Ah! You guys don't think at least and maybe more than 8 hours a day in a crate is too long to be in a crate? I've always heard no more than a few hours in a crate. Why not use an x-pen with his bed, toys, food, pads? That seems more humane than a crate for that many hours a day.
I also wanted to ask if you are walking him of a morning to help ward off some of the energy he needs to burn and boredom. They get so bored by themselves for that long.