Dog Crates For German Shepherds

Choose The Right Crate

Crate training starts with choosing the right crate. With all the information and recommendations we have listed in this article, it should be easier to narrow down your choices.

Wire crates are popular for most dogs however, if you plan on traveling, you want to find an enclosed crate that is durable and easy to transport.

Why Should I Buy A German Shepherd Dog Bed

I know I want the best for my dog when it comes to her comfort. Especially since German Shepherds weigh up to 90 pounds or more and this can put a lot of stress on their joints.

Just like you, your dog needs deep, comfortable sleep to wake up feeling rested and ready to keep you company.

When sleeping your German Shepherd needs:

• a place that quiets and out of the way of foot traffic
• to lie off the floor so they dont put pressure on their joints which causes pain
• a hygienic place to sleep that you can clean so they stay healthy

A dog bed for your German Shepherd is not only the perfect way to say you love your dog, but its also a safe zone for your companion to enjoy when the world seems a bit too hectic for them.

Lets dig a little deeper into why you need to buy the best beds for German Shepherds, even puppies.

How To Determine The Proper German Shepherd Crate Size

One of the most important parts about purchasing a suitable crate for your German Shepherd is making sure you get one thats the right size for your pet. This breed of dog can be super active and excitable, so they need a little room to move around within the crate.

To ensure you get the right size crate for your dog , dont just estimate your dogs size and guess which will be best. Heres how to measure up your pet:

Once youve got these numbers, itll be easy to see which crates are suitable for your dog and which will allow them a little freedom of movement while also still being secure and enclosed enough to keep your dog safe.

Now that you know how to measure your dog, lets take a look at the very best options out there on the market.

Read Also: Is Purina Dog Chow Good For German Shepherds

What Is A German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a large breed of dog thats considered to be the second most popular breed of dog in the US.

These powerful dogs can weigh up to 90 pounds, standing up to 31 inches at the shoulder, so youll need a large dog crate to accommodate this breed. German Shepherds are loved for their confidence, loyalty, and protective nature, although they can be suspicious and aloof with strangers. Shepherds have a very strong work ethic and for many years have been used as working dogs by both law enforcement and the military.

German Shepherds are heavy shedders, having a double coat, consisting of a thick, fluffy undercoat and an outer layer of long, water-repellent guard hairs. Twice a year, the coat is blown, when the undercoat is shed in line with the changing seasons of spring and fall.

Where Should Your German Shepherd Puppy Sleep

While some people believe crate training any dog is cruel, thats not necessarily true. Crate training should never be used as a punishment or a substitute for spending time with your dog, but theres nothing wrong with crate training a dog as long as you do it correctly. According to the professionals, your German shepherd puppy should sleep indoors in a crate. Not only does crating your dog at night make housebreaking easier, but it also keeps your dog safe. Puppies, especially German shepherd puppies, explore the world with their noses, which can lead them to mischief. If your pup is sleeping soundly in a crate, he wont be able to chew your shoes, furniture, or garbage while you sleep.

Crate training is one of the most controversial topics amongst dog owners, but research shows that crating your dog can help her feel safe and secure. Make sure your dogs crate isnt sitting near a hot window or near a drafty spot, always keep water in the crate, and remember that crating your dog should never be used as punishment. With time and patience, your German shepherd will come to view her crate as her den, and she might even choose to spend time there on her own.

Editors’ Recommendations

Recommended Reading: Stop German Shepherd From Biting

Midwest Lifestages Double Door Crate 48

This crate is 48 inches wide, which is perfect for medium to large dogs. It has two doors that open from the top and the sides, making it easy for your dog to get in and out. The crate also has a divider inside so you can keep your dog separate from other animals.

This all-steel kennel from Midwest comes with a double door and secure locking system. The crate includes 4 slide-bolt latches to keep your pet safely inside.

The LifeStages kennel folds down flat for portability, and the MidWest Exercise Pen fits snugly against the cage to create a larger play area for your German Shepherd puppy.

The MidWest LifeStages crate includes a divider panel that allows the length of the living area to be adjusted as your puppy grows into an adult-sized home.

The crate has rounded corners that prevent you from accidentally hurting yourself by bumping into the edges.

You May Like: Do German Shepherds Naturally Protect Their Owners

Sportpet Travel Kennel Dog Carrier

Its not that easy to find a plastic travel crate big enough for a German Shepherd to be comfortable in. There are only a handful of manufacturers that make one big enough and they are expensive so when this one caught my eye I thought I would have a proper look at it.

