Dog Crate Size Guide: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Dog

Dog Crate Size Guide: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Dog

Choosing the right crate size can feel weirdly stressful. Too small and it’s cramped and unfair. Too big and toilet training gets harder and your dog can feel exposed instead of safe. This dog crate size guide is here to take the guesswork out of it so you can choose a crate that actually fits your dog, your home and your routine.

Below, we’ll walk through how to measure your dog properly, how to choose a size for puppies vs adults, what to do in multi-dog homes, and how to match your dog’s breed and lifestyle to the right style of crate – from single crates to doubles and furniture-style designs.

Why Dog Crate Size Matters So Much

A well-sized crate should feel like a den – secure, cozy and just roomy enough to stretch out.

If the crate is too small:

  • Your dog can’t stand or turn comfortably
  • Joints and muscles are under constant pressure
  • They may avoid using it altogether

If the crate is too big:

  • Puppies can toilet at one end and sleep at the other
  • Anxious dogs can feel “lost” in the space
  • It doesn’t create that snug, den-like feeling that helps them settle

The sweet spot is a crate where your dog can:

  • Stand up without their head hitting the roof
  • Turn around comfortably
  • Lie down and fully stretch out on their side

That’s what we’re aiming for in this dog crate size guide.

How to Measure Your Dog for a Crate

Grab a soft tape measure (or a firm one plus a friend) and note these:

Step 1 – Length

  • Ask your dog to stand
  • Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (not the end of the tail)
  • Add 5–10cm for comfort and bedding

Step 2 – Height

  • Measure from the floor to the top of the head or ears (whichever is taller)
  • Add 5–10cm to allow for stretching and head movement

Step 3 – Width

Most crates are proportionally sized from length and height, so width is usually covered. But if you’ve got a very broad breed (Bulldog, Rottweiler, Mastiff) or a fluffy coat (Bernese, Newfoundland), make sure there’s enough side-to-side room to lie on their side comfortably.

Pro tip:
Measure your dog in their favourite sleeping position too. If they’re a full dramatic sprawler, err on the roomier side within the recommended size range.

Crate Sizing for Puppies vs Adult Dogs

Choosing a crate for a puppy? You’ve got two main options:

Buy for “now” and upgrade later

  • Good if you’ve got a small space or a very small breed
  • Best for people who love the idea of a “puppy crate” and later an “adult crate”
  • Works well when the eventual adult size is hard to predict

Buy for “adult size” and manage the space

  • Choose a crate based on your dog’s expected adult size
  • Use bedding, boxes or a divider to reduce the usable area while they’re tiny
  • Expand their space as they grow and as toilet training improves

In this dog crate size guide, we generally recommend buying based on adult size if:

  • You have a medium–giant breed
  • You’re happy to invest in one quality crate long-term
  • You’re using the crate as a furniture piece (like our timber crates)

Matching Crate Size to Breed Categories

Every dog is different, but here’s a simple way to think about common size ranges. Your exact fit will depend on your measurements and brand-specific sizes.

Small Breeds

Examples: Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Maltese, Yorkie, Pug, French Bulldog (smaller ones), Shih Tzu

  • Look for crates in the “small” category
  • Focus on a low entry height and cozy interior
  • Bedside crates and small single crates are often ideal

These dogs usually do well in snug, den-like spaces with soft bedding and good visibility.

Medium Breeds

Examples: Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Corgi, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Springer Spaniel, Brittany

  • Aim for medium or “medium–large” crates depending on build
  • Make sure there’s enough length for a full stretch-out
  • Consider whether they prefer curling up or sprawling

If you’ve got an active working breed (Border Collie, Aussie Shepherd), a slightly roomier crate can be nice for long naps after big days.

Large Breeds

Examples: Labrador, Golden Retriever, Boxer, Doberman, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Husky, Ridgeback

  • Usually need large–XL crates
  • Extra headroom and floor space matter here
  • Choose strong hardware and a stable, solid design

For big family dogs, double crates or longer single crates can work well in living areas where the crate doubles as a console or sideboard.

Giant Breeds

Examples: Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, Irish Wolfhound, Leonberger, Tibetan Mastiff, Cane Corso

  • Need XL–XXL style spaces
  • Look for extra height, length and reinforced build
  • Plan where the crate will live before you buy – measure the room as well as the dog

For these breeds, a furniture-style crate can help keep your space looking intentional rather than overwhelmed by a giant wire cage.

How Your Lifestyle Affects Crate Size

Crate size isn’t just about your dog’s measurements – it’s also about how you use it.

Ask yourself:

  • How long will my dog be in the crate at a time?
    • Short naps and overnight? Standard fit is great.
    • Longer daytime stretches (with breaks)? A little more room can help.
  • Where will the crate live?
    • Bedroom bedside crates may be more compact.
    • Living room crates can be larger, especially if used as console furniture.
  • Is this crate for one dog or two?
    • Multi-dog homes often benefit from double crates – separate bays, shared furniture footprint.

Crate Height, Doors and Access

Even the right-sized crate can feel wrong if the access is awkward.

  • Height: Your dog should never have to duck their head to stand.
  • Door style:
    • Hinged doors work well when you’ve got space to swing them open.
    • Barn doors or sliding doors are great in tighter spaces or hallways.
    • Entry height: Especially important for puppies, seniors and long-backed breeds (Dachshunds, Corgis).

If your dog is older, arthritic or recovering from surgery, an easy step-in is as important as the overall dog crate size guide recommendations.

Common Crate Sizing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

  • Buying only by weight, not by shape
    • A 20kg Whippet and a 20kg French Bulldog need different space and height.
  • Forgetting about bedding
    • Thick beds eat into usable space. Measure with the bed in mind.
  • Ignoring growth
    • Puppies grow fast. Choose with their adult size in mind where possible.
  • Only measuring the dog, not the room
    • Measure your intended space: length, depth and any nearby furniture.
  • Choosing “just big enough”
    • Always add that extra 5–10cm for comfortable movement and stretching.

Bringing It Together: Size, Breed and Style

When you’re ready to choose, think in three layers:

  1. Dog: Breed, build, age and how they like to sleep
  2. Home: Bedroom, living room or multi-purpose space
  3. Style: Bars vs mesh, hinged vs barn doors, single vs double

You can then match those factors to specific ranges:

  • Single crates for one dog, focused sleep spots and smaller homes
  • Double crates for multi-dog families and open-plan living
  • Bedside crates for puppies and dogs who settle best near you
  • Open-plan or mesh styles for social, “want to see everything” personalities

Next Steps: Choose Your Perfect Crate

You’ve made it through the dog crate size guide – now it’s time to turn numbers into something beautiful.

  • Pick your dog’s size range (small, medium, large, giant)
  • Decide where the crate will live (bedroom, living area, office)
  • Choose a style you’ll love looking at every day

Then match that to your favourite design from your Paws & Willow range (The Studio, The Den, The Loft, doubles, bedside, etc.), and you’ve got a crate that fits your dog and your home for the long term.

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