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Choosing the best dog crate on the market was a tough decision for us to make. Many companies stake their claim as the manufacturer of the best one in the market. We reviewed dozens of various types, sizes, and brands to see which crate would crack our top list.

We rated the best dog crate based on quality, features, size, aesthetics, and price. To assure there is one for every need, we included crates that can accommodate different sized dogs.

Top 7 Dog Crate Reviews

To understand each crate on our list, you need an overview of how each measures up in the five main areas: quality, features, size, aesthetics, and price. Here’s a look at the seven best dog crates for 2019.

1. MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate Review (Best Large Dog Crate)

Life Stages LS-1636DD Double Door Folding Crate for Intermediate... This double door folding crate measures 36L x 24W x 27H inches & is suitable for...

Sets up in seconds with no tools required for assembly and folds flat for convenient...

Two heavy duty slide-bolt latches (per door) securely lock dog crate door in place keeping...

The MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate is our pick for the best large dog crate on the market. It tested well in quality, features, size, aesthetics, and price. MidWest has been manufacturing pet crates since the 1950s and is a top brand in this field. With a wide variety of options to choose from, this crate should prove to be a solid purchase for any pet owner.

Quality

The quality is top notch with an incredibly sturdy metal frame is incredibly sturdy and latches that hold the structure together very well and firmly snap into place. It’s prevalent in poorly made cages for fasteners to come loose if a dog gets feisty and bumps into the sides of the crate. We saw no evidence that this would occur with this model. In fact, no matter how much we shook this cage, we were unable to have a latch come loose. The plastic pan also was very solid and didn’t seem like it would be easy for a doggy to chew through.

You can see the quality demonstrated throughout this video:

Features

This crate comes with a wide variety of features. It comes in two different styles: single door and double door. The single door is nice if you only have one dog, while the double door is best if you have two dogs that you’re looking to crate. Each dog cage comes with a separator so that you can give each pooch their own space. This also allows you to purchase a bigger crate for your puppy to grow into as you can take out the separator as your puppy gets bigger.

This MidWest kennel breaks down quite quickly. The plastic pan rests in the bottom of the cage, while the sides fold down onto it. This has proven to be quite beneficial when we needed to have our tail waggers go to a friend’s house for a sleepover.

Size

The MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate comes in 6 different sizes: 22-inch, 24-inch, 30-inch, 36-inch, 42-inch, and 48-inch.

For breeds under 25 pounds, the 22-inch or 24-inch will be more than enough. Our adult Jack Russell Terrier sleeps in the 24-inch and has more than enough room. For chihuahuas, bichons, Yorkies, dachshunds, and other smaller breeds, the 22-inch will be a great fit.

For breeds 26 to 50 pounds, the 30-inch and 36-inch will fit perfectly. The 30-inch is 21 inches high, and the 36-inch is 25 inches high. In this weight range, dog height can vary. Pick the cage based on the approximate height of your mutt when they are laying down with their head up. Examples of breeds that would use the 30-inch are corgis, cocker spaniels, pinschers, and bigger terriers. Breeds that would use the 36-inch are shepherds, hounds, collies, and dalmatians.

For any breed over 50 pounds, use the 42-inch or the 48-inch cage. The rule of thumb is that any pet under 90 pounds will do well in a 42-inch cage, and pets over 90 pounds will do better in a 48-inch kennel.

Aesthetics

The MidWest Life Stages Crate has a beautiful satin-black finish. I tried to scratch the paint off and was unable to do so. Your pooch will love to hang out, train, and sleep in this beauty!

Overall

This is by far the best large dog crate on the market. With a wide variety of sizes and features to choose from, though, this crate will work for any dog, of any size.

2. AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate Review (Best Metal Dog Crate)

AmazonBasics Single Door Folding Metal Dog Crate Kennel with Tray, 36... Dog crate with single-door design for front entry

Two slide-bolt door latches for increased safety and security

Sturdy metal construction; folds flat for easy storage/portability

The AmazonBasics Folding Metal is our pick for the best metal dog crate. This cage tested very good in quality, features, size, aesthetics, and price. While AmazonBasics has recently entered into the dog crate market, they certainly have produced a high-quality product.

