For most puppies, the answer is a wire crate sized for the dog they will grow into, with a divider panel to shrink the space while they are small. Wire is sturdy, easy to clean and lets air through; the PDSA calls wire crates "Ideal for most dogs". Skip a soft fabric crate while the puppy chews, and pick a rigid plastic crate if you plan to fly or your puppy settles better somewhere enclosed.
Puplr earns from some links on this page. We have not tested these products; the guide is built from the sources listed at the bottom and Puplr's breed data. How we write guides.
Which crate for your puppy
Crates come in five main kinds. Here is what vets, trainers and welfare charities say about each, in their own words.
| Type | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| WireFolding metal mesh | Most puppies. The PDSA calls wire crates "durable, sturdy, and well-ventilated". They fold flat, and divider panels are made for them. | "If dogs try to chew the wires, they can injure their teeth or jaws" (VCA). Not for flying, and VCA says not sturdy enough to protect a dog in the car. |
| PlasticRigid, often called a flight kennel | Air travel and dogs that like a den. "Reduced visual stimulation may reduce over-arousal and fear" (VCA). Easy to clean. | Does not fold. Preventive Vet notes low airflow "can cause a dog to overheat in hot weather", and some dogs are more stressed when they cannot see out. |
| SoftFabric on a frame | Light and folds away. Handy for travel and short stays with a dog that does not chew. | "Not suitable for puppies or dogs who like to chew things" (PDSA). Hard to clean after an accident, and easy to escape from. |
| Heavy dutyWelded or riveted metal box | Dogs that chew or break out. VCA: "Dog cannot escape or damage the crate by chewing". | Heavy, and VCA lists "Expensive to purchase". |
| Furniture styleWood, doubles as a side table | A crate that lives in the sitting room for years. | AKC says wood crates are "harder to clean", and Preventive Vet says "some dogs like to chew on wood". |
PetMD sums up the brief for a young dog: "An easy-to-clean, durable material that does not attract chewing is usually the best fit for younger dogs." For most puppies that is wire.
What size: buy for the adult, divide for the puppy
Size the crate for the adult dog, then block off the back with a divider so the puppy only has room to stand, turn round and lie down. AKC suggests "an expandable crate that's as large as the typical adult size of your dog's breed", and PetMD says the same: "Dividers can be moved back as the puppy grows so the crate can grow with them."
The divider matters for toilet training. VCA explains why: "If they have too much extra space, they may turn half of the crate into their bathroom. However, with an appropriately sized crate, they'll become reluctant to eliminate in their bedding."
To measure, Preventive Vet's method is the one Puplr's calculator uses: with the dog standing, nose to the base of the tail, and with the dog sitting, floor to the top of the head, then "Add 2 to 4 inches" to each. Then check the fit the way PetMD describes it: the dog can "stand up with ease", "comfortably turn around", has "at least 2 inches of clearance above their head" when sitting, and can "fully extend their limbs" lying on its side.
A puppy cannot be measured for their adult size, so the published adult weight of the breed is the next best guide. These are the standard sizes and the adult weights each suits:
| Size and typical dogs | L x W x H | Adult weight |
|---|---|---|
| 18 inchToy breed puppies | 18 x 12 x 14 in46 x 30 x 36 cm | 0 to 6 lb0 to 2.7 kg |
| 22 inchChihuahua, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian | 22 x 14 x 16 in56 x 36 x 41 cm | 6 to 12 lb2.7 to 5.4 kg |
| 24 inchShih Tzu, Bichon Frise, Havanese | 24 x 18 x 20 in61 x 46 x 51 cm | 13 to 25 lb5.9 to 11.3 kg |
| 30 inchBeagle, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Corgi | 30 x 20 x 23 in76 x 51 x 58 cm | 26 to 40 lb11.8 to 18.1 kg |
| 36 inchEnglish Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, Pit Bull Terrier | 36 x 24 x 26 in91 x 61 x 66 cm | 41 to 70 lb18.6 to 31.8 kg |
| 42 inchLabrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Boxer | 42 x 28 x 30 in107 x 71 x 76 cm | 71 to 90 lb32.2 to 40.8 kg |
| 48 inchBernese Mountain Dog, German Shepherd, Rottweiler | 48 x 30 x 32 in122 x 76 x 81 cm | 90 to 110 lb40.8 to 49.9 kg |
Sizes, weight bands and example breeds from the PetMD dog crate sizing chart (updated 10 October 2023), as used by Puplr's crate size calculator. Centimetres and kilograms are Puplr's conversions. PetMD's own caveat: base the size on your dog's measurements, not weight or breed alone. Source.
