Crates for a Lab and Cocker Spaniel

Fitting two dogs of different sizes into a shared space with matching crates is a neat problem to solve — the key is finding a range that comes in multiple sizes so the crates look intentional rather than mismatched. Crate size is the single most important factor: too small causes distress, too large removes the den-like security that makes crates work in the first place, and material choice depends on how you're using them. To point you in the right direction: what are the rough weights of your Lab and your Cocker, is this purely for home use or will either crate need to travel, and are both dogs already comfortable with crates or are you starting from scratch with one or both of them?

Perfect — that gives me everything I need. For a 35kg Lab you want a 42-inch crate, and for a 13kg Cocker a 30-inch crate. Both dogs are on the larger end of their respective brackets, so I wouldn't size down. The double-door configuration is genuinely useful for a utility room because you can open from the front or the side depending on how the room is laid out. Can I ask one more thing: does the Cocker have any history of anxiety or escape attempts, or is he just unfamiliar with crates? That affects whether a wire crate is the right call or whether something more enclosed would help him settle faster.

Wire is exactly right then — the visibility helps confident dogs settle during training because they don't feel isolated. My recommendation for both is the MidWest iCrate double-door folding wire crate. Get the 42-inch for the Lab and the 30-inch for the Cocker. They're from the same range, so they're visually identical apart from size — same black finish, same folding panel design, same double-door layout. Both come with a divider panel, which you won't need for the Lab but is handy to have for the Cocker during the early training weeks so you can shrink his space temporarily and expand it as he gains confidence. They fold flat if you ever need to store them, the tray pulls out for cleaning, and they sit neatly side by side without looking mismatched. MidWest is one of the most consistently reliable wire crate brands and these are widely available on Amazon UK with next-day delivery in both sizes.

Yes — a few simple things make a real difference. A snug-fitting crate mat or a vetbed offcut stops the tray feeling cold and clinical; for the Cocker specifically, choose something that fits the divided-down space first, then swap to a full-size mat once he's using the whole crate. Covering three sides of his crate with a light blanket or a fitted crate cover makes it feel more den-like without blocking his front view, which helps anxious or unfamiliar dogs settle faster. A stuffed Kong left in the crate when you close the door turns the crate into the place where good things happen — that association is the fastest route to a dog who goes in willingly. For the Lab, none of that is strictly necessary since she's already comfortable, but a good mat is worth having regardless.

Great choice — you'll have a tidy, matching setup and the divider panel on the Cocker's crate gives you real flexibility during training. The 42-inch will suit your Lab well with room to stand and turn comfortably, and the 30-inch is a solid fit for a 13kg Cocker. Good luck with the training — confident dogs usually come around to crates quickly once they associate them with food and rest.