crates sizes for doodle

[Mary ann & Lincoln]

We use a crate for Lincoln at night and if we go out. He is 4 mos old and 31 lbs. Cannot say he would go in by himself. He doesn't give us a problem to go in at those times. I have a small 24 in crate ( we had it from previous dog) We need to buy a new one and not sure which size to get. the 36 in says for dogs up to 70 lbs, but it isn;lt that much bigger than what we have so not sure to get the 42 in for full grown size. the breeder says she thinks he will be around 65 lbs. His father is 73 lbs. What size do you have for your full grown doodle. Also do you have the wire or the plastic type.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have a 36 inch one that is way too small for Calla at 65 lbs. she used to go in it often to rest but not anymore. Both dogs have very large, possibly 42, or maybe even 48 inch crates that they are in when I'm not home. They can stand, turn around etc, which I think is important. I think bigger is better.

[Katie]

We are different here. We brought the biggest wire cage and use it with newspaper at one end and a cardboard box with bedding at the other. Then if the worst happens she won't soil her 'den'. As she grows we remove the cardboard box and and newspaper and just have bedding in the crate. Bonnie (11weeks) has not yet soiled the crate, but I do get up to take her out at night.

The crate is in the living room and we throw a blanket over it to make it more private. She will nap in there during the day. She has only been home alone once....not had her long....and she went in the crate with a deer tendon to chew.

We have done this with 3 dogs now. We get rid of the crate when they can be trusted not to chew...about 8 months-1 year. All my dogs have been clean and dry inside by 12 weeks.


Katie

Edited to add. 48 inches diagonally measured the way you would a TV screen corner to corner. This is for a small puppy. She will be out of it by a year at the latest.

[Lynda Kamrath]

It depends on what you are using it for.  If they are in their crate a lot, you want a large one so they can move around a little.  I have the smaller crates for the car and my puppies are always in the crate in the car.  It is safe and protects the car and you.  I don't use crates in the house, but we are always home or the dogs are in the back yard.  Once they are past the chewing stage, I don't use crates in the car either, but our car is all set up for dogs.  (Harpo, Zeppo, and Jackson (visitor)).

[Wendy and Myla]

I too got a big wire cage and it had a removable divider that we could use when Myla was small and remove as she got bigger - It was also collapsible so that we could take it in the RV and set it up outside if we wanted to.  I think we only used it for a couple months though, as it took up so much room in our bedroom so we got rid of it and let Myla have the run of the bedroom at night - she hadn't chewed on anything but toys beforehand so we were quite confident in our decision.  Our local SPCA has a whole warehouse full of used crates (all sizes and kinds) and you pay by donation - I'm so glad we got it there and didn't spend a lot of money as we never use it at all anymore - we donated it back to the SPCA.  So I guess what I'm saying is if you think you will always be using a crate after he is 8 months to a year, then I would spend the money and buy a good large one that he will be able to turn around in, but if you're not sure, maybe see if you can get a used one until you know what you want and when you would use it. 

[jenn D]

I also have the biggest wire crates available for all of our doodles. I know they go by weight but all of my boys are tall! They range from 25.5-28 inches at the withers (shoulder blades). I think the weight estimates for crates don't take into account tall breeds. I want them to be able to turn around in them without their heads always down. Now seeing 4 XXL crates in oir master bedroom....kind of unsightly. Lol!