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10 Best Large Dog Crates – Reviews & Buying Guide

Written by Khalil
Khalil is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Published on
Friday 30 April 2021
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
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When it comes to crates, small breeds get all the love. Either there are not many dog crates for large dogs, or the options are not high quality. Whatever the case, it is true that finding good dog crates for large breeds takes some time. But who’s got the time, right?

So, in addition to informing you how to choose a dog crate, this article also lists the 10 best large dog crates. Read on to find out more.

Why Do You Need a Crate?

You need a crate because you need to train your dog. And crate training is an effective way to do so. Crates are a highly contested topic. Some people like them and some don’t. Similarly, the merits of crate training can range from ‘oh, it is ok, I guess’ to ‘it is essential and makes a real difference’ depending on who you ask.

With that in mind, we are confident that, if used properly, crate training does make a difference. The primary benefit of crate training is restriction. From restricting your dog from showing problematic behavior to restricting your dog’s movements when necessary, crate training helps you tack difficult situations.

For instance, if you don’t train your dog to sit inside his crate when there are guests around, you are going to have to deal with a lot of messy situations. In short, you need a dog crate. If not for your sake, then for your dog’s.

Things to Consider When Buying a Crate

Before we start listing the individual factors that you need to consider, remember this: Your dog’s size is everything.

The sole reason for the existence of large dog crates is to give your large dog a place to retreat to. And no dog wants to retreat to a place that makes them claustrophobic. So, before hitting that ‘add to cart’ button, measure your dog. And measure twice.

Size

As we’ve already discussed, the size of your dog determines the size of the crate. Therefore, once again, measure your dog.

After, look for a crate that is 2-4 inches taller than your dog. Your dog will appreciate all the extra room he can get. The more he can move inside the crate, the quicker he’ll come to love it.

Type

There are three main types of dog crates:

  • Plastic Portable Dog Carriers: are made from plastic with a steel door. The side panels provide ample ventilation, while also ensuring privacy. Often, these crates have a leak-proof bottom. They are also airline-travel ready
  • Travel Crates: as the name suggests, are suitable for traveling. You can use them for both airline and road travel. As such, they are durable, light, and have excellent ventilation
  • Wire Crates: made from wires, are for indoor use only. They offer maximum ventilation, durability, and are fairly private. Because of their nature, the wire crates are also super easy to clean

Safety

Finally, ensure that the crate you are choosing is safe for your dog. For instance, check if there are any exposed surfaces that can hurt your dog. Also, make sure the crate can handle the weight of your dog without giving in.

A crate needs to be safe. Else, your dog won’t be too overwhelmed in retreating to it.

large dog crate safety
Make sure the crate is safe for your large dog.

10 Best Large Dog Crates

Here’s our list of the best large dog crates out there:

1. Life Stages LS-1648 Single Door Folding Crate

The first crate on our list is a wire crate with a foldable design. The frame of the Life Stages LS-1648 is made from heavy-duty wires, a strong bottom tray, and rounded corner clips. There are also roller feet making it easy to move the crate around.

Additionally, the crate is lightweight, coming in at just 5 lbs. Combine this with the folding functionality, and the crate is easy to carry around. If you have XL-sized dogs like German Shepherds, the 48L x 30W x 33H inches crate is almost perfect.

In short, there is a reason the Life Stages LS-1648 is a best seller. The overwhelmingly positive customer reviews are a testament to the quality of the crate.

2. AmazonBasics Portable Folding Soft Dog Travel Crate

Wire crates are great, but they are a hassle to carry around because of their weight. Soft crates like the ones made from cloth and mesh are a lightweight alternative. The AmazonBasics Soft Travel Crate is one such crate.

Measuring 41.73 x 30.71 x 30.71, the crate has soft sides and two mesh doors. Because of this, you can fold the crate and carry it around. The mesh doors are zipper-enclosed, allowing easy access to the insides.

One thing to note here, because the crate is PVC, heavy-chewers will chew through the fabric. That said, the AmazonBasics always has good quality products, and this crate is no exception.

3. SportPet Designs Plastic Kennels

Finding good airline-approved crates for large dogs is a challenge. The SportPet Plastic Kennel is a worthy product in a sea of disappointing options. It is IATA approved and has holes for tying bungees to ensure safe air travel for your dog.

The crate is made of plastic with a sturdy metal door. You can also attach or detach the wheels whenever you want.

But even if you aren’t traveling, the SportPets Plastic Kennel is a great product. The lightweight construction makes it easy to move around with or without the wheels. And it can hold large dogs up to 140lbs. All in all, totally worth your money.

4. 2PET Foldable Dog Crate

Soft dog crates are convenient if you want something to travel with. But they aren’t for every dog. Like we’ve mentioned before, if your dog is a chewer, you will be better served by a wire or plastic crate. However, if your dog is not a strong chewer, then the 2Pet Foldable Dog Crate is all you need.

First, the crate is nylon with steel tubing for support. There are also 5 mesh windows for proper ventilation. Second, kudos to 2Pet for making the crate machine-washable.

Finally, the crate comes in three variants; small (20 inches), medium (24 inches), and large (28 inches). In short, the 2Pet Dog Crate is great for training, traveling, or as a kennel.

5. Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Crate for Pets

The main problem with soft crates is that they are too easy to chew. The Noz2Noz Crate solves this by using vinyl instead of nylon which is not that easy to chew.

Additionally, other things such as the steel frame, the mesh windows, and lightweight construction are all well done. The result is a 42 x 28 x 32 inches crate that is better in almost every way than other soft crates on the market.