Quality

The quality is excellent! The metal frame is very sturdy, and the latches hold the frame together very well. In fact, we think it’s the best metal dog kennel, and, trust me, we reviewed a lot of them! It should be able to easily home dogs of all ages, sizes, and temperaments. We do not think that any doggy is going to be able to rattle the latches loose on this crate. This dog kennel is well-put together, and the plastic pan is easy to remove for cleaning.

Features

The AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate comes with numerous desirable features. Like the MidWest Life Stages Dog Crate, this kennel comes in two different styles: single door and double door. Both options come with a separator to either decrease the size of the kennel or to allow for housing multiple dogs separately. Our reviews show that it is slightly more challenging to get the separator in the AmazonBasics Folding Crate than the MidWest Life Stages. Overall, it was still reasonably easy to do.

The crate easily folds down should you need to relocate it. We found that this is easier to break down than the MidWest Life Stages one.

Size

The AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog cage comes in 3 different sizes: small (24 inches), medium (36 inches), and large (42 inches).

For breeds under 25 pounds, the 24-inch will be more than enough. For chihuahuas, bichons, Yorkies, dachshunds, Jack Russells, and other smaller dogs, the 24-inch will be a great fit.

For breeds 26 to 50 pounds, the 36-inch will fit nicely. Examples of breeds that would use this size are corgis, cocker spaniels, pinschers, bigger terriers, shepherds, hounds, collies, and dalmatians.

For any breed over 50 pounds, use the 42-inch kennel.

We like that there is simplicity in the available sizing options. Often, we find ourselves questioning whether to go with the 36-inch versus the 30-inch when picking out the best dog crate for a puppy. We usually go with the bigger one to err on the side of caution. Since there are only three available options, this makes life a lot easier.

Aesthetics

The AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate has a black finish. There isn’t really anything special about the depth of the finish nor its resistance to scratching. However, it looks neat and clean.

Overall

This is by far the best metal option on the market. It ranks high in all the crucial areas and offers exceptional value. You should not overlook this crate.

3. Noz2Noz Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home Review (Best Indoor/Outdoor Crate)

Noz2Noz 669 N2 Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home, 42 inches, for Pets... EASY TO ASSEMBLE: Lightweight and durable steel frame; sets up and folds down in seconds!

WELL-VENTILATED: Mesh panels encourage air flow and provide view.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR: Sets up and folds down in seconds.

The NOZ2NOZ is our pick for the best indoor/outdoor crate as it tested very well in quality, features, size, aesthetics, and price. Even if you don’t think you are going to need the indoor/outdoor option, you’d be foolish not to consider the NOZ2NOZ Pet Home.

Quality

The quality is out of this world with a solid steel frame that would be hard for any pet to get through. We did not notice any flaws with the construction of the frame or latches and believe it to be the best of all of the frames that we reviewed. The fabric that covers the frame is extremely durable and won’t rip if you were to catch it on a corner or have a puppy clawing at it. The mesh windows will prevent your Fido from getting out and from unwanted bugs from getting in. The zippers are sturdy and can sustain a great deal of pressure.

Features

The NOZ2NOZ Pet Home is jam-packed with features. Since you can unzip each of the mesh windows, it has a plethora of door options. This pet home easily folds down in a straightforward manner. It’s as simple as 1-2-3. It is lightweight and portable. This will allow you to take your pet with you wherever you go. The mesh fabric is easy to clean, and with a bottle of Nature’s Miracle, you will have no problem getting any stain out.

Here is an informative video review from a user on the NOZ2NOZ Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x_DO9-GuUY

Size

The NOZ2NOZ Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home comes in 5 different sizes – 21 inches, 26 inches, 30 inches, 36 inches, and 42 inches.

