Adult Dog and Puppy

What Size Crate for a Puppy vs Adult Dog?

What Size Crate for a Puppy vs Adult Dog?

What size crate for a puppy - Buying a crate for a puppy can feel like a trap: do you get something small and cosy for right now, or go straight to the adult size and hope they grow into it without toileting in the corners?

In this guide, we’ll walk through what size crate your puppy needs now, how to plan for their adult size, and when it makes sense to buy one beautiful crate for life versus upgrading as they grow.

Puppy vs Adult: Why Crate Size Decisions Feel So Hard

With adult dogs, crate sizing is straightforward: measure, match and go.

With puppies, you’re juggling:

  • Current tiny size

  • Future adult size

  • Toilet training

  • Budget and space in your home

The good news: there are clear ways to make this choice without guessing.

Option 1: Buy a “Puppy Size” Crate First

This can be a good idea if:

  • You have a toy or very small breed
  • Your puppy’s adult size is hard to predict (mixed breeds)
  • You’re in a small space and can’t fit a big crate yet

Pros:

  • Super cosy, den-like space for a small pup
  • Easier for them to stay clean (less space to toilet in)
  • Crate feels proportionate in smaller rooms

Cons:

  • You’ll likely need to upgrade within months
  • Two purchases instead of one
  • Extra crate to store, donate or sell

For truly tiny dogs (Chihuahuas, toy breeds), the “puppy size” may end up being their forever size anyway, so this option can work really well.

Option 2: Buy a Crate for Their Adult Size (and Manage the Space)

For many medium–giant breeds, this is the smarter long-term play.

You:

  1. Research their expected adult size range
  2. Choose a crate size based on adult measurements
  3. Make the space feel smaller and cozier while they’re little

You can manage extra space by:

  • Using bedding, cushions or a box to block off one end
  • Only letting them use part of the interior at first
  • Expanding their area as they grow and toilet training improves

This works especially well with furniture-style timber crates you want to keep for years, like your Paws & Willow range.

How to Estimate Adult Size for Your Puppy

If you don’t know the exact parents’ sizes, use:

  • Breed averages (for purebreds)
  • Vet input (they’re great at eyeballing growth curves)
  • Rules of thumb:
    • Many pups reach around half their adult weight by ~4 months
    • Large breeds mature later, but you’ll still see the direction early

Once you have a ballpark adult size, you can:

  • Measure their current body
  • Add growth buffer to estimate adult length & height
  • Choose the crate size that will fit those adult numbers comfortably

Toilet Training in a Bigger Crate

The big worry with buying a larger crate early is toilet training.

To avoid the “wee at one end, sleep at the other” problem:

  • Keep the usable space just big enough for:
    • Standing
    • Turning
    • Lying stretched out
  • Don’t leave a huge empty patch at the back
  • Give frequent toilet breaks based on age (every 30–90 mins when awake)

As your puppy learns to hold and signal, you can gradually open up more of the crate.

Signs Your Puppy’s Crate Is Too Small

Regardless of age, the crate is too small if:

  • They have to duck to get in or stand
  • They can’t lie on their side fully stretched out
  • They’re constantly squished against one end

If they love the crate but clearly don’t fit anymore, it’s time to move up.

Signs Your Puppy’s Crate Is Too Big (for Training)

  • Regular accidents in one corner
  • Restless, pacing behaviour instead of settling
  • They seem unsure where to lie and keep shifting around

In that case:

  • Reduce the usable area
  • Make the bed “the best spot in the world”
  • Increase positive crate association with chews and special toys

So… What Should You Do?

In simple terms:

  • Small breeds / toy dogs:

    • A small, cosy crate may work from puppyhood to adulthood.

  • Medium breeds:

    • Either a mid-size “puppy-to-teen” crate, then a final upgrade,

    • Or go straight to the adult size and manage the space.

  • Large & giant breeds:

    • Usually best to buy for adult size from the start and adjust.

If you’re investing in a furniture-style crate that you want to keep for years, planning for adult size and managing the space while they’re young usually gives you the best balance of comfort, training success and long-term value.

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