Dog Crate Sizes: How to Measure Your Dog for a Crate

A dog crate (or dog cage) is a portable enclosure that pet owners use to safely confine their canine companion for short periods of time. It’s a common mistake to use the terms “crate” and “kennel” interchangeably, but the latter is a larger, more permanent structure with extra space for a dog to play around.

You might use a crate to teach your dog not to chew possessions, transport them to the veterinarian, or give them a safe place to hide when guests come over. Crate training a dog is an important step in housebreaking new puppies because it encourages bladder and bowel control. This process also helps young puppies view their crates as comfortable, safe places to reside.

Crate manufacturers offer models made of several materials. The most common types include collapsible wire dog crates, metal dog crates, plastic crates, and soft-sided crates. Single door, double door, and triple door crate models are also available, along with furniture-style versions (often resembling an end table) to fit into your home décor. Some crates even come with a built-in mat or dog bed inside to make your pooch extra comfortable.

The right crate depends on your dog’s size and breed. Here is a breakdown of different sizes of crates, along with examples of the dog types compatible for each.

1. 1. Extra small dog crate: This crate fits dogs about eighteen to twenty-two inches long that weigh ten pounds or less. Small breeds like the Chihuahua, Maltese, Papillon, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier will fit in this crate size.
2. 2. Small dog crate: This crate size is ideal for dogs about twenty-four inches long that weigh between ten to twenty-five pounds. Dog breeds that typically fall in this size and weight range include the Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshund, Jack Russell Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, and Pug.
3. 3. Medium dog crate: A medium crate is for dogs about thirty inches long, weighing between twenty-five to forty pounds. This dog crate is suitable for medium-sized breeds like the Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, French Bulldog, Shetland Sheepdog, Tibetan Terrier, and Welsh Corgi.
4. 4. Large dog crate: A large crate is ideal for dog breeds about thirty-six inches long, weighing between forty to seventy pounds. A large dog crate is perfect for large breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier, Basset Hound, Border Collie, Chinese Shar-Pei, Goldendoodle, English Setter, and Siberian Husky.
5. 5. Extra-large dog crate: An extra-large crate fits dogs about forty-two inches long that weigh between seventy to ninety pounds. This crate size is good for dog breeds like the Boxer, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Greyhound, Irish Setter, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.
6. 6. XXL dog crate: An XXL crate fits dogs about forty-eight inches long that weigh ninety pounds or more. Use this heavy-duty type of crate for the largest dog breeds, including the Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Mastiff, Rottweiler, and Saint Bernard.

Before picking out the right-sized crate for your dog, you’ll need to measure your pooch. Grab your measuring tape and follow these steps:

1. 1. Measure your dog’s length. To find the right crate length, measure your dog from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail. Add four inches to this measurement to give your dog some extra wiggle room to ensure comfort.
2. 2. Measure your dog’s height. Measure your dog in the sitting position, from the floor to the top of their head or tip of their ears (whichever is higher), and add four inches. Measuring their height will ensure that your dog can sit down comfortably without hitting the top of the crate.
3. 3. Choose the dog crate size. Use your length and width measurements to determine your dog crate choice. It’s possible to go up a size to give your pup some extra room, but keep in mind that smaller breeds can slip through the grates if you size up too much.

Once you have your dog’s measurements in hand, refer to these helpful tips to land on the right-sized dog crate.

1. 1. Leave room for movement. Unlike a kennel (which functions as a playpen), your dog doesn’t need tons of extra crate space to frolic around. Keep in mind that they still need enough room to be comfortable, so it shouldn’t be too small. The right crate size should allow your pooch just enough space to stand up, circle around, and lie down without feeling cramped.
2. 2. Size up for puppies. If you’re potty training a puppy and have a bigger crate, your dog will have the ability to go to the bathroom on one side of it and still sleep at the other end. Check out renowned animal trainer Brandon McMillan’s puppy potty training tips.
3. 3. Factor in your dog’s adult size. Always size your crate based on the size of an adult dog. If you're crate training a new puppy, purchase a crate divider panel to shrink the interior space of the crate temporarily.

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