*This is based on standard sizing and is subject to variations, depending on Crate brand, dog gender, and breed ancestry. Please always measure your dog’s size and check the exact sizing of the crate brand you’ll buy before making any purchase.

Pet crates are a great way to give your pet their own personal space. They’re also useful in keeping your dog safe and contained. That’s why getting the ideal crate size and type is essential to ensure your dog’s comfort.

But how do you know what kind of crate to get? Well, to make your life easier you can refer to our Dog Crate sizing chart. Not only that, but we’ve also laid out some pretty practical information about picking the perfect crate for your dog.

Before Buying a Dog Crate

First things first. A dog crate is not a prison for your dog. It’s a home, so you should consider these few things before you buy one.

Dog’s Size

Now, this entails two things. How big your dog is now and how big your dog is going to get.

For pocket-sized dogs, this isn’t really an issue, as they don’t grow much, but for larger breeds, you need to consider the transition from a puppy to an adult dog.

In this case, you might want to get a slightly bigger-sized crate than that’s currently suitable for your dog. You can also consider getting an adjustable crate, which allows you to adjust its size to accommodate for when your dog gets bigger.

For maximum comfort, the crate should be around 6” larger than your dog or more. This should be in both length and height.

Measuring Your Dog’s Size

So, how do you go about measuring your dog?

The most accurate way to do this is to have them stand sideways by a wall and do little markings where you can later use a tape measure. This gives you the most precise measurements, as it’s hard to get your dog to stand still long enough and properly measure it. This is especially true if your dog’s still a puppy.

To take your dog’s length you need to measure from their nose to the root of the tail, while your dog’s standing on all fours.

As for the height, you should measure from the toes to the highest point on the head, ears included. Height measurement should be taken while your dog is seated in an upright position.

Dog Crate’s Sizes and Types

The other side of the coin is the crate’s size. Sometimes pet owners get a crate then realize it’s not right for their pet. A good crate is one where your pet can comfortably stand and move around in.

How do you know that? Well, the easiest way is to add 2 to 4 inches to your dog’s size, and that will give you an idea about the minimum-sized crate you should get.

However, the crate shouldn’t be too big either, as this may cause it to lose its purpose. For example, if you’re using the crate for house-training, this won’t give your puppy the required restrictions to get properly trained.

Moreover, a crate that’s too big may make your pet feel insecure and unsafe.

Apart from size, there’s another factor to consider, namely the type of the crate. There are around 4 types of dog crates, categorized by suitability for dog size.

• Wire Crates: For medium-sized dogs
• Plastic Crates: For smaller-sized dogs
• Heavy-Duty Crates: For larger-sized dogs
• Soft-Sided Crates: For smaller-sized and non-aggressive dogs and portable

Dog Crate Benefits

You may need to get a crate for your dog for various reasons. Pros of getting a dog crate include:

• If you’re traveling with your dog on a plane
• If you’re driving with your pet in the car and want to restrict movement for safety
• House-training; a crate can be a useful tool for getting your pup house-trained
• Disciplining your dog when training

Tips for Choosing a Dog Crate

Knowing the size and type of crate to buy is important, but these tips will help you pick the perfect one for your furry friend. No matter how big or small your dog is, you can find a dog crate that’s suitable for it.

Size vs. Weight

When considering which dog crate to buy, you may notice some discrepancies between weight and size. In cases like this, you should consider your dog’s size as the determining factor for choosing a crate.

Metal Crates for Big Dogs

It’s a clever idea to get a metal crate for bigger dogs, as it’ll hold up better. Metal is more durable and won’t be damaged easily by large breed dogs.

Go Up a Size

Getting a crate that’s one size bigger than what your dog needs can be a good idea, especially if they’re a smaller-sized breed.

A bigger crate will give it more space to move and play. Moreover, when you have a bigger crate, you can add in a pet bed or your dog’s favorite toys, making it a nice little home for them.

Get an Adjustable Crate

An adjustable crate is useful on several levels. You get to adjust the size as your pup grows bigger for one thing. This gives you the added bonus of not needing to get your dog used to a new crate when they grow bigger.

This is especially useful if you plan on having more than one dog since you can use it for more than just one dog breed. Moreover, you won’t have many different-sized crates that you’ll need to worry about storing once your dog outgrows them.

Final Thoughts

Dog crates are fantastic and have many benefits for both you and your dog. You can use a crate as a dog house, a house-training tool, or a means of travel for your dog, just to mention a few.

There are options available for whatever dog size or need you to have. Always make sure to consider the comfort of your dog when picking the crate!

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