It certainly qualifies on size requirements thats for sure. Its a huge 48 which is a perfect size for ensuring the comfort of even a large male German Shepherd. Its made from strong durable plastic with metal slat vents that will help stop the chewers. It also has a nice big metal front door so offers plenty of ventilation.

Another feature I really liked is the moat-style bottom tray which is designed to guide any liquid to the edges of the kennel helping to keep your dog dry in case of an accident. It has removable wheels which will be handy for travelling and strong side clips. You also get some live animal stickers and a food and water bowl.

This plastic crate is sold as meeting IATA requirements. Although every airline has different requirements for bringing a kenneled animal on their flight so I would check with whoever you intend to fly with first to see if this crate will be suitable.

Don’t Miss: What Age Do German Shepherds Calm Down

Choosing The Most Comfortable Dog Bed For Your German Shepherd

So, whats the magic formula for choosing the best German Shepherd dog bed?

Its simple your German Shepherd needs a bed that:

• measures at least 40 inches long by 30 inches wide for a large size dog
• supports a dog up to 90 pounds
• is at least 3 inches deep for joint support or 4 inches deep for hip and joint issues
• can withstand some chewing, if necessary
• is made of easy-to-clean fabric thats washable
• doesnt hold fur on the surface or in the weave of the material

And dont leave without knowing how to measure your dog for its perfect-sized bed. Youll find a way to measure your GSD below the product suggestions.

Tips To Introduce Your German Shepherd To Their New Crate

Introducing your German Shepherd to their new crate can be a laborious task, especially if your pet is a mischievous animal or doesnt like to be told what to do. To ease the whole process, weve decided to compile a few tips to help you out. Lets jump right in and see what you can do to make this a simple and fun task:

Hopefully, all of our tips will help your dog quickly get used to their new home without any major incidents. Now that you know all about crates, lets move on to our conclusion.

Read Also: How Fast Do German Shepherd Puppies Grow

Midwest Home Ultimate Pro Folding Metal Dog Crate

Price range- $156.00

The Petmate Ultra is a hybrid dog Kennel/ crate ideal for travels, especially flights.

It is made from heavy-duty plastic, metal grid, and screws and is designed for lasting long.

It has wired ventilation from all sides that ensure superior airflow and provides 360-degree visibility.

Its door is extremely heavy-duty, and one can latch shut it with two locks on top and bottom.

You can easily assemble the Crate, and for flights/ air travels, it has proper tie-downs.

You dont have to worry about your pets safety in the planes pet section.

The Crate comes in 4 sizes, 28-inches, 32-inches, 36-inches, and 40 inches.

Depending upon your German Shepherds age and size, you can invest accordingly.

Pros

This largest door/ garage door opens up out of the way for ultimate convenience.

The Crate comes with a color-coordinated plush bolster bed for the sleeping comfort of pets.

Because the entire Crate is insulated, no matter how cold it gets, it wont crack.

The Crate is easy to assemble just fix all the parts firmly together, and you are done.

When not in use, remove all the sides and store inside the upper and lower case, just like a box.

It also comes with a travel bag for easy movability.

Pros

While the crate frame is made of strong steel tube, its cover comprises high-quality, durable 600D fabric and hex mesh fabric.

It is ventilated from all sides and thus would keep your pet comfortable through time.

Pros

Buyers Guide: Selecting The Best German Shepherd Crate

Buying a crate for your German Shepherd is an important decision. Essentially, youre shopping for his bedroom and safe place. Therefore, its vital to consider your options, along with thinking of how you plan to use the cage.

Do you want a crate just for housebreaking, or will it be his permanent sleeping area?

Determining the answer to that question can guide your purchase and lead you to the right German Shepherd crate. German Shepherds are intelligent dogs. They are also muscular. Even a puppy is going to need a sturdy cage, which we think you should place high on your list of features.

You May Like: German Shepherds For Sale Orlando

Disadvantages Of A Large Dog Crate

Some people complain about a lack of space in their homes. So, they cant buy a much larger crate because of the difficulty they will face in fitting it into your living space.

Another disadvantage of using a crate that is too large for your dog is that it can be difficult to clean. Instead of sleeping in a large pet crate while housetraining your dog, he may use half of the crate as a toilet instead.

General Board Meeting Delegate Letters

This years General Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 27th. Clubs must submit their delegate letter signed by two club officers in good standing by October 5th, 2022. You may mail or email your signed delegate letter to Debbie in the USCA office. If your delegate letter is not signed or received by . . .

