what size whelping box would you recommend for a giant breed, 30in tall, stocky heavy weight type like newf, st bern type, not a fine tall breed. is there such thing as a whelping box thats too big?

i dont think ive broken any rules here by listing the types, if i have moderators im sorry, just thought i'd need to mention what i meant as it may be important

many thanks

my box was 1.5x1.5 and 70cms tall

I think we have the same breed, my pups are currently in a box 5ft x 5ft which is ample.  I think it was 24ins high.  We have now added a 4ftx4ft run so can open the whelping box door and let them have more room.  Its really handy for when your cleaning out the box shifting them between the two areas.  My box was plenty big and even had enough room for me to curl up in the box beside them.  The only problem I would see with a bigger box is the extra papers and bedding to fill it?

Thank you, i also have the same breed as you two ( FB, and Gillian? if it is you your pups look adorable) and i am about to mate my girl and we are first timers also and this is one of these things i keep thinking about.
I am debating wether to get long suffering hubby to make me a welping box, or buy a re usable or dissosible, those in the know please advise.
I am also planning on having an extra partittioned space as a play/eating area ,
any other handy tips most welcome.

Hi, we had a litter earlier in the tear.  I brought a whelping box online 48 inches square it was ideal.

Hi Julie, lol. thanks :-)
I would have prefered to buy one, the best buy I seen was fit and fertile but the step into the box worried me as when our breed are 4-5 weeks old I'd imagine they'd be climbing out but not safely as it the cut out bit was 12in high.  I check if they could make the step in bit lower with a door or something to put in place when you want the pups kept in but they checked and it wasnt possible.  I also looked at most of the PVC ones on ebay and to get the size I wanted the way I wanted it it was over £250 which for a one off litter I wasnt prepared to spend.
So I made mine, cost all in about £100 but I'm really pleased with it.  If you want any photo's of it send me your private email and I can also tell you everything I bought, all from B & Q.  Me and OH are hopeless at DIY but managed it :-)
I also bought a puppy pen which makes 4ft x 4ft from pets at home that we rigged up onto the front of the box which is a godsend when you are trying to clean out the whelping area 2-3 times a day. I have a piece of Lino under it to protect the wooden floor and its really easily cleaned too.

Oh Gillian that would be so helpful, like you this is more than likely going to be a one off , so sending you a pm
julie xx

I have a giant breed, I don't think it's the same as yours but is only slightly bigger. I bought a 6 feet by 6 feet box which was the biggest size I could get. It is great for a large litter as they have plenty of room to move around when they are up on their feet BUT it is a nightmare to keep clean as I need so much newspaper and vet beds to cover it. In hindsight, I wish I had opted for a 5 feet by 5 feet or maybe a 6 x 4.
I also purchased the floor which was optional but found it difficult to keep clean as it basically comes in plastic planks so food and other debris (poo !) can get imbedded in the cracks between the planks. The floor is fine when the pups are small but when they grow and start to rearrange the bedding and newspapers, you really need to remove the floor strips daily to clean inbetween them. It is amazing how far a litter of lively puppies can spread their dinner !
Mine didn't have a door, just an opening about 12 inches off the ground but my husband made a door from some extra planks that were included as packing which worked really well.