

We also consulted reviews from real owners to get a better sense of how these crates do under real-world conditions. From there, we narrowed the field by looking at features like durability, quality of materials, ease of use and size options.

We also spoke with dog owners for their top picks, and tracked down the most popular crates on the market. To choose the best dog crates, we consulted with veterinarians about the features that make a quality crate. And with a 4.5-star rating from over 600 reviews, it’s clearly beloved by puppy parents.Ĭontributor How We Chose The Best Dog Crates The Frisco is available in five sizes, and there’s a handy chart on the product page to guide you to which one you might need. The door has a secure latch, and should you want to store it, it comes apart in the middle, forming two stackable halves. And you can make it even cozier by adding a blanket or a small dog bed. If in doubt, ask your trainer or vet which kind of crate environment your breed may prefer. The plastic sides can make the interior darker, but many dogs enjoy the more den-like environment as opposed to a fully exposed wire mesh crate. We’re partial to the Frisco Plastic Dog Kennel because it works well for both home use and travel.

Ideally, you want a kennel that’s large enough for your dog to comfortably stand up, lie down and stretch out. The crate also includes a plastic tray that makes it easy to clean up accidents, as well as a pan stop to keep it in place. Its simple wire design comes in a wide range of sizes, starting as small as 22 inches and maxing out at 48 inches, and it comes with a durable divider panel to keep your pup secure in an appropriate-sized enclosure. One excellent choice is the Life Stages Single Door Folding Crate. This allows you to let the crate’s internal volume grow with your dog. You don’t want to buy a new crate for your growing puppy every few months, either. If you’ve recently welcomed a new pup into the family, trainers advise you not to put a puppy in a full-size crate, as this may hinder your house training efforts-essentially, the puppy has enough room to do its business in a corner far away from where it can choose to rest.
