Dog Crate Sizes | A Quick Guide

Having troubles? See our alphabetized list of dog breeds here.

More Useful Information

If you have reviewed the chart above and still have questions about selecting the right dog cages for your pet, this comprehensive guide will help you buy the best products with the right dimensions; and, appropriate dog cage, pet carrier, and kennel sizes, before you spend your money.

We do encourage owners to consult their pet professional that specializes in your dog's breed information. Buying the right dog crate sizes for your pets involves a number of important considerations.

Why Do You Need a Dog Crate?

Pet crates are made of a plastic, aluminum, or collapsible metal material which is just big enough for your dog to stand and turn around in.

You can use it when you are not around to supervise your dog and it is constructed with the purposes of confining your dog for the dog’s safety as well as other reasons such as during traveling.

When you have a dog, you will probably be faced with a challenge when it comes to deciding whether or not to crate your dog.

You may feel that it is unfair to crate your dog and deny it its freedom to be out and about. However, both professional trainers and veterinary doctors can attest to the fact that crating your dog has a positive impact on its well-being. So crates as dog training tools are highly recommended by professionals.

A crate allows your dog to satisfy its natural instinct to be in a den and this prevents it from experiencing problems that un-crated dogs feel.

Before you crate your dog, look into the different sizes available and choose one that will fit your dog perfectly.

Dog owners have found that crating their dogs has had a positive impact on both them and their dog's health care and some of the benefits include:

Benefits For You

Peace of Mind

When you are about to leave your dog in the house unsupervised, a lot of thoughts run through your mind such as “what if the dog damages your furniture?” or “what if the dog gets hurt when you are not around to help?” With your dog safely inside a dog kennel, you can leave the house knowing that no harm can come to your dog or your house when you are not around.

The use of a crate will also prevent an instance where your dog starts to develop bad habits that could be harmful to it or your property.

If you get the right dog crate size for your dog, you can prevent harm from coming to your pet. A crate trained puppy provides more peace of mind for owners and allows for proactive puppy care, which promotes good overall dog health.

House Training

A crate is a good way to initiate house training by teaching the dog some form of routine. With the crate, you can use the confining as a way to exercise control over the patterns of your dog’s activities and in this way you can find a way to reduce the number of times that your dog stays outdoors.

It greatly helps puppy potty training crate efforts and once your dog is properly trained, you can go to bed knowing that your dog can keep itself out of danger at night and when alone in the house.

Appropriate crate sizing allows your dog to move around a little without giving them too much space where they can relieve themselves which enhances cleanliness.

Confinement

At times, your dog may be feeling anxious or over-excited and may be getting in your way. You can put your dog in the crate at such times to help it calm down from all the excitement around it.

This is especially useful during mealtimes or when there is a lot of activity in the house that may be disturbing your dog. After the excitement has cooled down, you can let him out to play.

Ensure that the size you use is not too small as this will make the dog uncomfortable.

Traveling

Traveling with pets can be daunting as they may not be ready to adapt to all the changes around them. With a travel kennel, your dog can relax in the crate as you travel and it will feel safe inside its crate because the crate is a familiar environment.

Find the right dog carrier to match your traveling needs and don't forget to see whether yours requires a travel kit to make them IATA airline approved.

For Your Dog

Privacy

Do you know that feeling you get where you want some time to yourself to think some things through or just rest?

Well, dogs get that too and having a crate to retreat to helps them have some form of privacy and security which they can use to rest when they are having a hard time.

It helps dogs have a place of solace to turn to when they are sick or stressed and this is important for the psychological well-being of the dog.

The right crate will have been the size of a den, enhancing the privacy of your dog. A good crate cover can further support your pet's needs.

This essential crate accessory also helps contain pet hair in and around the crate. Crate covers can be found here.

Bowel Control

If you choose the appropriate size of crate, your pet will not have extra space to use for relieving itself.

Being in a crate will help your dog exercise control over its bowels as it will not wish to dirty its crate and it will thus wait until you let it out of the crate in order to empty its bowels.

