Large Dog Crates Buyer's Guide
If you are still looking for the best large dog crate, you will probably need additional help. Yes, we will provide it as well, by offering you a comprehensive buyer's guide.
Here is all that you need to know before choosing a new crate for your large breed sized furry friend.
Why Do You Need A Large Dog Crate?
There are a lot of reasons why you will need to invest in a crate and some of these reasons are very much personal.
Do You Leave Your Dog Home Alone?
As we all know, some dogs can have destructive tendencies when they are left home alone. To protect them and your expensive home furniture, you will need a crate to restrict your pooch's movement at home.
In return, you will always know that your home is safe and your large breed dog is kept at bay.
Do You Have Frequent Visits?
All dogs like to play, but some like to play with their owners only. Especially for dogs that are displaying anxiety behavior around strangers at home.
That's why you may need to invest in a large doggie crate if your friends or family frequently visit your home. Having a big sized crate will give your dog the security of a personal space. At the same time, it can help to prevent any accidental mishaps between your guests and your big sized doggie.
Is Your Dog Suffering From Anxiety?
Some dogs are nervous, and they are scared of different things. A crate is an excellent alternative that will keep them safe and provide a safe place to stay whenever they want.
Do You Have A Dog Bed?
A large dog crate paired with a bed is the best accommodation your dog can have. All dogs will feel safe and enjoy sleeping in their new home. Of course, the door should stay open so your precious pooch can get in and get out whenever it wants.
Do You Travel Frequently?
Large dog crates are essential for dog owners who travel frequently. How and where you will keep your furry friend while on a journey? The only possible solution is in a large sized canine crate.
Additional Factors To Consider
Size of Crate
The first factor to consider is the size. A crate must be tall enough for your dog to raise its head while standing and not even touch the ceiling. A crate of this advantage will be great for your furry friend. However, keep in mind that too big crates have their drawbacks and they are not great for your pooch. An oversized crate wouldn't provide the security and safety of a properly sized crate.
Quality & Finishing
Another important factor consider is the overall quality. It is essential to get a good quality large dog crate that doesn't have sharp edges or poorly constructed lock mechanism. These issues could have the potential to cause an injury to your precious canine companion.
We always prefer crates made of steel or iron. They are the strongest, durable in nature and built to last.
Reinforced Material
Do you know why some crates are made to be super-strong? To keep your furry friend inside at all times.
As such, you are going to need a crate which is suitable for your canine companion. For example, if you have a large breed dog, you will need a bigger crate with advanced door security and made of a durable steel material.
If you have a small breed dog, you can make do with a lighter and more portable crate.
Single or Dual Doors
Most models on the list come with either one or two doors. It is essential to decide which type you want. Single-Door models are more affordable but less convenient.
Dual-Door models are more usable, and they offer a more flexible placement can be placed in a corner or tight place. Usually Dual-Door models are recommended for smaller homes with a space constrain.
Divider
A divider is a useful option. It is reserved for larger crates, and it can just divide the crate into two spaces. If you are planning to keep your puppies there or you have two dogs, a divider is highly recommended.
Keep in mind that it isn't available with smaller crates. Also, it is usually made of wire and should be strong enough to keep your dogs separated.
Removable Tray
A tray is a must. It is a plastic sheet that is placed on the bottom of your large dog crate. This helps to capture any fur, hair or dirt that comes from your pooch. Especially so when your furry friend is the type that likes to roll in the mud or dirt.
There are several options available on the market. Some of them are made of plastic, while others are made of metal. Those made of plastic are more affordable, easier to move and clean. Those made of metal can last longer, and they are extremely resistant.
It is up to you to decide which tray you will need and we highly recommend getting it. These trays can be easily removed from a crate and can be cleaned in under a minute.
Foldability
Most large dog crates are foldable when not in use, but not all of them have this flexibility. If you have a space constrain, consider getting a crate that can be stored away and folded down easily. Luckily, there are a lot of different models out there with this feature.
What Is Considered A Large Breed Dog?
If you need a furry friend that can serve as a companion and a guard for your home, consider getting a large breed dog. These dogs are capable of performing certain tasks if you train them well. And although they have a giant body size, they are extremely gentle and can make for a perfect best friend.
So if you're in the process of searching for a large breed dog to adopt, here's everything you need to know about them.
What Are The Characteristics Of A Large Dog?
Having a large dog in your home means having more space for your pooch to run and walk around. These breeds need to exercise regularly to burn more calories. Another downside to owning a giant dog is that they are too heavy, so carrying them when they are sick or if you need to cuddle them is a real challenge.
It's also crucial for these dogs to be given obedience training while they are still young, so they will know how to behave when they're a grownup. Giant dogs might appear intimidating, but these are gentle giants and are lovable.
Another issue about having large dogs is that they tend to suffer from various health problems, especially as they grow older. This often has something to do with their joints, hips, and elbows. They are also at high risk of digestive tract disorders like volvulus and gastric dilatation. Therefore, if you're going to raise a giant breed dog, you need to prepare yourself for the medical expenses that come with it. It's also worth noting that large dogs tend to die sooner than the smaller ones.
Some good examples of large breed dogs are Bernese mountain dog, Akita, Doberman pinscher, Bloodhound, Rottweiler, and Golden Retriever.
What Does Owning A Large Breed Dog Mean?
As mentioned, large breed dogs tend to live a shorter life than the smaller ones. Furthermore, they are more costly to raise than smaller breeds. They require bigger spaces, bigger crates, bigger toys, and more food, not to mention the regular checkups with the vet. But different types of dogs, regardless of their size, come with their pros and cons. Before deciding to own a large dog, it's therefore essential that you consider the drawbacks and see if it's something that you can handle.