Here are some of the recommended breeds for each size:

21 inches – Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkie, Bichon

26 inches – Beagle, Dachshund, Small Terrier, Corgi, Jack Russell

30 inches – Bigger Beagle, Boxer, Bulldog, Husky, Australian Shepherd, Poodle

36 inches – French Bulldog, Female German Shepherd, Female Retrievers, Female Labradors, Bigger Terriers, Pitbulls

42 inches – Mastiffs, Male German Shepherds, Male Retrievers, Male Labradors, Great Danes

Aesthetics

The NOZ2NOZ Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home has a forest green fabric and black mesh. While it looks good, we weren’t as impressed by it as we were with the previous crates.

Overall

The NOZ2NOZ Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home is an amazing indoor/outdoor dog crate. We highly recommend this cage if you travel with your pet. If your pet gets anxious in the car, this is the perfect travel companion.

4. MidWest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate Review (Best Small Dog Crate)

Large Dog Crate 1542DDU| MidWest ICrate Double Door Folding Metal Dog... ICrate the 'All Inclusive Dog Crate' Includes Free divider panel, durable dog tray,...

Your dog's home while you're away from home: Durable design creates a safe place for your...

Safe & Secure Home: Two heavy duty slide bolt latches firmly locks dog crate door in place...

The MidWest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate is our pick for the best small dog crate. This pet cage scored well in quality, features, size, aesthetics, and price. It is nearly identical to the previous MidWest crate. The only major difference is that the MidWest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate is geared more towards dogs that aren’t overly hyper. Aside from that, there were only a couple of differences that we noticed.

Quality

The frame is metal and very sturdy. It’s held together very well by strong latches and easily snaps together. One thing to note here is that the wire gauge of mesh is slightly lower than the Life Stages Folding Metal crate. What this means is that it will not hold up as well if chewed on by an aggressive or strong chewer. Now, let me add the caveat that it will take a very, very aggressive chewer to be able to get through this one, but based on our research, we see that it is a possibility. Nevertheless, the quality of this cage is great, so unless you have a very aggressive chewer, this is a good option!

Features

This pet kennel comes in two different styles: single door and double door. The single door is the best option if you have one dog, while the double door is nice if you have two. Each dog crate comes with a separator so that you can give each pet their own space. This also allows you to purchase a bigger kennel for your puppy to grow in to. Take out the separator as your puppy gets bigger!

The MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate breaks down quite easily. The plastic pan rests in the bottom of the cage, while the sides fold down onto it. This has proven to be quite beneficial when we needed to have our dogs go somewhere else to stay over. We did take off half of a point for the plastic pan on the bottom. It did not remove as easily as it did with the Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate.

Size

Amazingly enough, it comes in 6 different sizes: 22-inch, 24-inch, 30-inch, 36-inch, 42-inch, and 48-inch. We have to say that this is probably one of the best small dog crates you’re going to find.

For breeds under 25 pounds, the 22-inch or 24-inch will be more than enough. Our adult Jack Russell Terrier sleeps in the 24-inch and has more than enough room. For chihuahuas, bichons, Yorkies, dachshunds, and other smaller dogs, the 22-inch will be a great fit.

For breeds 26 to 50 pounds, the 30-inch and 36-inch will fit perfectly. The 30-inch is 21 inches high, and the 36-inch is 25 inches high. In this weight range, pet height can vary. Pick the cage based on the approximate height of your pet when they are laying down with their head up. Examples of breeds that would use the 30-inch are corgis, cocker spaniels, pinschers, and bigger terriers. Breeds that would use the 36-inch are shepherds, hounds, collies, and dalmatians.

For any breed over 50 pounds, use the 42-inch or the 48-inch kennel. The rule of thumb is that any pet under 90 pounds will do well in a 42-inch cage, and a pet over 90 pounds will do better in a 48-inch cage.

Aesthetics

We loved the beautiful black finish. While I was not able to personally verify these claims, there have been reports that this cage scratches fairly easily.

Overall

The MidWest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate is an excellent product that would do well with nearly any pet. However, if your dog is an aggressive chewer (and tends to chew on their kennel), it’s probably best to go with a different model.