Puppies are a long way off their adult weight for months. At six months, the chart behind Puplr's size predictor puts them here:
| Adult size | At 6 months | From |
|---|---|---|
| Small0 to 9.1 kg as an adult | 75 % | AKC percentage chart, 6 months |
| Medium9.1 to 22.7 kg as an adult | 66 % | AKC percentage chart, 6 months |
| Large22.7 to 45.4 kg as an adult | 60 % | AKC percentage chart, 6 months |
| Extra large45.4 to 100 kg as an adult | 50 % | AKC percentage chart, 6 months |
Share of adult weight from the growth data behind Puplr's adult size predictor. Size classes are the AKC chart's own, by adult weight; they are not standard between organisations. Source.
Giant breeds need the most care. 21 of the 24 giant breeds in Puplr's records have a published adult weight range that reaches 50 kg or more, past the 49.9 kg top of the 48 inch band, so measure the grown dog and look at extra large sizes:
And 9 more in the breed guides.
What to look for
- A divider that comes with the crate. Preventive Vet lists "divider panels available to accommodate growing puppies" among the reasons to pick wire. Crate maker MidWest adds that the panel "should fit extremely snug across the width of the crate, not the length."
- The right size for the adult. Use the crate size calculator with your breed, then measure once the puppy is home.
- Room for the bedding. PetMD: "crate mats and dog beds will take up additional space."
- Easy to clean. PetMD: "Metal and plastic crates tend to be easier to clean than fabric crates."
- Sturdy, with rounded corners. PetMD says a sturdy crate "helps prevent chewing and the damage it can cause", and to choose one "with rounded corners".
- Air on all sides. AKC: "All dog crates require proper ventilation holes or mesh fabric on the sides for your dog to breathe properly."
- A quiet door. AKC reports that some dogs avoid the crate because of the way the door closes, "especially if it makes a noise or has swung shut and hit the dog by accident."
Claims that do not hold up
"A bigger crate is kinder." Not while you are toilet training. Too much space gives the puppy a corner to use as a toilet (VCA, above). Bigger is right for the adult, which is what the divider is for. Too small is worse: the PDSA's tip is "too big is better than too small", Blue Cross says "If in doubt it is better that the kennel is on the large side rather than too small", and PetMD says that if any of its fit checks are too tight, go up a size.
"Any crate is safe in the car." The UK Highway Code lists a "dog cage" among the ways of restraining a dog in a car, but it sets no crash standard. VCA lists "Not sturdy enough to protect your dog during car travel" against folding wire crates, and Preventive Vet reports that in the Center for Pet Safety's crash tests "regular metal dog crates did not fare well". The RSPCA adds: "don't travel with your puppy in their adult-sized crate".
"A wire crate will do for flying." Airlines work to IATA's rules, which say "Containers made entirely of welded wire mesh, or any other type of wire mesh are not suitable and must not be used for air transport." Soft carriers are only allowed in the cabin.
"Covering the crate always helps." It helps many dogs: Dogs Trust suggests a blanket over the top and sides "to exclude draughts and reduce sounds from outside", and the RSPCA says a part cover "can help nervous dogs". But a trainer quoted by PetMD warns that "a cover can cause a crate to heat up and should only be done if someone is home to supervise". Leave the front open, as the PDSA suggests, and take the cover off if the crate gets warm.
"A crated puppy is fine through a work day." The RSPCA: "It's never acceptable to shut your dog in the crate all day while you go to work." Humane World for Animals says puppies under 6 months "shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time", and SPCA New Zealand says "no more than 2-3 hours" in the day without a toilet and play break.
"A crate fixes separation anxiety." Humane World for Animals: "Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety won't solve the problem." A panicking dog can hurt itself trying to get out.
The kit
Everything that goes with the crate, linked to search results for your country so you compare current products yourself. Nothing here is named, because we have not tested any of it. If the crate will travel in the car, the Center for Pet Safety keeps its own list of crash tested products.
