Last Updated on September,
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Dog kennels and crates were considered cruel a few years back. But it&#;s starting to change now, and more and more dog owners are beginning to invest in one.
And by the looks of it, you&#;ve decided to get one too.
Great!
Yet, the journey to finding the perfect crate is no walk in the park. Going with a subpar crate could lead to accidents and anxiety-inducing escapes. No one wants those to happen.
But fear not; I&#;ve navigated the treacherous sea of options for you. After personally testing a staggering 20 crates, I&#;ve handpicked the top 9 contenders that stood tall amidst the competition.
Factors like durability, safety, comfort, and convenience were all considered when narrowing down the picks to ensure your dog gets the utmost security.
So, let&#;s delve into the world of the best dog crates and discover the one that will transform your pup&#;s life for the better.
9 of the Best Dog Crates
If you want the best crate for your dog, you can get that below, no matter the type. Soft-sided crates, wooden dog crates, wire dog crates, and plastic dog crates are all there; it&#;s just a matter of you picking one.
1. IMPACT Collapsible Dog Crate
IMPACT dog crates are the best crates you can get for your dog.
I&#;m not the only one to say this. Each and every customer who&#;s bought one say the same.
These crates excel in all areas, and as for the downsides, it&#;s impossible to find unless you nitpick.
For starters, the IMPACT crate is built with high-quality aluminum, which makes it an absolutely durable dog crate capable of handling even the toughest of dogs.
Furthermore, the design is something that&#;s not going to spoil the look of your living room or wherever you put the crate; overall, it kinda looks COOL!
>>Click here to checkout yourself
<<Not just cool, but the design is well thought out too. The tiny rounded-diamond-shaped air holes on all four sides of the crate take the airflow inside the crate to another level, which leads to top-notch comfort.
Another design win is that the crate is Collapsible; it folds down to just 8 inches, which makes storing it a breeze; on top of that, setting it back up takes no more than 60 seconds. It&#;s just so simple. No tools are needed too.
The single door in the IMPACT crate is one of its highlights; it&#;s smooth, and you&#;ll only need to use one hand to open and close it,
Weight-wise, IMPACT is one of the lightest I&#;ve seen; it&#;s super lightweight, and that, in turn, makes carrying it around a cinch. Looking at the numbers, even the biggest crate available weighs 106 lbs; this can fit a Great Dane, by the way.
While we&#;re on the topic of weight, let me tell you the range of sizes available;
Whether you own small dogs, medium dogs, large dogs, and even extra-large dogs, there is a crate for you here, and from what I&#;ve known, not many dog crates manufacturer do this.
If you travel with your dog overseas often, IMPACT crates can become airline-approved too. All you need to do is purchase the additional Door Guard attachment and IATA brackets, and you&#;ll be good to fly.
Even though not crash-tested, if you&#;re someone who travels with the dog a lot, you can use the IMPACT crate in your car too, thanks to that highly durable build-quality.
Out of all the crates tested, IMPACT stood out, and that&#;s the reason it&#;s in this position. It clearly excels in every department and becomes the best overall dog crate.
No matter the size of the dogs you have, there will be an IMPACT crate that&#;s waiting to keep your dog safe and sound.
Key Features:
Read our comprehensive Impact Dog Crate Review to learn more about this crate.
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2. GUNNER G1
GUNNER is the best crash-tested dog kennel available on the market.
Even after the amount of stress it was put through, this thing stood on its own; it was that durable.
Literally a tank.
That crash-testing makes the GUNNER crate an excellent option for use in the car, but that does not mean it cannot be used as a regular crate. It actually excels at that, thanks to its design.
First and foremost, you&#;re looking at a crate made from heavy-duty plastic; just because it&#;s plastic does not make it less durable or even look cheap.
In fact, this is far more durable than most aluminum crates and looks more than premium.