5. Petnation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home Review (Most Affordable Dog Cage)

Petnation 614 Port-A-Crate Indoor and Outdoor Home for Pets, 36-Inch Lightweight, portable and great for transportation and short outings

Tightly weaved mesh fabric panels surrounded by extra-strong steel frame

For crate trained dogs up to 70 pounds and supervised

The PetNation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home is our pick for the most affordable dog crate on the market. This pet home has tested incredibly well in quality, features, size, aesthetics, and price. If you’re looking for a doggy home that you can use both indoors and outdoors, look no further than the PetNation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home.

Quality

The quality of the PetNation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home is fantastic. It’s made up of two main components: an inner steel frame and an outside woven mesh fabric. The steel frame provides a very solid structure and will not be easily chewed through. The steel frame can also take quite a beating, so if you have a hyper puppy, they won’t be breaking out anytime soon. The mesh fabric is also very well made. It’s tightly woven and highly durable, along with being water resistant, which means Fido will remain dry. The doors close with high-strength zippers, and the latches are top-notch. This is a very well made pet home.

Features

The PetNation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home has two doors, one on the front and one on the top, that can be rolled up to allow your pooch the freedom to go in and out as they please. Did we mention that this kennel is portable? There are straps that you can put on the top of the cage so that it can be carried like a duffel bag. While it cleans up very easily, there is still the risk that the fabric will get a stain in it that even Nature’s Miracle can’t get out. As well, unlike your standard metal cage, there isn’t a removable bottom portion, which will make cleaning up accidents a bit more tedious.

Size

The PetNation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home comes in 6 different sizes – 16 inches, 20 inches, 24 inches, 28 inches, 32 inches, and 36 inches.

The manufacturer was kind enough to provide us with a recommended sizing chart. Note: only use this chart for the PetNation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home. We found this sizing guide to be very accurate!

Aesthetics

The PetNation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home has a tan mesh with a blend of dark brown on the bottom, doors, and windows. The cage is a black color. We like the look of this pet home.

Overall

This exceptional product is well made, packed with features, available in a multitude of sizes, and sells at a great price. We highly recommend that PetNation Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home.

6. Jespet 3 Door Soft Sided Folding Travel Pet Carrier (Best Dog Crate for Traveling)

JESPET Soft Dog Crates Kennel for Pets, 3 Door Soft Sided Folding... Size: 36”L*24”W*27”H; Foldable and Lightweight Pet Crate make it easier for outdoor...

Three Entrances Door (Top, front and side) for convenience sunlight and breathability;...

The crate frame is make of strong steel tube; the carte cover is made of Durable washable...

Traveling with your dog can be such a hassle with all of the whining, and crying, and having to go to the bathroom seemingly every five minutes. There’s no wonder so many people choose to leave their pets in a dog kennel. But traveling with your dog doesn’t need to be a hassle as long as you have this Jespet travel crate.

Quality

Have a dog that’s an aggressive chewer? You don’t have to worry about them chewing through this crate. The heavy-duty, tight weave mesh fabric is extremely hard to chew through and also provides plenty of airflow.

There’s also a steel frame that provides incredible strength to the foundation of the crate. Covering the steel frame is a wonderfully designed fabric, which features industrial strength zippers and door latches.

Features

Should your dog have an accident in the Jespet Dog Travel Crate, it’ll be a breeze for you to clean it up. By using a water-resistant material, it can be cleaned up in a matter of seconds. No more having to deal with smelly dog travel crates! What a relief.

Also, we love that the fabric is machine washable. We generally recommend that you wash it after every prolonged use.

One of our favorite things about this travel dog crate is how easy it is to set up. We hate how some pet travel crates and a pain in the butt to set up. Seriously, why should you spend 15+ minutes assembling a travel dog crate?

You don’t have to with the Jespet Dog Travel Crate. You will be able to go from packaged to fully operational in a matter of seconds. The reverse is also true when you’re done using it. Fold it up and store it away.

Size

Did you know that stress is the #1 reason why dogs act out when traveling? By giving your pet a spacious, comforting place to stay when traveling, your dog is going to feel much more at ease. The Jespet Dog Travel Crate offers plenty of that by easily accommodating dogs up for 60 pounds.

With dimensions of 36″ x 24″ x 27″, your dog is going to have plenty of room to breathe and move around.

