Labrador puppy: what to buy, and what size
A Labrador grows into one of the bigger dogs on most British streets, so buy a 42in crate and use the divider while he grows. Large breeds are better grown steadily than fast, which is why the feeding guides matter more here than for a terrier — and on most food subscriptions a Labrador's bill nearly doubles before his first birthday. Expect shedding rather than matting.
Adult crate size: 42in. Sizes are given against the adult dog, because that is what you should buy for.
Guides that cover the Labrador
Best puppy crates in the UK: four picks by dog size and budget
The best puppy crates in the UK by adult size and budget, with prices, what each one does badly, and who should not buy a crate at all.
Best puppy harnesses in the UK: three picks by dog size and budget
The best puppy harnesses in the UK by chest size and budget, with October 2026 prices, what each does badly, and who should not buy one yet.
Best stair gates for dogs in the UK: three picks by dog size
The best stair gates for dogs in the UK by dog size and budget, with October 2026 prices, what each does badly, and who should not buy a gate.
Dog beds (UK): what survives a chewer, what suits an old dog
No dog bed is chewproof, and the retailers say so. What actually survives a chewer, what an older dog needs, and the sizing test most beds fail.
Dog brushes by coat type: the £5 tools that do the work
Which dog brush suits which coat, what it costs at UK retailers, and why the £21 de-shedder is the one most dogs do not need. Checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to feed a dog? (UK, per week & month)
A 12kg dog costs about £16 a month on mid-range kibble, a labrador £32. Enter your dog's weight for your own weekly and monthly bill, plus 23 breeds.
How much to feed a puppy: the chart on the bag is a starting point
UK puppy feeding charts do not all mean the same thing. How to read them, how many meals by age, and the body test that beats any chart.
Puppy crate size guide (UK): 24in to 48in, by breed
What size crate for your puppy? UK sizes 24in–48in by breed, how to measure, and why you buy for the adult dog — from someone who ran a boarding kennel.
Puppy food subscriptions in the UK: what they cost once the puppy grows
Six UK dog food subscriptions compared, from 85p to £3.26 a day for a 12kg dog, and why a labrador puppy's bill nearly doubles in its first year.
The puppy grooming kit: what the coat decides, and what it costs to get it wrong
The brushes, comb and shampoo a puppy needs depend on the coat, not the breed. A UK kit for each coat type, and what matting costs at the groomer.
Puppy leads, collars and harnesses: what to buy once and what to buy cheap
Which puppy lead, collar and harness to buy in the UK: what to buy cheap, what to buy once, and the one item British law requires.
Playpen or crate? Dogs Trust says that is the wrong question
Playpen or crate for a puppy? UK charities cap crate time at about three hours. What each costs, where each wins, and why Dogs Trust says use both.
Puppy teething toys: what survives, what breaks teeth, and what you can skip
Dog teething toys that are safe: the two-second thumbnail test, why antlers and tennis balls fail, the frozen Kong trick, and how long teething lasts.