>>Click here to checkout yourself
<<The team at GUNNER claims that the plastic used is double-walled rotomolded, I&#;m not sure what it means, but I&#;m pretty sure it contributes to the durability of the crate.
Moreover, one thing that was easily noticeable was the temperature of the crate. This thing was much cooler than most of the aluminum crates that were tested.
GUNNER claims the G1 is 12% cooler than most other crates, I&#;m not sure about the numbers, but it was definitely cooler, and it was a hot day too. That was, for sure, impressive. Design and durability-wise, the GUNNER G1 is right up there.
It&#;s a sturdy and visually appealing dog crate that is rugged yet polished armor, providing your pup with a safe haven that&#;s both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Moving on, G1 comes in four sizes; small, medium, intermediate, and large. Even though it cannot fit the largest of dogs, it&#;s still enough for most, with the large size coming in at 40.25&#; in length.
IMPACT crates, as mentioned above, are lighter, but these ones from GUNNER are featherweight; even the largest crate size weighs 72 lb. That lends a hand to the crate being the best in the business when it comes to traveling.
Speaking of traveling, GUNNER dog kennel does meet most airline requirements, and quite rightly so. Can it be the best travel kennel if it wasn&#;t for this?
The secure door latch of the GUNNER G1 is something that&#;s not talked about enough; this makes the crate super secure and gives no chance even for an escape artist. It&#;s further enhanced thanks to the backup safety latches.
Basically, zero chances to escape.
GUNNER has become a powerhouse in the world of dog crates; you will understand why when you get your hands on one. This literal tank excels in areas that you would have never even considered in a crate, simply class.
Key Features:
Learn more about this dog crate in this Gunner Kennel Review.
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3. DIGGS Revol Dog Crate
A dog kennel can&#;t get fancier than this; DIGGS Revol is one of the most, if not the most, luxurious and beautiful-looking crates I&#;ve laid my eyes on. It&#;s too good in that aspect.
This one, just like IMPACT, is a collapsible crate, and a good one at that. A simple twist of the top handle collapses the crate, which makes it one of the easiest to collapse.
That said, the design is the star of the show; you will love it at first sight.
Not just the design, the same can be said for the build quality; it might not look as durable when looking at it, but only when you get your hands on it you&#;ll understand how durable it is.
>>Click here to checkout yourself
<<Let me tell you the materials that have gone into assembling the DIGGS Revol dog crate.
For starters, it&#;s put together with two main materials that most crates use, the frame sports extra-sturdy aluminum that is covered with high-grade reinforced plastic.
The side and the top consist of steel mesh wire which only makes everything sturdier.
Now let&#;s move on from the design and build quality and look at the sizes the DIGGS Revol dog crate comes in.
Just like the GUNNER G1, Revol comes in four sizes; small, medium, intermediate, and large. The largest size is 44&#; in length. Even though it will not fit in a Great Dane, is more than enough if you own a GSD or a Rottie.
DIGGS isn&#;t the largest crate available, but the space it provides inside will be excellent and super comfortable for your dog. The diamond-shaped mesh pattern increases the ventilation and provides a good view of the surroundings for your dog.
On the other hand, it has more like a double-door design allowing access to the dog from multiple sides: a front door and a garage-style side door. A unique thing about the Revol is that it also has two ceiling hatches that provide access to the dog from the top.
When it comes to carrying and transporting, DIGGS is super easy, thanks to the two wheels at the bottom and the carrying handle on the top.
Another feature not present in the two crates above but available here is the removable tray; that makes the cleaning process a walk in the park.
All things considered, DIGGS Revol is an excellent choice that looks stunning and does the job of containing your dog without a problem, an excellent dog crate all around.
Key Features:
Interested in learning more? Read our Diggs Dog Crate Review.
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4. Petmate Precision Pet ProValu
Petmate is the first wire crate we&#;re about to take a look at, and from everything I&#;ve seen, I think it&#;s the best one too, if we&#;re looking at only wire dog crates.