Many people think that large dogs require more exercise than small ones, but it's the smaller dogs that require more exercise. For as long as they are given the right amount of exercise and a suitable place to live, owning a large breed dog is an enjoyable experience. Whether you live in an apartment, condominium, or a house, these dogs are fun to be with.
Get A Large Dog Crate If You Own A Large Breed Dog
One of the things that you need to prepare when owning a large breed dog is the dog crate. When it comes to getting your large dog a crate, make sure you choose something suitable for your dog's size. If you get a crate that's small for your dog to fit, your pet will feel restricted, and this could lead to anxiety and stress.
Another reason why you should get a crate suitable for the size of your giant dog is that they tend to grow faster. It's just a waste of money to keep on buying crates every time your dog outgrows it. So save yourself some money by buying a large dog crate. Above all, a large dog crate makes crate training your pooch so much easier since it will be able to move freely inside.
Why Do Big Dogs Die Young?
Big dogs like the Great Dane have an average lifespan of only 7 years. On the other hand, small breeds like the poodle, have a much longer lifespan that could last for 14 years and even more! Because of this, experts have concluded that the bigger the dog, the shorter its lifespan, and the smaller the dog, the longer its lifespan, which is somewhat strange.
But this does not apply to all animals on the planet. Take for instance the elephants, which have an enormous body size, yet they live quite long. In fact, they could stick around for up to 70 years! Blue whales, which are also huge, could live for up to 90 years old.
So Why Is It That Bigger Dogs Die Sooner?
According to a study, the reason why large breeds of dogs die sooner is that they age a lot faster. This was the result of a study conducted by the American Naturalist based on the record obtained from the Veterinary Medical Database that consisted of 74 dog breeds. The study was done on 50,000 dogs, where they observed when and why these dogs die.
The researchers found out that large dogs tend to age much faster compared to smaller dogs. Hence, the reason why larger dogs have a shorter lifespan is that they age quickly.
What Is The Reason Behind This?
Dog experts recommend for smaller dogs to undergo geriatric checkups when they reach 11 years old. Medium sized dogs should start the checkup at 9, while large dogs must start getting geriatric checkups at 7. The reason why large breed dogs age faster could be because they tend to age earlier, which also explains why they develop age-related problems earlier in life.
The study reveals that since large dogs tend to age at a faster pace, their adult years also go in a fast motion. These findings are very valuable in understanding the reason why large breed dogs tend to die much younger.
More and more researchers are conducting studies to uncover more reasons why large breed dogs have a shorter lifespan compared to the smaller breeds. They aim to address questions that the current study hasn’t been able to address. One clue that resulted from previous studies was that small dogs might have a lower concentration of the IGF-I, a growth hormone, which is needed for growth and development.
Those who have a higher level of the IGF-I, which include humans, are associated with a high risk of death that results from age-related conditions, including heart diseases and cancer. On the other hand, manipulating the IGF-1 levels in some animal species could reduce their risk of developing age-related diseases and extend their lifespan.
Thus, the reason why large dogs tend to die much younger may be because they have more of the growth hormones, which make them age faster. Also, their large body size could be a side effect of the higher presence of these growth hormones in their body.
Why Buy A Large Dog Crate?
It’s sad to know that your large furry friend could die sooner. Therefore, you should make the most of your time with your pet and make it feel comfortable at all times.
So, when buying a crate for your pooch, choose a large dog crate that can accommodate its huge body size. That way, your dog will feel comfortable, safe, and stress-free. If you put your large dog in a small crate, there’s a tendency that your dog will suffer from depression and that could further shorten its lifespan.
Tips On Caring For Your Big Dog
Understandably, large breed dogs are much more difficult to take care of compared to the smaller breeds. But don't let this discourage you from adopting a gentle giant. Aside from the fact that they are naturally lovable, these dogs can be relied on when it comes to guarding your home. In fact, if you train them well, you can make them do some chores for you!
If you're thinking of getting a large dog to raise or if you already own one, here are some tips to help you take care of it.
Keep Your Big Dog Healthy
Large breed dogs are susceptible to joint illnesses and other health conditions because of their huge body size. In fact, this is one of the reasons why these breeds tend to have a shorter lifespan.
One of the most common conditions that these dogs suffer from is hip dysplasia. To avoid these issues, make sure you exercise your pet regularly and keep it active at all times.
Train It
It's essential to train your dog as early as possible. Your dog could grow bigger and will compete with your body size, but you must make it clear to your pet that you're the master, and it has to abide by your command.
When training your pooch, make sure you deliver your command clearly and with a firm voice to coerce your dog to follow you.
Feed With Quality Dog Food
Remember that large breeds have different nutritional needs from small breeds. Make sure you feed your pooch with foods that are suitable to its size and breed. Also, avoid overfeeding the puppies or they will become overweight and will suffer from joint problems.
It is best to switch your puppy to adult food earlier and ask for advice from your vet regarding the amount of food to feed to your pup. The vet might also recommend certain supplements to keep your pup healthy and strong.
Get A Large Dog Crate
Getting a large dog crate for your big dog can help make training it a lot easier. These crates usually come with dividers that help you to segregate the space, which is necessary for training effectively.
Remember that it's very important that you choose a large crate for your dog so they will feel comfortable and not feel that they are being forced in. A small crate can make your pooch feel scared, and this can make it suffer from anxiety and stress.
Groom Your Big Dog
Sure, grooming a dog that weighs 120 pounds or more can be a challenge, but this is necessary. This is why it's important that you teach your dog to behave while being groomed. Also, you need to have the right tools to use when grooming your pet so you can make the process more convenient for you. It's important to brush your pet's teeth regularly and wash its fur as well. Don't forget to clean the ears and trim its nails.
