What Size Crate for a Golden Retriever? (Puppy and Adult)

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The short answer: Most adult golden retrievers fit a 42-inch crate (about 107 cm long), and it’s the size MidWest lists for goldens. Buy that size for your puppy too and use the divider. A 36-inch can work for a smaller female and a 48-inch for a big one, so measure your dog and let the numbers decide.

In this guide

1. What size crate does a golden retriever need?
2. Should you get a 36, 42 or 48 inch crate for a golden?
3. How do you measure your golden for a crate?
4. What size crate does a golden retriever puppy need?
5. Wire, plastic or soft: which crate type is best for a golden?
6. What size crate does a golden need in the car?
7. Which crates fit a golden retriever?
8. How we chose
9. FAQs
10. Bottom line

What size crate does a golden retriever need?

For most adult goldens, a 42-inch crate.

The AKC’s rule is that your dog needs room to sit, stand and lie down comfortably, but not so much room that they can potty at one end and rest at the other. VCA’s vet behavior team words it a little roomier: enough floor space to lie down and stretch out, and tall enough to stand without hitting their head.

Goldens are big dogs. The breed standard puts adult males at 23 to 24 inches at the shoulder and 65 to 75 pounds. Females are 21.5 to 22.5 inches and 55 to 65 pounds.

MidWest, maker of the iCrate, names golden retrievers for its 42-inch size. So that’s your starting point. Whether your golden needs a size up or down depends on their own measurements, and that takes two minutes with a tape measure.

Should you get a 36, 42 or 48 inch crate for a golden?

This is the big debate. “Crate size – 36″L or 42″L??” is the title of one Golden Retriever Forum thread, and it’s far from the only one.

Here’s how the three sizes line up, using MidWest’s iCrate as the example. These are outside measurements, so the space inside is a little smaller.

Crate	Outside size (inches)	Outside size (cm)	MidWest’s weight range	Breeds MidWest names
36-inch	36.5 x 23.25 x 24.75	93 x 59 x 63	41 to 70 lb (19 to 32 kg)	Bulldogs, Beagles, Whippets
42-inch	42.88 x 28.75 x 30.38	109 x 73 x 77	71 to 90 lb (32 to 41 kg)	Australian Shepherds, Boxers, Golden Retrievers
48-inch	48.5 x 30.25 x 32	123 x 77 x 81	90 to 110 lb (41 to 50 kg)	German Shepherds, Collies, Huskies

Now put a golden next to that. Males weigh 65 to 75 pounds (29.5 to 34 kg) and females 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 29.5 kg).

• 36 inches: by weight alone, most females fit this range. But MidWest says dogs near 70 pounds should size up to the 42, and the 36 is under 25 inches tall on the outside. It can work for a smaller female if her measurements fit.

• 42 inches: the safe default for males and females, and the size MidWest names for goldens. With a divider, it’s also your puppy crate.

• 48 inches: MidWest suggests it for dogs near 90 pounds, which is well above the breed standard. Go here only if your golden’s measurements come out bigger than a 42 allows.

When you’re near the top of a range, MidWest’s advice is to size up.

How do you measure your golden for a crate?

Weight ranges are a rough guide. Your dog’s height and length are what really decide it. Here’s the AKC’s method:

1. Height. With your golden standing, measure from the top of the head to the floor.

2. Length. Measure from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.

3. Add 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) to each. That’s the height and length of crate you need.

MidWest measures length to the base of the tail instead, then adds a few inches. The AKC’s tip-of-the-tail number comes out bigger, so use it if you’d rather err on the roomy side.

Check the crate’s height as carefully as its length. The breed standard’s 23 to 24 inches is measured at the withers (the top of the shoulders), and your golden’s head sits higher than that. So compare the crate’s height with your head-to-floor number, not the breed standard’s.

What size crate does a golden retriever puppy need?

The adult size, with a divider. The AKC suggests a crate that’s as large as your breed’s typical adult size, with a divider you move as your puppy grows. MidWest agrees: buy for your puppy’s expected size and use the divider panel.

That means one crate from 8 weeks to adulthood. Here’s how to set the divider:

• Start snug. Give your puppy just enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. With too much room, the AKC says, they can pee at one end and sleep at the other.

• Fit it across the width. MidWest says the panel should fit snugly across the width of the crate, not the length.

• Move it back as they grow. When your puppy can’t stand or turn around easily anymore, give them more room.

• Take it out when you’re done. The snug fit is there for potty training. Once your golden is house-trained and grown, the divider can come out.

Some owners buy a small crate first and a big one later. That works too. It just means buying twice.

The first nights, crate placement and a week-one plan are in how to crate train a golden retriever puppy (including the first nights).

Wire, plastic or soft: which crate type is best for a golden?

For most goldens at home, wire. Here’s how the types compare.

• Wire. The AKC calls metal crates the sturdiest you can buy and the best choice for dogs who chew through other materials. They have good airflow and visibility, and VCA notes they fold flat for storage. The downside is that dogs can damage the bars trying to escape. The AKC’s chief vet, Jerry Klein, told Wirecutter that dogs can chew wire crates or catch their jaws, paws or tails in them, though “it depends on the dog.”

