Best Pomeranian Crates: Size Guide and Top Picks

Finding the right crate for a Pomeranian is not complicated, but getting the size wrong can undo all your training efforts overnight. A crate that’s too big encourages toilet accidents; one that’s too small causes anxiety and discomfort. The sweet spot for most adult Pomeranians is a 24-inch crate — snug enough to feel den-like, spacious enough to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably.

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Why Crate Size Matters So Much for Pomeranians

Pomeranians are a Spitz-type breed with a compact but sturdy build. According to the American Kennel Club, the breed standard places adult weight between 3 and 7 pounds, with a height of roughly 6 to 7 inches at the shoulder. That is a narrow weight range with surprising variation — some Poms sit comfortably at 4 pounds, while others hit 7 pounds and are still perfectly healthy. That variation is exactly why you should measure your dog rather than just trusting the breed label on the box.

The rule of thumb for crate sizing is simple: your dog should be able to stand up without hunching, turn around fully, and lie stretched out on their side. Any less and the crate causes physical discomfort. Any more and you lose the den-like enclosure that makes crate training work, because a dog with excess room will simply toilet in one corner and sleep in another.

How to Measure Your Pomeranian for a Crate

Take two measurements. First, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (not the tip — the tail curls over the back). Second, measure from the floor to the top of the head or the tips of the ears, whichever is taller. Add 2–4 inches to each measurement. The resulting numbers are your minimum crate dimensions.

When I first got Sash, I made the classic mistake of buying a 30-inch crate because I thought it looked more comfortable. She promptly used one corner as a bathroom and showed zero interest in settling. I switched to a 24-inch with a divider panel — problem solved within a week. She now treats it like her own private suite.

Types of Crates: Which Works Best for Pomeranians

Not all crates are equal, and the type you choose affects your Pom’s comfort, your convenience, and — critically — whether the crate training actually sticks.

Wire Crates

Wire crates are the most popular choice for Pomeranian owners and for good reason. They offer excellent ventilation, which matters because Poms have a thick double coat and can overheat more easily than short-coated breeds. The open visibility means your dog can see the room and feel part of the household rather than isolated, which suits the notoriously people-oriented Pomeranian personality well. Most wire crates also come with a divider panel, making them practical from puppyhood through adulthood.

The downside is noise — wire crates rattle, and a bored or anxious Pom will let you know about it at 3am. Covering three sides with a crate cover or a heavy blanket muffles the sound and recreates the den atmosphere, which usually helps.

Soft-Sided Crates

Soft-sided crates are brilliant for travel and for dogs that are already fully crate trained and relaxed. They are lightweight, fold flat, and look far less institutional than a wire cage. Sash uses a soft-sided crate when we travel by car. The problem is that a Pomeranian who is still anxious or in the middle of crate training can scratch or chew their way out of a soft-sided crate disturbingly quickly. Reserve these for settled, trained dogs.

Plastic Airline-Style Crates

Plastic crates offer the most enclosed, den-like environment of the three. Some Poms genuinely love them — particularly dogs that tend toward anxiety — because the solid walls feel more secure. They are also the required format for air travel. The trade-off is reduced airflow, so they are not ideal for hot environments or dogs prone to overheating. They are harder to clean than wire crates and take up more storage space when not in use.

Top Crate Picks for Pomeranians

I have used, tested, or thoroughly researched each of these with Sash in mind. Here are my honest picks across different categories.

Best Overall: MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate (24-Inch)

This is the crate I currently use at home for Sash, and it has been genuinely excellent. The 24-inch size fits her perfectly, the divider panel means it could have grown with her from puppyhood, and the fold-flat design makes storage easy. The double-door setup is a practical bonus — I can open either end depending on how the furniture is arranged.

• Pros: Divider included, folds flat, double door, affordable, widely available
• Cons: Can rattle when a determined Pom shakes it; the tray is plastic and can slide

Best for Travel: EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate

For car journeys and overnight stays at family, the EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate is the one I pack. It sets up in seconds, has three mesh door openings for airflow, and includes a carrying bag. The mesh panels keep Sash cool and let her see what’s going on — which keeps her calm far better than a solid-sided bag.