It isn&#;t feature-rich as the crates above. Instead, Precision Pet is just a simple build that does its job pretty well.
Firstly, the design, it&#;s pretty much self-explanatory since it&#;s a wire crate, nothing too fancy here.
Build quality, on the other hand, is top-notch and fairs well to the most expensive crates.
The rust-resistant electro-coat finish is the main deal here. It does an excellent job of keeping the crate sturdy and even allowing for outdoor use.
Precision Pet comes in four sizes, with the smallest size being 19&#; and the largest size being 36&#;, so it clearly isn&#;t a large dog crate, but it&#;s enough for almost all small to medium-sized dogs.
Out of all, one area this crate excels is its locking system. Dogs are known to escape wire crates effortlessly, and Petmate&#;s patented 5-Point Locking System does an outstanding job of preventing that.
What it does is, close any gaps that are on the top, side, and middle of the door, which in turn increases the strength of the door and the crate itself.
One feature even the most expensive options miss out on is the slide-out tray which makes cleaning the crate effortless. Precision Pet has that, and it&#;s a polypropylene pan which is the word they use for tray; you know how beneficial it can be.
Just so you know, Petmate Precision Pet ProValu has two options for you to choose from, a single-door option and a two doors option. Both are basically the same with no differences; it&#;s up to you to pick the one that suits you.
The Petmate Precision Pet ProValu wire crate proves to be an excellent choice for dog owners seeking a reliable and functional option.
While it may lack some of the more advanced features found in higher-end crates, its simple yet sturdy design ensures it gets the job done exceptionally well.
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5. Lucky Dog® Dwell&#; Series Crate
If Precious Pet didn&#;t get your attention as a wire dog crate, this one surely will.
The Dwell from Lucky Dog is one the most eye-catching wire dog crates on the market; its Bronze Finish is a statement.
Haven&#;t seen a wire crate look this good in a while. Design is subjective; what about the main aspects?
It&#;s pretty great, actually. As always, let&#;s start with durability; Dwell, just like Precision Pet, has a Rust-resistant E-coating.
That&#;s excellent for these types of crates. Adding to that is Lucky Dog&#;s patented easy-snap corner stabilizers; these, as the name suggests, beef up the corners and prevent the crate&#;s frame from collapsing.
Dwell&#;s space optimization needs a big shoutout; this is one of those crates that actually provides full freedom and comfort for the dog. Lucky Dog has done an excellent job here.
Moreover, the crate features a double-panel sliding door which makes opening and closing the crate so much smoother and provides a lot of space for the dog to enter.
On the flip side, the secure latch doors make Dwell a safe haven for your dog; it provides no room for even the most determined dogs.
Wire dog crates are generally easy to clean, but with the presence of a removable leak-proof plastic tray, it&#;s made even easier.
Size options are plenty in the Dwell; there are five, and no matter if you have an extra small or a large dog, you can find your fit. 48&#; in length is the largest, while 24&#; is the smallest; there&#;s variety here.
With its eye-catching Bronze Finish, the Dwell wire dog crate from Lucky Dog is a statement piece that doesn&#;t compromise functionality.
It provides top-notch security and comfort, and on top of that, other small but important features make it an excellent option if you&#;re on the looks for a wire dog kennel if you own a large dog or any dog for that matter.
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6. Rock Creek Crates ALUMINUM DOG CRATE
Now this is a crate many of you might&#;ve never heard of.
Rock Creek Crate is kinda like a mixture of both IMPACT and GUNNER, two of the best in the business stacked into one; what&#;s the catch?
Actually, there isn&#;t. This is just another good dog crate that performed pretty well during the testing.
Pretty well would be an understatement. It performed amazingly well.
You might already know that this is an Aluminum dog crate, but what you don&#;t know is the build quality.
Rock Creek Crate is one of the strongest available; its 5-Star Crash Test Rating shows that.
