How Big Should a Crate Be?

[pamperedk9club]

A crate, or wire kennel, whether for travel, or den training, should be big enough for your dog to stand up on all fours, turn around easily, and lie down comfortably. If you plan to use the dog crate for travel, you can go as large as you wish, beyond the aforementioned guidelines. I hope that by using this size chart. It will give you a better understanding of the sizes of a dog crate:

X-Small - Toy poodle, Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Australian terrier & other similar sized dogs.
Small - Silky terrier, Boston terrier, Maltese, Jack russell terrier, Pug & other similar sized dogs.
Medium - Cocker spaniel, Scottish terrier, Bichon frise, Beagle, Corgi & other similar sized dogs.
Large - Springer spaniel, Brittany spaniel, Border collie, Dalmation & other similar sized dogs.
X-Large - Golden retriever, German shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher, Labrador retriever & other similar sized dogs.
XX-Large - Great dane, St. bernard, Newfoundland, Mastiff, Irish wolfhound & other similar sized dogs.

[21meg]

Thanks, that really helped since I'm getting a crate when I get my new Yorkshire Terrier puppy in August. =)
And im horrible with sizes- looks like i'll need an extra small, but i'll probably get a small just in case so it can have a bit more room... but you never know i may end up with an Extra Small. Thanks that was a great help!!

[pamperedk9club]

Hello Meg i'm glad that i could help you. I now that there are a range of sizes of crates out there and people just get confused? THANKS Again

[21meg]

Yes-- I always seem to get confused. Anyway my other question, is what would a shih-tzu possibly categorize under? I don't own one, I'd like to though lol, and I was curious. Wouldn't it be small ? I thought that at first but now looking at it, maybe medium.
You seemed to know a lot about it so wanted to ask you (:

[OliHague]

Just thought you might like to know, as I was looking for a dog cage for my dog, I found this great website! The dog cages are really good quality yet cheap, and the delivery isn't bad either!!!
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/category.asp?dept_id=149

[bichonqueen]

Thanks for the informative post. I have seen questions about crating on this site on more than one occasion and almost all involve the size of the crate. People who are having trouble with their dogs going to the bathroom in the crate sometimes fail to see that the size of the crate can play a role. If the puppy has too much space, he/she will be tempted to relieve him/herself in the crate. But if the crate is the right size he/she will see it as their home and treat it as such (you know, by keeping it tidy and hanging up decorations on the walls, lol). Thanks again for the post.