Aesthetics

This crate has a tough look to it since it’s made as a travel carrier. This just means it is durable, but it doesn’t have that clean look that metal cages have, which may be off-putting to some people.

Overall

Jespet really thought of everything with this portable dog travel crate. It’s been a while since we’ve seen one so well-made, and we know because we’ve reviewed dozens. We’re ecstatic about this crate, and we think you’ll love it as much as we do because it is a safe and comfortable way to travel with your pet.

7. Guardian Gear ProSelect Empire Dog Cage (Best crate for escape artists)

The ProSelect Empire dog cage is perfect if your canine is crafty and always manages to slip out its crate. If you need to put the lock down on your pooch, then take a look at what this ProSelect Empire dog crate from Guardian Gear has to offer.

Quality

The quality is the shining achievement of this pen. It’s made with 20-gauge steel and features 0.5-inch steel tubes and strong latches. These points help allow it to stand up to chewing and other tricks of strong dogs. Plus, the wheels lock to prevent it from moving no matter how much your dog thrashes about. It is great for the dog who seems to demolish everything.

Features

The ProSelect Empire cage has a floor grate with a tray the is easy to remove, making clean up a snap. It also has casters that allow to you move it with ease. Do note you can remove them for stability, which we do recommend if you have a very strong dog that likes to move its crate around.

Size

This comes in two sizes: medium and large. The medium size measures in at 35.75 inches by 23.5 inches and is 24.5 inches high. The large size is 40.75 inches by 28.5 inches. It is 31.75 inches. With the two size options, this should be a good fit for most small and medium-sized dogs. It may also work for some larger dogs, but it is not a good choice for very large dogs.

Aesthetics

This crate from Guardian Gear has a clean, industrial look. It isn’t incredibly fancy, but it gets the job done.

Overall

The bottom line with this crate is it works well for the stronger breeds, such as pit bulls, or any dog that likes to chew and tear things up. It provides a safe haven that is easy to maintain and use. So, if you have had trouble finding a sturdy enough crate, we recommend this one from Guardian Gear.

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Buying a Dog Crate – A Comprehensive Guide!

Why do you need to educate yourself about crates before buying a pet cage?

Owning a pet is not a simple responsibility. They rely on you to care for their every need, which is not limited to food and play. It also includes training and safety, which are both related to buying the right dog crate.

Reasons to Buy a Crate

Beyond just being a way to contain your dog, a crate can have other helpful uses. Crate training is super popular. It’s also a safe way to transport, and discipline as well.

Safe space

Dogs kennels are like a home inside a home for this species of animals. They thrive on human love and conditioning, but they also still have instincts from the wild. These den animals enjoy having their own space, like a kennel.

The truth is when you provide one, it will soon transcend to a sanctuary for your beloved pet. It is like your bedroom is for you. It can be a getaway when your dog needs some downtime.

Dogs are very close in genetics to their ancestral wolves. When it comes to identifying a protective haven, wolves choose to raise their off-springs and protect them from danger in dens. A crate mimics a den, giving your pooch a natural environment. Training your pet to instinctively identify “their space” as a den for shelter is essential. Your pet will naturally try to seek safety and comfort in that enclosed area.

In the long-run, it becomes an integral part of your dog’s life. A pooch will recognize it to be their own “special spot” amongst all the things in their vicinity. Your job is to make sure that it is not only comforting but inviting as well.

Traveling

When traveling with your pet, you need to be aware of safety. The best way to do it is to put your dog in a crate. This will not only keep your pup safe as your travel, but it also provides a secure spot if your canine friend has travel-related anxiety or other issues.

Training

Pet kennels are a great way to house-train your new puppy. It limits where the pup can be when you are not there to supervise. However, be aware that a puppy cannot stay in a cage for more than four to five hours. It is unable to hold its bladder that long. So, only do crate training when you have time to monitor your pup.

You can also use it to chew train. If your pup develops some bad chewing habits, you can encourage good habits by providing proper chewing toys in the crate and redirecting your dog to the crate to practice good chewing habits when it exhibits terrible chewing habits.

