What crate size is generally right for a Shih Tzu?

A small crate, often listed as around 24 inches, suits most adult Shih Tzus, but this varies with the individual dog's size. Measuring your own dog nose-to-tail and adding a few inches gives a more reliable answer than relying on the breed average alone.

Should I buy a bigger crate for my Shih Tzu puppy to grow into?

It is better to buy a crate sized for their expected adult size and use a divider panel to reduce the usable space while they are small, rather than giving a young puppy more room than they need. Too much space can make house-training slower, since a dog is naturally reluctant to soil the immediate area they sleep in.

How do I know if a crate is too small for my Shih Tzu?

A crate is too small if your dog cannot stand fully upright without stooping, cannot turn around without difficulty, or cannot lie down fully stretched out. Any of these signs means it is time to size up, regardless of what the crate is labelled as suiting.

Do long-haired Shih Tzus need a bigger crate than short-clipped ones?

Only marginally — a fuller coat adds a small amount of physical bulk, but it is not usually enough to change which crate size fits. Body measurements matter far more than coat length when choosing the right crate for your dog.

What size crate for a Shih Tzu?

Most adult Shih Tzus fit comfortably in a small crate, generally in the region of 24 inches long, but the breed's compact size varies enough between individual dogs that measuring your own dog is a better method than trusting a single figure. A crate that is the right size lets a dog stand fully upright, turn around, and lie flat without being cramped, and no bigger than that.

Why a breed-average size is only a starting point

Shih Tzus are a small breed, typically standing around 20 to 28cm at the shoulder and weighing somewhere between 4 and 7kg as adults, but that is still a real range, and a dog at the top of it needs meaningfully more room than one at the bottom. A crate sized for the breed average can be too tight for a larger individual and unnecessarily large for a smaller one.

Coat also plays a small part — a Shih Tzu with a longer, fuller coat takes up a little more physical space than the same dog freshly clipped, which is worth bearing in mind if you keep the coat long.

How to measure your own dog properly

Measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail while they are standing normally, then add around 4 inches — that gives you the minimum crate length needed for them to lie down fully stretched out. Measure height from the floor to the top of the head or ears while standing, and add a similar margin so they can stand without stooping.

If your dog is still growing, size for their expected adult measurements rather than their current puppy size, and use a crate with a divider panel so the space can grow with them rather than buying a new crate at each stage.

What to actually look for

A crate that is too large is not simply generous — a dog given more space than they need can be harder to house-train, since part of how a crate works for that purpose is that a dog is naturally reluctant to soil the small area they sleep in. Right-sized is genuinely better than oversized for a young or newly crate-trained dog.

Once you have your dog's measurements, check a specific crate's internal dimensions rather than the size label alone, since labelling is not fully standardised between manufacturers and an internal measurement is the only figure that actually tells you whether your dog will fit comfortably.

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

Fast UK delivery

MPS Medical PetS Boot – Waterproof Paw Protector

A vet-recommended waterproof boot that keeps bandages, dressings, and casts dry during walks and wet weather.

£30.49

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Common questions

What crate size is generally right for a Shih Tzu?: A small crate, often listed as around 24 inches, suits most adult Shih Tzus, but this varies with the individual dog's size. Measuring your own dog nose-to-tail and adding a few inches gives a more reliable answer than relying on the breed average alone.
Should I buy a bigger crate for my Shih Tzu puppy to grow into?: It is better to buy a crate sized for their expected adult size and use a divider panel to reduce the usable space while they are small, rather than giving a young puppy more room than they need. Too much space can make house-training slower, since a dog is naturally reluctant to soil the immediate area they sleep in.
How do I know if a crate is too small for my Shih Tzu?: A crate is too small if your dog cannot stand fully upright without stooping, cannot turn around without difficulty, or cannot lie down fully stretched out. Any of these signs means it is time to size up, regardless of what the crate is labelled as suiting.
Do long-haired Shih Tzus need a bigger crate than short-clipped ones?: Only marginally — a fuller coat adds a small amount of physical bulk, but it is not usually enough to change which crate size fits. Body measurements matter far more than coat length when choosing the right crate for your dog.

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.