What crate size should I get?

[sarag]

Mika our standard F1b chocolate labradoodle is almost 5 months old. We purchased a crate from our breeder which has been extremely successful, for overnight use and when I work mornings. I now feel we need a bigger crate, he can't sit up straight in this one any more. (Although the breeder said they use this size for adult dogs.) Probably not a problem over night but it doesnt feel right when left during the day. He is quite a chewer so I don't feel ok to leave him out of a crate for a few hours. Our crate measures 22" x 18" x 30". I've borrowed one from a friend but its huge, it measures 30" x 28" x 42".
Any suggestions. I will post some pictures of Mika shortly.

[Bid]

A crate didn't work out for us, but I don't think I would would want to leave a dog in a crate for a few hours without the door being open, unless it was more of a pen than a crate (I'm willing to be corrected by crate users if that is the norm - but it's not what I'd do)

[marionfunnell]

I thought the rule of thumb was one hour or less is OK in the crate but not for any longer, not sure though. Anyway you could fence in a safe area rather than in the crate?
Marion

[joanneday]

There's a 36" size inbetween the 30" and 42"
I'm about to get a 36" for the caravan as it will store under the seats when flat.
We always use a 42" at home with the door closed when we're out as there's plenty of room for her to stand, sit stretch out and turn around.
Coco is a small standard size and fully gown - more collie/lab height than boxer/standard poodle so I think she'll also be fine in a 36"
I found it impossible even as a pup to doodle proof a run and she will still chew!
I find she is happy and settled in the crate anyway and will often go in of her own accord when the door is open so although they're bulky I can't see us getting rid any time soon

[sjj1953]

I have 2x 36" crates with parts of a puppy playpen attached to them so the doors are never closed and they are not cramped in any way the trouble is it takes up a lot of space

[stardoodle]

If you watch your dog sleep are they are curler or a stretcher???

My dog is a stretcher and is I would say a small standard doodle but as he stretches he needs a 42" crate. This also gives him room to have a play in his crate with his kong or his orbee ball he has enough room to roll it and pounce on it

The rule of thumb with a crate for a ADULT DOODLE is 4 hours. I never felt comfy with this so I enquired with both the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA and they clarified this as long as the dog has had exercise prior to going into the crate, has enough room to lay down, stretch stand up and stretch etc. Also as long as they don't find it a unpleasant stressful experience.

I personally would get a 42" if the dog is going to spend a lot of time in the crate, gives room for bowls of water too and a play.
I do understand tho that they take up a lot of room

Oh and regarding proofing your house against a avid doodle chewer nearly impossible hunny they are clever horrors when they want to be and will find anything to chew and cause destruction.

[Olliedoodle]

I wouldn't be without a crate - it has been a god send! We have a 42" crate, which Ollie sleeps in at night and goes in when he naps during the day. (He is a chewer and likes to get up to mischief (like jumping up and turning the gas oven on!) so the crate is the only option at night). He is also a 'stretcher' and has plenty of room to move around and stretch.

Occasionally we leave him in there when we go out (4 hours maximum, often a lot less) and he eats the frozen kong we give him and then has a sleep. We always exercise him before this.

I would definately recommend a 42".

Lucy

[Daisy(mini)Doodle]

Daisy is 48" from nose to tip of tail she sleeps in a 30" crate, and has done for the last 2 years, which is normally about 9 hours a night. We never have to force her in and often she will try to get in whilst we are assembling it. She never tries to get out either.

[KateW]

A crate didn't work out for us, but I don't think I would would want to leave a dog in a crate for a few hours without the door being open, unless it was more of a pen than a crate (I'm willing to be corrected by crate users if that is the norm - but it's not what I'd do)

Crates are a great asset and I have used one for various dogs since the 1980s but personally would not leave my dog in a closed crate for more than two hours and only then if he had had a good walk and was ready for a snooze. If I have to leave Rufus for any length of time he is confined to the kitchen and often sleeps in his open crate; when he was younger I made it a firm policy that he was left alone for about an hour every day as he could actually be with me for most of the time and I left him in the closed crate for his own safety.Although we had a couple of unexpected issues with Rufus free ranging in the kitchen ( learning to open the fridge and switching on the cooker come to mind ) we found it fairly easy to puppy proof the room.....

Rufus is a large miniature (20.5 kg) and has a 36 inch crate which he prefers to any other bed. It is important that they can sit up, stretch and change position if they are going to be in a shut crate for any length of time.

Katherine

[Bid]

I wish we had been able to crate train Daisy - but I suppose she could see Barney in his bed and wanted to be with him . I suspect that she will need a hip op at some point and will need to be crated to restrict movement, and she will undoubtedy cause trouble. When she spent a night in the vets they said she trashed her crate and pulled out her drip she was so distressed

[sarag]

Thanks for all your replies. I think at the moment we do need to use a crate but definately a different size. Until we can leave Mika in the hall, or utility safely I feel this is necessary.
Sara and Mika