What is the Proper Size Crate for a Dog?

When selecting the appropriate crate for your dog, his size is more important than his weight. Your dog should be able to walk into the crate upright, turn around and lie down in comfort.

  1. Considerations

    • Dogs want to sleep in a clean place.

      Once inside the crate, your dog should be able to stand up without having to squat. This means the crate should be about six inches higher than her shoulder height and six inches longer than her body length. You may think a larger crate will make your dog feel more comfortable. Actually, it will just make it easier for her to defecate inside the crate, a habit you don't want her to develop. In an over-sized crate, some dogs are tempted to use one corner as a potty and the other as a sleeping area. Dogs don't like to sleep in their own feces, so they are much less likely to go to the bathroom in a crate than is only slightly larger than they are.

    Misconceptions

    • Most domestic dogs want a small, cozy "den" where they can feel safe.

      Some people mistakenly believe that when a dog is crated he is caged. In actuality, this is not the case. Dogs are descended from wolves, and wolves and wild dogs sleep in dens. These dens are shallow holes dug into the ground in places where they are protected from predators. Dens are not spacious. They are just big enough for a dog to turn around and lie down inside. Most domestic dogs still have the instinctive desire to have a den, or a small, cozy place where they can feel safe and secure. A crate satisfies that desire by providing a modern day version of a den.

    Types

    • To teach your dog to go inside his crate, open the door and throw a treat inside. Your dog will go after the treat.

      There are basically two types of dog crates: those made of plastic and those made of heavy welded steel wire. Plastic crates generally consist of two molded pieces that can be fastened together. There are openings for ventilation along the sides, and a welded steel wire door on the front. Plastic crates are lightweight and portable, and can be taken apart easily for storage. Most plastic crates meet federal regulations for airline travel. If you select a plastic crate, be sure to get one sturdy enough to resist chewing. Wire crates offer better ventilation than plastic ones. However, you will need to shop more carefully for a wire crate. Some of them are flimsy, and some are not designed to be collapsed for storage. Other wire crates, advertised as "collapsible," are unwieldy and difficult to fold down to a convenient size. Look for a sturdy crate with heavy gauge wire. Wire crates are not approved for airline use.