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Original poster

Advice needed re crate for German Shep size pup

14 replies

pinkbats · 25/03/2018 19:09

Dear All,
We are preparing house for new pup. It's actually a White Swiss Shepherd. But size as a comparison (Kennel Club has only just added WSS breed so not that common) when we pick him up will be around a 12 week German Shepherd.
I need a crate that he can both sleep in and travel in for one trip. Problem is I'm really bad at judging size and wanted to ask for advice re his crate size. Didn't want to get a massive one as I could do that when he's grown (as wanted to make it cosy rather encouraging him to pee in it if too big).
Am I in right ballpark with this one: 36 inch X 24 inch X 27?

Any thoughts so appreciated !

Thanks so much - Pink bats

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkbats · 25/03/2018 19:10

Sorry - to clarify - pup would make trip in this crate and then it would also be his sleeping crate til he's grown and we have to upsize Grin

OP posts:
missbattenburg · 25/03/2018 19:21

I had a large springer pup (starting weight 3kg, adult weight expected to be somewhere around 25-30 kg) in a 30 inch crate and found it was more than big enough for the first 3.5 months. I'd had him about 3 months when I started to notice he had to duck to get in and out. He is a dog that likes to sleep sprawled out so I upsized to give him the option to do that. I went up to a 36 inch and that is a BIG crate that would be more than ok for him as an adult.

It was a bit of a waste as not long after that I started to leave the crate door open at night and he migrated out. Both now sit in the garage gathering dust...

missbattenburg · 25/03/2018 19:26

Oh, and I used this travel crate for the car: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F2JM5ZC/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

Because he looked a bit lost in the 30inch crate I also used this for sleeping for the first 2-3 weeks. I'd forgotten that until this post made me remember.

Greyhorses · 25/03/2018 20:10

My GSD was in a medium for about 4 weeks then moved up to an extra large Blush

She is huge though!

monkeywithacowface · 25/03/2018 20:14

I put lurcher pup in an x-large crate from the start. Made one end all cosy and covered the top with blankets and then room at the other for a bowl of water. Never had any accidents in there but like missbattenburg our gathers dust in the garage as dpup has cleverly migrated to the end of my bed Hmm

MsHomeSlice · 25/03/2018 20:14

good luck with crating a GSD! Ime they are not a breed that like to be shut away.

I am very envious though, I love GSDs and recently fell in love with the WSS after falling down a googlewormhole!

I'd ask the breeder tbh, they would have an idea.

missbattenburg · 25/03/2018 20:23

If you go with the 36 inch, you can get dividers to shut off the back part of the crate, in effect making it smaller and more cosy, just while your puppy is small.

Booboostwo · 25/03/2018 20:35

I've had GSDs all my life and never had a problem crate training them, they are as likely to train to a crate as any other breed.

My last puppy was 13kg at 9 weeks and they grow very fast. The best thing would be to get the breeder to measure the pup right before you pick him up.

Just a thought: can you pick the puppy up a bit earlier? 12 weeks is very close to the end of the socialisation period and you'd be relying on the breeder to do most of it for you.

shushpenfold · 25/03/2018 20:43

Our ridgie is in an x large and has been since 9weeks. Once you’re get a bed, blankies and in our case, a double duvet in there (he’s always cold!) there’s not much room left!

Original poster
pinkbats · 25/03/2018 20:43

Thank you all so much. Yes Booboostwo I'm aware that we're cutting it fine but breeder is very responsible and has lots of other dogs and is sending pup pictures of him being handled by grandchildren etc. I've booked in visitors on our return and plan to devote myself to socialising when we get back. No choice on pick up as pup was a surprise (on list with breeder 1 but she was contacted by breeder 2 who had pups). Seemed like such a gift as we had been waiting so long - 2 years but downside was that due to 'surprise' nature of this pup we had booked a holiday. So breeder kindly suggested she would hold on to him. Super excited and shall heed all advice on here as its a wonderful resource.

OP posts:
MsHomeSlice · 25/03/2018 20:54

we had one very supervisory GSD who needed to know where everyone was and keep any possible exit in sight, and a velcro one who (apart from me being upstairs) was rarely more than 6 inches away from me

and besides, they much preferred the sofas!

CMOTDibbler · 25/03/2018 21:45

I use an XL crate for my foster lurcher puppies, and chose one that came with a divider so I can make it smaller for littler ones. For you, it will really depend on what size crate you can get in the car!

monkeywithacowface · 25/03/2018 22:13

Our pup came to us at 12 weeks from a rescue so not much socialisation and had to wait until 14 weeks for his second set of vaccinations. He was a nervy thing at first but with lots of work and time spent on socialisation he's absolutely fine now (well apart from being a tiresome adolescent sod at the moment).

Booboostwo · 26/03/2018 02:53

A responsible breeder should be able to help you out with socialisation, sounds like you have it all under control. Enjoy, they grow so quickly!

Monty is 15mo and the puppy stage flew by!

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