Alright, so I decided it was time to get a proper crate for my Lab, Max. He’s a big boy, and I wanted to make sure he had enough space to feel comfortable.
Figuring Out the Right Size
First, I grabbed a measuring tape. I measured Max from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail. Then, I measured him from the floor to the top of his head while he was sitting. Seemed easy enough, right?
After that, I started doing some digging online. Some websites suggested adding a few inches to those measurements to get the right crate size, usually 2-4 inches. Most of them recommended a 42-inch crate for a full-grown Labrador, which seemed about right for Max, given his size. I wanted to be absolutely sure, though, so I kept looking.
Double-Checking and Making Sure
I read through a bunch of different articles and forum posts. People were talking about all sorts of crate sizes, from 10×10 kennels to smaller ones. I even found some charts that were supposed to help you pick the right size based on your dog’s breed and weight. It all seemed a bit overwhelming, honestly!
One thing that everyone seemed to agree on was that the crate should be big enough for the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. If the dog’s head hits the top, the crate’s definitely too small, I thought. That made sense to me. I definitely didn’t want Max to feel cramped.
The Final Decision
After all that research, I felt pretty confident that a 42-inch crate was the way to go. I double-checked Max’s measurements one more time just to be safe. I also considered those bigger kennel sizes like a 10×10, but then I think that might be too spacious for Max, we only needed a place for him to sleep in.
So, I finally ordered the 42-inch crate. When it arrived, I put it together and coaxed Max inside with a few treats. He hesitated at first, but once he was in, he seemed pretty happy. He could stand up, turn around, and lie down without any problems. Perfect!
Now, Max uses his crate all the time. It’s his little safe space, and I’m glad I took the time to find the right size for him. It was a bit of a process, but it was definitely worth it to see him so comfortable.
