Dog crates are considered essential for successfully raising a Golden Retriever. Whether you plan on using them for traveling, house training or as a den for your pooch, a good crate fits the bill perfectly. A crate also allows you to keep your Golden Retriever safe if you aren’t able to supervise them all the time.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
There are many crates available in the market. But, which one should you use for your Golden Retriever? We will help you select the best crate for your Golden Retriever.
Choosing the Right Crate for Your Golden Retriever Isn’t Easy
There are several things you must consider when choosing a crate for your Golden Retriever. The most important thing to consider is the size of the crate. If it is too small or too large, it’ll be of no use. Therefore, you must get the size right.
Other things you must consider include the style, the materials the crate is made from, where the dog crate will fit into the house, and how. All these things play a part in your decision to purchase a crate for your Golden Retriever.
How Big Should the Dog Crate Be?
When buying a crate for their pooch, dog owners mistakenly think that a bigger crate is better. It will not offer the secure, safe, and cozy feeling a Golden Retriever requires while occupying the crate. A bigger crate means that the Golden Retriever rattles around inside a large open space. They won’t love being in this crate.
A crate should be big enough for your Golden Retriever to stand up easily without hitting its heads on the top, allowing it to move around comfortably. The crate should provide enough room for your pooch to lay down with its paws stretched. If the crate is any smaller, it would be uncomfortable for your Golden Retriever. However, it doesn’t mean that it should very large. Now, if you are going to look out for the requirements that we just mentioned, you’ll need different dog crates for a puppy, an adolescent dog, and an adult Golden Retriever respectively. If you are raising a Golden Retriever puppy, this could get very expensive. However, we’ll share a money-saving tip that’ll be of great help.
Get a Crate for an Adult Dog and Get a Divider to Adjust the Size
If you buy a correctly sized crate for your Golden Retriever puppy, you’ll have to replace it after some time. You may have to make three to four replacements before they are full-grown adults. Thus, you will be wasting a lot of money if you did this.
Many brands provide dividers to be used with their dog crate. You can use them to reduce the space of the crate to suit a Golden Retriever puppy’s needs. The divider is a simple removable panel that you can place inside the crate to reduce the available space. If it isn’t available for the crate you bought, you can just use a wooden board as an alternative.
The Ideal Crate Size for an Adult Golden Retriever
Adult Golden Retrievers should be kept in a 42-inch dog crate, but some owners say that a 36-inch crate is more suitable. Golden Retrievers can vary in size. Most of them are on the large size, so it would be better to buy a 42-inch crate for your Golden Retriever.
The Ideal Crate Size for a Puppy Golden Retriever
As previously discussed, we recommend you get a crate for adult Golden Retriever and make it suitable for your puppy using a divider. However, if you don’t want to use a divider, then you can just buy a crate that suits your Golden Retriever puppy. Take your puppy’s measurements to determine the size that will suit it.
Which Types of Dog Crate Should You Choose?
There are different types of dog crates available on the market. There are dog crates made of plastic, wood, cloth, wire, and many more. Each type has its own pros and cons, meaning not all styles are the right fit for all canines and dog owners. It would be good for you to get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of each dog crate style to make the right buying decisions.
Wire Crates
Wire dog crates are the most purchased crates. There is some variety of styles within this type. Some have one door while others have two or three. Most come with a plastic tray that can be removed for cleaning.
Pros of a Wire Crate
- Durable, long-lasting, and very strong.
- Easy to clean.
- Folding crates are available for moving and easy storage.
- Slide out tray makes cleaning very easy.
- Allow the maximum flow of air which makes them suitable for use in hotter climates.
- Provide maximum visibility of the surroundings to your Golden Retriever inside.
- For most models, you will be able to find dividers.
Cons of a Wire Crate
- They offer the least shelter so may not be a good choice for people living in colder climates.
- They’re generally quite heavy which makes them not so great for dog owners who move their dog’s crate regularly.
- They can be noisy especially if you have a fidgety canine.
Wooden Dog Crates
Wire dog crates aren’t the most stylish crates. If you are concerned about the style, consider buying a wooden dog crate.
Pros of Wooden Dog Crates
- They look good. Some are quite stylish and aesthetically pleasing, especially when you compare them against a plastic or wire crate. You may find one that blends seamlessly with the overall look of your home.
- They’re very hard to escape from.
- It may serve a dual purpose. They can be a den for your Golden Retriever and at the same time, you can place ornamental items on them.
Cons of Wooden Dog Crates
- Wooden dog crates are very expensive. You may have to shell out hundreds of dollars to buy one.
