Dog Crate Size Breed Chart and Dimensions

It’s a well-known fact that many pet owners consider their pets as members of their own families. This is precisely why they always remain cautious about the general well-being and health of their furry companions.

However, one of the most common problems faced by pet owners is that their jobs and busy schedules prevent them from supervising the pets at all times. This is especially pronounced with the traveling owners – they often have to leave their four-legged friends home alone. This is when the security and protection of one’s dog come into question – the pooch needs a safe and comfortable space he can retreat to when the owner is not around.

We’re here to help you with these questions – read our complete guide on dog crate sizes and learn everything you need to know about these useful items.

How to Choose a Dog Crate?

For example, some models are built for indoor use only – they are easy to move around and have rubber feet that prevent damage to one’s flooring. Some models are made out of wood and allow a degree of user customization, while some sport a heavy-duty steel construction and are used for housing XXL breeds.

In the following paragraphs, we’ll teach you how to find a perfect size by measuring your four-legged companion in a correct way. We’ll also present you with a comprehensive crate size guide for all popular breeds, as well as with all important factors you need to take into consideration before purchasing a new enclosure for your canine friend. Moreover, we’ll take a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of common materials used in the manufacture of these items.

What Size of Dog Kennel do You Need?

For starters, the crate has to be large enough to provide your pooch with ample space so that he can move around in it with no issues. The pup has to be able to sit up straight without hitting the ceiling with his head. Furthermore, there has to be enough room for him to easily turn around, as well as to lay down with his legs stretched out. In simple terms, the kennel shouldn’t be cramped but spacious and breathable.

However, one of the most common mistakes the pet owners make is purchasing a model that’s too large for the pooch. They think that they’re doing their pets a favor by providing them with some extra room, and they couldn’t be more wrong.

The reason behind this is that pets usually use that extra space as their bathroom. They never have a potty accident on their sleeping area, but they will certainly soil the extra space if there’s any of it. It is their natural instinct to do this, and something that can be easily prevented by purchasing a kennel of the correct size.

Another thing worth mentioning is that an enclosure that’s too large can’t provide the canine with the feeling of security and safety that the properly-sized ones do. It will make the pet feel like he’s in a big empty room, and that certainly isn’t the point of owning a crate.

How to Measure a Dog for a Crate

Determining the correct dimensions is of crucial importance when buying a kennel for your furry friend. The process is quick and simple – here’s how to do it:

Length

You will have to measure your pup’s length from the base of his tail to the nose. When measuring the length, make sure to add a couple of inches (2″-4″) to the overall measurement, so that your pooch has room to turn around, like we previously mentioned.

Height

In order to determine the height, you will have to measure the pet from the ground to the top of his head. A word of advice, though – dogs with naturally erect ears should be measured from the tip of their ears.

Width

To get to the required width of the kennel, you will once again have to add a couple of inches to the overall width. Add around 4″ for larger breeds and 2″ for the smaller ones.

A Guide for all Breeds

Here’s a comprehensive list of typical crate sizes and breeds that can use them:

The extra small cage should be used by the following breeds (all of them weighing up to 25lbs and being up to 20″ in length):

These crates are just a couple of inches taller than the XS ones, and are recommended for these breeds (up to 30lbs of weight and up to 22″ in length):

Weighing between 26 and 40lbs and being no longer than 28 inches, the following breeds should be housed in 30″ dog kennels:

The intermediate (36″) kennels are a perfect choice for the breeds weighing 41-70lbs.

The large models are suitable for canines that weight no more than 70lbs and have the overall length of 34“.

These models suit canines that weigh around 90 pounds and are up to 40″ long from their noses to the bases of their tails.

XXL – 54″

As the name suggests, these crates are recommended for the really large breeds. Dogs that should use these kennels are the ones weighing over 110lbs and having the overall length of 46 to 68 inches.

What Should You Consider Before Buying a Dog Crate?

In this buying guide, we’ll try to define the terms crate, carrier, and kennel, and we’ll also take you through a number of factors you should consider before buying an enclosure for your dog, such as material, weight, size, and other factors.

