Best Dog Crate For Large Dogs, Puppies, Travel, Collapsible & More (Including Our Personal Experience)

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Is your dog chewing up shoes and destroying your furniture? You might want to consider a crate. While crate training is critical for puppies, it may also come in handy when your pup isn’t so little anymore. It creates an indoor escape for dogs and becomes their home within your home.

At A Glance: Best Dog Crate By Category

OverallTravelSoft-SidedHeavy-Duty
Diggs RevolPetmate pet carrierPetnation Port-A-CrateProSelect Empire Cage
Diggs RevolPetmate Ultra Vari Petnation Port-A-CrateProSelect Empire

Dog Crate Reviews By Category

Not all dog crates are created equal, and you’ll want to make sure you choose the kind that’s best for your life and your dog’s needs. Our experts have picked the best dog crates for several categories (including size) to help you find the ideal crate for your specific situation.

Best Overall Crate: Diggs Revol

Diggs Revol

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The Diggs Revol is our choice for the best crate for its combination of high-quality materials and easy portability. Made with durable, high-grade aluminum, steel mesh wire, and reinforced plastic, it’s much more sturdy (and attractive) than standard wire kennels or portable soft-sided crates.

This crate features three ergonomic handles and two wheels for easy transport. It also has solid escape-proof doors, an adjustable puppy divider, and a rounded frame to prevent pinched paws. You can collapse it in seconds and easily carry it in one hand. The only downside is it’s on the more expensive side and not big enough for larger dogs.

Price

Full Diggs Review

Best Dog Crates For Large Dogs: MidWest Life Stages

MidWest Life Stages

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The MidWest Life Stages Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate is a versatile metal crate made of heavy-gauge steel and a tight wire mesh. It comes in various sizes, but it’s best for larger dogs who need a well-ventilated space.

This popular crate offers front and side access, two heavy-duty bolt latches on each door, and an adjustable divider. You can break it down and set it up in minutes with no tools required. It also comes with a one-year warranty. It’s an affordable option and an excellent value for the quality.

Personal Experience with MidWest Life Stages Crate

We have used MidWest Dog Crates for years. They always hold up wonderfully and provide a cozy den for our dogs to rest while we are away. And other team members use them for their pups and have been pleased with their performance.

– Michelle S., Canine Journal

Price

  • Double Door starts at (for 22″):  $38.99

Best Small Dog Crate: MidWest iCrate Starter Kit

MidWest iCrate Starter Kit

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This MidWest double-door wire crate is a solid option for small to medium-sized dogs. It’s made of high-quality steel, but it’s not quite as heavy-duty as our pick for the best large dog crate (also by MidWest and affordable).

It’s also loaded with accessories, including a dog bed, two bowls that attach to the inside of the front door, and a cover that may make smaller or more timid dogs feel more secure. It also has a divider panel, four roller feet (to protect floors), a carrying handle, and a leak-proof removable dog tray and comes with a one-year warranty.

Price

Best Puppy Crate: Petmate Two Door Top-Load

Petmate Two Door top-load

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The Petmate Two-Door, Top-Load crate is our top pick for the best dog crates for puppies. It provides easy access for your puppy, while steel and plastic combine to provide safety and strength. It’s perfect for puppies who like a snug, cozy sleeping space. The top-loading feature is helpful for puppies who are reluctant to walk into an open kennel.

The 19-inch crate specifications are TSA-approved by most air carriers for travel with small dogs, and both sizes are easy to store when it’s not in use (the top half comes off, so you can easily stack the two halves). It comes in four colors.

Price

Best Dog Travel Crate: Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel

Petmate pet carrier

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This Petmate crate is for large and extra-large dogs and meets the requirements for pets flying in the cargo area (versus the puppy crate above that is approved for in-cabin). Some airlines may require extra metal bolts (sold separately in a travel kit). This TSA-approved pet carrier with heavy-duty, durable construction will keep your pup safe and comfortable.

It’s ventilated on all sides and comes with a clip-on food and water bowl, two “Live Animal” stickers, and pet ID stickers. It also has convenient pre-drilled zip tie holes (airlines require you to zip tie the kennel door shut). Just check with your airline about the size and weight restrictions when flying with larger dogs.

You can also use this for car travel. Another safe option if you travel with your dog in the car often is a dog car harness. And learn more about airline-approved pet carriers, including soft-sided crates.

Price

Best Soft And Collapsible Dog Crate: Petnation Port-A-Crate

Petnation Port-A-Crate

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The Petnation Port-A-Crate is lightweight, portable, and made of tightly woven mesh fabric surrounded by an extra-strong steel frame. This crate sets up and folds down in seconds.

