What Size Crate For My Dog Should I Choose

Looking for the right crate for your dog can be overwhelming with all the different styles and sizes on the market today. You want your dog to be as comfortable as possible in their crate, but you also have to factor in how much space you have available in your home. 

The size of the crate you choose will depend on where in the home it will be kept, how quickly and to what size your dog's breed grows, and what you'd want to put inside, among other things. So how big should a dog crate be? Here are some guidelines that can help answer that for you.

How Important is Crate Size?

Now that we've established the importance of dog crate size, let's talk about what makes a good dog crate.

First off, like humans, dogs need to feel comfortable and secure in their environment. If a dog is too anxious about being in their crate, they'll be more likely to behave aggressively or destroy things if left alone. A bigger crate will allow them to move around without feeling trapped and allow them more freedom for playtime with you.

Secondly, since your dog's crate should also serve as a place for him/her to sleep at night (and nap during the day), it must comfortably fit him/her while they're lying down with all four legs straight out. If you have an adult dog who has grown to their full size and weight but still needs room for movement while sleeping at night—a medium-sized or large-sized wire crate will do the trick!

How Big Should a Dog Crate Be?

You should measure your dog when he’s sitting, standing, and lying down to get the largest overall size of his crate. The crate should be large enough for him to move around in and turn around comfortably, but small enough that there are no extra inches where your dog can find something to chew on or pee on (or poop).

• Puppies need a smaller space because their bones aren’t fully formed yet and they won't grow into their feet until they're about a year old. If you have an adult dog with big paws though, don't buy a small crate just because he's short! You'll need more room than that if he has lots of energy or needs more space for bedding during cold weather months.
• It's also important that the walls aren't too high so that it doesn't feel like being in jail every time your dog goes inside—dogs don't like feeling closed in!

What Crate Do I Need For My Puppy?

You don't want your pup to have too much space in his dog crate, but at the same time, you'll need him to have room to grow. Puppies grow very quickly and you don't want to be buying a different size crate every month. 

So consider your pup’s breed. How big will your dog be once he is fully grown? Many dog crate options allow you to adjust the size of the crate by simply moving or removing dividers. As the puppy grows, the space in the dog crate grows with him. This way, you can purchase a size that will fit your full-grown dog and simply use the divider to use in the crate while he's still a puppy. This will eliminate having to purchase additional crates as he grows, but he will always have the perfect size crate.

How To Measure a Dog For a Crate

You'll want to measure your dog to determine the right size dog crate to get. Measure the length of your dog, from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail. This is a good rule of thumb for most crates. If your dog has a particularly long body, look for something longer than 24 inches in length (measured from front to back).

Once you have measured this part of your dog's body, take note of how tall he is at his shoulders. You'll want to make sure that whatever crate you end up getting isn't too low for him or too high for him either so that he isn't uncomfortable when inside it.

What Are The Recommended Sizes For Dog Crates?

When it comes to selecting the right crate for your dog, size matters. In fact, it’s one of the most important factors when deciding on a crate. While some owners may assume that bigger is always better, this isn’t always true when it comes to choosing a crate for their canine companion.

In an ideal world, you would want your dog to have as much space as possible when they are inside their crate at home or in transit (for example if you were taking them somewhere). However, if you buy a too-large crate for your pet, there is less chance that they will feel comfortable using it and therefore may resist going inside when required, either at home or away from home.

At other times there will be occasions where space restrictions mean that the available area doesn't allow large enough crates to be used so care should be taken not to oversize these areas unnecessarily.

Once you know your dog's measurements, check out the dog crate size chart below for the recommended crate sizes and some examples of dog breeds they can be good for:

• XS Dog Crate (Dog Weight: under 5 lbs., Length: 17” Height: 12”) Think: Miniature dachshund, Teacup Yorkies, Teacup Pomeranians
• Small Dog Crate (Weight: 5-15 lbs., Length: 22”, Height: 18”) Think: Shih Tzu, King Charles spaniel, Yorkshire terrier, Toy fox terrier, Maltese
• Medium Crates (Weight: 15-25 lbs., Length: 28”, Height: 18”) Think: French bulldog, Lancashire Heeler, Pomeranian
• Large Crates (Weight: 25-60 lbs., Length: 34”, Height: 23”) Think: Border terrier, Miniature schnauzer, Cocker spaniel, Boston terrier, Basset hound, American staffordshire terrier
• XL Crates (Weight: 60-85 lbs., Length: 40”, Height: 28”) Think: Hellenic hound, Standard Schnauzer
• XXL Crates (Weight: 85+ lbs., Length: 46”, Height: 30”) Think: Bernese mountain dog, German shepherd, Labrador retriever, Bull terrier, Rottweiler

Types of Dog Crates

Fortunately, there are a lot of options when it comes to choosing your dog's crate. Wire dog crates are probably the most common type of crate you'll find in pet stores. Wire crates are easy to find, easy to clean, and collapsible. 

Another popular option is a plastic crate or an acrylic crate, which doesn’t have the “jail cell” look of wire crates, allowing plenty of natural sunlight in creating a spacious feel. Wooden crates also exist, and many of them come as beautiful dog crate furniture, for example, crates that double as a credenza or a side table. Dog crate furniture is both functional and fashionable.

You may also consider getting a soft-sided crate. Soft-sided dog crates are easier to carry when traveling with your pet. Most airlines actually require either plastic crates or soft-sided dog crates that can fit under the seat in front of you.

Crates come in many sizes and shapes—some with dividers that allow you to create multiple compartments within the same crate that help keep things more organized, others with crate covers that provide privacy for your pup while they're napping. You can also get crate pads, mats, or a removable plastic tray to place inside wire crates so your dog has something more comfortable to lie on while they're resting. Make sure that the crate covers, mats, blankets, and anything you are adding to the crate fit properly and securely for your pet.

What About Oversized Crates?

If you have a large dog, you may need to look into oversized, heavy-duty dog crates.

A crate that is too small for your large dog can cause him to feel anxious and stressed. Your dog may not want to go in his crate at all or might try to escape from it by chewing through the sides or door. If this happens, it's important to get rid of the old crate and replace it with a larger one that won't allow escape attempts.

On the other hand, if your dog has too much room in his current crate then he could use it as a bathroom instead of going outside! A crate that is too large will make crate training very difficult.

This can be dangerous because contaminated pee and poo are toxic for dogs (and people) alike — so keep an eye on how much space each member of your household needs before buying them new homes away from home.

When looking for the right dog crate size, there are a few factors to consider. First, you'll want to choose a crate that allows your pup to lie down and stretch out comfortably.

As far as size goes, it's common knowledge that bigger means better—but this isn't always true when it comes to crates! Your pup must have room enough for him or herself in their new home if they're joining you on long car rides or trips (and yes—all dogs should go everywhere with you). So while larger crates may look more attractive at first glance because they appear spacious, they aren't always the best option if safety or potty training is an issue.

Also, if you're looking for a crate for your puppy, maybe look into getting one with a divider so you can adjust the amount of space the crate has as your puppy grows. Don't forget to also account for whatever dog bed or blanket you may be placing inside the crate, along with toys and other items, if so desired.

Final Thoughts

So yes, as pet parents, there are several factors to consider before buying any type of crate for your dog. The most important factor should be whether or not the crate will fit in your home and provide enough space for your pup to feel comfortable. 

Now that you know what size dog crate you need, it's time to find the perfect one! Check out the collection of sleek and stylish acrylic dog crates, gates, beds and more at ShopHiddin. And the next time someone asks, "What size crate for my dog is best?", you know just where to send them!