Crates

Many experts consider the crate training to be the quickest way to potty train a dog. It also presents a great way to designate a safe haven or territory that’s vital to a dog’s nature. Feeding the pup inside and letting him play with the toys in it is certain to make the pup think of the crate as a “home within a home”.

Purchasing a dog enclosure ensures that the pet owner doesn’t have to worry about the safety of his pooch when he’s running errands or having guests over at his home. Moreover, an owner also doesn’t have to worry about his possessions getting ruined or about the pooch getting injured by knocking over or ingesting various dangerous objects.

• They are typically identified as collapsible metal or wire containers.
• They are perfect for indoor use, and not really suitable for cars and planes.
• They are very easy to keep clean. Even though they usually feature a number of nooks and crevices, an owner can simply hose them down.

Kennels

Kennels can easily be used for crate-training a puppy, but they also sport the added benefit of allowing you to use them for the transportation of your pooch.

However, it’s important to note that plastic and metal kennels can’t be carried inside the airplane cabin, but have to be stored in the plane’s cargo area. Fortunately, it’s easy to attach food and drink containers to them, giving the dog an access to food and water while in transit.

• They are usually made of metal and plastic.
• Their tops and bottoms are detachable.
• Most kennels can be used both in homes and in vehicles.
• They are easy to rinse out and keep clean.

Carriers

A quality dog carrier can easily provide one’s four-legged friend with a sense of security and protection while traveling. Due to their soft material, these are a lot easier to transport around than the kennels. Some models are shaped like tote bags, and can, therefore, be slung across the owner’s body for optimal movement.

• Carriers are a perfect solution for small to medium dogs.
• They are typically made of mesh or nylon.
• They are ideal for the traveling pet owners, both for ground vehicles and in-cabin flights.

Weight and dimensions

As we already mentioned, your canine friend should be able to stand, turn around, and stretch in his new space. In an ideal kind of scenario, your pup’s crate will be no more than twice his size. Here are the reasons:

• The dog shouldn’t feel cramped.
• He shouldn’t slide around during transportation.
• A crate that’s too large might lead him to relieve himself on one side of it.

Furthermore, a model of perfect dimensions is guaranteed to make the owner’s life easier, as it will make balancing the weight of the pooch in the bag a lot easier when going in and out of automobiles, trains, and planes.

Another important thing to mention here is that you should check the airline’s specified dimension and weight requirements for your pet before buying the crate since the policies vary. Typically, the weight limit for in-cabin pet travelers stands around 20 pounds – it includes both the weight of the carrier and dog combined.

Purpose

Will you use the crate as the dog’s permanent indoor bed? If your answer is affirmative, purchasing a decorative model that’s not very mobile can’t really turn out as a mistake. On the other hand, those who plan to place it outside the house should definitely consider purchasing something more durable.

In case you need a crate just for transporting the pooch to your local veterinarian, a small and portable carrier is your best choice. Make sure to create a list of what you are going to use the kennel for so that you can purchase the correct type.

Chewing

Does your dog chew a lot? If he does and never feels relaxed when he’s inside the cage, avoid purchasing a soft-sided model – the dog will chew through it faster than you think. For the canines with chewing tendencies, a secure plastic or wire model is the best choice.

Another solution is to place a chewing toy inside the crate, as it can occupy the pooch and stop him from damaging it. KONG chewing toys are a good option, as they allow the owner to place some treats inside of them, and the pooch has to do a lot of work with his teeth to get to his favorite food.

Storage

When not using the cage, will you have some free space to store it away? A lot of soft-sided and wire models break down flat and are very easy to store away – you can even slide them under the bed.

The plastic models, on the other hand, are a lot bulkier and it can take some time to set them up and break them down. You will need some free space in your closet or garage to store a plastic model away when it is not in use.

Amount of Time Spent in the Crate

Soft-sided models are only advised for shorter periods of time, and only with the presence of the owner – they are easily broken out of. Lots of owners use these at performance events, using them as temporary holding places between the dog’s runs.

On the other hand, leaving the pooch unattended for longer periods of time requires a purchase of a wire or plastic model. They are a much better choice if you’d like to stop a determined pup from making an escape.

