Measure standing, from nose tip to where the tail starts — not to the tail tip.
Rule of thumb: crate length ≈ your dog's nose-to-tail-base length + 2–4 in (5–10 cm). Crate sizing labels vary slightly by brand — check the product's own dimensions before buying.
Getting the fit right
The right crate lets your dog stand up without crouching, turn around fully, and stretch out lying down — without being so large it stops feeling like a den.
Standard crate sizes
- 18–22″ (XS) — toy breeds up to ~10-15 lb (Chihuahua, Yorkie).
- 24″ (S) — small dogs up to ~25 lb (Pug, Shih Tzu, mini Dachshund).
- 30″ (M) — up to ~40 lb (Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, French Bulldog).
- 36″ (L) — up to ~70 lb (Border Collie, Bulldog, most mid-size mixes).
- 42″ (XL) — up to ~90 lb (Labrador, Golden, German Shepherd).
- 48″+ (XXL) — 90 lb+ (Rottweiler, Great Dane, Mastiff types).
Puppy tip
Buy the crate for your puppy's expected adult size and use a divider panel to shrink the space while house-training — too much room invites accidents. Not sure how big your puppy will get? Try our puppy weight predictor.
Measuring for a harness
The measurement that matters most is chest girth: wrap a soft tape around the widest part of the ribcage, just behind the front legs (snug, two fingers of slack). Also note the neck girth. Then always compare against the specific brand's size chart — a "medium" varies wildly between brands, and weight alone is a poor guide.
Common questions
Wire, plastic or soft crate?
Wire is ventilated and foldable (great at home), hard plastic is required by most airlines for travel in cargo, and soft crates suit calm, crate-trained dogs on trips. Chewers do best in wire or plastic.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
Adults generally shouldn't be crated more than 4–6 waking hours; puppies far less (roughly their age in months + 1, in hours, for bladder control). The crate is a den, not all-day storage.
What size for airline travel?
Airlines require the dog to stand upright and turn naturally in a hard-sided kennel — and each airline publishes its own dimension rules, so check the carrier's requirements before buying.