Confused about Crate Size

[Laurel]

Hi there,

I'm planning to introduce a Labrador puppy to my home sometime next year, and I'm currently looking into everything I'll need to buy. One thing that has got me a bit stumped is the crate—I'm not entirely sure what size I should opt for.

Some people seem to think that buying two crates (one for puppyhood, one for adulthood) is the best option, but I was thinking that it might be more convenient for me to buy just one crate (an adult one) and use a divider. I was initially looking at a 36 inch crate, but I think that may be a bit too small? Would a 42 inch crate be the best size?

Our previous dog (not a Labrador) didn't use his crate often. There's nearly always one person in the house, but I still want to crate train as I've heard it helps with potty-training and reducing the likelihood of separation anxiety. Plus, I like the idea of my dog having their own 'den' where no one can bother them. Out of curiosity, do you use the crate often with your adult Labradors?

 

[Jacqui-S]

Hi Laurel!
Welcome to the forum
My son recently bought the 42 inch for his GR and sent it back as it was HUGE.
I would say maybe the 36? That's the size my lab had and she used it for a few years before we removed it due to kitchen remodelling. Although consider a 38 I guess.

If you always have someone at home, I suspect when yours is bigger/older, they may not need crating for any length of time.

Are you hoping for a girl or boy? That could influence size too.
Are you UK based. I'm up in Fife, Scotland.

 

[Selina27]

Hi Laurel, welcome to MLF.

I have a nine year old black Lab, Cassie , and I did have a 42 inch crate for when she was a puppy which served us very well. I think I was lucky as she took to it straight away, once her bed was in there she was very happy to sleep there. I never had the sense that it was too big.
I had a separate one for use in the car until the chewing stopped.
My friend still uses a crate for her adult black Lab dog, he puts himself to bed in it at night!
Good Luck !

 

[Karen]

I also have a 42 inch crate as I wanted one which would be big enough for her when she was fully grown. I think it was a bit too big to start with as she did use half of it as a toilet initially so a divider may be useful. Good luck!

 

[SwampDonkey]

Weve got a big crate it's a bit bigger than 42 inches. All the last 3 dogs have used it. It was introduced as a cosy place of fun food and safety. They learn to be left for short periods and rest peacefully. I've never had any issues with crate training it's been beneficial thing. I've got a young dog at the moment so it's being used again. Thing is the 12 year really loves it and is in it most of the time. The pups on the sofa with me.

 

[Laurel]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

I’m not too certain if I’m getting a boy or girl. All our previous dogs have been male, but I really don’t mind what I end up with. Is there much difference in size?

I’m leaning toward the 36 inch crate at the moment. If it does turn out to be too small, I can always replace it (as costly as that might turn out ) but surely it’ll be suitable for a couple of months anyway.

 

[Candy]

Hello Laurel and welcome. We used a 36inch crate for our Joy when she was a pup, but only when we were out, and mainly for her safety. We made it a comfortable and snuggley place, with a bed in it and covered the bed end with a blanket to make it dark when she wanted a snooze. We also fed her in there, so she associated it with nice things and she always went in very happily, often choosing to lie in there. We took it down when she was just over nine months old ( we were going to do it a bit earlier, but thought it best to leave it up over Christmas, again for her safety) She didn't appear to miss it when it was gone, so all in all it went very smoothly.
Looking forward to seeing photos of your new pup when he/she arrives, and to hearing all about your adventures together. It's always good to have new people and dogs here!

 

[JES72]

We used a small puppy size crate for Stanley but he out grew it quite quickly and then a big 42inch crate. I didn’t make the transition go well with Stanley and he struggled to settle in the bigger crate at night. The big crate is the one we used for our old dog Homer who was quite big and long, little Stanley would fit a size down. A smaller crate would fit in our kitchen better.

 

[Laurel]

Do you think the Midwest 36-inch crate would be a good option? Are there any particular brands I should look into or avoid?

 

[Granca]

Welcome to the forum, Laurel.

My dogs have had 36 inch crates, probably suitable for up to about 30kg - a bigger lab would probably need slightly larger. I covered the crates with cloth to make them cosy and den-like. Two doors are good for access too.

The crates were also useful if we went away, or for a dog needing rest and restricted movement eg after spaying, as they were a familiar, safe place.

I put the crates away a while ago, as I needed more space in the kitchen and Tuppence, now 12, is finally past the chewing stage! However, the dogs who used them loved their cosy dens. I just wish I’d known about crates when we had our first lab who loved chewing the spines of books!

 

[edzbird]

Just popped on to say hi Laurel and welcome to the Forum. I've no experience of crates though.

 

[HAH]

Hi Laurel, thanks for joining and it’s great to hear from you.

With both my labs, we used crates with pens for the first few months and dropped them - with our first boy we thought we had to use a crate and persisted far too long, with our second pup we stopped using the crate when he was around 7 months.

Despite popular belief, crates are not dens and don’t work for all dogs - it’s great if they are part of the dog’s positive environment, but some dogs really don’t get on with them. I wish I’d heard this when we were raising our first dog, but I’m glad we now know better.

In terms of manufacturers, in our experience they’re all broadly similar so check for sound manufacture (sturdy, no sharp edges - positive reviews help) and then it comes down to personal preference and space. I’d highly recommend a pen alongside the crate to give you more options and your pup more space, this also means your pup can be secure without needing to close the crate door if they’re not comfy with that. We had something like this (dog pen) and still find it useful for e.g. sectioning off bits of garden when we’ve re-seeded.

 

[Lisa]

Welcome here, Laurel! You’ve got some good advice already, so I don’t have much to add except that the crate worked great for one of my dogs, but the next one to come along didn’t love it. Sometimes they just don’t. But if you have a pup that enjoys being in it they can be a lifesaver in so many ways throughout the puppy stage and beyond.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Like Lisa I've had dogs who like being crated and those who don't. So relax enjoy your pup and let them guide you in what's ok for them. It's doesn't matter as long as you are both happy. You don't have to conform to anything just do what works. I never do I just enjoy my dogs and have fun.

 

[Karen]

I would second the idea of a pen. My Cassie doesn’t like her crate much - she will go in it to sleep with the door open but doesn’t go in of her own accord. It was useful having a pen around the crate as we could put her in there when she needed to sleep as a very small pup. Like @HAH we are also using bits of the pen to section off a bit of garden and to block off the bottom of the stairs. They are very useful items!