Reactive Dogs

If your four-legged companion is reactive when he’s in an enclosure, get a plastic model – its solid walls will make the pooch see less which leads to less reaction.

An issue that concerns aggressive dogs is that they can seriously injure themselves when biting the bars of the wire kennels. If you own a dog that gets angry at almost everything he sees through the wires, we advise getting a crate cover – it will keep him calm and quiet.

Dividers

In case you have a puppy, you’re probably thinking about purchasing a product that’s large enough to hold the pooch once he’s fully grown. This can be done, but it requires the use of a crate divider – it will help you with accommodating the crate to your pup’s size. This is done by using the said divider to block off the excess space inside the kennel. As we already said, the pooch only needs space that will let him turn around, sit, and stand.

Depending on the model of the kennel you decide to buy, you might be able to purchase a pre-made divider along with it. You can also make the divider on your own – all you’ll need is some wood and a couple of tools.

Extra Accessories

Like with most other pet-related equipment, these products also allow the owner to buy certain accessories for them. Obviously, none of them are among the main requirements when it comes to purchasing an ideal crate, but they can undoubtedly add some value to your model.

One of the best accessories you could purchase for your pup’s kennel is a quality dog bed. No owner wants to see his furry companion sleeping on a cold, hard surface, and a plush bed easily takes care of this problem. There are hundreds of different models on the market, in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

Other useful accessories include things like cage dryers, heating pads, hammocks, fans and heaters, air conditioners, insulated covers, as well as the water and food dispensers.

What Types Of Dog Crate Can You Buy?

The market offers a wide array of different types and styles, and each of them comes with a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. In the following paragraphs, we’ll be taking a closer look at the benefits and flaws of the four most popular types – wire, plastic, soft, and wooden crates.

Wire

Wire kennels are the most commonly used type of these enclosures, and the ones people think about when someone mentions a dog crate. Typically, they come with a single door, but some models feature multiple doors that allow easier access from all sides.

Plastic

These kinds of crates are often used by pet owners who do a lot of traveling, particularly by airplanes. When you buy a plastic-made model, its documentation can show you if it’s airline-approved or not – most models are.

The majority of these enclosures are marketed as “pet transport carriers” since most people purchase them as a 2nd crate that they use just for traveling. However, they are more than suitable for day-to-day use too.

Soft

Unlike the imposing wire models, these models look a lot less intimidating – this makes them a perfect choice for the crate-averse pet owners. They are way more practical when it comes to traveling, while their simple material and low weight make them highly portable and very affordable.

Wooden

Those who can’t stand the looks of plastic or steel crates will undoubtedly find the wooden models to be much more attractive. They come in many different styles, with most of them being made of hardwood materials and having a decorative, aesthetic look. They allow the owner to provide his pooch with a safe haven without compromising the look of his own home.

Introducing Your Dog to a Crate

Have a look at these simple tips that will assist you to successfully introduce your pooch to a crate:

• Be positive and patient. It’s very important to make the pup associate his new enclosure with positive things. The whole process can take a couple of weeks, so it’s very important to stay patient.
• Encourage your canine friend to go inside the kennel. Speak to him in a happy voice and place some treats at the entrance. If he eats them, toss more of them further into the enclosure.
• Feed the dog inside the kennel. Start giving him food exclusively in his new space, which will lead to a positive association. Once he’s comfortable with eating in it, close the door. For the first couple of times, open the door when the pooch is done with his meal. Gradually increase the amount of closed time.
• Start leaving the pup inside when you’re home. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend out of the pup’s sight until the point when you can safely leave the house without him whining. Remember to avoid acting excited when you get back home, as that can increase the pup’s level of anxiety.

With these tips in mind, you won’t make the usual beginner mistakes and the whole process will be over much quicker.

Conclusion

Like any other big purchase, buying a kennel for your furry companion brings a lot of questions into play. We’ve tried to give you comprehensive answers to these questions and make the chore of choosing a quality dog crate faster and easier. By keeping all of the above-mentioned facts and tips in mind, selecting an ideal kennel for your canine friend is bound to become a hassle-free process.

We hope we’ve been helpful, and we wish you good luck!