There are several pluses of soft-sided crates: they’re lightweight for travel and store easily. However, this is only an option for small to medium-sized dogs. They’re also more challenging to clean and can be easy for curious pups to escape from or destructive animals to chew through.

Price

Best Heavy-Duty Dog Crate: ProSelect Empire Cage

ProSelect Empire Cage

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The ProSelect Empire Cage is specifically designed to house destructive or aggressive dogs. This crate features strong steel tubing, sturdy dual door latches, and heavy-duty welding at the cage’s key stress points. It also has wheels, which are handy for travel.

These tough crates are made to house the most clever and destructive dogs. They’re a bit expensive, yet they more than pay for themselves if you have to replace a less sturdy crate several times due to your pup’s antics.

Price

Best Fashionable Dog Crate: Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate

Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate

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Fashion crates are fashion-forward. Their wood or rattan finish certainly looks the best of all these options around the house, and some can even double as a side table, proving that these crates aren’t just a pretty face — they’re functional too.

The downside to these crates is that they’re not an option for destructive dogs due to their wood-based construction. They could also be easily damaged if they have a wood floor and there is an unexpected accident.

The Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate is a durable, hardwood-constructed crate that’s well-ventilated and has a waterproof tray that makes it easy to clean if your pup has an accident.

Price

Dog Crate Accessories

Dog sitting on Amazon Basics Crate Pad

Now that you’ve decided on a crate, you may also want to consider what to put in a dog crate. These add-ons make the crate experience more comfortable for your dog and less disruptive to your house decor.

  • A crate bed or liner will make your pet more comfortable on what can otherwise be a pretty hard surface.
  • There are a couple of different attachable cup options (stainless steel or plastic) to keep your pet hydrated while you’re away.
  • If a clunky crate doesn’t quite match your home decor, you can also toss a crate cover over the top to disguise it and make it more of a fashion statement (make sure you order the correct size).

Frequently Asked Questions

german shepherd is a soft crate in the car. the trunk is open and the dog is peeking out of his crate from the car

Here are some of the questions our readers ask most often about dog crates.

How Big Should A Dog Crate Be?

Your dog’s crate should be large enough for your pup to stand up and turn around in it. If your puppy or young dog is still growing, choose a size that will accommodate him when he’s fully grown. However, you’ll want to block off the extra crate space so your dog can’t go potty at one end and move to the other end. Some crates come with a divider to help you block off the space.

How Do I Measure My Dog For A Crate?

If you’re wondering how to measure a dog for a crate, follow these guidelines:

  • Length: To determine the crate length, measure the size of your dog from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail while sitting and add two to four inches.
  • Height: To get the right crate height, measure your dog’s size from the top of the head to the ground while sitting. If your dog’s ears are erect, measure from the top of his ears. Then add an inch or two.

Where Should I Place My Dog Crate In My House?

If you’re wondering where to put a dog crate in your house, it depends on each family and home. Dogs are social beings and want to be where the action is. Place the crate in an area of your home where you spend the most time, such as the family room. This helps make the crate a positive and safe environment for your pup.

How To Measure & Where To Put Your Dog Crate Infographic

Is It Cruel To Crate A Dog At Night?

Crating your dog isn’t cruel unless you do it for prolonged periods. The general rule is that adult dogs should be in their crate for no longer than eight hours at night. This assumes you’ve already properly crate trained your dog, and he feels safe and secure in his crate during the night.

Is It Cruel To Crate A Dog While You’re At Work?

In general, this is not ideal, but it depends on how many hours you’ll be away from home. Dogs need to have some activity during the day, so it’s not ideal to crate your dog for longer than two to four hours. If you work long hours, you should consider asking a friend or family member to take your dog out. Or hire a dog walker.

How To House Train Your Dog

No matter what type of dog you have or crate you get, remember that having a happy place for your best friend is necessary. Even if you don’t use your crate all the time, it’s nice to have the option for when you have guests or children around or when you are traveling with your pup.

Crate Training Tips

You’ve probably heard that dogs are den animals and look to their crate for comfort in times of stress. A crate, approached correctly, provides this den-like structure within your own home, giving your pup a safe place to sleep, retreat, and maybe even eat.

For more on the process of crate training, see our articles on crate training your puppy and crate-training tips. Have you crate-trained, but your dog is still crying in the crate? We also have information on stopping your dog from whining in his crate.

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The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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