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If you have a mini Goldendoodle or are looking to adopt one into your family, a crate is likely on your list of must-haves. Crates are excellent for training your dog and they make a nice, safe place for a puppy to spend time.
A crate is considered an absolute necessity for many puppy owners and if you are looking to purchase a crate, you will want to look at some of the following questions.
What Size Crate Should I Get For My Mini Goldendoodle?
The first question you may consider is the size of the crate that you will need. To answer this, you’ll need to know the size that your mini Goldendoodle will reach when they are fully grown.
The following chart will give you basic mini Goldendoodle sizing but ultimately, your dog’s size will depend upon the size of his or her parents.
If you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder, they should be able to provide you with a fairly accurate size.
| Generation | Average Weight | Average Height |
|---|---|---|
| F1 Mini Goldendoodle | 30 – 50 pounds | 15 – 22 inches |
| F1b Mini Goldendoodle | 15 – 30 pounds | 13 – 20 inches |
| F2 Mini Goldendoodle | 30 – 50 pounds | 15 – 22 inches |
| F2b Mini Goldendoodle | 15 – 30 pounds | 13 – 20 inches |
Let me give you an example of the size of crate we chose for our F1b. Our mini Goldendoodle weighed about 3 pounds when we first got her. She was tiny and was mostly made up of fluffy hair.
The breeder told us that she should be around 20 pounds fully grown and she has stayed somewhere in the range of 17 pounds fully grown.
Her weight fluctuates from time to time but 17 pounds has been her average over the years. She has been as much as 19 pounds and as small as 14 pounds when she went through a sickness that caused her to lose a little weight.
The crate we chose measures in at 28 inches x 20 inches x 20 inches. This size has been perfect for her and gives her plenty of room to move around without being too big. It also allows for added blankets, a crate pad, toys and other items that she may want with her to make her more comfortable.
Before I go over the types of crates and the other questions and concerns for choosing a crate, let me tell you the exact crate we chose and why.
We chose a soft-sided, foldable and portable crate.
The PetNation Port-a-crate was our crate of choice for our mini Goldendoodle.
A mini Goldendoodle is a fairly calm and well-behaved type of dog so we never worried about her tearing the material or trying to escape through the zippered areas.
She never once tore any part of the crate so it was a good solution for us and we recommend it to other mini Goldendoodle owners.
With the size of our dog, 17 pounds fully grown, we chose the 28-inch crate. This would most likely be a medium size in most brands of soft-sided crates.
This size was perfect for her as a puppy and would still be a good size for her now as a senior if she ever needed to use it again.
PetNation recommends purchasing a crate that is a couple of inches taller than your dog when measured from the top of their head to the floor. A crate of this size will give your dog the proper room in which to move around and be comfortable.
Now that you know our recommendation for a mini Goldendoodle crate, let’s talk about some other areas of concern when choosing a crate.
What Type of Crate Do I Need?
There are different types of crates and they all have their benefits as well as drawbacks. You will need to decide on which one will work best for your situation based on the amount of space you have, cost and how destructive you expect your dog to be.
The following table outlines a few features of each type of crate.
| Crate Type | Material | Weight | Durability | Aesthetics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Sided | Fabric (Polyester) | Lightweight | Medium | Medium |
| Wooden | Wood, metal | Heavy | Medium | High |
| Wire | Metal Wire | Medium | High | Low |
| Plastic | Plastic | Lightweight | Medium | Low |
Let’s dig further into each type of crate and discover the pros and cons of each type.
Soft Crate
A soft crate is one that is made from a soft fabric such as polyester. These crates are great for non-destructive dogs. We chose a soft crate for our mini Goldendoodle and it was the right choice for us.
Our puppy got right into her crate on the first night we brought her home and she made it her home for much of her puppyhood.
She continued to use it as she got older and we still have it today but she hasn’t needed it for years since she is well-trained and has full run of the house.
You’ll need to figure out if this will work with your dog based on the pros and cons of this type of crate.
Pros
- Easy to store away when not in use
- Takes up less space
- Lightweight & portable
- Attractively designed
- Quiet when the dog is using it
- Easy to clean
Cons
- A destructive dog might be able to escape by tearing through the fabric or zippered sections
- Not as strong or destruction-proof as other types of crates
As noted above, the PetNation Port-A-Crate is our crate of choice and this crate is soft-sided. We never really considered a different kind of crate as this one has always served our needs quite well.
Here are a few things we love about it.
- It’s very lightweight.
- It folds up and can be stored away under a bed or in a closet, taking up minimal room.
- It’s sturdy and well-built – we’ve had it for 13 years and it still looks new.
- It’s quiet. Many metal crates are loud and wobbly when the dog is in them. This one is quiet as there are no metal parts other than the zipper and frame.
- The top opens up so it doesn’t feel so claustrophobic and allows our dog to look out.
I feel like this crate is perfect for a dog the size of a mini Goldendoodle.
Wooden Crate
A wooden crate is more like a piece of furniture that you will be adding to your house. A wooden crate is aesthetically pleasing and will generally go well with your current home decor.
Depending on the type you purchase, they are typically well built and can even be used as a side table for a couch or chair.
These crates are great for those who want a nice solid crate but also want something that looks great in their home. These have a more high-end, classy look than the other crate options.