• Plastic. The AKC says plastic crates work in the house and double as travel carriers, and they’re easy to clean. VCA points out they don’t collapse. If you plan to fly with your golden, the AKC says to pick one that’s airline-approved.

• Soft (fabric). The AKC calls fabric crates an economical choice for a small dog who isn’t going to chew on it. A teething golden puppy is neither, so skip this one at home.

• Wood or furniture-style. The AKC says these are the most attractive and the priciest, and they’re heavier and harder to clean. Wirecutter says its furniture pick is mainly for calm adult dogs who are already crate-trained.

• Heavy-duty aluminum. Wirecutter suggests an aluminum crate like the Impact if you’re worried about a break-out, because the small holes are hard to bite or push a paw through.

If your golden settles better somewhere darker, the AKC says some dogs prefer a more den-like crate, like a wire crate with a removable cover.

Escape attempts can also be a sign of panic. The vets Wirecutter interviewed say dogs with confinement anxiety can hurt themselves trying to get out. For those dogs, they suggest an exercise pen instead, or a gate across a dog-proofed room.

Whatever you buy, take your golden’s collar or harness off in the crate. Wirecutter warns they can catch on the crate and hurt your dog.

What size crate does a golden need in the car?

A home crate and a car crate do different jobs.

The Center for Pet Safety crash-tests pet travel gear. In its 2015 crate study, it concluded that wire crates “should be considered as distraction prevention tools and will not provide significant protection in the case of an accident.” So a wire crate in the back keeps your golden out of your lap, but it isn’t crash protection.

For that, look for the Center for Pet Safety Certified logo. The travel crates on its certified list right now:

• Gunner G1 Kennel: Small, Medium and Intermediate

• Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel: Medium, Intermediate and Large

• Cabela’s GunDog Kennel: Intermediate and Large

The center also certifies car safety harnesses, which is the other way to go. There’s a pick in golden retriever puppy checklist: what to buy before day one.

Car crates run snug. Gunner’s Intermediate is the size it lists for golden retrievers. It’s 30 x 18 x 25 inches inside (76 x 46 x 64 cm) and rated up to 70 pounds, which is a lot smaller than a 42-inch home crate. When Cars.com tested one in 2015, a 65-pound golden was “just able to turn around” in it, then lay down comfortably. Gunner’s Large (for dogs 71 pounds and up) isn’t on the certified list. Measure your golden against the inside dimensions before you buy.

Two more rules from the center:

• Strap it down with strength-rated anchor straps. Rubber straps from a hardware store failed completely in its tests. Gunner says its own tie-down straps are the only ones it recommends for the crash rating.

• Check your car’s anchors. The center warns that cargo-area anchors aren’t always weight-rated for crash forces, so ask your vehicle maker before you rely on them.

Which crates fit a golden retriever?

These are picks that fit a golden, based on Wirecutter’s crate testing, the Center for Pet Safety’s certified list and each maker’s size chart. We haven’t tested them ourselves, and nobody sent them to us.

MidWest iCrate Double Door 42″ (best all-round home crate)

What makes it a fit: it’s the size MidWest names for goldens. It measures about 42 x 28 x 30 inches (109 x 73 x 77 cm), it’s rated for 71 to 90 pounds, and it comes with a divider panel and a leak-proof tray. The latches have MidWest’s Paw Block, a small piece of wire that helps stop a paw from sliding the bolt open.

Wirecutter calls it a lighter, cheaper, less durable version of its top pick. Its thinner wires made the divider easier to put in and take out, and it was one of the easiest crates to carry. The trade-off: the panels bent outward more easily when Wirecutter pulled on them.

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MidWest Ultima Pro 42″ (for strong dogs)

What makes it a fit: it’s been Wirecutter’s top wire crate pick since 2017. MidWest says it uses the thickest wire gauge the company offers. The 42-inch is rated for 71 to 90 pounds and has front and side doors, a divider panel and a leak-proof pan.

Wirecutter found its wires thicker than any other wire crate it tested, and they warped less under 50 pounds of force. It’s heavier to carry, though, and the thick wires made the divider harder to fit. Some buyers report crates arriving bent, so check yours for sharp edges before your golden goes in.

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Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel (plastic, for travel and flying)

What makes it a fit: it’s a former Wirecutter pick that Wirecutter still calls a good option. It says the crate is tough, contains accidents well and meets most airline requirements for dogs flying in cargo. Petmate sizes the 36-inch for 50 to 70 pounds and the 40-inch for 70 to 90 pounds.

Plastic crates aren’t sized like wire ones. The 40-inch is 40 x 27 x 30 inches outside (102 x 69 x 76 cm), so check it against your measurements. It isn’t on the Center for Pet Safety’s certified list, and if you’re flying, confirm the size with your airline.

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Gunner G1 Kennel Intermediate (crash-tested car crate)

What makes it a fit: the Center for Pet Safety named it the top performing crate of its 2015 study, and the Intermediate is on its certified list today with a 5-star rating. Gunner lists golden retrievers for this size. It’s double-walled plastic with built-in tie-down pins. Remember it’s snug (see the car section above), and it needs Gunner’s straps for the crash rating.

