Hi,

We have finally found our lab pup who will hopefully be coming home with us in a month's time. We intend to use a puppy crate but need some advice before we purchase one. For a Labrador what size would people recommend? I have seen mixed information suggesting both a 36" and 42" crate is the right size for a Lab, I am tending towards a 42" one with doors on the long and short sides but would happily take suggestions.

Secondly is a question about construction of the crate itself. I have seen products with essentially 3 finishes, chrome plated, gold coloured galvanised and black powdercoated. Apart from the obvious colour preferences is there any differentiators for one over the other in terms of durability, safety, etc.?

Finally some have plastic trays and others metal, again I'm open to suggestions.

Regards

Dave
(Fat Pup on the web http://www.fatpup.co.uk)

If he's fat, I think you should call him Peter Podge!

I chose black as sometimes the gold finish ones tend to chip and look a little tatty

edited to say i am on about crates and not labs :D :D

It's looking like Max at the moment but that changes depending on what day it is. Maybe I can have a poll for the top five names.

Max
Bear
Jet
Sisko (after the captain in Deep Space Nine)
Elvis

Hopefully he will be a big lad as he has a quite a bit of Sandyland in him.

Dave

Max and Bear are very popular dog names.

If you decide to call him Sisko wouldn't you be calling him Sissy for short?! :)

I like the name Elvis best, but their all cool

( Obie, Heffa, Lardy, Portley, Roley and Tubby are all fat names! )

Hi Dave,

I have the 36" cages (one each) for my two and that seems to give them enough space although you wouldn't go wrong with a 42" if you have the room for one.

Having said that, they don't use their cages now unless we are going to stay somewhere or they have to be kept apart for any reason (after an operation for example) as we now have them sleeping in dog beds.

Cages are an excellent idea especially during the puppy stage and once they are used to them your dog will happily go into it and treat it as their home.

Even now that we no longer use the cages when I get them out they can't wait to get in to them. :)

I bought the gold coloured galvanised cages with plastic bases (from Stock Nutrition) and they have been great, I can't comment on other types as I haven't used them.

HTH

Thanks for the pointer, it was the Stock Nutrition crates I had been looking at. Not the cheapest at £91 for the premium 42" double door but thats the one I am seriously considering.

Dave

To be honest the 36" cage is in my opinion big enough & to illustrate this sometimes my two will take it upon themseleves to curl up together in one 36" cage ! :) 
A 42" cage is a BIG cage & £91 is expensive also it will take up a lot of room in your house but if you have the space & can afford it then why not .... you can't really give your dog too much space but 36" is fine otherwise.

hi Dave I'm soooo pleased that you are finally getting him. I use the 42" myself, it will be large to start with but he will very soon fill it, my 5 month old boy already nearly touches the top when sitting.
I like the name Guiness for a black boy.

I got a 42'' black coated one for our GR cos he is a very big boy already at 13wks, only £48 inc delivery from...Dog Health I think?? Via EBay anyway but still brand new and cheaper that way than via their own website I believe.

I've got a 42 one for my dalmation, best to get bigger rather than too small. Mine is collapsible with a door on the side and a door on the front and got it from E_Bay for £50 with next day delivery, sorry can't remember the name of the site. Mine is the black one with the tray in the bottom

I've just bought a 42" cage with 2 doors ,metal tray etc from canine-kennels....excellent quality and it was only £69 ...£62 for 42" but slightly narrower...have a look at their website!
Archer

I reckon the 42" crate is the way to go. I see Ebay have the chrome plated mesh ones with teh metal tray for about £50. I think I may go for one of those.

Dave