What size crate?

[Will I Am]

We have a 10 week Goldendoodle arriving in two weeks and i'm starting to accumulate all the gear required for his and our home acclimating process. What size crate should i get that will allow him comfort without the ability to use it as a bathroom? Our friends are giving us a wire crate that seems too big for a puppy but, will probably be perfect when he is older. Any opinions on size and style would be appreciated.

There will most likely be a thousand more questions i will be posting given my beginner's knowledge on puppy rearing.

Thanks!

[Sandy]

Get a large size crate with a divider. You can divide off a smaller section for your puppy at the beginning, and gradually move the divider back as the puppy grows. Toby is 4 months old, and the divider is now about 6 inches from the back of the crate. He's growing fast!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I have a medium size for Lucca but he won't get more than 35-40 lbs. I also used the divider when he was 8 weeks through around 10 weeks. As Sandy said, get the crate with the divider then puppy can grow into it. Good luck

[Adina P]

I prefer wire crates as they are easier to clean (sometimes). And you have the option to either leave the crate uncovered so puppy can see out or cover it to make it more den like and cozy. What size were puppy's parents? Get one that would fit the LARGEST parent and get one with a divider so you can make it temporarily smaller.

[Will I Am]

My puppy will grow to around 60 pounds according to the breeder. The parents were a standard sized poodle and retriever (fairly large). I have a crate that a friend no longer needs that seems to be on the large size but has no divider. I suppose i could build some sort of make shift divider. Thanks for the response. I guess the one drag of getting a Christmas puppy will be the curtailed social part of the season.

[Ali]

I think that is such a great idea to make your own divider. Maybe use some chicken wire or something along those lines, depending on how handy your are with tools. I have a medium goldendoodle who is only suppossed to be 35 lbs. fully grown. However, I got a very large crate for her, a crate that is made for a dog up to 70 lbs. I used the divider until she was able to hold it for a few hours and then took it out. She used to not like her crate when she had the divider, but now that it is huge for her she goes in their by herself. So I say go with your friends large crate. You could also try calling the company that made your friends crate to ask if they can sell you a divider that was made specifically for the crate. Good luck!

[Ali]

That's a great idea. In fact, I am done using my divider if you need one for a crate for dogs as big as 70lbs from Precision Pet Products. I am sure we could work out some sort of shipping arrangement.