Pros
- High quality and looks great in your home
- Beautifully designed and fit in well with the rest of your house furniture
- Heavy duty and hard for your dog to escape from
Cons
- Most expensive of all the crate types
- Could be damaged or scratched easily
- Take up a lot of space which could be a problem if you aren’t using it as a piece of furniture
Wire Crate
A metal wire crate is probably the most popular crates that you are used to seeing. These are more suited for dogs who may be destructive and could possibly work their way out of a less secure soft crate.
This will depend upon your specific dog but a mini Goldendoodle isn’t typically destructive. A metal crate might be overkill for this type of dog.
The soft-sided fabric crate that we used was plenty for our doodle and a wire crate would not have been necessary.
Pros
- Cheaper than other options
- Heavy duty and more difficult for a destructive dog to escape
- Easy to clean
Cons
- May scratch floors
- Not as mobile as other options
- Take up a lot of space
- Heavy
Plastic Crate
A plastic dog crate may be a good option for those who aren’t interested in a soft crate or a metal crate. These crates are durable and lighter weight than the metal kind so they may offer a middle-of-the-road approach for some people.
Although not very pleasant to look at, they are tried and true and are used by animal shelters and provide a safe, secure place for your dog to stay.
Pros
- Strong enough to resist damage from a destructive dog
- Lightweight
- Can be taken apart for easy storage
- Affordable
- Good for travel, most are airline approved
Cons
- Plastic may crack easily
- Overall cheap plastic look and feel
Do I Have Room For a Crate?
A crate can take up a lot of space if you intend to purchase one that cannot be folded and put away. You’ll need to take this into account when you are shopping for your perfect solution.
A medium wire crate may take up a space of 30 inches in length by 20 inches in width. Since these types of crates are rigid and many don’t fold away, you’ll lose this space in your house at all times.
Sure, you can put it in the closet or another room when you aren’t using it but it will take up space in those rooms too.
This is a good solution if you have a large house and plenty of space but if you live in a small apartment or a small home, you may be better off with a more portable solution.
The same can be said about a wooden crate. Although, with a wooden, decorative crate, it isn’t necessary to put it away when not in use since it will blend in nicely with your home decor.
A wooden crate could be left out at all times and double as a toy box or a safe place for your dog to go during a storm or other stressful times.
A foldable soft crate is a good option for apartment dwellers or those who simply don’t have enough space for a crate that is permanently set up.
How Much Time Will My Mini Goldendoodle Spend in Their Crate?
Many people use crates in different ways. Our dog only spent a limited amount of time in hers. We used it when she was a puppy for training and our dog also was kept inside it when we were gone during the day.
As she grew out of the puppy stage and was house trained, she was pretty much done with her crate. The only time we used it after that was when we would go on vacation, travel to see family or when she stayed at someone else’s house.
We used a crate as a safe place for our mini Doodle to stay in while she was learning the rules of our household.
On the other hand, some people use a crate for the entire life of their dog. Some dogs feel safe in their crate and continue to use them throughout their lives when their owner is gone.
Once you know how often you intend to use your crate for your dog, this will help you determine the best crate option for your needs.
Making a Crate a Good Experience For Your Mini Goldendoodle
Our dog had a great experience with her crate when she was growing up. She got right in it when we brought her home as if she knew she was supposed to.
It was clear to us that she already knew what a crate was and at 7 weeks old, she considered it a safe place.
She enjoyed it much of her young life and we always tried to make it a happy place for her. We made it comfortable and kept toys in it.
We also gave her treats to eat while she was in it so that she would associate getting treats with being in her crate.
As she grew older, she no longer wanted to be in her crate and this is understandable. Once she had full run of the house, she didn’t want to be held back by being in her crate.
If you want your dog to have a good experience with their crate, the following tips may help.
- Give your dog treats when they are in their crate. We would often put dog treats in our dog’s crate and our mini Goldendoodle would eat and enjoy it while in her crate.
- Keep your doodle’s favorite toys in their crate. We left our dog’s toys in her crate at all times and she would go and get them when she wanted them. Sometimes she would even play with them inside the crate.
- Make sure it’s comfortable. Make sure it has a nice thick crate pad and other comfortable items such as blankets, pillows, etc.
- Use it only for positive reinforcement. Avoid putting your dog into their crate as a form of punishment. This is one sure-fire way to teach your dog to dislike their crate.
A crate can be a great place for your dog to spend time. Just make sure that you have chosen a crate that is properly sized and treat it as a happy place.
Your dog should grow to feel safe and comfortable with it.
Bottom Line
The type of crate you purchase for your mini Goldendoodle comes down to personal preference. Any type of crate will do the trick as long as it is properly sized.
However, a crate is likely to be used throughout your dog’s entire life so it’s important to purchase one that you will be happy with for many years to come.
Our mini Goldendoodle had many years of enjoyment out of her crate. There was a time when she loved to be in it and felt safe and secure. We used it at home, when traveling and when she was sleeping over at her grandma’s house.
We chose her crate based on the size we thought she would grow into and because of that, still have the same crate and can use it should the need arise.
Our mini Goldendoodle is a senior now and just wants to be next to us so she doesn’t need it any longer.
If you are choosing a crate, keep your dog in mind and purchase a crate that you feel will best serve their needs.