Gogostik vs Earth Rated: An Honest Dog Poop Bag Comparison

Gogostik vs Earth Rated is the most recognized name in dog poop bags. Their lavender-scented green rolls are in virtually every pet store in North America, and they have built a strong reputation over the years. So when we say Gogostik’s Heavy Dootie Bags are a better choice for large-breed dog owners we mean it, and we are going to show you exactly why.

This is not a biased brand piece. We are going to compare both products honestly across every factor that matters: size, thickness, leak-proof performance, eco-credentials, scent, price, and who each bag is actually built for. By the end, you will know exactly which bag is right for your dog.

Transparency Note: This comparison is written by Gogostik. We have done our best to represent Earth Rated accurately and fairly — because we believe the data speaks for itself when it comes to large-breed performance.

The Quick Verdict: Who Should Buy Which Bag?

Choose Gogostik Heavy Dootie If…	Choose Earth Rated If…
You own a large or giant breed You need maximum thickness and leak-proof You want EPI-certified eco bags You want better bulk value You prefer citrus scent or unscented	You have a small or medium breed You prefer lavender scent specifically You want bags available in-store today Standard thickness is enough for your dog Brand recognition matters to you

Brand Overview: Who Are They?

Gogostik – Built for Large Breeds

Gogostik is a USA-based pet brand founded with one specific mission: to make waste management products that actually work for large and giant dog breeds. The Heavy Dootie Bags are the flagship product — extra-large, extra-thick, and built to handle the volume and weight that standard bags simply cannot manage. Gogostik has earned over 7,600 Amazon reviews with a 4.7-star rating, primarily from large-breed dog owners who switched after being frustrated with bags that tear or leak.

Earth Rated – The Market Leader

Earth Rated is a Canadian company founded in 2009 that has grown to become the most widely sold dog poop bag brand in North America. Their signature lavender-scented green rolls are available in virtually every pet retailer, grocery store, and pharmacy. They produce a wide range — standard, large, unscented, compostable — and have built massive brand recognition through retail distribution. Earth Rated targets the general dog-owning population rather than a specific size segment.

Head-to-Head Comparison: 8 Key Factors

1. Bag Size

This is the most fundamental difference between the two brands — and the one that matters most for large-dog owners. Earth Rated large bags measure approximately 9 by 13 inches. For small and medium breeds this is perfectly adequate. For large breeds producing dense, voluminous waste, owners frequently report the bags feel borderline.

Gogostik Heavy Dootie Bags are designed oversized from the ground up — built for giant breeds like Great Danes and Mastiffs. The extended EZ-tie handles add additional length so you can fully knot a heavily loaded bag without getting your hands near the contents.

Winner: Gogostik – Designed explicitly for large and giant breeds with true oversized construction.

2. Bag Thickness and Tear Resistance

Thickness is the single most important factor for tear resistance — and where cheap bags consistently fail. Earth Rated bags are well-made for standard use and adequate for small-to-medium dogs. However, multiple reviews from large-breed owners report occasional tearing under the weight and density of larger waste.

Gogostik Heavy Dootie Bags are engineered with extra-heavy-duty thickness and reinforced seams specifically because standard thickness is not enough for large breeds. The reinforced base seam — the area most likely to fail under weight — is a deliberate design priority.

Winner: Gogostik – Extra-heavy-duty thickness with reinforced seams built for large-breed waste volume.

3. Leak-Proof Performance

Both brands market their bags as leak-proof. In practice the difference comes down to seam construction and material thickness working together. Earth Rated bags perform well for standard use.

For large breeds who frequently produce soft high-volume waste — Labs and Goldens especially — the combination of size and thickness is the determining factor. Gogostik backs their claim with a 100% satisfaction guarantee reflecting genuine engineering confidence.

Winner: Gogostik – 100% leak-proof guarantee backed by heavy-duty construction for worst-case large-breed scenarios.

4. Eco-Friendliness and Environmental Claims

Earth Rated offers ASTM-D6400 certified compostable bags — genuinely impressive but significantly thinner, creating a real performance tradeoff for large breeds.

Gogostik uses EPI certification — an additive accelerating oxidative degradation in landfill conditions without requiring industrial composting. Crucially EPI bags maintain full heavy-duty thickness because the additive works within the material rather than reducing it.

Key Insight: Earth Rated compostable bags are more eco-friendly in proper composting conditions but too thin for large dogs. Gogostik EPI bags offer responsible disposal AND the strength large breeds require.

Winner: Tie – Earth Rated wins on compostable certification. Gogostik wins on combining eco-responsibility with large-breed strength.

5. Scent Options

Earth Rated built their identity around their signature lavender scent — distinctive and widely recognized. They also offer unscented for sensitive owners.

Gogostik offers fresh citrus through their Heavy Dootie Plus line plus an unscented original. Citrus is widely regarded as more effective at odor neutralization than lavender — actively cutting through rather than masking odor.

