Maxpower Planet Undercoat Rake
A double-row rake that pulls out loose undercoat without cutting the topcoat, so it's safe to use
Top picks
Our #1 pick in each puppy essentials guide
MidWest iCrate Double Door
A folding wire crate in sizes up to 48 inches, with a divider panel included, two doors and a leak-proof tray. Good airflow matters for a breed with a thick coat that runs
MidWest Life Stages Double Door
MidWest's sturdier line: heavier wire, extra latches and a divider panel, in 42 and 48 inch sizes. A good step up for a strong, active German
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed
Solid memory foam with a bolster to lean on and a removable, water-resistant cover, in sizes that fit a full-grown
Ruffwear Front Range
A padded everyday harness with a front clip for pullers and a back clip for relaxed walks, with four points of adjustment for a deep
2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull
A martingale loop on the back gently tightens when the dog pulls, and there's a front ring too: with a double-ended leash clipped to both you get steering that even a strong Lab…
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Buying guides
Guides in Puppy Essentials
Puppy Essentials
Australian Shepherd Gear Guide: The Grooming Kit, Toys, Harness, Crate and Bed an Aussie Actually Needs
What an Australian Shepherd needs: a grooming kit for a heavy double coat, fetch and puzzle toys, a front-clip harness, crate size and a solid-foam bed.
6 min read · Updated November 12, 2026
Puppy Essentials
Large Breed Dog Gear: What Big Dogs Actually Need, With Breed-by-Breed Guides
What big dogs need, sized right: crate size by weight, bed foam thickness, harnesses, bloat-aware bowls and tough toys, plus 7 breed-by-breed guides.
4 min read · Updated November 12, 2026
Puppy Essentials
Rottweiler Gear Guide: The Crate, Harness, Chew Toys, Bed and Bowl a Rottweiler Actually Needs
What a Rottweiler needs: a 42–48 inch crate, a harness for a powerful dog, chew toys for strong jaws, a thick orthopedic bed and a slow-feed bowl.
7 min read · Updated November 12, 2026
Puppy Essentials
Siberian Husky Gear Guide: The Crate, Harness, Grooming Kit, Bed and Toys a Husky Actually Needs
What a Siberian Husky needs: a crate an escape artist can't beat, a front-clip harness, a coat-blow grooming kit, a cool firm bed and puzzle toys.
7 min read · Updated November 12, 2026
Puppy Essentials
Bernese Mountain Dog Gear Guide: The Crate, Bed, Harness, Grooming Kit and Bowl a Berner Actually Needs
What a Bernese Mountain Dog needs: a 48-inch crate, a thick orthopedic bed, a harness for a strong puller, a heavy-coat grooming kit and a slow-feed bowl.
8 min read · Updated November 11, 2026
Puppy Essentials
Best Crate for a German Shepherd Puppy (2026): What Size + 6 Picks
What size crate a German Shepherd puppy needs (42 or 48 in), why to use a divider, and 6 crates compared for a fast-growing pup.
6 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Puppy Essentials
German Shepherd Gear Guide: The Crate, Bed, Harness and Tools a GSD Actually Needs
Everything a German Shepherd owner needs in one place: crate size, a supportive bed, a no-pull harness, shedding tools and tough toys.
5 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Puppy Essentials
Golden Retriever Gear Guide: The Crate, Bed, Harness, Grooming Kit and Toys a Golden Actually Needs
Everything a Golden Retriever owner needs in one place: crate size, a supportive bed, a no-pull harness, the grooming kit for a feathered coat, and toys.
6 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Puppy Essentials
Labrador Retriever Gear Guide: The Crate, Bed, Harness, Bowl and Toys a Lab Actually Needs
Everything a Labrador owner needs in one place: crate size, a supportive bed, a no-pull harness, a slow-feeder bowl, shedding tools and fetch toys.
6 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Puppy Essentials
New Puppy Checklist (2026): 20 Essentials to Buy Before Day One
Everything to buy before bringing a puppy home, and what can wait: crate, bed, cleaning, toys, training and grooming. Free printable.
11 min read · Updated November 10, 2026The first weeks with a puppy decide a lot: how fast house-training goes, whether the crate becomes a happy den, and whether chewing lands on toys or on your shoes. Getting the right basics in place before day one makes all of it easier.
Our puppy guides separate day-one essentials from things that can wait, size everything for the dog your puppy will grow into, and leave food, vaccines and parasite prevention to your vet.
Free tools: puppy cost calculator · crate size calculator · bed size calculator.
What we look at
- Growth: crates with dividers, adjustable collars and harnesses that grow with the puppy.
- Safety: chew size versus throat size, puppy-safe rubber, gate types for stairs.
- Cleanability: washable bedding, dishwasher-safe bowls, enzyme cleaners.
- Training value: gear that makes house-training and crate training faster.
More dog gear: harnesses & leashes · toys & enrichment · beds.
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