Associating the outdoors with emptying of bowels will make it very easy for your dog to control its urge to pass urine or defecate whilst in the crate.

Involvement

When there is a lot of activity going on around the house, people tend to put the dog in another room to avoid disturbance from the dog. This can make a dog feel lonely due to its social nature and can affect its psychology.

A crate allows the dog to be with you in the room while activities are going on without feeling left out.

A dog crate also enables the dog to tag along during trips due to the convenience it provides. In this way, your pet will not be left at home alone when you go out which will have a positive impact on its well-being.

Given the highly social nature of dogs, it is important that they feel like they are part of your family and this can be done by ensuring that they spend a lot of time indoors as opposed to being left in the outdoors.

By using a dog crate to confine your dog, you can have the dog stay inside even when nobody is around to supervise it as you can be assured of its safety and it will feel that it is part of the family.

Leaving a dog in the outdoors makes it begin to exhibit some problem behaviors such as digging and barking which are caused by its isolation.

What to Consider Before Buying a Dog Crate?

Now that you have appreciated the importance of a dog crate, it is time to get down to business and choose the best one for your dog.

There are a number of factors to be considered to ensure that you purchase one that will serve your dog’s needs best.

Number

If you travel a lot with your dog or if your dog needs a bigger crate due to its size, you can get more than one.

You can leave one in your car for use during traveling and have another crate in the house which your dog can use when it is indoors.

In this way, you will do away with the need to carry huge crates in and out of the house each time you want to travel with your dog.

Purpose

The reason behind getting a crate will influence the type of crate that you will buy.

If you plan on using the crate mainly indoors, you can opt for a decorative one which does not have to be mobile.

For a crate to be used in the outdoors, go for a durable crate that can withstand varying weather conditions such that you will not have to keep replacing your dog’s crate every now and then.

If you wish to use the crate as a means of travel for your dog, look for something portable. It is advisable that you seek the help of a professional trainer who will help you make the right decision when it comes to your dog.

If you travel with your dog a lot, look for a crate which is easy to break down, light in weight and one that does not take up much space in the car.

Soft crates are the best for use during travel and you should look for crates that will protect your dog in the case of a car crash.

This is also useful in the case where you plan on taking a flight with your dog.

Many soft-sided and plastic kennels are approved for use by airlines but you should check with the airline you wish to use to confirm the specifics of air approved crates for your dog's size.

Doors

Crates come in a single door, double door and triple door models.

They each have their benefits and are suitable for particular needs. For example, a single door folding crate is an affordable option if you have a good spot for the crate that only requires a single entry.

If your chosen area for the crate needs a side door configuration, the double door is an excellent choice.

Finally, when training puppies or extra small dogs, it is often useful to have multiple door openings to tend to your puppy's every need.

Chewing

For dogs with a tendency to chew or anxious dogs, do not use a soft crate which they can chew through.

Opt for a more durable, heavy duty product such as a plastic crate which can withstand the effects of chewing. However, there are dogs which can be really destructive and you should monitor your dog care within the first few weeks of crating in order to tell whether it can chew through the crate material or not.

Having a distraction in the crate such as a toy or some dry dog food or treats can help reduce the amount of chewing.

Choosing the right size reduces anxiety in dogs and makes them chew on the crate sides less.

Storage

Soft-sided and wire dog crates are very easy to set up and break down and are great choices if you do not plan to use the crate a lot.

Plastic dog crates are harder to set up and break down and can be used if you have adequate room for storage.

The temperature in the area where you live will have an effect on your choice of a crate.

For hot places, go for a wire crate as this will allow air circulation, keeping your dog cool. To protect your dog from the sun, you can place a towel on top of the crate and you can have a fan installed in the crate for added cooling.

If you live in a cold area, go for a plastic crate which prevents your dog from catching a cold.

The size of your crate will also affect the ease of storage and you should take that into consideration.

Duration

If you plan on crating your dog for a small amount of time as you run a few errands, you can use a soft-sided crate.

