Crate Size For German Shepherd

Where Did The King Shepherd Originate

As his name suggests, the King Shepherd is a king-sized Shepherd hybrid. This large breed was developed by Americans Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer.

The King Shepherd was initially bred from American and European German Shepherds, Alaskan Malamutes and Great Pyrenees. They started breeding them in the early 1990s, however, an official breed club was only established in 1995. And the rest as they say, is canine history.

The King Shepherd won an instant appeal for his high intelligence, unfailing loyalty, vigorous effort, and his attractive appearance.

Also Check: German Shepherd Husky Mix For Sale

Midwest Icrate Starter Kit Review

The absolute best look no farther crate for a German Shepherd puppy is definitely the Midwest iCrate Starter Kit.

Along with the crate, it comes with everything else you need to get your GSD pup set up in style.

Lets look at the features and pros, then well check out the few cons.

Features & Pros

• Everything you need comes in one carton, so you dont have to spend a lot of time shopping for extras.
• It even includes a free divider panel, so you can adjust the usable size as your pup grows.
• Included a 2-door iCrate, dog bed, cover and food/water bowls.
• The bowls affix to the crate so they dont spill.
• Included fleece bed and polyester cover are both machine-washable.
• Comes with a 1-year warranty on all products.
• Budget-friendly, especially when you factor in all of the extras

Cons

• Bed isnt the highest quality, and your puppy can easily chew it.
• Door isnt strong enough for super determined puppies.

Recommendation

I like that this kit comes with everything you need to get started, even if the bed isnt the best and the cover isnt waterproof.

Honestly, you shouldnt be leaving your puppy outside in a crate anyway, so the waterproof thing shouldnt be an issue.

The only real con is the door. A super strong and determined dog WILL get through it.

However, if you train your puppy to view the crate as a happy place and not something that needs escaping, it shouldnt be a major concern.

Cons

Recommendation

Things To Pack When Planning Your Road Trip

Once your German Shepherd is crate trained and has basic training it may be time for your puppys road first trip. If you have children, youll already know how much baggage you have to take in the car with you! Your puppy is no different and you should take:

• Health certificates if you are traveling out-of-state.

Also Check: How To Train A German Shepherd To Heel

What Is The Best Size Crate For A German Shepherd Puppy

Are you looking for the best crate for your german shepherd puppy?

If you have recently adopted a new german shepherd puppy, you must be thinking of buying a small size crate for him. Is it better to buy a small crate until your pup becomes an adult? Or should you buy a large one that will fit even the large size when he grows?

The answer to this question can be difficult because all the puppies have different requirements. However, every dog owner needs to buy a crate in which the puppy will feel more secure. And there wont be as much space for your dog to relieve himself out of the crate.

A large enough crate will allow your German Shepherd puppy to stand up and turn around comfortably for him to mature into an adult. But there can be control problems if you try to potty train a puppy in a crate that is too large.

A good rule of thumb is that the crate should be no larger than the backside of your German Shepherd puppy. If your puppys weight is less than 70 pounds, a 36 inch crate will be best for him.

When buying the crate for your puppy, its good to measure your pet from tip to tail and allow 2 to 4 inches of extra breathing room on all four sides.

Dog Crate Sizes Chart For All Popular Breeds

This is a dog crate size guide for common dog breeds, designed to help you choose the right size crate for your pet. But first, let me tell you two things:

Donât Miss: German Shepherd Swimming

Recommended Reading: How Often Should You Brush German Shepherd

Should I Cover My Puppys Crate At Night

A: This is a difficult question to answer. It depends on the age of your dog, how often it goes outside and how easily it can escape from its crate. If you have a young puppy that has not yet learned to escape from its crate, then covering it at night may be beneficial. However, if your older dog has already learned how to escape from its crate, then covering it at night may cause more harm than good.

Is Creating Your German Shepherd Cruel

For some owners who are new to the notion of crate training, confinement in such a small space might seem cruel or even a punishment.

But free-roaming dogs in the wild seek shelter in small, covered spaces for safety from predators and environmental harm. Using the natural history of wild dogs, you can see how German Shepherds can easily be trained to view their kennel or crate as a safe cave or their own private home away from home.

And, know whats even better?

You can help them maintain this cosy space since you can take most crates with you wherever you and your German Shepherd go.

In fact, all German Shepherds should be trained to enjoy being in a crate even if you dont plan on using one later. Learning to enjoy staying in their crates can be important for teaching your GSD that its okay to be alone and theyre safe in their private den.