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How we chose

Every pick here comes from published recommendations: Wirecutter’s crate testing, the Center for Pet Safety’s crash-test certifications, the AKC’s sizing method and each maker’s own size chart, checked against the breed standard’s adult heights and weights. We checked every spec against the maker’s or a retailer’s listing in October 2026.

We haven’t tested these crates, and nobody sent them to us. If a pick doesn’t hold up, it comes off the list.

FAQs

Is a 36-inch crate big enough for a golden retriever?

For some smaller females, yes, if the AKC measurements fit. MidWest’s 36-inch is rated up to 70 pounds and is under 25 inches tall, and MidWest suggests sizing up for dogs near 70 pounds. Most goldens are better off in a 42.

Is a 48-inch crate too big for a golden?

For a puppy, yes, unless you use the divider. For an adult, it’s roomy rather than wrong, but the AKC warns that a crate much bigger than your dog needs can encourage potty accidents. Let your measurements decide.

What size crate is a golden retriever in cm?

A 42-inch crate is about 107 cm long, and MidWest’s 42-inch iCrate is 109 x 73 x 77 cm outside. Go by the centimeters, not the size name. MidWest calls its 36-inch crate “Intermediate,” while Gunner’s Intermediate is only 76 cm long inside.

Do I need a new crate when my puppy grows?

Not if you buy the adult size with a divider. Move the divider back as your puppy grows, and take it out once they’re house-trained.

Can I use a soft crate for my golden?

Not for a puppy at home. The AKC recommends fabric crates for small dogs who won’t chew, and they’re harder to clean after an accident.

Bottom line

Get a 42-inch crate with a divider for most goldens, puppy or adult. Measure your dog’s height and length, add 3 to 4 inches, and size up if the numbers say so. For the car, remember a wire crate keeps your golden contained but won’t protect them in a crash, so look for a Center for Pet Safety certified crate or harness.

Keep reading: how to crate train a golden retriever puppy (including the first nights) · golden retriever puppy checklist: what to buy before day one · golden retriever puppy schedule: a sample day at 8, 10 and 12 weeks

Sources

• American Kennel Club, “How to Choose the Best Crate for Your Dog” (Susan Paretts, updated Feb 25, 2026): https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/choose-best-crate-dog/

• American Kennel Club, “Everything You Need to Know About Crate Training Your Dog” (Stephanie Gibeault, updated Sep 21, 2026): https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-crate-train-a-puppy/

• VCA Animal Hospitals, “Life Skills for Pets: Crate Training and Confinement for Puppies and Dogs” (Ellen Lindell, VMD, DACVB; Monique Feyrecilde, LVT, VTS (Behavior)): https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/crate-training-your-dog—an-overview

• Golden Retriever Club of America, AKC breed standard: https://grca.org/about-the-breed/akc-breed-standard/

• MidWest Homes for Pets, “What Size Crate Should I Get?”: https://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/resources/cratesizing/

• MidWest 36-Inch Double Door iCrate listing (41 to 70 lb, size and breed examples): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QFT1R2

• MidWest 42-Inch Double Door iCrate listing (71 to 90 lb, size, breed examples, divider, Paw Block): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QFT1RC

• MidWest 48-Inch iCrate listing (90 to 110 lb, size and breed examples): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OX89XI

• MidWest Intermediate Double Door iCrate Starter Kit listing (36-inch crate sold as “Intermediate”): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D1XQ5NV

• MidWest Ultima Pro 42-Inch listing (71 to 90 lb, thickest wire gauge, front and side doors): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002IQM8S6

• Wirecutter, “The Best Dog Crate” (Mel Plaut, updated Oct 1, 2025): https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dog-crate/

• Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel 36-inch listing (50 to 70 lb, airline cargo specs): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R3J5L0

• Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel 40-inch listing (70 to 90 lb, size): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00186XALG

• Center for Pet Safety, CPS Certified products: https://centerforpetsafety.org/cps-certified/

• Center for Pet Safety, Gunner G1 Kennel Intermediate certification: https://www.centerforpetsafety.org/cps-certified/gunner-kennel-g1-intermediate/

• Center for Pet Safety, “2015 Crate Study Results”: https://www.centerforpetsafety.org/test-results/crates/2015-crate-study-results/

• Center for Pet Safety, cargo area connection advisory: https://www.centerforpetsafety.org/pet-parents/cargo-area-connection-advisory/

• Gunner, “G1 Kennel” (sizes, interior dimensions, breeds, tie-down straps): https://gunner.com/products/g1-kennel-black

• Cars.com, “Gunner G1 Intermediate Kennel: Tested” (Jen Burklow, Dec 7, 2015): https://www.cars.com/articles/gunner-g1-intermediate-kennel-tested-1420682877893/

• Golden Retriever Forum, “Crate size – 36″L or 42″L??”: https://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/threads/crate-size-36-l-or-42-l.97205/

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