There was a time when people frowned on dog crates as if owners were putting their dogs behind bars, but crate training is now a recognised part of a puppy’s upbringing. Smaller than the best puppy playpens, the best dog crates offer a safe space, where they can retreat when they are tired or overwhelmed. They are also invaluable to help puppy toilet training, ensuring puppies don’t wreak havoc in the house when left unattended or leave them exposed to any dangers at home, and can help with separation anxiety as they grow to understand the crate is their sanctuary. With that in mind, it’s essential to choose the right crate to ensure your dog is safe and happy.
There are various practical factors we need to consider. The crate must be robust. Crates for the home are usually made from metal, as this is not easily damaged or chewed and therefore is durable enough to last for years. On the other hand, if you are travelling, a heavy metal crate is unwieldy so you might want to choose one of the best soft dog crates that can be easily dismantled and folded away. Some of the metal cages can also be folded but they are not as easily transportable. They might look uncomfortable, but you fill it with one of the best dog beds for crates and it’ll soon look fit for a king.
If you are buying for a puppy, make sure you factor in how big he will grow, because the crate should last him for life. He will look tiny in a vast crate initially, but he will gradually grow into his new home without need for the disruption of “moving house”. You can get a divider to make the crate smaller, which will help with toilet training as they won’t want to make a mess in their own space.
Removable trays are a bonus, as it makes cleaning much easier. And double doors – one on the side and the end – means you are not limited as to where you keep the crate.
Best dog crates
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Midwest Homes For Pets iCrate
Sizes: 11 options
Colours: Black, pink or blue
RRP: From £26.99
This very popular crate now has added security features to keep your pet safe, including slide-bolt door latches with a patented paw block. The crates include a divider panel, leak-proof pan base, protective rubber feet and a carry handle.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes and some of the larger sizes are available with two doors. It folds flat for travel.
This folding travel crate is designed for use both while travelling or in the home. It is lightweight and collapsible, and comes with a zip mesh access door, as well as zip assembly with no spare parts required.
The inner floor pad is washable and comes with foam insulation.
The crate has its own carry case and ground pegs if you want to keep your dog enclosed outdoors – handy at a picnic to keep those sausages safe!
For those who like their dogs to live in splendour, these crates blend in with your furniture. Handmade from plywood and water-based wood wax, these crates can be personalised with your pet’s name.
You can also order a cushion cover in ivory, grey, black, navy, brown or pink.
The Ellie-Bo is a metal dog crate which folds flat for easy storage or transportation, and is easy to set up without the need for any tools.
There are two doorways for easy access, with sliding latch mechanisms on each door to secure the crate. It has a steel non-chew removable metal tray for easy cleaning. Cage dividers are also available.
The Kong dual-door is a rust-resistant crate with triple-lock protection, so ideal for those Houdini dogs. It comes with an adjustable divider panel to allow the crate to grow along with your pet. The door-design is reinforced with durable and secure features, including angled slide-bolt latches and overlapping doorframes for enhanced security. This crate has a heavy duty construction with heavier gauge wire than most.
It is designed with rounded corners and finished edges to prevent irritating scrapes and knocks. This crate can be folded away.
A crucial feature of a dog crate is finding the correct size, so we have chosen crates that come in a variety of sizes – one with 11 sizing options – so that you can get exactly the right fit for your dog. Too small and your dog will need to stoop, too large and they may be tempted to make messes in their crate because they can sit sufficiently far away. We’ve also picked one with dividers for those who want to keep the same crate as their pup grows up.
We’ve selected a range of looks, too – metal crates are the most common, and can be made more cosy with blankets and cushions, and covered with a blanket. However, you might want a more expensive-looking wooden crate that is part of your furniture. Or a portable crate to pop in the car for away trips.
Is it OK to crate a dog all night?
Crate training takes advantage of a dog’s natural instinct to find a quiet refuge to relax and rest. It’s fine to leave your dog in a crate overnight, and it is useful to establish a nightly routine. At first puppies will need to be let out to go to the loo, gradually increasing the intervals until they can last the night. Dogs that have been appropriately crate-trained tend to view their crate as their bedroom – it’s their downtime and not a prison. It’s good practice to remove your dog’s collar while they are in the crate in case it gets caught on the wire.
However, dogs should not be shut in their crate all day long as well. A dog that doesn’t have sufficient exercise and interaction is liable to become anxious, depressed and develop behavioural problems. A good habit is to leave the door of the crate open when you are around, so that the dog can come and go – if they want to chill out in their crate they can choose to do so.
What size crate do I need for my dog?
Dog crates come in various sizes, typically starting at 46cm (18in) for the toy breeds, up to 137cm (54in) for the mastiff-types and wolfhounds. The size of crate required depends on your dog’s height and length. Weight and breed are indicators, but it’s really the physical space that counts. The dog should be able to stand up easily, with 5–8cm clearance above their head, and turn around comfortably. When they are lying down, they should be able to stretch out in comfort. The last thing you want is for your dog to feel cramped in his bedroom!
Measure your dog while they are standing up, from the top of the shoulder to the floor, to give the height. Measure from the tip of the nose to start of their tail for the length and add at least 15 centimetres to both measurements to determine which size crate you need. Consult the crate sizing guide for each individual crate – most will have recommendations for average models of the breed.
If you want to keep the same crate for your puppy as it grows, then you can use a crate divider to adjust the size.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
