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Wondering what size crate to get your golden retriever?
The answer is a bit more complicated than you might think…
You have to factor in what size they currently are, what size they are going to be, and how much room they’ll need at each size.
In this article, we’ll break down what size crate puppy and adult golden retrievers need, and you’ll learn how to choose a crate with videos and pictures to help you make the right decision.
Let’s dive in!
Why Do Golden Retrievers Need A Crate?
Before we get into the best size crate for goldens, it’s important to understand the necessity of having a crate in the first place.
Crates are great for two things:
- Helping with potty training
- Keeping puppies safe
Picture this: you have a 9-week-old puppy, you’re making dinner, and the kids are doing their homework… what’s the puppy doing?
Puppies are curious and mischevious, so unless they’re sleeping, playing with someone, or going to town on a chew toy, it’s likely that they’re doing something they shouldn’t be doing.
They could be going potty in the house, chewing up your shoes, or worse, swallowing something they shouldn’t be swallowing, like a sock, or swallowing something poisonous, like a grape.
The reason why crates are so good for potty training is that they don’t like to go potty where they sleep, so they’ll typically hold it if they’re in the crate.
Some people may think crates are cruel, but in addition to crates helping potty training and keeping them safe (which is pretty much a non-negotiable point), most puppies learn to love their crates.
Dogs are natural den animals (which is why they lay under chairs or tables) so once they realize the crate is their safe space, they’ll be comfortable in it.
Alright, now that it’s clear why puppies need a crate, let’s dive into getting the right size for them.
What Size Crate For Golden Retrievers
The best size crate for golden retrievers is a 42″ crate.
Puppies grow quickly, and crates need to be just big enough for them to lay down and be comfortable in, so instead of getting a new crate for them every few weeks, a 42″ crate with a divider works very well.
Crates need to be just the right size because if a crate is too small, your puppy will be cramped and uncomfortable, but if it’s too big, they may decide that they can pee on one side and still happily sleep on the other.
We got our puppy Oliver a 42″ crate with a divider and it has worked out very well.
Above is a picture of him as a 10-pound puppy in the 42″ crate with the divider.
Below is a picture of him at around 65 pounds and almost a year old in the same crate, but obviously without the divider.
This is the Amazon Basics 42″ crate with two doors.
In addition to the crate, we got him a simple bed to make it more comfortable for him.
Bonus tip: get two beds, just in case an accident happens at night and you don’t have time to clean it.
What Type Of Crate To Get Your Golden Retriever
In addition to asking yourself what size of crate to get, you also need to consider what type of crate to get.
Here are several types of crates:
- Wire
- Soft-sided
- Heavy Duty
- Plastic
- Decorative
In these next few sections, we’ll do a breakdown of the pros and cons of these different types of crates.
Wire Crates
Wire crates are probably the most common dog crate, as well as the cheapest.
They’re made out of metal wire and usually come with a removable plastic pan for the bottom.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Easy to set up and break down
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Cheap
- Most come with an easy-to-install divider
Cons:
- Heavy
- Not exactly the best-looking crates
This is the type of crate we got for Oliver.
Watch the video below to see how they can be set up and broken down.
Amazon Basics Wire Crate [VIDEO]
This is a 32″ crate, but the concept is the same for the 42″ version.
Soft-Sided Crate
Soft-sided crates are obviously crates with soft sides, usually made out of screen and canvas or similar materials.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Great for traveling and transportation
- Easy to store
Cons:
- Harder to clean
- Can be chewed or torn up (this may be a problem for golden retrievers)
- More expensive than wire crates
Heavy Duty Crates
Heavy-duty crates are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable.
Pros:
- Durable (good for very destructive dogs)
- Easy to clean
- Hard to escape (good for dogs who think they’re Houdini)
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy (and hard to transport)
- Harder to store when not in use
Plastic Crates
Plastic crates are obviously crates made of plastic and are more closed-in and private than some of the other types.
Pros:
- Great for travel
- Private (good for shy dogs, or dogs that need to calm down or go to sleep)
- Ugly (no offense plastic crates)
Cons:
- Harder to clean
- Bulkier to store than some of the other types of crates
Decorative Dog Crate
Decorative dog crates are crates that both act as a dog crate and as a decorative piece of furniture.
They can act as tables, shelves, or just a nice-looking dog crate.
Pros:
- Look great
- Dual-purpose
Cons:
- More expensive
- Hard to clean
- Not as durable (usually made of wood and can be destroyed by destructive dogs)
- Hard to transport
Crates For Traveling
Golden retrievers usually love going places, and if you’re like most golden retriever owners, you’ll want to take them with you everywhere you go.
The question is, how do you travel with your golden retriever?
When riding in the car with them, you have three options:
- Car harness
- Crate
- Unrestrained
Many people choose a car harness, like this one from Kurgo.
It’s relatively cheap, and can keep your dog secure in a crash.
However, if the accident is very bad, you might be wishing they were in a crate, such as the G1 Crate from Gunner Kennels.
It’s got great safety ratings and some incredible stories of them saving dogs in car crashes.
It’s a lot more expensive, but more likely to keep your dog safe in a bad accident.
The other option is to let your dog ride unrestrained in the car, which is not recommended for several reasons:
- They can fly through the windshield or rattle around the car in a bad accident
- After an accident happens they could escape the car and run into the road
- Dogs can easily distract you if they’re not restrained, which could cause an accident
So whether you choose a crate or car harness, please restrain your dog while traveling.
Now the final question you might have about crates is where to put them…
Where To Put The Dog Crate
Where you put the crate has a lot to do with the success of crate training.
Golden retrievers love being around people, so make sure to put the crate in a room that you’re often in.
Usually that’s the kitchen, living room, or bedroom.
Some people also have multiple crates, such as one in the bedroom for bedtime, and one in the kitchen or living room for during the day.
Conclusion
It can be tough to decide what size crate to get your golden retriever since they grow so quickly, but we’ve loved our 42″ crate with a divider.
The divider helped us get through the puppy stages and now that Oliver is an adult, he can still fit in there comfortably.
Have any questions about which crate to get for your golden retriever puppy?
Let me know in the comments below!
And if you know someone who needs to get a crate for their golden retriever, please share this with them.
P.S. If you liked this article, you’ll love the Complete Guide To Golden Retrievers!
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Hi Jake and Oliver 🙂
Can I use indoors kennel for my golden, instead of a crate? I can’t stand the idea of having my golden in a crate
Hi Sanna, the main thing is to have a place somewhere safe for your golden where they can be without being monitored.