In particular, your dog will be less likely to develop anxiety when separated from you down the road if you need to leave your dog for travel. Most dogs will also need to visit a groomer or veterinarians office at some point in their life, and teaching them to love their crate helps them avoid the stress of using one outside of their home.

Your German Shepherd puppy can even be trained to sleep quietly in their crate at night, giving them a warm spot that keeps you from accidentally tripping over them if they were left out and got under your feet.

You May Like: How Big Does A German Shepherd Grow

Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel

If you do not want a wire crate, this is the crate for you.

This is the kennel my German Shepherd Aura uses and she flew here from Germany in it via United Airlines. This is a giant dog crate and ideal for travel as it has tie down holes. If you plan on using this crate for airplane travel, you will just need the water bowl for it which is sold as an option.

Its almost $300 but is practically indestructible.

Features:

• 2 Year warranty

What Happens When My Dog Gets Old

Unlike humans, dogs dont go through menopause. She will go in and out of the heat for the rest of her life. The only difference is, any form of regularity with previous heat cycles will go out of the window. Forget everything you thought you knew about how long each cycle lasts.

After around 6 years, your German Shepherd is likely to have shorter heat cycles. This is especially the case if she has been pregnant before. If she becomes pregnant during the shorter heat cycles, this wont change the health of the puppies compared to a longer heat cycle.

As with all mammals, female dogs will become less fertile as they age. This doesnt mean their heat cycles will stop. This is because German Shepherds are born with all the eggs they will need in their lifetime, so they wont produce any more as they age. Instead, the eggs will begin to age and die off if they havent been used, resulting in shorter heat cycles due to less fertility.

Recommended Reading: Training German Shepherds For Protection

Also Check: How To Kennel Train A German Shepherd Puppy

How Big Is A Full

While there are some variations depending on the gender of the animal, generally speaking, a full-grown German Shepherd will stand somewhere between 22 26 inches and weigh around 50 to 90 pounds. This is the average German Shepherd size.

German Shepherds usually get to half their full weight between 4.5 and 6 months, and their adult weight between 12.5-16 months.

You can calculate their potential adult weight at 23 weeks by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two.

A different formula you could use is:

So, for example, if your 12-week old pup weighs 18 pounds. You simply divide the current weight by their age in weeks and multiply the result with 52:

18/ 12 = 1.51.5 x 52= 78 pounds

78 pounds would be the expected weight of your adult-sized German Shepherd.

Other Tips And Tricks For Air Travel With Your Dog

If youre lucky enough to be able to charter a flight, you and your pet will travel in the cabin in the lap of luxury.

If you need to fly commercial, there are a ton of things you need to know. I’ve already mentioned many of them above. The more prepared you are the better, so here are a few others too

• The first of which is NO TRANSFERS. Make sure that you reserve a nonstop flight. If you absolutely need to have a layover, make sure that both legs of the flight are with the same carrier.
• When booking your flight, call the airline directly to make your reservation. Confirm that there is cargo space available for your dog.
• I can’t stress enough how important it is to call the airline 24 to 48 hours before you travel to reconfirm your reservation. And more importantly, your dogs reservation.
• Your dog will be more comfortable if he is used to his crate, so make sure that you do several trial runs. I actually feed my dog in his crate for a week or two before we travel.

Airlines reserve the right to refuse to transport your dog for pretty much any reason they choose. Some of the reasons are:

• Extreme temperature .
• A carrier that does not meet USDA or the airlines specifications.
• If your dog is ill.
• Agitation of your dog.
• Aggressive behavior of your dog.

Also Check: German Shepherd And Golden Retriever Mix For Sale

German Shepherd Puppy Crate

What size crate for German Shepherd puppies? We know 42 48 is best for an adult GSD. But what about a puppy?

German Shepherd puppies need a crate that is the right size for them. Too small and they will be uncomfortable and unhappy. Too big and they will soil their crate.

Puppies grow quickly. So, getting the exact right size crate will get expensive if youre having to change it every few weeks.

The best solution is to start with the size you think you will eventually need when your GSD is fully grown.

Many crates come with a crate divider that you can use until they are an adult.

Overall Best Dog Crates For German Shepherds

• Divider panel included
• Easy-to-clean plastic pan

Overall Best Crate For A German Shepherd If youre looking for the best dog crate for your German Shepherd, it doesnt get much better than this single door dog crate from Frisco. Its simple, affordable, and comes with all of the features and extras that youll need to crate train your German Shepherd puppy. The included plastic pan is easy to clean, and a divider panel lets you divide the crate, and allow it to grow with your dog. It folds and has adjustable handles, making it easy to move and transport, and it has a secure, double-latch system to ensure that your German Shepherd wont accidentally escape its crate.

