Dog kennel size guide
A dog kennel needs to be large enough for your dog to stand up fully without stooping, turn around completely, and lie down fully stretched out in any direction, which for most dogs means sizing up rather than choosing the closest fit to their standing measurements. Getting this right matters more for a kennel than most other pet furniture, since a dog may spend extended periods in one, particularly outdoors.
What to measure
Measure your dog's height from the floor to the top of their head or ears when standing normally, their length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and add a reasonable margin to both for comfortable movement rather than a tight fit. A kennel sized exactly to a dog's standing measurements will feel cramped once they try to turn around or stretch out.
For a growing puppy, size for their expected adult dimensions rather than their current size, since an outdoor kennel is a bigger investment to replace than most other pet equipment.
Why sizing generous matters more outdoors
A kennel used outdoors, where a dog may spend meaningful time in varying weather, benefits from enough space to move and settle comfortably, since a cramped kennel becomes uncomfortable quickly compared with a crate used briefly indoors. Insulation and draught-proofing matter alongside size for outdoor use, since a kennel that is technically large enough but poorly insulated is not doing its job in cold weather.
Multi-dog households need a kennel sized for the largest dog using it comfortably, plus additional room if more than one dog will share it, rather than an average of the group's sizes.
Checking the fit once it arrives
Once set up, check that your dog can walk in without ducking, turn a full circle without their body touching all sides at once, and lie down fully stretched with room to spare. A dog who avoids using a kennel despite being introduced to it gently is sometimes telling you it does not feel right, sizing included, rather than simply disliking the concept.
Give it a few days of positive introduction — treats, meals, and calm time spent near or inside it with the door open — before judging whether the size and the kennel itself are working for your dog. A correctly sized kennel that is introduced too abruptly can look like a sizing problem when it is really a settling-in one.
The sizes we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Ice-Silk Cooling Dog Bed with Bolster Edge
A breathable ice-silk cooling bed with a soft bolster edge and a cool-touch centre panel that helps your dog stay comfortable through warm weather. No need to freeze or refrigerate, it cools naturally on contact.
From£12.99
L-Shaped Bolster Sofa Dog Bed
A supportive L-shaped sofa bed with a raised bolster back and side for your dog to rest their head. The thick padded base cushions joints, and the soft rose-velvet cover is removable and washable for easy care.
From£44.99
Plush Checkered Dog Car Back Seat Bed
A quilted checkered car bed that turns the back seat into one flat, cosy platform for your dog.
From£11.99
Waterproof Pet Furniture Protector Blanket
A quilted waterproof throw that shields beds and sofas from hair, mud and accidents.
From£11.99
Common questions
- How do I know what size kennel my dog needs?
- Measure your dog's height to the top of their head or ears and their length from nose to tail base, then choose a kennel sized generously beyond those measurements, checking the manufacturer's own size guide for the specific model.
- Should I buy a kennel sized for my puppy now or their adult size?
- Size for your puppy's expected adult dimensions where possible, particularly for an outdoor kennel, since it is a bigger and less frequent purchase than indoor equipment and less practical to replace as they grow.
- Does kennel size matter more for outdoor use than indoor crates?
- Generally yes, since a dog may spend longer stretches of time in an outdoor kennel across a range of weather, so comfortable space to move and settle matters more than it does for a crate used briefly indoors.
- Can two dogs share one kennel?
- It depends on the dogs and the kennel's size — if you plan for this, choose a kennel sized generously beyond what either dog alone would need, and introduce shared use gradually to check both dogs are genuinely comfortable together.
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.