the body and tail are relaxed or curled rather than stretched out.

The three figures are not listed in the same order on every page, so please don't read them as height × width × depth.

Sizes side by side

Sizes are measured from nose to tail, except plush toys that sit, which are measured sitting. Each product page lists the exact size and weight of that plush.

Under each size you will find our most popular plush toys in that size, best seller first, based on orders since we opened.

Tiny pocket size: about 13–15 cm (5–6")

1. Prince German Shepherd
2. Monty Mouse
3. Mini Goldie Soft Golden Retriever
4. Kernal Corn Dog

Pocket size: about 20 cm (8")

1. Spud Mutt Mixed Breed Dog
2. Harko Black German Shepherd
3. Sheba German Shepherd
4. Flair Springer Spaniel
5. Queenie German Shepherd

Small: about 25 cm (10")

1. Tucker Chocolate Lab
2. Chap Golden Retriever
3. Yettie Yorkie
4. Bear Black Lab
5. Ivan German Pointer

Small/Medium: about 23–28 cm (9–11")

1. Haisley Golden Dachshund
2. Milo Pug
3. Farren Shih Tzu
4. August Golden Retriever
5. Teefer Shih Tzu

Medium: about 41 cm (16")

1. Chase Border Collie
2. Bella Golden Retriever
3. Wolfgang Pointer
4. Sasha Husky
5. Sinclair Australian Shepherd

Large: about 45–48 cm (18–19")

1. Smoke DLux Wolf
2. Maizie DLux Australian Shepherd
3. Dixie Sheltie
4. Thor Leonberger
5. River Great Pyrenees

X-Large: about 58.5–61 cm (23–24")

1. Honey Golden Retriever
2. Alps Bernese Mountain Dog
3. Maverick DLux Doberman

A quick way to picture the smaller sizes

• Tiny pocket size: around the size of a mobile phone.
• Pocket size: roughly the size of an adult hand.
• Small: a little shorter than a 30 cm school ruler.

Choosing a size

There is no right or wrong size. Some customers love a companion that fits in a bag, and others want one to hug on the sofa. Our guide Why Some Customers Prefer Smaller ESSAs and Others Prefer Larger Companions looks at how size fits different uses.

If you are still unsure, please get in touch and we will be happy to help you choose.