Dogs, like humans, require a haven where they may feel at ease; therefore, the value of dog kennels cannot be overstated. A dog kennel allows you to keep your pet safe and secure without the need to keep him on a leash. It also becomes a storage location for all of his toys and where he can be toilet trained.

However, determining the proper kennel size for your dog might be difficult, necessitating the use of a dog kennel size chart. This kennel size chart or crate sizing chart gives you a description of your kennel’s length, breadth, and height based on the dog’s needs.

A Dog kennel is not the same as a dog crate, check dog crate sizes here

Dog Kennel Size Chart

The crate or kennel sizing chart above presents the dimensions for small (XX-small, 3X-small, X-small), medium (M), and large (XXX-large, XX-large, X-large) dogs. It also offers an idea of the different breeds often suitable for the various crate sizes.

All dog breed sizes are explained here

Setting up a dog kennel

To begin with, the procedure of setting up a dog kennel is identical to that of building a human home. It would help if you considered how the dog would move around the house, be fed, bathed, or cleaned, and whether everything would be pleasant during its stay in the crate. 

Another essential factor to consider is the dog’s growth rate as it grows older, from the snout to the tail and other body regions. Kennel builders have discovered various ways to include crate accessories and essential crate furniture, such as water bowls, to make life easier for both the dog and the dog owner.

How to Choose the Right Size Crate

Because dogs come in a variety of sizes, different crate sizes are required. The living needs of a Kerry Blue Terrier and a Miniature Poodle 24S will be vastly different. Naturally, the larger dogs will require larger areas compared to the small dogs. Furthermore, the size of the dog crate you choose has a significant impact on how effective it will be as a housetraining tool, how secure it will be for traveling, and how pleasant it will be for confinement once housebreaking is complete.

What is Housebreaking?

Crate training is practical because dogs are inherent ‘den’ animals that try not to foul up their sleeping quarters. Your puppy’s instinct will be to exercise bowel and bladder control, ‘holding it’ until you let him out if his crate feels like a small den.

When you immediately take your dog to the potty spot after letting them out of the kennel, they begin to build the proper habit.

If the crate is too spacious, on the other hand, your dog will think there’s extra space for a sleeping area and a toilet area, and he won’t feel the same impulse to wait for you to let him out before peeing or popping. Potty training can be challenging as a result of this.

How to Measure your Dog for a Kennel

Inside the crate, your dog should be able to stand up, lie down, and turn around without touching the edges; there should also be enough area for the dog to sit down. Furthermore, the width must be large enough to accommodate the dog’s tail without it becoming tangled. The instructions below will assist you in determining the proper crate size for your pup.

• Have your dog stand against a wall and take their measurements by marking the wall. The following measurements should be taken:
• The length from nose to base of tail
• The length while on all fours
• The length while sitting down
• Elbow joint and Shoulder Height 
• Add 2-4 inches or 5cm to 10cm to all measurements depending on the size of the dog and the perceived allowance needs.
• Take the weight of the dog.

Helpful Tips

• Puppies grow fast; thus, the current crate may not be a good fit in a few months. It is best to buy a cheaper crate model until the dog is fully potty trained and at adult size.
• You can also buy a resizable crate to save money
• Always take your dog’s collar off before putting him in a crate, as collars have been known to get caught in crates, choking the dog.

Types of Dog Kennels

There are many various sorts of dog crates, and with so many models to pick from, it can be tough to determine which is correct dog crate for your household. As a result, before you go out and buy a dog crate, consider the following questions:

• What is your budget?
• Will you be traveling around with your dog crate?
• Does your dog like to chew?
• What are your crate requirements?
• What is your dog’s temperament?

Soft-Sided Crates

The walls of soft-sided dog crates are constructed of soft crate material; thus, is likely the most comfortable crate on the market. Some soft crates have structural steel frames, crate casters, and crate covers that make the crate look like a cage, and others resemble a backpack or a traveling suitcase.

Crates with soft sides are the most popular choice among pet owners as they are affordable, lightweight, and easy to transport, and dogs particularly enjoy them.

Pros:

• Soft-sided dog kennels are ideal for airline travel and vehicle travels because they are incredibly portable and lightweight.
• Soft pet boxes may be folded down for storage.
• They provide maximum comfort for your dog.

Cons:

• Soft-sided dog kennels aren’t ideal for common breeds who tend to chew, scratch, or are anxious while they’re confined.
• Not very durable
• Difficult to clean

Plastic Dog Crates

A plastic crate is a good compromise between a soft-sided and a metal dog kennel. it is not the most attractive crate available, as it frequently appears to be low-cost.

Pros:

• A plastic crate is long-lasting, and it’s difficult to break the thick plastic. In addition, it often comes as a collapsible crate, making it easier to store away
• Because they can only see out of one side, they can keep aggressive breeds calm and quiet.
• Most airlines have given their approval for in-cabin and below-seat use of these plastic pet boxes.

Cons:

• Plastic dog crates do not fold flat, making storage more challenging.
• They are sturdy, but some dogs may be tempted to gnaw on them because they are made of plastic.
• Plastic absorbs odors, developing a persistent dog odor over time even though it is easy to clean.
• They’re big and heavy, and they’re a pain to transport.
• There isn’t enough ventilation.

Metal or Wire Dog Crates 

The most well-known type of dog crate is the metal crate . These crates are often made of metal wires making it the most durable crate,  well-ventilated, and give the dog and the dog owner excellent visibility.

Pros:

• The majority of metal dog crates fold up for easy transportation.
• Easy to clean.
• This type of heavy-duty dog crate is impenetrable to dogs.
• There is a lot of ventilation, and this is ideal for breeds that quickly become overheated.
• It gives the dog and the dog owner the most visibility possible.

Cons:

• These metal dog cages are not advised for reactive dogs because of their high visibility.
• They’re simple to clean, although dog hair and grime can become lodged in the crossbars over time.
• These pet cages will rust over time because they are constructed of metal.
• Because this is a heavy sort of container, it cannot be easy to move even if it folds up due to its weight.
• The dog’s nails on the metal plate make quite a racket.
• Because of the door closures, some metal dog cages are easier to escape from.

Dog Kennel sizes explained

Conclusion on dog kennel sizes

I hope you found this guide on determining the proper dog kennel size to be helpful. Remember that if you’re dealing with a young puppy, a resizable crate or a low-cost model is recommended to save money. Furthermore, depending on their size, proper fitting for all breeds of dogs is critical, especially if the crate’s objective is to aid in potty training.

We’d love to hear from you, so please leave a comment below and don’t forget to share it with others.

Picture in this post by Deric Yu on Unsplash

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