Crate sizes

Chris_UK · Mar 6, 2010

Now its quite obvious to say a crate can be too small, for reasons of uncomfort and claustrophobia. But, can a dog crate be too big? What happens if you get a crate too big for your dog? Do they snuggle into a corner leaving a large open space and therefore not benefit from being in a secure crate?

I have had my Bull Terrier in a 30" crate since we got her and I am certain this is the right size. She loves it and has plenty of space to move around yet fills it perfectly once settled.

What I want to get straight is what size crates suit what size dogs.

My problem is the sellers of these crates list their crate sizes and state which dog should fit which crate but certain breeds vary in size dramatically. My girl is such a small Bul Terrier so I am sure there are male Bull Terriers who would need a crate 2 or even 3 sizes up from hers.

mstngchic2012 · Mar 6, 2010

As long as she has room to stand up and turn around then she's fine. The main issue with having too much space in a crate is potty training. If you leave too much room for a pup then it will be able to make a mess in one spot and go lay in another and not learn how to hold it making it harder to potty train them. That is why we tell many people to get a larger crate than they need but just divide it off so that it is just big enough for them to stand up and turn around and they can adjust the space as the puppy grows.

Chris_UK · Mar 8, 2010

Thanks for your post, as always mstngchic. I have been reading about how to section off the crate if this becomes a problem. Off topic but some of the custom bedding for the crates are sooo awesome! And luxurious. What a life they lead eh!?

bodazafa · Mar 8, 2010

Chris_UK said:
Thanks for your post, as always mstngchic. I have been reading about how to section off the crate if this becomes a problem. Off topic but some of the custom bedding for the crates are sooo awesome! And luxurious. What a life they lead eh!?

Yeah just be careful if your dog is a chewer! There was another post recently about a dog tearing up bedding. They can easily swallow the filling and choke - so if they are a chewer don't put anything in there. Mags shredded the old comforter i put in there for her so now she just has a blanket and that is fine - as long as there is no stuffing she doesn't shred.

majestikmoose · Mar 8, 2010

i think while in the process of crate training, crate size is important, simply because what good is it if the dog feels he can poop, and be able to curl up and sleep some distance away???

depending on the dog, once they are grown, and are reliably crate trained, the size crate you use after that is irrelivant.
what i would use as a deciding factor is how your dog likes to sleep, and how much room you have to spare.

if you have plenty of space, and a dog who stretches out in his smaller crate, he may appreciate a bigger crate.
i happen to have dogs that always curl up in a ball to sleep-i could give them a great dane sized crate, and they would STILL curl up in the corner. for those dogs, i would rather not take up the space of a too big crate, they wouldn't make good use of it anyway.

Chris_UK · Mar 8, 2010

bodazafa said:
Yeah just be careful if your dog is a chewer! There was another post recently about a dog tearing up bedding. They can easily swallow the filling and choke - so if they are a chewer don't put anything in there. Mags shredded the old comforter i put in there for her so now she just has a blanket and that is fine - as long as there is no stuffing she doesn't shred.

Thats soo true I saw that thread and a JRT pup I was looking after a couple weeks ago did the exact same thing (he was ok, I took the offending cushion away from him tho lol)

As for my dog her chewing days are firmly behind her, she has all manner of bedding going on in her crate; things she has been given, one we bought from the thrift store and several others that she took from our living room lol.

In the coming months I will be getting a new dog so Ive been doing my homework on crates; hence this thread

bodazafa · Mar 8, 2010

majestikmoose said:
i think while in the process of crate training, crate size is important, simply because what good is it if the dog feels he can poop, and be able to curl up and sleep some distance away???

depending on the dog, once they are grown, and are reliably crate trained, the size crate you use after that is irrelivant.
what i would use as a deciding factor is how your dog likes to sleep, and how much room you have to spare.

if you have plenty of space, and a dog who stretches out in his smaller crate, he may appreciate a bigger crate.
i happen to have dogs that always curl up in a ball to sleep-i could give them a great dane sized crate, and they would STILL curl up in the corner. for those dogs, i would rather not take up the space of a too big crate, they wouldn't make good use of it anyway.

Agreed. Mags always had an enormous crate - we bought the biggest one we could get because the humane society told us she would be 80 lbs LMFAO. I had the problem with her pooping/peeing in the crate until I blocked a portion off. Then she almost immediately stopped. She loves the large crate now though - totally spralls out.

Crate sizes

Chris_UK

mstngchic2012

Chris_UK

bodazafa

majestikmoose

Chris_UK

bodazafa

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