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Dog Crate Size Chart: How to Measure Your Dog
By 77 Bark Ave
The right crate is big enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lie flat, and no bigger than that while you're still housetraining. Getting there takes two measurements and about two minutes. This guide walks through how to measure your dog, gives a general dog crate size chart by weight, and shows where our wooden crates fit.
How to measure your dog for a crate
- Length (A). With your dog standing, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Don't include the tail.
- Height (B). With your dog sitting, measure from the floor to the top of the head (or the ear tips if they stand up).
- Add about 4 inches to each. That's the minimum interior length and height to look for.
Always compare against a crate's interior dimensions, not the outside. Furniture-style crates have thicker walls and a top panel, so the inside is a couple of inches smaller than the outside.
Dog crate size chart by weight
Weight is a rough guide only. Two dogs at 60 lb can be very different shapes, so use your measurements to confirm.
| Dog weight | Typical crate length | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 25 lb | About 24 in | French Bulldog, Dachshund, Cavalier, Miniature Poodle, Shih Tzu |
| 25–40 lb | About 30 in | Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi, Whippet, Shetland Sheepdog |
| 40–70 lb | About 36 in | Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Boxer, Vizsla, Springer Spaniel |
| 70–90 lb | About 42 in | Labrador, Golden Retriever, Standard Goldendoodle, Standard Poodle |
| 90 lb and up | 48 in or more | Great Dane, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard |
What size crate does my dog need? Our crates, by interior size
| Crate | Interior (L × W × H) | Exterior (L × W × H) | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| the Pad, Small | ~24.5 × 17.5 × 21.5 in | 26 × 19 × 23 in | Dogs up to about 25 lb |
| the Pad, Large | ~38 × 28.5 × 32.5 in | 39.5 × 30 × 34 in | Many dogs around 40–85 lb |
| the Den | ~40.5 × 28.5 × 33 in | 42 × 30 × 34.5 in | Many dogs around 40–85 lb, in an end-table format |
Both crates are made from premium Baltic birch plywood with a hand-stained Oak finish (Oak is the finish color; the wood is birch plywood), and both are handcrafted in the USA. Each has one front sliding door: on the Den the right side slides left, and on the Pad a clear acrylic panel slides left in front of a fixed wood-slat side. Nothing swings into the room, which matters when a crate sits beside a sofa or bed.
Worked examples
- French Bulldog, 22 lb: length 18 in, sitting height 15 in. Add 4 in: 22 × 19 in. The Pad Small's interior (24.5 in long, 21.5 in high) fits.
- Labrador, 70 lb: length 31 in, sitting height 27 in. Add 4 in: 35 × 31 in. The Pad Large (38 × 32.5 in) or the Den (40.5 × 33 in) fits.
- Greyhound, 65 lb: often sits 32–34 in tall. Add 4 in and that's above both interiors, so measure height first. Tall, lean breeds sit higher than their weight suggests.
Sizing tips
- Between sizes? Size up. A grown dog is happy with extra room.
- Puppies: buy for the adult size and block off part of the crate with a divider until housetraining is reliable.
- Too big for these crates: dogs over roughly 90 lb or 36 in long (nose to tail base). We'd rather tell you now than have you return a crate.
- Think about the room, too. Measure the spot where the crate will live. The Den stands 34.5 in tall, about end-table height; the Pad Small stands 23 in.
Dog crate size FAQ
What size crate does my dog need?
Measure your dog's length from nose to the base of the tail while standing, and height from the floor to the top of the head while sitting. Add about 4 inches to each and compare with a crate's interior dimensions, not the exterior.
What are the interior dimensions of the Pad and the Den?
The Pad Small is about 24.5 in L × 17.5 in W × 21.5 in H inside (26 × 19 × 23 in outside). The Pad Large is about 38 in L × 28.5 in W × 32.5 in H inside (39.5 × 30 × 34 in outside). The Den is about 40.5 in L × 28.5 in W × 33 in H inside (42 × 30 × 34.5 in outside).
Which crate fits a small dog like a French Bulldog, Dachshund or Cavalier?
The Pad Small is the best fit for dogs up to about 25 lb. A 22 lb French Bulldog that is 18 in long and 15 in tall sitting needs about 22 × 19 in, which fits inside the Pad Small's 24.5 in length and 21.5 in height.
Which crate fits a Labrador, Golden Retriever or other large dog?
The Pad Large and the Den both fit many dogs around 40–85 lb. A 70 lb Labrador that is 31 in long and 27 in tall sitting needs about 35 × 31 in, which fits the Pad Large (38 × 32.5 in inside) or the Den (40.5 × 33 in inside).
Will the crates fit a Greyhound, Great Dane or other tall or giant breed?
Tall, lean breeds sit higher than their weight suggests, so measure sitting height first. A Greyhound that sits 32–34 in tall needs more height than either interior offers. Dogs over roughly 90 lb or about 36 in long (nose to tail base) are too big for these crates.
Should I size up or down if my dog is between sizes?
Size up. For puppies, buy for the adult size and block off part of the crate with a divider until housetraining is reliable.
How does the door work?
Each crate has one front sliding door, so nothing swings into the room. On the Den, the right side of the front slides to the left and locks with the latch at the bottom right. On the Pad, a clear acrylic panel slides left in front of the fixed wood-slat panel.
What are the crates made of?
Both are handcrafted in the USA from furniture-grade Baltic birch plywood and hand-stained. Oak is the name of the finish color; the wood is Baltic birch plywood.
Is there a warranty?
Yes. The Den and the Pad carry a five-year furniture craftsmanship warranty. Pet damage, water damage, misuse and ordinary wear are excluded.
Can I return a crate if it doesn't fit?
You can request a return within 30 days of receiving your order, in the same condition and original packaging. Email 77barkaveCS@77barkave.com to start a return.
Next steps
Compare all of our wooden dog crates side by side. For big dogs, read large dog crate furniture: what actually fits a big dog. If you want a crate that works as a table, see the Den dog crate end table, and for small dogs or a more modern look, see the Pad.