How to Choose a Dog Crate: Smart Tips for a Perfect Fit

Beagle sitting inside a house-shaped black metal dog crate.

Choosing a dog crate starts with understanding your dog’s size, behaviour, and daily routine. When these elements align with the right crate design and material, your dog gets a safe, comfortable space that truly suits them.

Start With Size: The Most Important Decision

Choosing the correct crate size affects your dog’s comfort, safety, and house-training success.

Measure Your Dog Accurately

To pick the right size, measure while your dog is standing:

Length: Measure from the nose to the base of the tail. Add a few inches so your dog can stretch.
Height: Measure from the floor to the top of the head or ears. Add extra height so they can stand without crouching.
Turning space: Your dog should be able to turn around comfortably without squeezing sideways.

What the Correct Size Should Feel Like

The crate should:

Allow full standing, stretching, and a natural turn.
Offer enough room to lie flat without curling tightly.
Not be oversized where the dog can toilet in one corner and rest in the other.

Buying for Puppies

If you’re choosing for a growing puppy, the crate should:

Be adult size, not puppy size.
Have a divider panel so you can adjust the usable space.
Prevent accidents by keeping the space appropriate for each growth stage.

Choose the Right Crate Material

Different materials suit different behaviours, home setups, and dogs. Matching material to your dog’s needs is essential.

Wire Dog Crates

Best for dogs who like air circulation and visibility.

Golden dog standing inside a black wire crate in a living room.

High ventilation keeps dogs cool, especially thick-coated breeds.
Good visibility reduces stress for dogs who prefer seeing their surroundings.
Divider panels included, making them ideal for puppies.
Folds flat for storage, which is helpful in small homes.
Easy to clean with removable trays.

Plastic Dog Crates

Best for dogs who need privacy or travel frequently.

Beagle resting inside a plastic dog house with open door.

Enclosed walls create a den-like environment that comforts anxious dogs.
Travel-friendly and often airline-approved.
Sturdy structure keeps dogs secure in the car.
Less stimulation helps easily overwhelmed dogs relax.

Soft-Sided Dog Crates

Best for calm, crate-trained dogs only.

Lightweight and portable, great for car rides and indoor resting spaces.
Easy to fold and pack, perfect for small apartments.
Comfortable interior that feels cosy.
Not suitable for dogs that chew, scratch, or try to escape.

Heavy-Duty Metal Dog Crates

Best for dogs with strong chewing or escape tendencies.

Golden dog lying inside a large black metal crate indoors.

Reinforced bars and locks keep powerful dogs safely contained.
Escape-resistant design prevents bending, pushing, or breaking out.
Made for longevity, especially for large or determined dogs.
Ideal if your dog has damaged regular wire crates before.

Wooden or Furniture-Style Dog Crates

Best for calm adult dogs and stylish homes.

Golden dog resting beside a white wooden dog crate cabinet.

Blends with décor and doubles as furniture, such as a side table.
Solid structure offers comfort and stability.
Not suitable for chewers or puppies, as wood marks easily.

Consider Your Dog’s Temperament

A dog’s behaviour should guide your crate choice just as much as size.

For Social, Confident Dogs

Wire crates work well because:

They enjoy open visibility.
They are comfortable watching family activity.
They do not need a dark, enclosed environment to relax.

For Anxious or Easily Overstimulated Dogs

Plastic crates or covered wire crates are better because:

The reduced visibility helps calm the mind.
The enclosed feeling mimics a secure, quiet den.
They create a predictable, comforting environment.

For Chewers and Escape-Prone Dogs

Heavy-duty crates or thicker wire crates are necessary because:

These dogs may bend bars, destroy fabric, or chew plastic edges.
Stronger materials prevent injuries caused by escape attempts.
They reduce the risk of a damaged or unsafe crate environment.

For Dogs Prone to Overheating

Wire crates are ideal because:

They allow maximum airflow.
They prevent heat buildup inside the crate.
They keep thick-coated dogs cool in warm climates.

Match the Crate to Your Lifestyle

Your daily routine and living arrangements influence which crate style is most practical.

Three dogs inside wire, plastic, and soft travel crates.

For Home-Only Use

Choose crates that are sturdy and comfortable:

Wire crates for everyday reliability and easy cleaning.
Furniture-style crates if looks matter in shared living spaces.
Heavy-duty crates if your dog is strong or destructive.

For Frequent Travel or Car Use

Choose crates designed for movement:

Plastic airline crates for secure, structured travel.
Soft-sided crates for calm dogs during short trips.
Collapsible wire crates if you need pack-and-go convenience.

For Small Homes or Apartments

Choose crates that save space:

Double-door wire crates that fit against different walls.
Soft crates that fold away when not needed.
Furniture-style crates that double as tables.

Think About Practical Features

Beyond size and material, certain features improve usability and comfort.

Helpful Features to Look For

Divider panels for growing puppies to adjust internal space.
Double doors for flexible placement in tight rooms.
Removable trays for easy cleaning after accidents.
Secure locks to prevent accidental openings.
Carrying handles for portability.

When to Avoid Extra Features

Not all dogs need every feature:

Avoid soft crates for strong chewers.
Avoid heavy-duty crates if you travel often, they are cumbersome.
Avoid large, furniture-style crates for puppies, they may damage them.

Checklist for Choosing the Right Dog Crate

Use this simple checklist before finalizing your choice:

Is the size correct based on your dog’s measurements?
Does the material match your dog’s behaviour (chewer, calm, anxious, social)?
Does the crate fit your daily lifestyle (home use, travel, apartment living)?
Are the features appropriate (dividers, ventilation, locks)?
Does it offer the right balance of comfort and safety for your dog?

Choosing the right dog crate creates a safe, dependable space your dog can relax in every day. With the right fit and design, Dog Crates become a comfortable part of your home and your dog’s routine.

FAQs

1. How do I choose a dog crate that blends into my living space?

If aesthetics matter as much as function, choose a crate with a compact footprint, neutral colours, and a design that complements your furniture. Wire crates with slim frames or minimalist wooden crates work best. Avoid bulky plastic or heavy-duty crates, as they stand out visually.

2. What dog crate is best if I have limited storage space?

For homes with minimal storage, choose a crate that folds flat and can slide under a bed or behind furniture. Wire crates and soft-sided crates collapse easily and require far less storage space compared to wooden or plastic crates.

3. Which dog crate should I use if my dog travels between households?

If your dog splits time between homes, the best option is a crate that is lightweight, foldable, and quick to assemble. Choose a model that can be carried in the car and set up in minutes. Avoid stationary, wooden, or heavy-duty crates since they are impractical for frequent relocation.

4. What dog crate works for both puppies and adult dogs?

Instead of buying multiple crates, choose a wire crate with adjustable dividers and multiple door placements. This allows you to resize the interior during puppyhood and rearrange the crate’s orientation as your living space changes when the dog reaches adulthood.

5. What dog crate is best for long-haired dogs?

Long-haired breeds benefit from crates with smooth interior surfaces and rounded edges. Avoid crates with rough welds, exposed metal corners, or textured plastic that can catch onto coat fibres. Smooth wire coatings or polished wooden interiors minimise snagging.