And we’ve saved the best part for the last. Noz2Noz has great customer service. Customer service goes a long way in ensuring a good buying experience. Noz2Noz gets full marks here. Overall, it is a great product, made even better due to the excellent customer service.

6. LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Crate Strong Metal Kennel and Crate

Features like travel-friendliness are great, but sometimes we need a crate that takes security and durability to the next level. The LUCKUP Dog Crate puts safety and durability above everything else.

The frame of the crate is corrosion-resistant steel with a non-toxic finish on top. This makes the crate heavy to carry, so there is an option to attach locking casters.

Furthermore, two doors and a top-mounted hatch allow an easy access to the insides. You can also take the tray out to clean. It is available in 38-inch, 42-inch, 46-inch, 48-inch, and 48.6-inch options. Go with any option you want. You will have your money’s worth.

7. Petmate ProValu Double Door Wire Dog Crate

Petmate has been making pet accessories for over 50 years. And this shows in their wire dog crate.

The Petmate Wire Dog Crate is, as the name suggests, a combination of corrosion-resistant wire. The wire construction ensures durability and plenty of ventilation. The crate is also collapsible. So, you can take it on travels.

Finally, the crate measures 30″ x 19″ x 21″, and you can get it in either a 42-inch or a 48-inch model. Needles to say, it has great reviews. People love the crate for its durability and craftsmanship.

8. Pet Gear “The Other Door” 4 Door Steel Crate

The Pet Gear Steel Crate is simple. It has 4 doors for easier access, durable plastic construction, and has an insulated bottom.

The above description is enough to justify that it is a good crate. But it is the little details that sell any product, and Pet Gear has made sure to include plenty of those. For instance, the corners are round to protect your dog from any snag. And there are no exposed steel edges.

In other words, it is super safe for your dog to rest inside. And rest he will, thanks to the included plush bed. Though if you’re looking for beds, you may want to check out our article on the best dog beds for large breeds. In short, it is a great 42″ x 28″ x 28″ crate for pets weighing up to 90lbs.

9. Petmate Vari Kennel

The pe Vari Kennel is an airline-ready plastic crate with a wire door. The wire door provides an easy way to access your dog and provides plenty of ventilation.

To make sure your pet stays extra-comfortable, the crate has raised interior and has extra height.

There are two options, a crate for 50-70lbs dogs, and one for 70-90lbs dogs. Both of these are made from recycled plastic and are super easy to assemble. All in all, we love it, people love it, and we are sure you’ll love it as well.

10. MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate

The Midwest Dog Crate is as simple as a wire crate can get. It has a large door in front, a durable plastic tray, and comes with a divider panel in the box.

Moreover, you can choose from a single door and a double door option. Both of these come in a 42-inch and a 48-inch variant.

Long story short, it is an awesome wire crate with great reviews everywhere. A thumbs up from our side.

Best Large Dog Crates – FAQs

For the folks who want to know everything, the following are some frequently asked questions.

How do I train my dog to sleep in his crate?

Training your dog to sleep in his crate requires patience. With that down, here is the actual process:

– If your dog can enter the crate without any hesitation, close the door, and keep him inside for about 10 minutes. If he doesn’t, then train him to enter the crate by placing treats inside the crate

– After your dog can spend 10 minutes inside the crate, increase the time. Close the door for 15 minutes. Open it, and give your dog a treat. With each subsequent try, keep increasing the time until you reach about 30 minutes or so

– Next up, place your dog’s fav toys inside the crate, and keep the crate near you. Command the dog to enter the crate, and let him sit inside for a couple of hours. Keep doing this for a week or so

– After a few weeks have passed, try leaving your dog inside for the whole night. If he whines and cries, don’t let him out, as this will encourage him to whine every time you crate him. Instead, wait for him to stop crying and then let him out

Also remember, at nighttime, puppies and senior dogs need to go aside to eliminate. So, place the crate where you can hear them whining, so you can let them out.

How do I warm the dog crate?

You can either warm the crate actively or passively.

If you choose to go the former route, self-healing mats, heated crate floors, and self-warming dog beds can come in handy.

For a more passive approach, try placing the crate in a warm location. For instance, try placing the crate near the kitchen. You can also try raising the crate to break contact with the cold floor.

Should I leave water in the crate overnight?

Adult dogs don’t need to have water in the crate if they are properly hydrated during the day. Similarly, house-trained dogs also don’t need water if you crate them for an hour or two. However, make sure that you provide the dogs with plenty of water before and after the crate time. Furthermore, this should only apply if your dog is crated for short periods of time.

How often should I crate my dog?

Crating should be only be done when necessary. Dogs are social creatures and love to mingle with their owners.

In other words, crate your dog only for as long as you need. For instance, if you only crate your dog overnight, crate him for only that time and not during the day.

All in all, crating frequency depends solely on your schedule. Your dog will appreciate it if there is as little crating as possible.

When should I stop using a dog crate?

Crates, like collars, are training and restraining tools. They are essential, so they are for life. The question we should be asking is:
When should I stop crate training? You should stop crate training as soon as your dog is comfortable with the crate. If you can leave your dog inside the crate overnight or the length of time you would be out of the house, then you can stop crate training. You can now do some alternatives to crate training a dog.

buying a dog crate
Choose a size suitable for your large pup.

Crates provide a safe space for your dogs to retreat to. Dogs, like us, need a place where they can just lie down and feel safe. A crate does that for them. Therefore, you must start crate training from an early age.

The other thing you need to pay attention to is the type of crate you should choose for a large dog. Choose a crate that is big and sturdy enough for your large dog. And if traveling is a major part of your life, get one that is foldable and lightweight. In short, don’t forget crate training, and don’t skip on getting a quality crate.

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