How to set it up
- Put it by your bed for the first nights. Humane World for Animals suggests the bedroom or a nearby hallway at first, because puppies "often need to go outside to eliminate during the night". Move it gradually once the puppy sleeps through.
- Give it a daytime spot in the family room. The PDSA's version: "a quiet, draught-free spot, out of direct sunlight where your dog can see everything and feel part of the family".
- Set the divider so the puppy can stand, turn round and lie flat, and move it back as the puppy grows.
- Keep the bedding simple. AKC warns that "Many puppies prefer to go potty on soft, porous surfaces" and suggests waiting until the puppy stops having accidents or shredding fabric before adding a bed or blankets. Humane World asks for bedding that is "washable and appropriate for your dog's size and chewing habits".
- Take the collar off. AKC: "For safety, always take your dog's collar off when they're in the crate." Preventive Vet explains that tags and collars "can get caught in crate bars, creating a strangulation hazard".
- Build up the time slowly, and never use it as punishment. The full plan, with time limits by age, is in crate training.
Common questions
Wire or plastic crate for a puppy?
Wire for most puppies at home: it folds, it usually comes with a divider and the puppy can see out. Plastic if you will fly, or if your puppy settles better enclosed. VCA notes that plastic crates "Can be used for airline travel" while folding wire crates are "Not approved for airline travel".
Do I need a crate with a divider?
If the puppy will grow much, yes. One adult sized crate with a divider replaces several smaller crates, and it stops the puppy using a spare end as a toilet. If yours has no divider, Preventive Vet suggests "using a large box to block off the back section of the crate".
What size crate does a puppy need?
The size the adult dog will need. Pick your breed in the crate size calculator, or measure: nose to base of tail standing, floor to top of head sitting, plus 2 to 4 inches each. PetMD says to base it on "your dog's measurements, and not their weight or breed alone".
Can a puppy use a soft crate?
Not while they chew. The PDSA says fabric crates are "Not suitable for puppies or dogs who like to chew things", and Blue Cross says they are "not suitable for destructive dogs".
Should I cover my puppy's crate?
Try it and watch the puppy. A cover over the top and sides can block draughts and noise, but keep the front open, keep air moving, and do not cover it in hot weather or when nobody is home.
How we worked this out
We did not test any crates. This guide is built from what welfare charities, veterinary authors, a kennel club, a dog trainer, a crate maker, the airline industry body and the UK Highway Code publish, all opened and read on 3 October 2026, and quoted word for word where they are quoted. Every source is listed below.
The tables and counts come from Puplr's own data: the crate sizes and weight bands are PetMD's sizing chart as used by the crate size calculator, the share of adult weight at six months comes from the AKC growth chart behind the adult size predictor, and the breed counts and lists come from Puplr's 384 breed records, whose adult weights come mostly from the AKC and other kennel clubs, with PetMD and Purina UK for crosses and a few others.
Where the sources disagree, we have said so above. The main differences:
- How to measure. Preventive Vet measures length to the base of the tail and height sitting, then adds 2 to 4 inches. AKC measures to the tip of the tail with the dog standing and adds 3 to 4 inches. Puplr uses Preventive Vet's method, because, as Preventive Vet puts it, including the full tail gives a crate that is too large.
- One crate or several. Most sources say buy for the adult size. VCA instead says you "might need to start with a smaller crate and then increase the size", and Dogs Trust says you may need a larger crate as the puppy grows. PetMD and the PDSA offer both: PetMD says buying several crates is "a good option when the adult size of the pup is difficult to estimate".
- Example breeds against weight. PetMD's chart lists the Rottweiler and the Bernese Mountain Dog under 48 inch, but the published adult weights in Puplr's records, up to 61.2 kg and 52.2 kg, go past that band's 49.9 kg top. Gaps like that are why PetMD says to measure the dog.
- Time limits. The RSPCA gives about three hours for a dog used to their crate, and Blue Cross and the PDSA set three hours as the maximum; Humane World gives three or four hours for puppies under 6 months; SPCA New Zealand gives 2 to 3 hours for puppies.
- Bedding. AKC suggests holding off on a soft bed or blankets until accidents and shredding stop; Humane World for Animals simply asks for bedding that is washable and suits the dog's chewing habits.
This guide was drafted with an AI writing tool and checked against every source listed. Read more about how we write buying guides.