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What Size Crate Do I Need for a Great Dane? Breed Facts & FAQs

Jessica Kim

By Jessica Kim

merle great dane puppy standing indoor

Great Danes are a giant dog breed that often needs super-sized items. So, it’s no surprise that you’ll have to find an extra-large crate for them, and it can be challenging to find one that supports their size and enables them to rest inside comfortably.

Great Danes can have an overall height of between 42-50 inches and can measure around 43 inches in length. So, they’ll need a crate that’s a few inches taller and longer than them and often do best with an extra-large crate that measures about 54 inches tall.

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Finding the Right Crate Size for a Great Dane

In general, you can find an appropriately sized crate by measuring your dog. You’ll want to do your best to measure from the top of their head to their front paw and then from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail. Then, you just have to add 2-4 inches, and you’ll have the right measurements for your dog’s crate.

This method is ideal for adult dogs that have fully matured. It can be a little more complicated if you have a Great Dane puppy. Your best bet is to measure the average height of a Great Dane and buy a crate that’s about 54 inches tall and about 44 inches long. Many dog crates come with dividers that you can place inside the crate to reduce it to a suitable size for your puppy. As your Great Dane puppy grows, you can adjust the divider until it’s no longer needed.

Buying a large crate for a Great Dane puppy is the most cost-efficient option as larger crates can be significantly more expensive than smaller crates. It’s best to start with a large crate and use a divider rather than purchase multiple crates as your puppy grows.

close up of a great dane puppy
Photo Credit: JaguarE, Pixabay

What to Look for When Shopping for a New Dog Crate

Since Great Danes can grow to large sizes, it’s important to find a durable crate. While Great Danes aren’t known to be aggressive dogs or escape artists, they can be pretty mouthy and get injured if they chew on crate walls made with low-quality materials.

In general, Great Danes do well with a wire crate made with high-quality wire. Puppies may chew through crate trays when they’re teething. So, if this becomes an issue, make sure to look for chew-proof crate trays.

If your Great Dane is particularly mouthy, you can purchase a crate that has thicker steel bars rather than thin metal wires.

Benefits of Crate Training a Great Dane

Great Danes can benefit from crate training for several reasons. First, crate training helps with housetraining and potty-training puppies by establishing clear boundaries in the home. Dogs can also feel a greater sense of security knowing that they have a consistent place where they can retreat when they want to rest or relax.

Since Great Danes can grow extremely tall, they can easily reach food on tables and nudge open cabinets. Crate training can prevent them from getting into any trouble when you’re not at home and reduce the risk of them ingesting harmful foods or chemicals found in everyday household cleaners.

great dane puppy lying on grass
Photo Credit: JaguarE, Pixabay

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Final Thoughts

Crates are great tools that can help speed up housebreaking and potty training, and it can also keep your dog from ingesting unsafe items while you’re not at home. Great Danes usually do well with crates that are about 54 inches tall and 45 inches long.

When it comes to Great Danes, it’s often best to choose a larger crate because they can grow very tall. It’s better to overshoot and use a divider rather than purchase a crate that’s too small and end up having to buy a second crate.


Featured Image Credit: MPH Photos, Shutterstock

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