How to Measure your Dog for a Crate (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Measure Your Dog for a Crate (Step-by-Step Guide)

Before you click “add to cart” on your dream crate, there’s one tiny job that saves a lot of hassle: properly measuring your dog.

This guide will walk you through exactly how to measure your dog for a crate, how much extra space to allow, and the common mistakes that lead to cramped, awkward or just plain wrong sizes.

Grab a tape measure, a treat or two and your most patient voice. Let’s go.

Step 1: Get Your Dog Standing Naturally

For accurate measurements, your dog needs to be:

• Standing up
• Looking straight ahead (not stretching or shrinking)
• On a flat, non-slippery surface

If they’re wriggly, have someone gently hold them or distract them with a treat while you measure.

Step 2: Measure Body Length

Measure from:

• The tip of the nose
• To the base of the tail (where the tail joins the body, not the tail tip)

Write that number down, then add 5–10cm.

This gives them enough room to stretch out comfortably without feeling like they’re in a hallway.

Step 3: Measure Height

Next, measure from:

• The floor
• To the top of the head or ears, whichever is higher

If your dog has upright ears (Shepherd, Dane, Husky), measure to the tip. If they have floppy ears, measure to the top of the head.

Again, add 5–10cm for comfortable headroom.

Step 4: Consider Width & Sleeping Style

Width is usually proportional to length in most crate designs. But it’s worth thinking about:

• Broad breeds (Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Staffies)
• Heavy fluff (Bernese, Newfies)
• Drama sleepers (full-on starfish mode)

Ask yourself:

• Do they like to curl up tight?
• Or sprawl on their side with legs everywhere?

If they love a big stretch, choosing a crate with a roomier footprint in your size range will make life comfier.

Step 5: Check Your Measurements Against Crate Dimensions

Now it’s time to compare:

• Your dog’s length + extra space vs crate internal length
• Your dog’s height + extra space vs crate internal height

You’re looking for a crate that is:

• A little longer than your dog’s body length
• A little taller than your dog’s full standing height
• Wide enough that they can lie on their side without squishing up against the sides

If you’re between two sizes, consider:

• Puppy / young dog: they’ll grow, or you can pad out a larger crate
• Older / tiny dog: staying closer to their exact size can feel cozier

Step 6: Don’t Forget the Bedding

One big mistake: measuring only the dog and forgetting the bed.

If you plan to use:

• A thick cushion
• A raised insert
• Extra blankets or pillows

…remember that these eat into the internal height and length. When you’re choosing your crate, mentally add the thickness of the bed to your dog’s height measurement.

Step 7: Plan for the Entry

Measuring your dog for a crate is also about how they get in and out.

Check:

• How high the door frame is off the ground
• If your dog needs to step up or can just walk in
• Whether you might have a senior dog one day who’ll appreciate a lower step

This is especially important for long-backed breeds (Dachshunds, Corgis) and older dogs.

Common Measuring Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)

Mistake 1: Measuring to the tail tip

Result: crate ends up too long.
Fix: always measure to the base of the tail.

Mistake 2: Only measuring while they’re curled up

Result: they can’t fully stretch.
Fix: base it on a proper stand, and allow stretch-out room.

Mistake 3: Ignoring future growth

Result: your gorgeous new crate is too small in six months.
Fix: if you’ve got a puppy, research adult size for their breed and measure with that in mind.

Mistake 4: Not measuring your space at home

Result: crate fits the dog but not the room.
Fix: measure your floor space and nearby furniture so you know a crate will actually work where you want it.

Bringing It All Together

To quickly measure your dog for a crate:

1. Measure nose to base of tail → add 5–10cm
2. Measure floor to top of head/ears → add 5–10cm
3. Consider width and sleeping style
4. Check internal crate dimensions (length, height, usable width)
5. Factor in bedding and entry height

Once you’ve got all that, you can confidently choose:

• The right size range (small, medium, large, giant)
• The right style (single, double, bedside, open-plan)
• A crate that makes sense in your home, not just on a size chart

And if you want those measurements to land in a crate that looks like actual furniture, that’s where your Paws & Willow timber crate ranges step in beautifully.