How to Choose the Right Size & Type of Dog Crate

Choosing the proper size dog crate for your dog is not as simple. This decision should involve a number of considerations including gender, the possibility of mixed ancestry, age, and even the personality of your dog. Depending on these factors, it’s possible that your dog will need a crate that is larger or smaller than what is typical for their breed. However, this dog crate sizing chart will give you a good baseline to understand the proper size crate for an adult dog of each breed. From there, you can adjust based on additional factors.

dog crate sizing chart - example of proper size
A proper dog crate should make a dog feel contained, but leave enough space to lay down and move around.

 

How big should your dog crate be?

Can a dog crate be too big?

Yes, dog crates can be too big. It’s easy to think that as long as a crate is big enough for your dog, then it doesn’t matter if it is too large. However, too much room in a dog’s crate can lead to them not thinking of it as their own confined space. Dogs actually feel a sense of security when they are in a closed environment and they will establish it as a home, much like we do with a bedroom. Too much space can lead to anxiety for the pet, or even using parts of the crate to go potty because they won’t feel like they have to sleep in it if they do.

How much space should you have in a kennel?

If you are looking for a quick rule that applies to all dogs, shoot for 2-6 inches of space on all sides around the pet. Since this can vary so much based on each individual doggy, it’s best to take actual measurements and calculate the space you need in a kennel.

How to measure your dog for crate size

A lot of the crate size guides that you will see show recommendations based on the weight of a dog. However, when selecting the proper crate for your dog, the size matters more that the weight. Your dog should have a crate 6″ longer than the length of his body and 6″ higher than his shoulder height for maximum comfort. The best way to measure this dog is with a simple tape measure.

The two measurements that are important are height and length of your dog.

How to measure the height of your dog

Have your dog sit on the floor and face upward. Use your tape measure to find the distance from the floor to the tip of the highest point on your pet’s head. This could be the forehead, nose or ears, depending on the dog.

To be even more confident that your measurement is right, you can also measure your dog standing. Measure from the top of the head (or ears if higher) to the ground, just like you did when sitting. Take whichever of the two measurements is higher.

When you have this height, add three to six inches to make sure that you are leaving enough room for your dog to be comfortable. You can think of this height as the minimum, but you should not be concerned if the crate is slightly taller. If you are on the border between two sizes, go with the larger one.

How to measure the length of your dog

Measuring length of your dog for a crate is both a measurement and a calculation. Measure your pet from the tip of the note to the base of the tail (do not include the tail, regardless of type of dog).

Next, you will want to measure the length of the dog’s legs. This is the height when the dog is standing from the floor to the elbow joint (many people think of it as an armpit).

Add the first measurement (full length) to one half of the second measurement (arm length) and that will give you your length. The reason for this is that when the pet is laying down, it can stick its arms or paws out beyond the standing length of its body. If you prefer, you can just add 2-6 inches to the full length rather than measuring the legs and calculating it.

Tips for measuring your dog for a crate

A few tips and tricks for measuring your dog include:

  • If your dog has a thick tail that will swing around in the cage, you can consider adding a portion of it to the length just to create a little bit of extra space.
  • Offer treats, toys or training devices to capture and hold your pet’s attention when measuring.
  • Use a soft tape measure (like those used for measuring human clothing) as opposed to a rigid household tape measure. This will irritate your dog less when measuring.
  • You can measure the width of your dog if you’d like, but most crates will come sized appropriately based on the height and length. You should look for roughly 2x your dog’s shoulder width.

Dog crate sizing chart by breed

There are probably dog breeds that are not listed below. If yours is one of the breeds not listed, find a breed closest to yours and go by your pet’s adult size. Also, keep in mind that these are rough guidelines and may not apply exactly to your dog. For instance, if you have a dog that weighs 20 pounds more than average, consider sizing up. You will see that some dog breeds show up on two of these lists. In that case, consider the exact breed (teacup, etc.), gender, and adult size of the dog to make a decision.

Extra Small Dog Crates 19"

  • Affenpinscher
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Chihuahua
  • Chiweenie (Chihuahua/Dachshund)
  • Japanese Chin
  • Maltese
  • Maltipoo (Maltese/Poodle)
  • Morkie (Maltese/Yorkshire Terrier)
  • Miniature Dachshund
  • Papillon
  • Pomeranian (including Teacup)
  • Russkiy Toy
  • Shih Tzu
  • Toy Fox Terrier
  • Yorkshire Terrier 

https://dutydog.co.nz/products/19-inch-pet-crates-single-door  

 

    Small or Extra Small Dog Crates

    24″ dog crates are recommended for the following breeds or dogs weighing up to 25 pounds

