How to measure your dog
Measure your dog standing on a flat floor. Body length runs from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, not to the end of the tail. Shoulder height runs from the floor to the highest point of the shoulders, usually just behind the neck.
Add 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) to the body length and height so your dog can stand and turn without crouching. The calculator then rounds up to the nearest standard crate size and checks the weight minimum.
Standard crate sizes at a glance
Most wire crates come in 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48-inch lengths. Manufacturers’ weight limits vary, so use both your dog’s measurements and the crate’s weight guidance. A 50 lb dog usually needs a 36-inch crate, while a 20 lb dog often fits a 30-inch crate.
- 24-inch: toy and small breeds, up to roughly 10-12 lb.
- 30-inch: small to medium dogs, up to roughly 18-20 lb.
- 36-inch: medium dogs, up to roughly 27-30 lb.
- 42-inch: large dogs, up to roughly 36-40 lb.
- 48-inch: giant breeds and very tall dogs.
Crate training without a battle
Feed meals in the crate, toss treats in, and leave the door open at first. Build up from seconds to minutes, and never use the crate as punishment. A puppy’s crate should be just big enough to stand and turn, with a divider if you bought the adult size.
As a rough guide for house training, a puppy can usually hold it for one hour per month of age, up to the point their bladder allows. Adult dogs should not be crated all day; aim for breaks every four to six hours.