Discipline

A crate can be a good discipline tool, but you should be careful when crate training. You do not want to associate it with negativity. Modern Dog Magazine notes you can use it to give your dog a time out. Just put your dog in the crate and leave it for 30 seconds to three minutes. Do not yell or scold while your dog is in there. After you let your pup out, move on.

Keeping your pup safe

While a kennel can be quite helpful, it can also be dangerous. You need to ensure the space you create for your dog is going to provide security and not expose your pup to hazards.

Here are a few dos and don’ts:

Don’t include anything in the cage that your dog can chew or tear up

Do introduce your pet slowly to the crate to avoid anxiety issues

Do provide fresh water at all times

Do attach a fan to provide proper ventilation and cooling

Don’t cover the kennel for long periods as it makes it too hot inside

A very, very important point to keep in mind is that you should always remove your dog’s collar before crating. A collar poses a serious choking risk. In addition, when using for travel, make sure it is secured in place so it won’t slide or fall.

Your home has precious furniture and other objects that could be harmful to your pet dog. While you might have to be away from home, a cage serves best for your pup to keep them safe from potentially harmful or dangerous situations. This is especially when you won’t be around to supervise.

Size Matters

When buying a pet crate, ensure that you do not indulge in an overly spacious model. Keep the large pet crate for bigger dogs. The space inside the crate for dogs should give your pooch enough room to move and turn around with ease. This means that the pooch should not find himself hitting the sides or the top. Your pet should be able to sit straight up.

The crate should have enough room for your pet but not so much room that your pet could use one side to go to the bathroom and lay on the other side. This only encourages bad habits. Take advantage of the fact that a dog’s natural instinct is not to soil their sleeping area.

Appropriately sized crates give your dog a feeling of safety and security. This is especially true if you are

. Dogs will enjoy an appropriately sized kennel rather than feeling as if they are rattling around in an empty room. This completely misses the point of giving them a “snug” feeling of belonging.

Choose the right size

When it comes to size, keep in mind that the crate should have an allowance that is six inches longer than your dog’s body and six inches taller than their shoulder height. The primary purpose of this measurement is to give your pooch just enough room to stand up, turn around and stretch out while they rest or lie down.

If you are buying this crate for a puppy, make sure to consider their full-grown size. Choose a cage the puppy can eventually grow and fit into.

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Here are some guidelines for crate sizes based on extra small to extra, extra large.

Extra Small Size:

Affenpinscher

Bichon Frise

Boston Terrier

Brussels Griffon

Chihuahua

Maltese

Papillon

Pomeranian

Pug

Shih Tzu

Toy Fox Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier

Small Size:

Affenpinscher

Australian Terrier

Border Terrier

Cairn Terrier

Fox Terrier

Havanese

Jack Russel

Miniature Dachshund

Miniature Poodle

Norfolk Terrier

Pekingese

Scottish Terrier

Skye Terrier

Toy Poodle

West Highland White Terrier

Medium Size:

American Pit Bull Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Basenji

Cocker Spaniel

Dachshund

French Bulldog

Keeshond

King Charles Spaniel

Lhasa Apso

Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Schnauzer

Shetland Sheepdog

Tibetan Terrier

Welsh Springer Spaniel

Welsh Terrier

West Highland Terrier

Large Size:

Australian Cattle

Basset Hound

Beagle

Belgian Sheepdog

Bull Terrier

Bulldog

Chinese Shar-Pei

English Setter

English Springer Spaniel

Finnish Spitz

Harrier

Norwegian Elkhound

Portuguese Water

Standard Schnauzer

Welsh Corgi

Whippet

Extra Large Sized:

Airedale Terrier

Australian Shepherd

Bearded Collie

Belgian Malinois

Border Collie

Boxer

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chow-Chow

Dalmatian

Doberman Pinscher

German Shepherd

Golden Retriever

Irish Setter

Labrador Retriever

Poodle

Siberian Husky

XXL Sized:

Afghan

Alaskan Malamute

Anatolian Shepherd

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bloodhound

Briard

Bullmastiff

Giant Schnauzer

Gordon Setter

Great Dane

Great Pyrenees

Greyhound

Irish Wolfhound

Komondor

Neapolitan Mastiff

Newfoundland

Old English Sheepdog

Otterhound

Rottweiler

St. Bernard

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Types of Crates

Another consideration you have to make is the type of crate. There are a lot of different options. We do suggest that you look for crates that give you the ability to fold, collapse, or disassemble. This works well for circumstances for storage and travel.

