first time dog/cocker owner- what do I buy?

[hilhames]

great, its beginning to fall into place.  So this is a puppy playpen from zooplus or wherever?  Can you give me an indication of size I should get?

Re crate - I am not sure that I would use it when puppy is full grown do I need 30 inches or is something a bit smaller ok?  I guess there are several standard sizes?

[Homebird]

I have a smaller crate which fits well in the kitchen and which I used for my first cocker and will use for the new puppy - however it is a bit small (24inches max) when the dog is full grown and I felt mean putting Jessie in it when she was unwell.  As I will need to separate the new dog at times from baby grandchildren I wish I had bought the 36 inch and may well get one in the future - but there again we have a big hall to put it in now!

[hilhames]

I think if I got 24" I could pput it in the car and could manage without a pet carrier. Then I could get a dog harness when she is a bit bigger, or a dog guard for the boot?

[chrisp]

I think if I got 24" I could pput it in the car and could manage without a pet carrier. Then I could get a dog harness when she is a bit bigger, or a dog guard for the boot?

Like a pushchair, you should make sure the size would fit in your boot ok.  Perhaps someone with same car could advise you of the size/shape of their crate?