- Can be easily damaged if your Golden Retriever has destructive behaviors like chewing and scratching.
- Not the ideal crate to use for house training as wooden crates are generally difficult to clean and can absorb moisture following accidents.
Plastic Dog Crates
These types of dog crates are good for you if you are traveling frequently and want to take your pet with you on flights. Many of these come as airline-approved and you should look for airline-approved certification when buying a plastic dog crate.
Pros of Plastic Dog Crates
- Lightweight and easier to move around which makes them ideal for travel purposes.
- Some serve a dual purpose as you can remove the top half leaving a plastic tray that can be used as a canine bed.
- More sheltered and boxed-in, making them a suitable option for colder climates.
Cons of Plastic Dog Crates
- Odorless and harder to clean than wire crates.
- Cannot be folded for storage.
- Not good looking.
- Unsuitable for dogs who like their surroundings to be visible when crated.
Soft-Sided Dog Crates
Soft-sided fabric dog crates are good for dog owners who don’t like crates that make their pooch look like a caged animal. These crates are less intimidating than other types.
Pros of Soft-Sided Dog Crates
- The lightest and most portable of all dog crates. Many crates can collapse completely and packed easily into a carry bag.
- Fantastic to take along on fishing, camping or on picnics to provide your Golden Retriever with temporary shelter.
Cons of Soft-Sided Dog Crates
- Can be easily damaged so not good for dogs who like scratching or chewing.
- Not long-lasting and least durable of all crate types.
- They don’t look great.
- Easiest to escape from.
The 3 Best Crates for Your Golden Retriever
1. Midwest iCrate Double Door Fold and Carry
The iCrate looks fantastic and its rounded corners allow your pooch to enter the crate and exit without any injuries. The durable electro-coat/satin-black finish adds to the iCrate aesthetic appeal. The Midwest iCrate Double Door Fold and Carry is very functional for Golden Retrievers. Without secure latches, your Golden Retriever can potentially escape and may cause damage while you are busy. Fortunately, this wire dog crate comes with a secure slide bolt latching, giving you extra security. No matter how much of an escape artist your Golden Retriever is, it won’t be able to escape this crate.
One of the best features of the iCrate Double Door is its removable divider panel. You can adjust your pooch’s living space using this panel. So, you can just buy this crate for an adult Golden Retriever and keep changing its size as your Golden Retriever grows. The iCrate has a removable plastic pan. This makes it easier for you to clean up after an accident. Just slide out the plastic pan and wipe it.
You can take your pooch with you easily using the Midwest iCrate. It will fold up and collapse, allowing for easy transportation. It has a handle that can help you drag the crate around.
2. Amazon Basics Double Door Crate
The Amazon Basics Double Door Crate is available in a variety of sizes and you can purchase it with or without a dividing panel. The divider is great if you have a Golden Retriever puppy, as it is useful for housetraining. Moreover, you can change the size of the crate as your Golden Retriever grows, essentially making it a crate for life.
The epoxy coating finish of this dog crate make it fade, rush, and corrosion-resistant while the wire is made of steel. The Amazon Basics Double Door Crate isn’t as heavy duty as many other wire crates available in the market so it would be better for calmer Golden Retrievers and those that aren’t prone to aggression and chewing. The composite tray is easy to clean and durable. Moreover, it won’t rust, warp, stain, corrode or retain your pooch’s odors.
Portability and convenience are the Amazon Basics crates biggest strength. It collapses into a small package and comes with a removable handle, making it easy to carry around. There is also a one-slide bolt latch in place to ensure that your Golden Retriever stays safe. Moreover, the two doors provide easy and quick access to your porch if necessary.
3. New World Single Door Wire Dog Crate
This is another great crate for Golden Retrievers. If you want to provide your pooch with a place to feel safe, then this dog crate would be perfect. Made from steel, this durable dog features a single door and the secure bolt-locking system keeps your pooch safe. The composite pan can be easily removed and washed. The New World Wire Dog Crate folds nearly flat, making it completely portable and allowing for easy storage. Like other dog crates on this list, this crate is available in a variety of sizes.
Our Final Thoughts
We have offered our guidance to help you choose the right crate for your Golden Retriever and listed some of the best dog crates available in the market. Now, it is up to you to decide the crate that would be best for your Golden Retriever. Take your time to consider the needs of your pooch and your own personal preferences to pick the crate that best suits you and your dog.
We hope you found our buying guide to be helpful in selecting the best crate for your Golden Retriever.