Also Check: How Much Is It To Train A German Shepherd

Is It Best For A Dog Crate To Be Too Big Or Too Small

It is far better for the crate to be too big than too small. If you keep a dog in a space that is too small for them they will suffer serious health issues. It is bad for muscles, circulation and joints not to mention their mental wellbeing. Most dogs will be ok in a crate that is too big for them.

If it is far too big as is likely to be the case with a new puppy then you can use a divider. If your dog likes the feeling of being enclosed you can use a crate cover and put a cozy dog bed in there.

I have always found the best size dog crates for German Shepherd Dogs are the 48 size ones. This should be an adequate size for even a large male. If your dog is not fully grown yet you wont be able to measure them properly so to be on the safe side I would stick with the larger 48 one.

I have a large male and an average size female German Shepherd who are both very comfortable in 48 ones.

Large Dog Crates For German Shepherds

… and privacy. Your pet deserves the best! Purchase the Large 2-Door Pet Dog Crate today and save with our everyday low price. Features of the Large 2-Door Pet Dog Crate – 36″ : Use for transportation, travel, or as …

$139.95

… ” X-Large Collapsible 2 Door Metal Wire Dog Crate Overview: *Reduce housebreaking time and help resolve barking, chewing, and behavioural problems with this collapsible dog crate! *This convenient wire dog crate feature …

$119.00

… powder-coated finish. The slide-out / removable plastic tray for easy cleaning. *This collapsible wire dog crate are perfect for dogs that are constantly on the go as they require no assembly. They also set up in seconds …

$99.00

Read Also: How To Clean A German Shepherds Ears

Overall Best German Shepherd Crate

Many lists make you wait until the very end before they tell you what they think is the wisest choice not us, though. Were going to give you our favorite crate right off the bat. In our opinion, this is the overall best German Shepherd Crate on the market:

Crates For German Shepherds: How To Select

Pet owners often opt for Crates when providing a separate space for their dogs.

All dogs love their own dedicated space where they can feel more homely and personal.

And especially if we talk about German Shepherds, Dog Crates are any day a good choice.

Keeping a German Shepherd in a dog crate is helpful in a number of ways.

Primarily if your dog is all destructive and messy around the house, its time to invest in a Dog crate.

There could be several reasons behind their destructive behavior, though, with crate training, you can teach them to follow the house rule.

Buying a Dog Crate for a German Shepherd isnt a difficult task. But when there are endless options to choose from, the process can get a little tricky.

After a lot of research, we have decided to compile the most helpful information about Dog Crates.

All dog owners, make sure you spare some additional time going through the information before you make your final purchase.

• 10 Best Basket Dog Muzzles 2021

Read Also: Can You Shave German Shepherds

Train Your German Shepherd To Use The Crate

No matter which crate you choose if you want to get the best use out of it you will need to train your German Shepherd to love it.

Many will take to it straight away others will need a little bit more time to get accustomed. Dont just leave your German Shepherd in the crate without training them to use it first.

Also dont leave them in a crate for long periods of time. No crates even the heavy-duty steel ones are completely escape-proof. At best a distressed or bored dog is going to destroy the crate trying to get out. At worse, they are going to cause themselves an injury or even death in doing so.

I have heard so many horror stories of this happening and it really upsets me. The crate should be a happy place for your dog. It should be somewhere for them to retreat to rest and relax not a terrifying prison that they are desperate to get out of at all costs.

Here are some commonly asked questions about dog crates for German Shepherd Dogs.

Frisco Indoor & Outdoor Soft Dog Crate

Sizes Available: 21 inch, 26 inch, 30 inch, 36 inch and 40 inch

Best Soft Sided German Shepherd Crate Another Frisco model on the list with their Indoor & Outdoor Soft Dog Crate. If your dog loved the enclosed type of crates with a softer material, then this is definitely the model for you. Every size model of this crate is lightweight and easy to transport so its safe to take on family days out!

Pros:

• Easy to set up and fold down
• Super comfortable for your dog

Cons:

• Has to be hand washed and this can take time
• Especially destructive dogs may be able to tear the material

From soft-sided, lets move on to Plastic Crates.

Plastic crates can be the perfect way to crate dogs who are rowdy and need something a little more enclosed than wires. Our top pick for the best plastic crate on the market for German Shepherds is:

Don’t Miss: When Should German Shepherd Ears Stand Up