Fun fact is that this is the first Metal Dog kennel that has passed this testing.
But what makes it even more durable is the internal tube frame made of aircraft-grade aluminum. AIRCRAFT GRADE; that&#;s not a word you often hear when looking for a crate.
Even with all the metal, the crate is surprisingly lightweight. Furthermore, the overbuild doors in the RCC improve ventilation which is already better thanks to the hexagonal-shaped air holes.
Not only is the ventilation better, but the security is top-notch too. The lockable paddle latch and the standard butterfly latches do an excellent job of keeping the door sturdy and not allowing the dog to escape.
And the cherry on top is the airline approval. If you are looking to take your dog on your plane journey, RCC can help; all you need to do is to purchase the IATA kit, and you&#;ll be ready.
Rock Creek Crate is relatively new to the game of crates, but how they have built this one here doesn&#;t seem like it. This one here is an expensive option, but considering everything it brings to the table, it surely is an option you can consider.
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Goto Tian Yilong to know more.
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7. Fable Crate
When it comes to the best wooden dog crate, Fable is right up there. Made from premium bentwood, this crate perfectly blends in anywhere you put it.
That is how good it looks. One of the most eye-catching I&#;ve seen.
Not a lot of wooden crates come with durable doors, but that is not the case with Fable; you get two options; Metal and Acrylic; you can pick one based on your preference. Metal is obviously durable.
Also, the Acrylic isn&#;t that durable, especially for pet owners with dogs that scratch at the door.
As for comfort, the first thing that&#;s noticeable is the space inside. Like all wooden crates, this too has some great legroom that increases comfort. More than that, however, is the air holes on all four sides of the crate. That translates to excellent ventilation.
All that being said, go with this crate only if you need something that looks super nice and if you don&#;t have large dogs or extra large dogs.
There is no handle to carry the crate, which is a bummer. Moreover, it&#;s not cheap. As mentioned above, only go with this if you want a crate that can look nice and fit in your home decor.
Key Features:
If you want to learn more about this pet crate, checkout this Fable dog crate review.
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8. Midwest Homes For Pets iCrate
Midwest Homes is known for coming up with cheap and affordable dog crates, and the iCrate is one of those. It&#;s a simple wire dog crate, which, if you&#;re not ready to spend much, would be a great choice.
Not a whole lot of features to talk about here; the crate comes with a removable plastic tray; you know how beneficial that would be for cleaning.
On top of that, the door latches feature Midwest&#;s patented paw block and locking tips, both of which increase the safety of the tray.
Also, the crate can be folded flat, which is handy when it comes to traveling or storing. Setting up requires no tools on the other and takes just seconds which is convenient.
And that&#;s pretty much it; like I said, not a whole lot of features to talk about. The iCrate is a reliable yet cheap option that&#;s enough for most dog parents
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9. ProSelect Empire Crate
The Final crate of this list of best crates for dogs. ProSelect Empire Crate is specifically made for medium to large-sized dogs, and it&#;s different from the crates we&#;ve been looking at all this time.
This is a steel cage built from reinforced 0.5-inch diameter steel tubes and 20-gauge steel. A dog crate can&#;t get more durable than this.
However, apart from that, this crate does not pack too much. Along with being durable, the crate is solid when it comes to comfort, and the space optimization is good.
To move the crate easily, Removable Casters are included, and quite rightly so, this is not something that can be carried for sure. And, like most, this one comes with a tray too.
ProSelect Empire Crate is a dependable dog crate that can accommodate dogs that are both medium and large with ease. This thing can handle even the toughest of breeds thanks to that build quality. All in all, the Empire Crate can serve well as your new crate.
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How We Picked the Best Dog Crate?
Each and every crate we&#;ve looked at so far is picked after a variety of vigorous testing. Not just that, but we went the extra mile by teaming up with our VET. He had a major part in helping us pick the best 9 out of the 20 we tested.