Winner: Gogostik – Citrus scent outperforms lavender for active odor neutralization with large-breed waste.

6. Price and Value for Large-Breed Owners

For large-dog owners using 2 to 3 bags per walk and needing 60 to 100 bags per month bulk pricing is the critical factor.

Gogostik bulk multi-roll packs and Subscribe and Save options reduce per-bag cost significantly — making heavy-duty bags cost-competitive with standard bags at the quantities large-breed owners actually need.

Winner: Gogostik – Better value at the quantities large-breed owners actually use especially with Subscribe and Save.

7. Customer Reviews Among Large-Breed Owners

Earth Rated has tens of thousands of Amazon reviews — a reflection of their massive market share and broad customer base.

Gogostik has over 7,600 Amazon reviews with a 4.7-star rating concentrated among large-breed owners who specifically switched from Earth Rated. Common themes: better size, no more tearing, handles that work for big loads.

Winner: Earth Rated – Higher total review volume. Gogostik wins specifically among large-breed users.

8. Availability

Earth Rated wins this category outright. Their bags are in PetSmart, Petco, Walmart, Target, and pharmacies across North America.

Gogostik is primarily available through gogostik.com and Amazon. Their free shipping threshold and Subscribe and Save option mitigate the lack of brick-and-mortar availability for regular buyers.

Winner: Earth Rated – Unmatched retail availability across North America.

Full Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Factor	Gogostik Heavy Dootie	Earth Rated
Target Breed	Large and giant breeds	All sizes – general market
Bag Size	Extra-large oversized	Large (9×13 inch standard)
Thickness	Extra heavy-duty reinforced	Standard – fine for small/med
Leak-Proof Guarantee	100% guaranteed	Marketed as leak-proof
Eco Certification	EPI certified	ASTM-D6400 compostable option
Eco and Strength Balance	Full strength plus EPI	Compostable bags are thinner
Scent Options	Citrus or unscented	Lavender or unscented
Handle Design	Extended EZ-tie handles	Standard tie handles
Bulk Pack Options	Multi-roll bulk packs	Available
Subscribe and Save	Up to 15% off	Via Amazon
Amazon Rating	4.7 stars – 7600 plus reviews	4.7 stars – tens of thousands
In-Store Availability	Online gogostik.com and Amazon	Nationwide retail
Free Shipping	Orders over $50	Via Amazon Prime
Satisfaction Guarantee	100% – 30 days	Standard return policy
Best For	Large and giant breed owners	Small to medium breeds

What Real Large-Breed Dog Owners Say

The most honest comparison comes from owners who have used both products. Here are common themes from verified reviews among large-breed dog owners:

Common Gogostik Reviews From Large-Breed Owners:

• Finally stopped dealing with bags that rip. These are the real deal for big dogs. – German Shepherd owner
• Switched from Earth Rated after one too many blowouts. Heavy Dootie is a completely different level. – Great Dane owner
• My Lab produces a lot. These bags handle everything without even a hint of leaking. – Labrador owner
• The handles are long enough to actually tie properly. Sounds small but makes a huge difference. – Golden Retriever owner

Common Earth Rated Reviews From Large-Breed Owners:

• Great bags for my smaller dog. Struggled a bit with my bigger one.
• Love Earth Rated in general but the bag is not quite big enough for my Rottweiler.
• Good bags but had one split on me with a particularly large pickup.

Clear Pattern: Earth Rated reviews from large-breed owners are consistently more mixed. Gogostik reviews from large-breed owners are their strongest performing segment.

When Earth Rated Is Actually the Right Choice

In the interest of genuine fairness — here is when Earth Rated is the better pick:

• You own a small or medium dog where standard thickness and size are sufficient
• You want maximum convenience — grabbing bags at any store nationwide
• You specifically prefer lavender scent above all else
• You are environmentally focused and want ASTM-certified compostable bags and your dog is small enough that thin bags do not fail
• You manage a dog walking service with mixed breed sizes where one-size bags are more practical

The Bottom Line: Your Dog’s Size Determines the Better Bag

Earth Rated is an excellent product for the audience it was built for — the general dog-owning population, primarily small and medium breeds. It has earned its market leadership through consistent quality, wide availability, and strong brand recognition.

But if you own a large or giant breed — a German Shepherd, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Rottweiler, or anything in between — Gogostik’s Heavy Dootie Bags are purpose-built for your dog in a way that Earth Rated simply is not. The extra size, extra thickness, reinforced seams, extended handles, and 100% leak-proof guarantee are engineering choices made specifically because large breeds require more.

For large-breed owners who are tired of bags that barely manage or occasionally fail — Heavy Dootie is the upgrade that solves the problem permanently.

Try Gogostik Heavy Dootie Bags risk-free at gogostik.com — 100% satisfaction guarantee, free shipping on orders over $50, and Subscribe and Save for up to 15% off every order.

Frequently Asked Questions