    • Australian Terrier
    • Bichon Frise
    • Border Terrier
    • Boston Terrier
    • Brussels Griffon (larger)
    • Cairn Terrier
    • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
    • Chinese Crested
    • Dandie Dinmont Terrier
    • Fox Terrier
    • Havanese
    • Jack Russell Terrier
    • Maltese
    • Manchester Terrier
    • Miniature Dachshund
    • Miniature Poodle
    • Norfolk Terrier
    • Norwich Terrier
    • Parson Russel Terrier
    • Pomeranian
    • Pomsky (Pomeranian/Husky)
    • Poochon (Poodle/Bichon Frise)
    • Pug
    • Puggle (Pug/Beagle)
    • Schipperke
    • Shichon/Zuchon (Shih Tzu/Bichon Frise)
    • Shih Poo (Shih Tzu/Poodle)
    • Shih Tzu
    • Silky Terrier
    • Skye Terrier
    • Tibetan Spaniel
    • Yorkshire Terrier
    • Yorkie Poo (Yorkshire Terrier/Poodle)

     

    Medium Dog Crates 30"

    Medium dog kennels are roughly 30 inches (76 centimeters) and are best for dogs weighing between 26 to 40 pounds. These usually include the following breeds:

    • American Pit Bull Terrier
    • American Staffordshire Terrier
    • American Water Spaniel
    • Basenji
    • Bedlington Terrier
    • Carin Terrier
    • Clumber Spaniel
    • Scottish Terrier
    • Shetland Sheepdog
    • Tibetan Terrier
    • Shetland Sheepdog
    • Tibetan Terrier
    • Welsh Springer Spaniel
    • West Highland Terrier
    • Dachshund
    • French Bulldog
    • King Charles Spaniel
    • Lhasa Apso
    • Miniature Pinscher
    • Miniature Schnauzer
    • Pekingese

    Intermediate Dog Crates 36"

    36″ dog crates are recommended for the following breeds or dogs weighing between 41 – 70 pounds:

    • Alaskan Husky
    • American Eskimo
    • Australian Cattle Dog
    • Basset Hound
    • Beagle
    • Brittany Spaniel
    • Bull Terrier
    • Chinese Shar-Pei
    • Cocker Spaniel
    • English Bulldog
    • English Setter
    • English Springer Spaniel
    • Finnish Spitz
    • Harrier
    • Keeshond
    • Kerry Blue Terrier
    • Norwegian Elkhound
    • Portuguese Water Dog
    • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
    • Standard Schnauzer
    • Welsh Corgi
    • Whippet

      Large Dog Crates 42"

      42″ dog crates are recommended for the following breeds or dogs weighing between 71 – 90 pounds

      • Airdale Terrier
      • Australian Sheperd
      • Bearded Collie
      • Belgain Malinois
      • Belgian Sheepdog
      • Belgian Tervuren
      • Border Collie
      • Boxer
      • Briard
      • Chesapeake Bay Retriever
      • Chow-Chow
      • Dalmatian
      • Golden Retriever
      • Gordon Setter
      • Ibizan Hound
      • Irish Setter
      • Irish Water Spaniel
      • Labrador Retriever
      • Rhodesian Ridgeback
      • Saluki
      • Samoyed
      • Standard Poodle
      • Vizsla

      Extra Large Dog Crates 48"

      48″ dog crates are recommended for the following breeds or dogs weighing between 91 – 110 lbs

      • Afgan
      • Akita
      • Alaskan Malamute
      • Anatolian Sheperd
      • Bernese Mountain Dog
      • Bloodhound
      • Bouvier Des Flandres
      • Briard
      • Bullmastiff
      • Collie
      • Doberman Pinscher
      • Dogue De Bordeaux
      • German Shepherd
      • Giant Schnauzer
      • Greyhound
      • Komondor
      • Kuvasz
      • Newfoundland
      • Old English Sheepdog
      • Otterhound
      • Rottweiler
      • Samoyed
      • Siberian Husky
      • Weimaraner

        Giant (XXL) Dog Crates

        54″ dog crates are recommended for the following breeds or dogs weighing over 110 lbs

        • Borzoi
        • Great Dane
        • Great Pyrenees
        • Irish Wolfhound
        • Mastiff
        • Mastiff Newfoundland
        • Neapolitan Mastiff
        • Scottish Deerhound
        • St. Bernard

         

          What size crate should you buy for a puppy?

          If you are starting out with a puppy, many wire dog crates come with a divider panel that allows your dog crate to grow with your dog. The divider panel keeps the sleeping area small to discourage your puppy from soiling/eliminating where he sleeps. As your puppy grows move the divider panel to accommodate his changing size. Try to choose a dog crate that will accommodate him in his adult size so you don’t have to purchase more than one.