Speaking of testing, we had our hands on a variety of crates, starting from wire crates and wooden dog crates to plastic crates. Each and every type of crate were in the house.
When it came to narrowing down the best, factors such as build quality, durability, ease of use, and cleaning convenience, were all considered to make sure you get the best high-quality heavy-duty dog crate available.
No matter which one you go with on this list, all of them will serve you well; no worries.
Things You Need to Consider Before Buying the Right Dog Crate
Even though we did our part by going through most of the aspects, there are still some things that you &#;&#;the buyer&#;&#; need to keep in mind before picking the go-to dog crate.
Your Dog&#;s Size
This is the most important thing you need to know about your dog before getting a crate.
Getting the size wrong can lead to a whole lot of hassle, so make sure the crate size you choose fits your dog without causing any problems for it.
For context, if you own a full-grown GSD, go with a 48-inch size crate. On the other hand, if you own small breed dogs such as a Chihuahua, an 18&#; to 22&#; dog crate is more than enough.
All in all, you just need to make sure the crate you go with has enough space for your dog to fully stand up, lie down, and stretch its body without any limitations.
Having said that, most, if not all, dog crates on this list have a wide range of sizes capable of fitting dogs of all sizes. Just make sure you pick the correct size.
Type of Crate
Dog crates are available in a variety of types, such as wire dog crates, plastic dog kennels, folding metal dog crates, wooden crates, and many more.
It&#;s crucial to pick the correct type based on your dog and its behavior, as it ensures safety for your dog and a long-lasting crate in the long run.
By safety, I mean, for example, if your dog is known for chewing, a wooden crate is off-limits. Instead, you should look for something chew-proof such as the one from IMPACT.
Wire crates can be cheap, but safety isn&#;t always ensured. If you&#;re thinking of getting one of those, make sure it&#;s made of high-quality metal. Thankfully, the Petmate Pet ProValu is one of the highest-quality wire crates you&#;ll come across.
Plastic dog crates are generally safe, but it&#;s important to make sure the one you pick is chew-proof. Otherwise, it turns into a huge hassle if swallowed or eaten.
Design of the Dog Crate
Considering keeping the crate in the living room?
Then you might have to pick something that blends in. Traditional wire crates can be great, but looks-wise, they are nowhere near the more modern ones. However, options are plenty, and you won&#;t have a hard time finding one that&#;ll fit.
One of the favorites would be wooden crates; these look great and premium from every side and will fit almost anywhere. If wooden crates are what you need, take a look at Fable.
Crates from DIGGS Revol and Rock Creek are some other options you can consider. Both are some of the most well-built and beautiful crates you&#;ll come across.
These are some of the aspects you need to consider in a dog kennel or crate before picking one for your dog. As for the others, we&#;ve done the job already.
Benefits of Getting a Dog Crate
Going back in time, not many were a fan of dog crates. Times changed, and more and more dog owners are starting to invest in one. Quite rightly so, anyone taking a look at the benefits of a dog crate will indeed change their mind.
Below are some of the benefits you can get with a dog crate.
Perfect for Potty Training
This is the most obvious benefit of getting a dog crate. As you may already know, dogs hate to use the space they sleep in as the bathroom. So, a crate comes in as an important housetraining tool and will help them learn bladder and bowel control.
Safety for Your Dog
Crates can act as a safe and secure place for your dog when you are away from home. This will also prevent any unwanted behavior that can injure them.
Stack the crate with toys and a bowl of water; that can turn the crate into an excellent place for your dog to rest and stay safe.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Crates provide a cozy and secure place that mimics a den. This can help your dog feel more relaxed and alleviate stress or anxiety, especially in situations like fireworks or thunderstorms.
Travel Safety
A crate, when traveling with your dog, makes life much easier and ensures your dog&#;s safety inside a vehicle. On top of that, the chances for distractions also become less since your dog is inside the crate.
