What size crate for Golden Retriever puppies or adult?
It’s not straight forward!
The best dog crate for Golden Retriever puppies is either one that fits their build now, or an adult size with a divider.
There are also so many crate types to consider: soft-sided, plastic, metal, combination…
How will you ever choose just one?
In this article, learn about the Golden Retriever crate size recommendation from canine training experts.
And find out what size dog crate for Golden Retriever puppies and adult dogs will be the best fit for your pup’s height, weight, and size!
Products included in this article were carefully and independently selected by the Happy Puppy Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.
Choosing A Training Crate For Golden Retriever Dogs
Your Golden Retriever will start out life as a tiny puppy, but that sure won’t last long!
At 7 weeks, your pup may weigh a whopping 3 pounds.
Fast forward to 12 months, and that same dog now weighs anywhere from 55 to 75+ pounds!
There is no doubt that investing in a training crate can put a healthy dent in your dog supplies budget.
But we have a handy workaround to help you save money on your Golden Retriever dog crate!
Many training crates feature a divider system.
With the help of the crate divider, you can reduce the size of the crate to suit your puppy’s needs.
And then remove the divider when your Golden reaches her full adult size.
This way, you only have to buy one crate for your dog!
What Size Crate For Golden Retriever – Puppy vs Dog
The first thing to know about correctly sizing your Golden’s dog crate is that more space isn’t better for a dog crate.
You are aiming for a snug, comforting fit that mimics the den a wolf might find for himself in the wild.
So ideally, your Golden Retriever should be able to stand up and turn around fully inside the crate.
He will need a few spare inches of head and side room, but no more than that.
Wolf habitats state that wild wolf dens typically measure 40″L x 50″W x 20″H.
The entranceway itself is about 18 inches across.
These dimensions are mirrored in the recommended crate size for an adult Golden Retriever dog.
For most dog crate manufacturers, the Golden Retriever will fit a large size crate.
Best Dog Crate For Golden Retriever Puppy
Each of these awesome crates features that key essential you need during puppyhood: the divider.
Each also offers a slide-out under-tray for easy cleaning, and all will fold down for storage or travel.
As well, each crate offers its own set of unique options that may work best for your budget and needs.
Including features like a carry handle, single or double door, or casters.
Paws Pals
We love the Paws Pals OxGord 42” Dog Crate*.
This affordable, versatile, and functional metal dog crate features a side door and a front door.
Along with a removable divider for use during puppyhood.
The crate measures 42″L x 27″W x 30″H, folds down easily for travel or storage, and has a top carry handle.
The slide-out under-tray is easy to clean and replace.
MidWest Homes
The MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate* is a great option.
This high-quality large dog crate comes in a single-door and a double-door model and measures 42″L x 28″W x 30″H.
It comes with a removable divider for use during puppyhood and a slide-out dog tray for easy cleaning.
There is a top handle for carrying, and the crate folds down flat for travel or storage.
The doors have two bolts per door for safety.
One neat feature about this crate is the rolling feet to help protect your flooring.
The manufacturer also offers a 1-year warranty.
The corners of this crate are rounded smooth for safety.
New World
New World Folding Metal Dog Crate* is another popular and highly rated metal dog crate.
It comes in single- and double-door models.
Each features a double latch system with two latches per door.
The slide-out, leak-proof under-tray makes cleaning easy and fast.
This crate measures 42″L x 30″W x 28″H and folds down flat for storage or travel.
The manufacturer offers a 1-year crate warranty.
Precision Pet
The Precision Pet Wire Dog Crate* is a feature-rich, high-quality two-door dog crate measuring 42″L x 30″W x 28″H.
It comes with a removable divider and slide-out tray for easy cleaning.
The crate has rounded, smooth corners for safety, and the whole crate is coated with a rust-resistant finish.
The crate collapses to a width of two inches, making it easy to store or use for travel.
Best Crate For Golden Retriever Adult Dog
If you don’t need a divider feature for your Golden, these crates provide a range of features, from economy to deluxe, to give you lots of options!