However, since these types of crates can easily be broken out of, you should opt for a wire crate or a plastic dog crate if you plan to leave the dog unattended for a long period of time.

It takes a few minutes for a determined dog to break free from a soft-sided crate so should you choose to get one, be sure to monitor your dog.

Types of Dog Crates

Your choice of crate will be dependent on factors such as its purpose, the size of your pet, the nature of your dog, and the amount of time that your dog will spend in the crate.

Soft-Sided Crates

These types of crates are made of soft mesh material or a material with similar features to mesh.

They come in different shapes and sizes and are a common option among dog owners as they are affordable, easy to carry due to their light weight and dogs adapt to them with ease.

Pros

They are easy to use with your dog for airline travel as most approve of these kinds of crates for use in cabins.

They are also convenient to carry around because they are not heavy and storage is easy as they are easy to collapse. A huge plus with these crates is that most dogs love them.

Cons

They are made of soft material which is not durable and it is easy for dogs to chew on them.

They are also very hard to clean and should not be used for dogs which are yet to learn how to control their bowel movements.

Plastic Dog Crate

These are sturdier as compared to soft-sided crates and they offer your dog more privacy when compared to wire dog crates.

The downside to using these crates is that they have poor ventilation and you cannot keep your dog in them for long.

Pros

They are easy to clean because of the material used and they provide your dog with the feeling of being in a den.

Approved by most airlines, you can use them when traveling with your dog. They are also very durable and cannot be damaged by dogs.

Cons

They are bulky and are hard to store because of the long process involved in breaking them down.

Though they are easy to clean, plastic absorbs odor and after a while, the crate will have a dog smell that just won’t go away.

Metal Wire Dog Crates

These are made of heavy duty metal wires and they are ideal for dogs who love to chew on things as they cannot damage the wire crate.

They are very strong and they provide your dog with visibility to its surroundings.

Pros

They allow a lot of air circulation, allowing you to leave your dog in the crate for long periods.

Their visibility allows your dog to take part in family activities.

Heavy duty wire crates from manufacturers such as Midwest are very durable, as they cannot be chewed through and they do not absorb odors, keeping them free of dog smells.

Cons

The high visibility is not ideal for reactive dogs that can get anxious easily and their heaviness makes them hard to carry.

Please note that the wire crates are made of metal which may rust with time.

Wood Crates

Of all the crates, these are the most attractive and the various shades of brown will blend in well with your decor. They are great for use in the indoors.

They are not easy to clean though and their mobility is limited due to their heaviness. Most dogs also do not respond to these crates well.

Pros

You have a lot of styles and sizes to choose from, such as a crate that doubles as an end table.

Cons

They are more expensive when compared to other crates and they can be ruined if your dog loves to chew and scratch things.

Wood also absorbs odors, which makes it have a dog odor.

Combination Crates

These crates combine the features of both metal dog crates with plastic or wooden crates and they come in different sizes.

Pros

They come equipped with wheels at the bottom to make traveling easy and they have easy access doors.

Cons

They are very hard to set up and are heavy to carry.

Popular Dog Crate Brands

These are the most popular and trusted brands that Pet Crates Direct recommends:

• Midwest Homes for Pets
• Petmate
• Precision Pet Products
• Prevue Pet Products
• Richell Pet
• Petco
• Carlson Pet Products
• AmazonBasics
• ProSelect Empire
• Oxgord
• Aspen Pet
• Impact

Give Your Dog Toys to Reduce Stress

If you feel that your dog is feeling low or anxious while in the crate, get it a few toys that it can chew on or play with.

Playing with toys is a form of exercise that enables your dog to relieve itself of stress that it may be going through.

It gives your dog a chance to use up all that stored energy and we all know how good a tired dog is. Its anxiety will go down and it will stay fit in the process.

If a lot is going on around your dog, having a toy helps it distract itself from the activities around it, helping it keep calm. At times, the crate affects the dog’s stress levels.

Being in a small crate that hinders it from stretching out can make it anxious and it is important to check the size that will work well for your dog.

Are Dog Beds Necessary?

