Answer
What size crate for my dog?
Measure your dog from nose to the base of the tail and add about 4 inches, then choose the next crate size up: a dog of 30 inches needs a 36-inch crate, and the crate should also be about 4 inches taller than your dog’s head when sitting.
Open the dog gear size calculator
Crate size chart
| Dog length | Interior length needed | Crate size |
|---|---|---|
| 16 in | 20 in | 22-inch |
| 20 in | 24 in | 24-inch |
| 24 in | 28 in | 30-inch |
| 28 in | 32 in | 36-inch |
| 32 in | 36 in | 36-inch |
| 36 in | 40 in | 42-inch |
| 40 in | 44 in | 48-inch |
| 44 in | 48 in | 48-inch |
| 48 in | 52 in | 54-inch |
Can your dog stand, turn and lie flat?
That’s the test behind the numbers: your dog should stand without ducking, turn around and lie on its side with legs out. For a growing puppy, buy for adult size (estimate it with the puppy weight calculator) and use a divider.
More questions
Is a bigger crate better?
Not for house-training: a puppy may soil one end of an oversized crate. Use a divider until it’s trained.
Wire or plastic crate: does sizing differ?
Interior sizes differ by type and brand, so compare the inside measurements with your dog’s plus 4 inches.
What size crate for a Labrador?
Measure your own Labrador rather than going by breed: add 4 inches to its nose-to-tail-base length and read the crate size off the chart above.
What size crate for a puppy?
Buy for its adult size (estimate it with the puppy weight calculator) and use a divider while it grows.
What does a 36-inch crate mean?
Crates are named by their length; check the maker’s inside dimensions, which are a little smaller.
Can a dog share a crate?
Each dog should have its own crate, sized for that dog.
Should I add a bed to the crate?
A crate pad is fine for a house-trained dog; leave it out for puppies who chew or soil bedding.
Is a 48-inch crate too big for a medium dog?
Usually yes: extra space is fine for an adult but defeats house-training for a puppy.
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Sources
- Measurement rule used across crate makers’ size guides: dog length + about 4 in, height + about 4 in.