LuckUp
We really like the LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Cage*.
This heavy duty, high-end dog crate comes in silver or black models and will also take spray paint, if you desire.
It is rust resistant and comes on heavy-duty locking casters to rotate it 360 degrees or move it outside or from room to room as you desire.
The door is actually a door-within-a-door to give you more interaction flexibility.
The plastic under-tray is easy to slide out, clean, and replace.
The locks have an extra feature: safety buckles to prevent escape.
Owners say this robust and sturdy cage deters even hardened canine escapees!
Best Pet
The BestPet Wire Cage* is another great option!
This functional, affordable metal crate option measures 42″L x 30″W x 28″H and features a front and side door, each with double latches.
The tray slides out and back in for easy cleaning.
The cage is coated with a durable anti-rust black epoxy.
It folds down easily for storage or travel.
The cage also offers a handy top carry handle.
Internet’s Best
The Internet’s Best Wire Dog Kennel* is a fun and functional steel dog crate that comes in teal blue or basic black.
It measures 42″L x 30″W x 28″H and features both front and side-entry doors with double latches.
The crate folds down for storage or travel and has a handy carry handle.
The under-tray slides out for easy cleaning.
Best Travel Crate For Golden Retriever
So what size crate for Golden Retriever will work best for travel?
Actually, the size recommendations don’t change when you are traveling.
You want the same close, cozy fit, where your dog has just enough room to stand up to full height and turn around fully.
This is for safety as well as comfort.
But you may want a different crate for car travel, specifically one that is soft-sided or plastic and lighter weight.
For air travel, you will need a crate that is approved for use on the carrier you are flying with.
(This can differ from one carrier to the next, so be sure to call the carrier ahead of time for guidance!)
Go Pet Club
The Go Pet Club Soft Travel Crate* is one of our favorite options.
This soft-sided travel crate measures 42″L x 37″W x 30″H and comes with its own sheepskin mat insert and carrying case.
The sides roll up with Velcro hinges to offer ventilation.
JesPet
JesPet Soft Dog Crates* are great.
This 3-door, soft-sided travel crate features a strong steel crate frame covered in durable, washable fabric.
The sides can be rolled up and secured with Velcro for ventilation.
The frame is spring-loaded and collapsible for storage or travel, and it comes with a handy, adjustable handle.
A sheepskin bed is included.
Midwest Homes
The Midwest Homes for Pets Portable Tent Crate* is built over a sturdy steel collapsible frame.
It measures 42″L x 26″W x 32″H and features a carrying handle, zippered doors and windows, water resistant cover material, and a sheepskin bed.
Pet Gear
The Pet Gear Steel Crate* is another unique travel crate option.
The sides are heavy-duty plastic, and the frame is solid steel.
There is a top and a side door.
It measures 42″L x 28″W x 28″H.
The outside is all rounded edges for safety and easy transport.
The structure includes wheels and a carry/pull handle.
The kit includes a fleece sleeping pad and a carrying bag.
The base is insulated against the cold.
Amazon Basics
The AmazonBasics Folding Soft Dog Crate* is great value for money.
This affordable, functional travel crate features soft sides with a collapsible steel frame.
It measures 42″L x 30.7″W x 30.7″H and features a top and side door and ventilated mesh windows.
The fabric is durable polyester.
It comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
What Size Crate For Golden Retriever
Let us know in the comments below which crate you chose for your Golden Retriever.
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
Related Articles
Sources
Felder, D., et al, “Choosing the Right Size Crate,” The Association of Professional Dog Trainers, 2017.
Baines, K., “Crate Training Your Dog,” Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, 2011.
Morgan, C., et al, “Wolf Reproduction Biology and Behavior,” Western Wildlife Outreach, 2018.
Karp, G., “How to Take Your Dog on a Plane,” Nerd Wallet, 2018.
Coren, S., PhD, DSc, FRSC, “The Politics of Pet Dogs and Kennel Crates,” Psychology Today, 2012.
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