You can have a dog bed in your dog’s crate but this will depend on the nature of your dog.

For example, some young puppies will need bedding as they are more likely to sleep better this way. Others will rip up the bedding and make a mess of it.

Before you decide to get a dog bed for your dog, start small with something inexpensive and figure out if your dog needs bedding or not.

Adult dogs who are chewers do not need added padding and can do quite well without bedding in the crate for extra materials, which typically only encourages further chewing.

When it comes to older dogs and sore dogs, bedding is necessary. Get bedding that is sturdy and in the case of older dogs, get waterproof bedding as they are likely to soil themselves.

Crate Training

So far you have learned a lot about what kind of crate you should purchase. This section will briefly discuss how to crate train your dog to maximize its benefits.

A crate can be a scary thing for a young puppy. Although some puppies will gladly enter the crate the first time they see one, others may refuse to do so.

If the puppy shows any signs of fear or discomfort towards the crate, we should never force him to interact or get closer to it.

By doing so, we’re actually worsening the fear and getting that puppy even more reluctant about entering the crate.

Instead, the puppy should be introduced to crate training in a gradual and positive manner.

We need to start with baby steps and reward any (I mean, literally any!) interaction the puppy has with the crate.

In the beginning, this could mean a brief look in its direction. If the puppy looks at the crate, you can mark (by using a clicker or a specific word) and reward that behavior.

Try to use high-value rewards, such as a yummy treat, a small piece of boiled chicken or dried liver.

When we use food to reward the puppy, we’re actually speeding up the learning process, increasing the puppy’s motivation and making the whole process much more enjoyable; generally, petting the puppy or saying “Good boy!” isn’t enough.

If he walks towards the crate or shows interest in exploring it, you should also mark that behavior and reward it.

Keep rewarding anything that he does that has anything to do with the crate (looking at it, sniffing it, moving his body towards it, taking a step in its direction, etc.).

When the puppy is comfortable being near the crate, you can throw a treat so that it falls inside it; most puppies will walk in its direction and end up entering the crate.

If he refuses to enter and ignores the treat, repeat the process, but, this time, try to place the treat closer to the door.

When the puppy enters the crate, don’t close the door or force him to stay inside it: let him come out if he wants to.

After a few repetitions, start to feed him small pieces of food when he’s preparing to exit the crate. By doing this, the puppy remains inside it and receives lots of tasty rewards for doing so.

Once the puppy feels comfortable inside the crate, you can start to close the door. First, you close the door for just a few seconds, give him a treat and then open the door. Then, you can gradually increase the time in which you keep the door closed.

If the puppy starts wining, crying, barking or trying to exit the crate, don’t open the door; if you do so, you’ll be rewarding him for behaving in such a way. Wait until he’s quiet and calm. However, if he seems really stressed and scared, open the door and let him out.

If this is the case, you have to take a few steps back and repeat the whole process. Don’t forget: crate training requires patience, so make it fun!

Dog Crate Sizes

Size

Crates come in different sizes and getting the right size for your dog allows it to have the ability to stand and turn whilst in the crate.

The sizes of crates are suitable for extra small to large dogs.

Common Crate Dimensions

These categories are an alternative way of expressing length in inches. To get the right measurements for your dog, you can use the chart at the top of this page that will enable you to tell just how much big a crate you need.

The correct dog crate should allow your dog to stand at its full height and stretch itself while in a sleeping position without getting squeezed.

If you are getting a crate for your puppy, get one with a dividing panel which allows you to adjust the size of the crate as the puppy grows.

Avoid getting one that is too big for your dog as this will encourage it to relieve itself in one corner and relax in the other and this will make it hard for you to teach your dog to control its bowel movements.

The crate's size will affect the comfort of your dog. In choosing the perfect size for your dog, you will require to look into factors such as the purpose of your purchase as well as the amount of time that your dog will spend in the crate.

A dog crate is not a jail to your dog but rather it is a means of providing your dog with a place to seek shelter when it needs to be alone.

Get the perfect size for your dog to help it have its own den and add onto the happiness of your dog today.

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