Pros:

• Affordable and offers great value for the price
• Available in sizes of up to 48 inches to accommodate larger German Shepherds
• Secure latching system for your dogs safety

Cons:

• Soft-sided design with strong metal structure
• Reinforced corners for a long lifespan
• Multiple ventilation screens for comfort
• Secure zipping mechanism

Pros:

• Easy to fold and transport
• Provides a dark, denlike environment for your German Shepherds comfort

Cons:

• Foldable for simple storage, transportation
• Includes leak-proof pan, carrying handle, divider

Pros:

• Made from high-grade steel wire for strength, durability
• Rounded corners keep your dog safe
• Divider panel is easy to move and remove

Cons:

Don’t Miss: What Size Dog Cage For German Shepherd

How To Choose The Right Crate Size For A Puppy

Your German Shepherd puppy needs a crate that is large enough for him to comfortably turn around in but not much else. A crate any bigger will leave room for accidents when potty training.

When your German Shepherd puppy reaches adult size, they will need to be able to comfortably stand and turn around inside the crate. For sizing, it is recommended to measure the length from their nose to the base of their tail, then add approximately 2 to 4 inches of extra room.

The good news is, a lot of large crates on the market come with dividers. These dividers can be used for puppies and can be moved as they grow and need to accommodate more space.

Purchase a crate that fits their estimated adult size and use a divider to adjust the inside space as they grow. Eventually, youll be able to remove the divider and utilize the full size of the crate. Some dog owners prefer to buy cage sizes as they grow, but this is a great option that will save you money in the long run.

Carlson Single Door Dog Crate

The Carlson Single Door Dog Crate is a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly crate. It is significantly cheaper than the MidWest Ultima Dog Crate and the BestPet Dog Crate, but it does have some drawbacks.

The most notable difference is that the Carlson only features a single door, while the MidWest and BestPet both have two doors. Additionally, the Carlson is smaller in size, so it is only recommended for German shepherd puppies.

Despite these drawbacks, the Carlson is still a great option for those on a budget as it has many of the same features as the more expensive crates such as removable and washable pans and a foldable system for portability.

A few owners had found that the wire bent too easily if their dogs were strong chewers. One reviewer even reported that his Pitbull puppy was able to break through the crate in just a few minutes.

While this may not be a problem for all dogs, its something to keep in mind if you have a German shepherd puppy with a strong chewing habit.

Pros:

• Features a removable and washable pan.
• Easy to fold and transport.

Cons:

Don’t Miss: What Types Of German Shepherds Are There

Carlson Pet Products Metal Crate

• Made from durable steel.

The Carlson Pet Products Secure and Foldable Single Door Metal Dog Crate is another strong contender. The crate is strong, sturdy, and affordable. The washable pan makes cleaning easy, and you can fold the crate when you need to store or transport it.

Unfortunately, this crate doesnt come with a divider, which means youll only want to buy this one for an adult German Shep. If you want, you could buy a divider separately, though. The lock on this crate leaves something to be desired as well. Dogs that dont get fussy will be just fine, but restless dogs might be able to break free.

We love that this crate has a removable and washable pan for easy cleaning. The 48-inch size ensures theres plenty of room, although we wouldnt recommend you go bigger than that. Anything too big may allow your GSD to use the corner to relieve himself. Its also foldable for easy storage and travel.

Popular Types Of Crates For German Shepherds

There are a few different types of crates that are commonly used for German Shepherds. Lets take a look at each one of these now.

There are some other options out there like fashion crates that are made of wood and double as side tables but the above four options are the most popular types of German Shepherd crates.

Recommended Reading: How To Train My German Shepherd Puppy

Metal Heavy Duty Dog Crates

Best match: destructive doggos

For all the doggy parents dealing with destructive dogs, I sympathize with you and hereby offer you a solution! These crates are intended for the heavy chewers, diggers, and talented escape artists. Huskies, we are looking at you

Heavy duty dog crates can be expensive, and they arent the most beautiful, but they are certainly worth it if your dog has these naughty habits. By buying one that cant be destroyed, youll be saving yourself a lot of money and stress!

Some of these models are also approved for airline travel, so you dont have to worry about your dog getting up to no good while youre in the air. Plus, if she already uses this crate at home, she will be accustomed to it and more relaxed while traveling.

Pros of Heavy Duty Crates:

• Very durable â can contain most destructive or escape artist-type dogs
• Some are approved for airline travel if your dog is already used to the crate that will make travel easier

Cons of Heavy Duty Crates:

• Not the most attractive â but your dog will sure look tough in front of her friends!

> > For our pick of the best heavy-duty dog crates, please click here.