• Pros: Lightweight, fast setup, good ventilation, three access doors
• Cons: Not suitable for unsupervised use with anxious or untrained dogs; not chew-proof

Best for Anxious Poms: Petmate Sky Kennel (Small)

If your Pomeranian struggles with open-plan wire crates or you need something airline-approved, the Petmate Sky Kennel is a solid choice. The enclosed plastic walls create a genuinely calm, den-like space. I used this when Sash was going through a phase of barking at everything visible through her wire crate during a home renovation.

• Pros: Enclosed and secure, airline approved, durable plastic construction
• Cons: Bulkier to store, less airflow than wire, heavier than soft-sided options

Best Budget Pick: Amazon Basics Folding Metal Dog Crate

If you are crate training a Pomeranian puppy and want something functional without spending a lot while they grow, the Amazon Basics Folding Metal Dog Crate is perfectly adequate. It does exactly what a wire crate needs to do at a fraction of the price of premium brands. The build quality is not as refined, but for a dog under 7 pounds, it holds up well.

• Pros: Very affordable, folds flat, divider included
• Cons: Less sturdy than MidWest, latch mechanism can feel flimsy

Setting Up the Crate for a Pomeranian

The crate itself is only half the equation. Where you put it and how you introduce it shapes whether your Pom sees it as a refuge or a punishment.

Place the crate in a room where the family spends time — not in a utility room or a hallway. Pomeranians are companion dogs to their core, and isolation triggers anxiety fast. In our house, Sash’s crate lives in the living room corner, covered on three sides with a crate cover to reduce visual stimulation. She goes in voluntarily most evenings.

Line the base with a washable fleece pad rather than a towel. Towels bunch up and create uneven surfaces; fleece stays flat and dries quickly after cleaning. For puppies just starting Pomeranian puppy care routines, a piece of worn clothing placed inside the crate during the first few nights can reduce whining dramatically — your scent is genuinely reassuring.

Crate Training Tips Specific to Pomeranians

Pomeranians are intelligent and can be stubborn. They respond well to positive reinforcement and very poorly to being forced or locked in abruptly. The American Kennel Club recommends introducing the crate gradually — starting with the door open and high-value treats inside before ever closing it. That advice is especially true for Poms, who have long memories for unpleasant experiences.

1. Start with the crate door open and drop treats inside without asking the dog to enter.
2. Feed meals near, then just inside, then fully inside the crate over several days.
3. Close the door for 30 seconds while you stay visible, then open it again. Gradually increase duration.
4. Never use the crate as punishment — it must always be associated with calm and reward.
5. Keep initial alone-time sessions short and build up slowly over one to two weeks.

Sash was crate trained in about ten days using this approach. She grumbled on day three, settled on day five, and was putting herself to bed by day ten. Patience and consistency matter more than any specific product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size crate does a Pomeranian need?

Most adult Pomeranians do best in a 24-inch crate. This size provides enough room to stand, turn around, and lie stretched out, while still maintaining the enclosed, den-like feel that supports crate training. For very small Poms under 4 pounds, an 18–20 inch crate may be more appropriate — always measure your individual dog first.

Can I use one crate from puppyhood to adulthood?

Yes, if you choose a 24-inch wire crate with a divider panel. Start with the divider in place to limit the usable space while your puppy is small, then remove it as they grow. This prevents the excess space that leads to toilet accidents during training without requiring you to buy two separate crates.

Is a soft-sided crate safe for Pomeranians?

Soft-sided crates are safe for Pomeranians that are already calm and fully crate trained. They are not recommended for dogs still in the training phase, dogs prone to anxiety, or dogs that chew — Poms can scratch through mesh panels quickly when stressed. Use soft-sided crates for travel and supervised rest once your dog is settled.

How long can a Pomeranian stay in a crate?

Adult Pomeranians can reasonably stay in a crate for up to 4–5 hours during the day. Puppies need to come out much more frequently — as a guide, a puppy can hold their bladder for roughly one hour per month of age. Overnight crating is generally fine for adults once they are fully trained and comfortable.

Should I cover my Pomeranian’s crate?

Covering three sides of a wire crate with a crate cover or heavy blanket is highly recommended for most Pomeranians. It reduces visual stimulation, mimics a den environment, and helps dogs settle faster. Leave the front panel open for airflow and so your dog doesn’t feel completely shut off from the household.

Check current pricing on the crates mentioned above at your preferred retailer, as availability and costs change regularly. For more on setting up the right environment from day one, take a look at our guide to Pomeranian puppy care essentials.