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Dog Care
Choosing A Crate Or Carrier For Your Dog
There are various carriers available for transporting your Dog. Obviously they will vary in size and substance depending on what size dog you are transporting. Small dogs will not require carriers as strong as those required to carry large dogs. All carriers should have adequate bedding in them.
When you first pickup your a puppy it is a good idea to transport it home in a carrier. Most dogs like a place that they will feel secure in, and they will see their carrier as such if they are used from an early age. They will retreat into them if they feel threatened in any way. They can also be used if your dog is recovering from an illness or operation.
Dogs, particularly puppies and small dogs can be transported in substantial plastic carriers. For larger dogs use the dog crate. Dog crates are usually made up of wire panels, sides, top and bottom. The bottom panel will have a tray, either in metal or plastic. The wire panels fold down making it into a flat pack and as such easy to carry. These crates are also known as indoor kennels or cages. They are ideal for training puppies and restraining boisterous dogs. You can also use them when you go visiting or on a trip as they are easy to transport.
A crate for dog is measured in a specific way: the length of the dog from its nose to its tail, the height from the ground to the dog's elbow joint, the width of the shoulders and the height of the dog from the ground to the top of its head. The carrier must be large enough for your dog to stand, turn round and lie down in comfortably.
Height of Dog Crates - The ideal size should enable your dog to stand up without any problems.
Length & Width of Dog Crates - The dog crate should be wide enough so your dog can lie on his side and stretch out, and long enough to lie down fully stretched out. (without having to curl up).
There must be sufficient ventilation to allow air to circulate. Separate food and water containers must be fitted to the inside of the carrier in such a way that they can be refilled from the outside. It is a good idea to purchase the carrier some time before a trip so that your dog becomes accustomed to it. You should put the dog's own bedding and toys inside whenever possible and feed them in the carrier for several days before a trip.
When you invest in a carrier ensure that it will be big enough for your dog when it is fully grown. If you purchase a dog crate that your puppy will eventually grow into, you will need to shrink the space down for your puppy by placing some boxes or divider panels in the back of the dog crate. If you give him too much room, he is likely to use one side of the dog crate to sleep, and the other side as a bathroom. If sized properly, the carrier will last a lifetime. You will be able to transport your dog knowing that it will feel and be safe and secure.
General Crate Sizing Guidelines
Petite Size Dogs - Dogs in this category normally weigh 1 to 12 pounds. An 18" - 22" long dog crate will be most appropriate. This is a great size dog crate for your Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Chihuahua, Jack Russell Terrier, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Papillon, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Toy Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, and dogs of similar size.
Small Size Dogs - Dogs in this category will weigh about 11 - 25 pounds. A 24" long dog crate will be most appropriate. This is a great size dog crate for your Australian Terrier, Border Terrier, Chinese Crested, Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Dachshund, Miniature Poodle, Norwich Terrier, Silky Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, and dogs of similar size.
Medium Size Dogs - Dogs in this category will weigh about 26 - 40 pounds. A 30" long dog crate will be most appropriate. This is a great size dog crate for your American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Clumber Spaniel, Dachshund, French Bulldog, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Pekingese, Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, Tibetan Terrier, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Welsh Terrier, West Highland Terrier, and dogs of similar size.
Intermediate Size Dogs - Dogs in this category will weigh about 41 - 70 pounds. A 36" long dog crate will be most appropriate. This is a great size dog crate for your American Eskimo, Australian Cattle Dog, Basset Hound, Beagle, Brittany Spaniel, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Finnish Spitz, Harrier, Keeshond, Kerry Blue Terrier, Norwegian Elkhound, Portuguese Water Dog, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Standard Schnauzer, Welsh Corgi, Whippet, and dogs of similar size.
Large Size Dogs - Dogs in this category will weigh about 71 - 90 pounds. A 42" long dog crate will be most appropriate. This is a great size dog crate for your Airedale Terrier, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Boxer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Ibizan Hound, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Saluki, Standard Poodle, Vizsla, and dogs of similar size.
Extra-Large Size Dogs - Dogs in this category will weigh about 91 - 110 pounds. A 48" long dog crate will be most appropriate. This is a great size dog crate for your Afghan, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bloodhound, Bouvier Des Flandres, Briard, Bullmastiff, Collie, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue De Bordeaux, German Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Greyhound, Komondor, Kuvasz, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, Otterhound, Rottweiler, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Weimaraner, and dogs of similar size.
Colossal Size Dogs - Dogs in this category will weigh about 111 - 125+ pounds. A 54" long dog crate will be most appropriate. This is a great size dog crate for your Borzoi, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Scottish Deerhound, St. Bernard, and dogs of similar size.
Author: John M. Carr - http://www.petsandpeoplegifts.com
| View(1751 Time) - - Post Date: 2007-02-20 00:22:32 |
Other Articles :
 Basic Dog Care Recommendations
Winterizing Your Dog
Treat Your Dog To A Massage
Choosing The Right Signature Toys For Your Dog
Going Places With Your Dog
Which Is The Best Dog Collar
Giving Your Dog a Bath
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