Size of crate

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

Right now Isis is in a small plastic crate. It is one that I have for taking my cat/s to the vet. it measures 22 long x 12 high and I am thinking maybe she needs to move on up to the large crate I have that is 24 long x 20 high.

Isis can still turn around and lay down and turn around and lay in a ball in the small one but she has to duck to get in and cant stand up all the way though her shoulders dont touch the top just cant raise her head up.

She is measuring right at 20 inches long and 13 inches tall at this point. She is very comfy in there as far as liking her crate but I wonder if I should go ahead and upgrade? What do you all think?

I will eventually have to buy a much larger crate but I am using these since I already had them.

[Theresa]

I have the 42 inch one with the divider that "grew" with my puppies

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

Can you get a plastic crate with a divider? I never ran across one. I dont want to use a wire crate unless I absolutely have to.

Like I mentioned I am using these other crates because I already have them and it saved me $ doing so. I know I will eventually need a large crate and I am planning for that but for now I cant decide if she needs to go into the larger crate or if I should leave here where she is for a few more weeks.

[BoxerPerson]

She should be able to stand completely with her head raised.  Get her in a bigger crate.  Plastic crates do not have dividers, only wire that I have seen. I would invest in the wire one, but I have a preference for them. 

[Samsons Mom]

I have a 42" wire crate I got off ebay around $70, I never used the divider when he was a puppy. Samson hates the plastic kennels.

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

I was thinking of a wire crate but then I saw a video on youtube where he was talking about dogs getting their legs hung in the wire and causing damage so that kinda put me off on it.

What do you all think about wire crates vs. plastic?

[Theresa]

Wire crates are good becuase they allow anlot of ventialtion and have the divider. Plus they fold down pretty nicely

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

She should be able to stand completely with her head raised.  Get her in a bigger crate.  Plastic crates do not have dividers, only wire that I have seen. I would invest in the wire one, but I have a preference for them. 

I will put her in the larger crate probably tomorrow since she is already asleep for the night now. That will give her all day tomorrow to get used to her new bigger den before night time.

[BoxerPerson]

The wire crates we use have a plastic tray covering the bottom wire so I don't see how it can hurt their legs...You do not need the largest crate yet, a 36" (long) will do, and maybe for her entire life.  

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

Is $73 a good price for a 48" wire crate?

The wire crates we use have a plastic tray covering the bottom wire so I don't see how it can hurt their legs...You do not need the largest crate yet, a 36" (long) will do, and maybe for her entire life. 

It was the sides of the crate the guy was referring to on the video.

[BoxerPerson]

That is way to large! 36" is a good size for a female.

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

Thank you I didnt know. So if I get a 36" that should do her for life right? Her dad is a big boy 70-80 pds and her mama is probably on the large side as well. 60-70 pds. so if she takes after both them will 36" be enough?

[Bumpy]

Both mine are in 42" crates full grown. But they have lots of room to be comfy. If you have a smaller one, use it till she needs bigger. I like wire for ventilation in hot weather. As you know, as pups learning poty training they should not have alot of extra room but I believs when older and reliable some strech room is nice.

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

Yes I am going to use the large plastic crate for now. OH is getting a lot of work right now so I will buy her a wire crate in the next few weeks and use the divider. I like the idea of more ventilation I just dont want her to get hurt.

So what size should I go with 36" or 42" I want her to have plenty of room to be comfortable down the road.

[BoxerWB]

Do you know the height of the parents?  Height is more indicative of what crate size you need.  Xena is 23" tall at the shoulders and a 36" crate is OK but not great for her. We use a 42" for my boy, who's 26" high.

You want a crate that is a couple of inches taller than her shoulders at adult height.  I doubt she'd need a 48" unless her parents are really tall. She might need a 42" if she's just a little too tall for a 36".