Wire or metal

Whenever someone mentions a dog crate, this type generally comes to mind because they are the most commonly used. These crates may have a single standard door or multiple doors, which provide access through the side and the top. Multiple doors are perfect for little puppies as they need constant lifting in and out.

The advantage of wire crates is that they are easy to clean and provide for substantial airflow. They work well in hot conditions. Your pooch will never feel isolated or caged-up as it allows for unobstructed views from inside and out. For many models, you can fold the crate flat, which also makes it highly portable. Finally, they have a tray that slides out from the bottom to quickly clean the crate.

In fact, this is the easiest to clean when compared to other crate styles. The wire crates are also long-lasting with higher durability. Wire crates can hold up to a large amount of scratching and chewing by a more destructive pooch.

On the downside, a metal dog crate can also be rather heavy. These are not too home décor-friendly. They also can be noisy when collapsing them.

Plastic

A plastic crate is generally more portable. They often come with a handle on top. They also are cheaper than metal cages.

On the plus side, airlines prefer plastic dog kennels over metal ones. They also may stay warmer than metal cages. If portability is your primary requirement, plastic is the best option because they fold flat, and are highly transportable. Not to mention, constant movement during a trip can cause rattling of a wire crate, which might cause your pet to panic.

However, a plastic crate is not as strong. It is easy to chew and damage. Your pup may also feel more confined in this type of kennel because it is more closed off than a metal one.

Wood

Wooden cages are considered best by those looking purely at physical appearance. Matching to your home interiors in style, these are available in various types of hardwoods. They make a very chic alternative to plastic and wire options.

These stylish designs blend effortlessly into your home décor. You can double this crate up as a sleek piece of furniture. Your doggy has a comfortable place to nap without the crate looking out of place.

You should wait on a wooden crate until your doggy is thoroughly house trained. Once they are over their destructive chewing habits, you can transfer to a wood design. If your mutt is too aggressive, you might want to wait, because it will damage the crate and it won’t last too long.

Other options

A soft-sided nylon cage is very light in weight. They usually come with a convenient carry bag, making them highly portable.

If you need to keep your doggy fastened to their crate by a chain, you can buy a chain link type cage. These are best for outdoors and restrain your pooch from straying out of the yard.

Useful accessories

You can customize dog crates to your dog’s impending needs with bedding, a crate pad, or a cover. In addition, you may want to add in toys and treats to make for a friendly atmosphere for your dog.

Divider panels are another a good investment accessory. They allow for the crate to grow along with your pet. Consider this accessory if you have a puppy that will grow into a large dog.

FAQ’s

You may still have some lingering questions when it comes to buying the best dog crate. Here are some common questions pet owners ask when it comes to buying the right kennel.

I do not want to cage my dog! Why should I buy a crate?

A proper kennel is not a cage for your dog. Pet crates are a way to condition your dog into feeling they have a room of their own. It can also help with house-training and make your dog feel more secure.

Where can I find portable dog crates?

You can usually find crates anywhere you find other dog items. However, the best options are pet stores or online stores, which will generally have the best range of options.

Are two-door dog crates better?

It depends on your dog. Grown dogs usually do fine with one door. If you have a puppy, though, the second door is beneficial as you can conveniently get to the pup and the inside of the pen.

My puppy won’t stay inside his dog cage. How can I make him stay without having to hear him cry?

It just will take some time. You may have to listen to crying in the beginning, but try to make the cage as comforting as possible. Encourage your pup to go in the cage for naps to help make it more inviting to him.

Puppies are like small children. They want to play and run around. However, they need to accept certain restrictions for their benefit. Once they begin to recognize their crate as a home, they become conditioned into using it.

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