Crate Size?

[Caramel]

Hi All,

I'm picking up my puppy in a few weeks and would like to know what size crate I need. Im planning on buying a metal crate. I was thinking of a 36"L x 23"W x 25"H would be good enough for a puppy and for when it becomes an adult. Is that too small or do you think I need to get a 42"L x 28"W x 30"H. I notice that different sites have different sizes, so a "large" might be an "extra large" on another website, and vice versa. Thanks for all your help!

[all_about_kimber]

The puppy needs just enough room to stand up and be able to turn around you don't want them to have to much room where they can use the bathroom in it. When I got my puppy I bought the biggist and it came with a divider with it so as she grew I just moved the divider back a little that way I only had to buy one.

[MicksMom]

...I was thinking of a 36"L x 23"W x 25"H would be good enough for a puppy and for when it becomes an adult. Is that too small or do you think I need to get a 42"L x 28"W x 30"H...

Either size is good for an adult Lab, depending on how big the Lab is. My Vari Kennel is 36Lx25Wx27H. It was a smidge too small for Mick as an adult and is perfect for Caleb.
For traveling, you really only want the crate big enough for them to stand up, turn around and lie back down. Otherwise, there is too much room for them to bounce around in if there is an accident (which is why we didn't get a bigger Vari Kennel for Mick). If you're only planning on using the crate in the house, go for the bigger one and either get one with a divider, or you can make one.

[Tanya]

Can you discuss this with the breeder (assuming they know the breed and their lines) - if they know their lines and crate the dogs they likely have a more solid answer for you

36" is good for most adult labs but I prefer a 42" for my guy when he was crated al long (he is tall for a lab). You can get a divider to make it smaller while the puppy is being trained to not pee in the house/crate (when they are babies you want the crate just big enough for them to stand up and turn around)

[LuvBrown]

If your pup is a female, I would go with the 36". If your pup is a male, I would opt for the 42". But if this is going to be a stationary crate, you might as well go for the bigger one. I've dropped the sizes of mine due to needing them to fit in cars or carrying them, but at home, we have the 48". Most crates even come with the dividers these days so you can make them smaller initially.