Dog Crates
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Dog Crates
A dog crate gives your dog a fixed, enclosed space to rest, sleep or travel in. Under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, every owner has a legal duty to provide a suitable environment, and getting the size right is the first part of that duty. Use the guide below to find the correct size and type before you buy.
What Size Dog Crate Do I Need?
Measure your dog from nose to the base of the tail and add roughly 10 to 15cm. Measure height from floor to the top of the head while sitting, and add a similar margin. If either measurement is a squeeze against the numbers below, choose the size above it.
| Crate size | Dog weight | Typical breeds |
|---|---|---|
| 24 inch, small | Up to 11kg | Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Jack Russell Terrier |
| 30 inch, medium | 11 to 18kg | Cocker Spaniel, French Bulldog, Beagle |
| 36 inch, large | 18 to 32kg | Labrador, Border Collie, Bulldog |
| 42 inch, extra large | 32 to 40kg | German Shepherd, Boxer, Golden Retriever |
| 48 inch, giant | 40kg and above | Great Dane, Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog |
A short, heavy dog and a tall, lean dog of the same weight often need different crate shapes, so check length and height separately rather than weight alone.
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Dog Crate Types Explained
| Type | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wire crate | Everyday home use, good airflow | Folds flat, removable tray, easiest to clean |
| Metal crate, heavy duty | Strong or anxious dogs | Thicker bars, secure locking doors |
| Wooden crate | Living rooms, doubles as furniture | Heavier, harder to clean after an accident |
| Folding or portable crate | House training, travel, visiting family | Sets up in minutes, less rigid than wire |
| Soft or fabric crate | Short trips, calm adult dogs | Lightweight, not suitable for chewers |
Wire and metal crates suit most first time buyers, since they are easy to clean and let you see your dog from every angle. Wooden crates work well once training is complete and the crate is mainly used for settling rather than containment.
Dog Crates with a Divider Panel
A divider panel splits the crate into a smaller usable space, then moves back as your dog grows. One crate can then cover a puppy from around 8 weeks old through to adulthood, rather than buying two or three crates as they grow. Check that the divider clips securely in place, since a loose panel can shift and reduce the safe floor space without you noticing.
Puppy Crates: Buy for the Adult Size
Buy the crate your puppy will need at full adult size, then fit a divider panel to reduce the usable space while they are small. A crate that is too large for a young puppy from the start can slow house training, because the puppy learns to use one end as a toilet and sleep in the other. The Kennel Club also advises checking that mesh gaps are narrow enough that a puppy's mouth or jaw cannot get caught.
Dog Crate or Dog Kennel: What is the Difference?
In the UK, crate usually means an indoor, portable enclosure, wire, metal or soft sided, used for short periods at home or in the car. Kennel more often refers to an outdoor, insulated structure built for a dog to live in permanently, or to a boarding facility. The two words get used loosely in everyday conversation, so if you want an indoor training and travel product, crate is the correct category to search.
Dog Travel Crates for Car Journeys
The Highway Code, Rule 57, requires dogs to be suitably restrained in a vehicle so they cannot distract the driver or be injured if the car stops suddenly. A travel crate, secured so it cannot slide or tip, is one of four accepted restraint methods, alongside a seat belt harness, a pet carrier and a dog guard.
For car use, choose a crate slightly smaller than your dog's everyday home crate. A smaller, well fitted space limits how far your dog can be thrown during braking, while still allowing them to stand, turn and lie down. Secure the crate using the car's seat belt or boot anchor points rather than leaving it loose.
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Dog Crate Bedding and Covers
A crate needs washable bedding sized to fit the base without folding up the sides, since bunched bedding reduces usable space. A crate cover, fitted over the top, back and sides but leaving the front and some ventilation clear, can help a nervous dog settle by reducing visual stimulation, particularly during the first few weeks of introducing a new crate.
Crate Training and Safety Basics
A crate should always be a place your dog chooses to go to, not somewhere they are sent as a punishment. PDSA advises against leaving a dog crated for longer than three hours at a time, and less than that for a dog who is not yet used to it.
-
1
Introduce with the door open
Let your dog explore in their own time, with treats placed inside.
-
2
Feed meals inside
Build a positive association before closing the door for short spells.
-
3
Add short absences
Stay in the room first, then leave for a few minutes at a time.
-
4
Build up gradually
Extend the time slowly, always ending on a calm, quiet moment.
For the full week by week process, including night time settling and how to spot early signs of distress, see our complete guide to crate training a dog or puppy.
Why Buy Your Dog Crate From Us
We already specialise in UK car travel safety for dogs, covering Highway Code compliance, restraint types and crash safety standards across our dog car seat range. That same focus carries into our crate range. Every listing states internal dimensions in centimetres and inches, maximum recommended dog weight, and whether the crate is suited to home use, car use, or both, so you can check fit before you buy rather than after.
Dog Crate FAQs
Are dog crates safe for dogs?
Yes, when sized correctly and introduced gradually with a positive association rather than as punishment. A properly fitted crate meets a dog's need for a suitable environment under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
What size dog crate do I need for a medium dog?
Most dogs weighing 11 to 18kg, such as a Cocker Spaniel or French Bulldog, fit a 30 inch crate. Always confirm against your own dog's length and height rather than weight alone.
Can two dogs share one crate?
Only if the crate is specifically sized and rated for two dogs. Fitting two dogs into a single dog crate reduces the space and support available to each of them.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
PDSA recommends no longer than three hours at a time for an adult dog used to their crate, and shorter periods for puppies, who also need more frequent toilet breaks.
Is a wire crate or a soft crate better for a puppy?
Wire and metal crates suit most puppies best during house training, since they are easier to clean thoroughly and more resistant to chewing than soft sided crates.
Do I need a crate cover?
Not always, but a cover can help nervous dogs settle by reducing visual distraction, particularly in a busy household.
Sources
- RSPCA, Playpen and crate training a puppy
- PDSA, Crate training your dog
- Blue Cross, Dog crates
- The Kennel Club, How to crate train your dog
- Animal Welfare Act 2006, Section 9, legislation.gov.uk
- Highway Code, Rule 57, gov.uk