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A dog crate is a training tool and a place for your dog to rest. The right one is the right size, easy to clean, well ventilated and comfortable, and it can also look good in your home.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says a crate helps with potty training, travel, vet visits and managing a dog when you cannot watch them. This page covers five things to check before you buy: size, style, comfort, airflow and how easily the crate can be moved.
We describe the two crates below from their Amazon listings. We have not tested them. This is general information, not veterinary or behaviour advice; if your dog is anxious in a crate, talk to your vet.
If you are new to crates, start with our guide to crate training a puppy on the first night.
1. Size
Size matters more than style. The AKC says a puppy’s crate should be just large enough to stand up, turn around and lie down in. If it is much bigger, a puppy can use one end as a toilet and sleep in the other.
To size a crate for an adult dog, the AKC says to measure your dog from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet while standing, and from the nose to the tip of the tail, then add 3 to 4 inches (about 8 to 10 cm) to each measurement. The RSPCA gives the same idea: big enough to stand, turn around, lie down and stretch in.
For a puppy, the AKC suggests a crate sized for the adult dog with a divider, so it can “grow” with your dog. The RSPCA adds that a puppy travelling in a car is better protected in a smaller crate than in an adult-sized one.
This 42-inch (about 107 cm) folding crate is listed for large breeds of 71 to 90 lb (32 to 41 kg) and comes with a divider panel.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.2. Style
A crate is furniture as well as a dog space, so many owners look for something that fits the room. Wooden crates that double as an end table are one example. Check the dog is safe first: the AKC says to pick a crate that is durable, well ventilated and easy to clean. The AKC also says the choice depends on whether your dog is a chewer.
This wooden lattice crate is listed as a crate and an end table in an espresso finish.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
3. Comfort
The RSPCA suggests adding soft bedding and safe chew toys, putting the crate away from direct sunlight and draughts, and giving your dog access to water, for example with a clip-on bowl so it cannot be tipped over. It says a cover over part of the crate can help a nervous dog.
If your dog chews bedding, use something tough and check it for damage often. If you are unsure what is safe for your dog, ask your vet.
4. Airflow And View
The AKC says soft-sided crates should have ventilation holes or mesh on the sides so your dog can breathe properly, and plastic crates should be well ventilated. Wire crates give good air circulation and visibility. Some shy dogs like part of the crate covered, which the RSPCA says can help.
5. Ease Of Moving
Think about where the crate will go. Wire crates are the sturdiest, while soft crates are light and fold down but are harder to clean after an accident, according to the AKC. A folding crate with a handle is easier to carry to the vet or on a trip.
Using A Crate Well
Both the AKC and the RSPCA say a crate must never be used as a punishment. The RSPCA says it should be a safe haven, not a “sin bin”, and that it is never acceptable to shut a dog in a crate all day while you are at work. The AKC says crates are not suitable for dogs with panic or severe anxiety.
For a crate that is already in use, see crate training a puppy.
Ready To Buy A Crate?
Measure your dog, choose the size first and the style second, and make the crate somewhere your dog wants to be.