Crate Training Your Dog
The final piece of the puzzle; how to crate train a dog?
By now, you probably might have an idea of everything about a dog crate; now, the only thing you need to know is how to get your dog to stay in it.
Below are some steps you can follow to get your dog crate trained.
Introduce the Crate
The first thing when it comes to getting your dog hooked to the crate is introducing the crate to it. Once you get the crate, place it in an area that&#;s quiet and where your dog can see and hear you.
Make the Crate Appealing
Take a comfortable dog bed or pad and throw it in the crate to make it more inviting. You can also add in some toys and some favorite treats of your dog. That&#;ll encourage them to take a look at the crate and explore it.
Avoid Forcing
Do not force your dog into the crate; keep the door of the crate open and let them explore it at their own pace.
Associate Positive Experiences
Feeding the dog near the crate or placing treats inside the crate for them to find are all positive experiences that you can take advantage of if you&#;re to get your dog used to the crate. This will get your dog to associate the crate as the source of good things.
Mealtime in the Crate
Provide your dog&#;s meals inside the crate. The back of the crate is ideal as it can encourage your dog to enter willingly. Once the dog becomes comfortable, move the bowl near the crate door.
Close the Crate Door
Now that your dog is comfortable eating inside the crate, try closing the door for a few minutes while the dog&#;s eating. Open the door immediately once done eating so that the dog does associate with being confined.
Increase Time Inside the Crate
Your dog should be more accustomed to the crate now, so the next step is to increase the time they spend inside it.
Close the crate doors for extended periods but make sure you&#;re near to reassure them if they show any signs of anxiety or discomfort.
Get the Commands in
Put up a consistent routine for crate usage. Use commands such as &#;&#;kennel&#;&#; or &#;&#;crate&#;&#; to signal your dog to enter the crate. Once the dog enters by your command, make sure to reward it with treats and praise.
That is everything you need to know if you want your dog to get used to being inside the crate. Not too complicated.
Increase the separation time when your dog gradually gets used to the crate, and make sure you never use it as s a form of punishment. All the efforts put into training would go in vain if done so.
Also, it&#;s important to note that patience is key, and it&#;s going to take time crate training your dog. Check out this guide if you want a complete detailed walkthrough on how to crate your dog. Also you can better understand the crate training process with our ultimate &#;DIYK9 Crate Training Course&#;, which is explained visually.
FAQs
No, dog crates are not cruel when used correctly as a secure space for relaxation, training, and transportation.
Yes, you can put your dog in a crate at night, depending on the needs of your dog. However, it is important to make sure the crate is the right size and comfortable and to create a positive experience for your dog.
For a healthy dog, it is recommended to limit crate time to a few hours at a time and provide regular breaks for exercise, social interaction, and bathroom needs, depending on age and specific individual needs.
No, it is not recommended to cover a dog&#;s crate as it can cause anxiety and restrict visibility and airflow.
A dog can usually hold its urine for 1 hour per month of age, plus an additional hour. For example, a 3-month-old pup can typically hold it for 4 hours before needing a potty break.
The best items to put in a dog crate are a cozy bed, interactive toys, and a water bowl.
Place a comfortable bedding or mat in the bottom of a dog crate.
No, wooden dog crates are not usually designed to be chew-proof for most dogs.
Final Verdict: The Best Dog Crate
So there you have it, 9 of the best crates available covered. All of the options we&#;ve explored in this article, as you may know, offer a range of features, from durability and security to portability and style.
Whether you&#;re looking for a crate for training, travel, or simply creating a cozy den-like space for your pup, there&#;s a crate on this list that&#;ll suit your requirements.
However, the clear winner out of all is IMPACT. With its unrivaled durability, impeccable construction, and top-notch safety features, it&#;s the ultimate choice for any pet parent looking for security and reliability.
The following links are particularly useful if you&#;re looking for the best in a specific category:
OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
IMPACT Collapsible Dog Crate
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