Custom made "crate"

S

SWalker

Forums Novice
Hello

I am new here. I've owned one Sheltie in the past many years ago. I am looking at getting one this spring.

I would like to make a custom crate between two IKEA wardrobes in my foyer. The distance between them is 28 inches. It would be 23 inches deep. I could go as high or low for the "roof" of the crate as I like. That "crate" would look more like furniture and jus stay there as part of the foyer.

Do you think that gives the adult Sheltie enough room as a crate?

Thanks.
 
That sounds small for an average size sheltie. I have a tiny little sheltie (12 inches and 11 pounds) and a 24" x 30" crate is perfect for her.
 
Our crate is: 32"L x 22"W x 23"H and our Sheltie has plenty of room to stretch out and sleep. I wouldn't go much smaller than this.
 
I love your idea but, honestly, I'd wait until your Sheltie was full grown until you build something permanent. Shelties have this strange habit of not always growing to the size we expect, even with growth charts to help breeders, and interested owners, guess the estimated size.

Case in point... my 13 month old tracked well below the standard height on growth charts despite being the largest in his litter. It was looking like he'd barely reach 12 inches even at 8 months old. By the time he was 10 months old he was suddenly pushing 13 3/4 inches and I'm crossing fingers and toes he'll stay under 14 inches, the cut off between 12 inch and 16 inch jump heights in AKC agility.

Others have had dogs who tracked at staying in size to end up with Shelties the size of a small Collie (close to 18 inches tall).

Basically it would stink to build something very nice for your puppy to find they've out grown it as an adult. I really do love your idea but please keep in mind sometimes Sheltie sizes can be unpredictable.
 
Silaria said:
I love your idea but, honestly, I'd wait until your Sheltie was full grown until you build something permanent. Shelties have this strange habit of not always growing to the size we expect, even with growth charts to help breeders, and interested owners, guess the estimated size.

Case in point... my 13 month old tracked well below the standard height on growth charts despite being the largest in his litter. It was looking like he'd barely reach 12 inches even at 8 months old. By the time he was 10 months old he was suddenly pushing 13 3/4 inches and I'm crossing fingers and toes he'll stay under 14 inches, the cut off between 12 inch and 16 inch jump heights in AKC agility.

Others have had dogs who tracked at staying in size to end up with Shelties the size of a small Collie (close to 18 inches tall).

Basically it would stink to build something very nice for your puppy to find they've out grown it as an adult. I really do love your idea but please keep in mind sometimes Sheltie sizes can be unpredictable.
Click to expand...

*exactly...my first girl was the runt of the litter, and she ended up out growing many of her siblings. My second was a lean pup, but around 10 mths she got a real stocky build. never fat, just solid and heavy. Kaleigh we thought was gonna be smaller and she is bigger than both her parents. Savannah was the biggest girl of 3, almost as big as her brothers-and the best eater, now she is barely 15 lbs, and smaller than all of them and her parents which shocked all of us.

You just never know how those genes will influence growth. I seemed to always get the wild card playing out in my girls.
 
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