Best Dog Crate

Importance of a Good Dog Crate

Why do you need the best dog crate? Both puppies and adult dogs need a safe place to go to bed at night. When you leave your dog alone, you also want to ensure that they are in a secure location where they cannot get themselves into trouble.

Sadly, when you choose the wrong type of crate, it can put your dog’s health in danger. Placing your dog in a soft-sided or flimsy crate when they are not well suited for one can spell disaster.

The best dog crates fit your dog’s personality. An active or destructive dog needs a sturdy crate that is difficult for them to destroy. Conversely, a laid-back dog does well in a soft-sided, comfortable crate.

Note of Caution: NEVER leave a collar or harness on your dog while they are in their crate. If the collar or harness gets caught on something it can cause strangulation. 

Five Best Dog Crates

Throughout my years as a certified dog trainer, my clients and I have used a number of different dog crates. I’ve used my experience to handpick the best dog crates for your dog.

Each of these crates has a certain scenario or feature that sets it apart from the rest: durability, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog crate is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, ergonomy, and more.

Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog crates available!

All-Around Favorite Dog Crate

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Review Highlights:

“… The construction is solid, wood is beautiful and really does look like a piece of furniture. Assembly was really easy… definitely recommend these to anyone who uses crates for their pets …”

“… We love this thing. We use it as a kennel / end table. It was so easy to put together! Sure makes my den look a lot nicer! My dog is happy with her new spot …”

“… I really like this convertible kennel. It looks nicer than a wire kennel, or wire exercise pen. I would definitely recommend it …”

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$149.99

This crate is a wonderfully versatile and beautiful addition to your home. You can use it as an end table, or disassemble it for a functional wooden gate. It is suitable for most dogs, with the exception of serious chewers.

Feature Highlights:

  • Wooden crate easily converts into a gate.
  • Easy for pet owners to assemble.
  • Comes with a removable plastic tray for the bottom.
  • Gate also features a door.

This product is great for most pets, however, it is not suitable for escape artists. The best choice for this product would be smaller breeds or dogs who are not destructive, as the top lifts off so you can use the product as a gate as well.

With an otherwise sturdy build, this crate does not invite chewers like soft-sided crates do. It is a great choice for small and medium-sized dogs, and fits well into the household. When it is not in use as a crate, you can use it as a gate to keep your pet secure or confined to one portion of the house.  Recommended for: Pomeranians, Beagles, Maltese, Cats, and more.

Sturdiest Dog Crate

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Review Highlights:

“… Much stouter wire than the regular wire crates. What’s amazing is the price. You get a much more substantial crate for only a few dollars more… the stouter construction is better for the dedicated dog escape artist capable of destroying the average wire crate. …”

“… Thoroughly Satisfied! I highly recommend this product. The (42″) crate was easy to set up and is very very sturdy… this product is of good quality and made to last …”

“… Love it. The cage is big and strong. The plastic floor that is easy to slide out, is perfect to clean it in case of puppy accidents… the double latch on each door makes it safer and less likely for the door to open. …”

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$94.99

When your dog can barrel through regular wire crates, this is the choice for you. This is the best choice in a wire crate before you must make the jump to expensive steel hunting cages.

Feature Highlights:

  • Comes with divider panel and plastic pan to place in the bottom.
  • Double latching door keeps even the best escape artists inside.
  • Heavy-gauge steel wire is durable and stands up to destructive dogs.

This product has some of the thickest gauge wire in the standard “wire crate” market. It provides a sturdy place to keep your dog confined safely while you are gone.

The crate also comes with two doors, making it much easier to access. Each door has two latches to prevent potential escapes. When it is not in use, you can also fold it and store it out of the way. Recommended for: Pitbulls, Labrador Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and more.

Best Value Crate

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Review Highlights:

“… This crate is durable, and easy to collapse/set-up. The divider is what really makes these crates a great buy. No need to keep purchasing larger crates because this one grows with our little guy! …”

“… This crate is absolutely perfect for my [dog]. He has plenty of room to move around and get comfy. It’s easy to setup and plenty durable …”

“… Great price. The locking mechanisms are sturdy and easy to use. It took less than 5 minutes to put each cage together and will disassemble just as easily …”

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$57.99

This crate is the standard cousin of our “Sturdiest Dog Crate.” It is made with standard gauge wire to keep all but the most troublemaking dogs contained. It is a great value choice for most dogs, even those who chew.

Feature Highlights:

  • Comes in seven different sizes to best fit your dog.
  • Also features a divider so your dog can grow into their crate.
  • Easy assembly with no tools needed to set up.

This is a great choice for a new puppy or mildly destructive dog. It isn’t Alcatraz, but it will do the job for the majority of dogs. If your dog is extremely destructive, see the “Sturdiest Dog Crate” section above.

With this product, you have an affordable option in a variety of different sizes. It is incredibly easy to just fold and store this crate when you are not using it. Recommended for: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, German Shepherds, and more.

Best Crate for Small Breeds

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Review Highlights:

“… Very happy with the order. It is very simple to put together or collapse, and it is very sturdy. If I ever need to take a trip down the road, I know I can easily lay this flat in the back of my SUV …”

“… There is lots of space for [our dog]… It’s sturdy, seems well build, there were no missing pieces and was packaged well. We are so impressed with this! …”

“… My 2 dogs, both adult Chihuahuas, love sleeping in their crates as they have since puppy-hood. I bought a new pad for the crate at the store, and it cost more than this crate from Amazon …”

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$30.99

Just because you have a small breed dog doesn’t mean you get to slack on their care. Many small breeds can be quite destructive little devils! This wire crate will keep them safely contained.

Feature Highlights:

  • Comes with convenient carrying handle for easy travel.
  • Double doors make accessing the crate easy.
  • Comes with a divider panel and wheels.

This crate is a great choice for small breed dogs or cats! With the free divider panel, you can also choose a larger size and let your dog “graduate” into it.

Not only is this product versatile and easy to use, but it is also incredibly affordable. Your small breed has a wide variety of size options, and all purchases come with option wheels to easily move the crate from room to room. Recommended for: Yorkies, Maltese, Shih-Tzus, Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas, and even Cats!

Best Soft Crate

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Review Highlights:

“… This is the perfect size for the back seat and trips. SEATBELT! This was easy for me to thread through a spot in the back and the top handles to secure with the seat belt in the back seat. …”

“… It was easy to set up. He took to it right away! He sniffed around, nibbled at it a little, and then laid down and chewed on his bully stick …”

“… Exactly what I expected. My little sheltie puppy loves playing and sleeping in this foldable crate. Highly recommend. …”

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$56.80

If your dog isn’t a chewer, soft-sided crates are one of the best choices. They have no sharp edges to scratch your floor or tear your car seats, and they are lightweight and easy to collapse. This product is a great choice for suitable dogs.

Feature Highlights:

  • Lightweight and easy to fold.
  • Steel tube design is sturdy and maintains its form.
  • Fabric cover is washable for easy cleaning.

This crate is a great choice for travel or small dogs who don’t chew extensively. Its soft sides and lightweight design make it easy to move from place to place and bring along with you while traveling. When your dog isn’t inside, it is easy to break down and store away.

If your dog happens to make a mess in the crate, you can easily remove the cover and wash it. The sides of the crate use soft mesh to give your dog easy visibility around it and allow for more ventilation. Recommended for: Shih-Tzus, Shetland Sheepdogs, Yorkies, Dachshunds, and even Cats.