Crate training has become a well-accepted training system for puppies in the home. Some dogs graduate to a basket as they grow up. However, one of the best soft crates for dogs are be an ideal solution for canines of all ages.
For example, you want to take your pooch to stay in a B&B, and need to make sure he doesn’t sleep on the bed. Or you’re heading to a point-to-point and during the picnic, your dog will be best confined in your car boot in a crate (with the hatchgate open) or even on the grass beside you, rather than stealing your pork pies.
A soft crate is more than just a dog carrier. It should be large enough for your pet to be comfortable beyond a quick trip to the vet. Traditional metal dog crates are great in the home, but they aren’t often collapsible and so are impractical while on the move.
Portable, soft dog crates are the answer. Lightweight and easily packed up and folded away, these crates can be transported and assembled quickly whenever required.
Best soft crates for dogs: what’s the choice?
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Petsfit Dog Crate
Sizes: S–XL
Colours: Black, grey or khaki
Reason to buy: Machine washable mat and lockable zips
This durable 600D Oxford fabric crate feature a sturdy frame that folds and out locks in place easily to solidify the structure of this crate. There is breathable mesh all round to help keep your dog cool.
The crate has two zip-open doors and an opening at the top, so your pooch is easily accessible while inside the crate. The zip pullers are also lockable, so your poock won’t be able to push his way out the crate.
The soft, polyfoam fleece-covered floor mat makes the crate comfy and cosy. The mat is removable and machine washable, too, so you’ll be able to keep your pet’s sleeping spot clean and sweet-smelling with minimal effort.
The crate collapses down flat with Velcro straps inside to hold everything in place, making it very easy to store and transport.
This is a really popular soft crate with very positive reviews. It has zippable front and top doors, with fastening straps for easy access, and a mesh fabric flap that can be rolled up and secured.
It is soft, yet strong, with a lightweight PVC frame, and hand-washable, durable, water-resistant heavy-duty polyester fabric over the top, bottom and sides.
It comes with mesh-fabric windows on three sides for good ventilation. Can be used at home, in the car or out on trips. Quick to set up and folds flat for easy transport and compact storage.
Reason to buy: No assembly required – just pops up
A lightweight crate made from 600D Oxford fabric for durability. Quick and easy to fold up and carry around in its storage back.
It has two doors with roll-up mesh flaps, and a top window to provide good ventilation and enable your dog to see out easily. The fleece mat can be removed and machine-washed. There is a large pocket at the back for treat and essentials.
Reason to buy: Comes with carry case and can be pegged into the ground
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!
Reason to buy: Four roll-up sides, folds completely flat with carry handle
This foldable and portable crate is easy to assemble within a minute without tools, and folds flat for easy transport and compact storage. For use in the home, outdoors and in the car.
The crate has four big mesh windows which can be rolled up for sunlight and air. There is also an accessory pocket on the side to carry supplies.
Firstly, you want to think about your dog’s routine and lifestyle. Are you more likely to use a soft dog crate at home, perhaps in the garden or to secure him in the house temporarily, or do you need one for going out and about often? If portability is the key, look for a soft crate that collapses easily, has useful carrying handles and is lightweight.
Take into account whether your dog might challenge the structural integrity of the crate. If you think this could be an issue, look for one with a sturdy, lock-in-place frame.
Another important aspect to consider would be whether the floor pad is easily washable and buying a soft crate to allow for growing room if your pup is still maturing.
Finally, if your dog loves to chew his basket or bed, bear in mind a soft crate isn’t ideal and is best used just for short periods. In the meantime, why not take a look at these best dog beds for chewers, or our advice on how to stop your dog chewing his bed.
Can you crate train with a soft crate
For initial crate training, a soft crate is not ideal. As they are usually made of fabric – canvas or nylon – they are less robust and sturdy. Particularly if you have a young dog who is liable to chew, tear or scratch in the early days, a wire or plastic crate is more suitable. They are also very lightweight, so if the pup is liable to jump around either in excitability or an attempt to escape, the crate will move around too.
A soft-sided crate has many advantages, but only for dogs that are already well crate trained. Soft crates are for short term use and can be broken out of more easily by a persistent pooch.
What are benefits of soft crates over hard?
Hard crates are built to withstand more rigorous conditions and are the sturdier option. But soft crates have many advantages. They are portable, lightweight and versatile, which means you can take them in the car, on holiday, visiting friends and know that your dog has a safe haven to rest and relax in (as well as keeping him out of mischief). They look more comfortable and less jail-like – but this is probably anthropomorphising the situation as once you’ve added a mattress and blankets to the hard crate it will be just as cushioned.
Soft crates collapse and fold away easily so you can quickly store them when they’re not in use, whereas a hard crate takes up a good deal of fixed space.
As with many doggy products, it’s useful to have one of each, for different purposes.
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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.
