---
title: The 13 Best Dog Crates of 2026 — Honest Hound
description: Our research-led pick of the best dog crates of 2026 across every type and size — wire, heavy-duty, travel, soft-sided and furniture — with honest pros, cons and price bands.
image: https://www.honest-hound.com/hubfs/honest-hound/best-dog-crates/hh-best-crates-hero.webp
---

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[Home](https://www.honest-hound.com/) / [Dog Gear & Reviews](https://www.honest-hound.com/dog-gear-reviews) / Best Dog Crates

# The 13 Best Dog Crates of 2026, Researched & Ranked

By **Michael Probert** · Updated June 2026

The right crate becomes your dog's favorite room in the house — a safe, quiet den of their own. The wrong one is an expensive thing they break out of. Here are the crates worth your money in 2026, matched to the dog you actually have.

![A relaxed dog lying contentedly inside an open wire crate set up as a cozy den with a soft blanket in a warm, sunlit living room](https://www.honest-hound.com/hs-fs/hubfs/honest-hound/best-dog-crates/hh-best-crates-hero.webp?width=1200&height=628&name=hh-best-crates-hero.webp)

The short answer

**For most new owners, a divider wire crate like the MidWest iCrate is the best all-round choice** — affordable, foldable, and able to grow with your puppy. If your dog is an escape artist, choose heavy-duty steel or aluminum (Impact, ProSelect, SmithBuilt). For the car, a Center for Pet Safety–certified crate like the Gunner G1. For a calm dog on the go, soft-sided. For the living room, a furniture-style crate.

**Honest, reader-supported picks.** We may earn a commission from some links on this page, at no extra cost to you — it never changes which crates we recommend. Our picks are **research-led** (we don't hands-on test); see [how we research & choose](https://www.honest-hound.com/how-we-test). General information, not veterinary advice.

At **Honest Hound**, we don't test the products we cover. What we do is read the people who have — independent reviewers like USA Today's Reviewed and the vet-collaborated team at Dogster, the crash-test engineers at the [Center for Pet Safety](https://centerforpetsafety.org/cps-certified/), and the sizing and welfare guidance of the [American Kennel Club](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/choose-best-crate-dog/) — then cross-check it against what thousands of owners report at scale. The result is the honest shortlist below.

## At a glance: all 13 picks

| Pick | Best for | Type / size | Price | Award |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [1. MidWest iCrate Fold & Carry](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-1) | A first crate that grows with your puppy | Wire · XXS–XL (7 sizes) | $ | Best Overall |
| [2. Diggs Evolv](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-2) | A safer, better-looking wire crate | Wire / steel mesh · S–L | $$$ | Best Upgrade |
| [3. Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-3) | Two doors and flexible placement on a budget | Wire · XS–XL (6 sizes) | $ | Best Value Wire |
| [4. Frisco XX-Large Heavy-Duty Wire](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-4) | Giant breeds in a calm household | Wire · XXL (giant) | $$ | Best for Giant Breeds |
| [5. Impact High Anxiety Crate](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-5) | Severe separation anxiety and true escape artists | Aircraft-grade aluminum · multiple sizes | $$$$ | Best for Separation Anxiety |
| [6. ProSelect Empire Dog Cage](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-6) | Very strong, powerful breeds | Steel · L–XL | $$$$ | Best for Powerful Dogs |
| [7. SmithBuilt Heavy-Duty Crate](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-7) | A strong dog without the top-tier price | Steel · L–XXL | $$$ | Best Value Heavy-Duty |
| [8. Gunner G1 Kennel](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-8) | Safe car travel and frequent road trips | Rotomolded · S–XL | $$$$ | Best for Car Travel |
| [9. Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-9) | Air travel and a den-like feel | Plastic · S–XL | $$ | Best Airline-Friendly Plastic |
| [10. Petmate Aspen Pet Porter](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-10) | Budget travel for small-to-medium dogs | Plastic · XS–L (to ~70 lb) | $ | Best Budget Travel |
| [11. EliteField 3-Door Soft-Sided Crate](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-11) | A calm, crate-trained dog on the go | Fabric / mesh · 5 sizes | $$ | Best Soft-Sided |
| [12. Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-12) | A small dog in a living room | Wood · small (under ~25 lb) | $$ | Best Furniture (Small Dogs) |
| [13. Merry Products Slide-Aside Crate & End Table](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/best-dog-crates#pick-13) | A medium dog where the crate lives in a living space | Wood / steel · medium | $$$ | Best Furniture (Medium Dogs) |

Prices shown as qualitative bands ($ = budget through $$$$ = investment) rather than exact figures, which change constantly. Tap any pick to jump to the full write-up.

![Three types of dog crate side by side — a collapsible metal wire crate, a hard plastic travel kennel, and a soft-sided fabric mesh crate](https://www.honest-hound.com/hs-fs/hubfs/honest-hound/best-dog-crates/hh-best-crates-types.webp?width=1200&height=675&name=hh-best-crates-types.webp)

## How we chose (2026)

We're a **research-led** site: we don't buy or hands-on test crates, and we never claim to have tested them. For this guide we compared the crates most consistently recommended across reputable, independent reviews (USA Today's Reviewed and Dogster, both vet-consulted; plus heavy-duty specialists like K9 of Mine and Rover), cross-checked safety and sizing against the **AKC**, transport-welfare guidance from the **WSAVA**, and crash-test certification from the **Center for Pet Safety** — and weighed aggregated owner-review signal at scale. We shortlisted the 13 that best fit real-world needs across type, size and budget. Read our full [research method](https://www.honest-hound.com/how-we-test).

## First, get the size right

Before brand or type, get the size right — it matters more than anything else on this page. Your dog should be able to stand up without ducking, turn around, and lie flat on their side. Bigger is not kinder: a puppy with spare room will pick a corner as a bathroom, quietly sabotaging house training. The AKC's rule of thumb is to measure your dog nose-to-tail and floor-to-head and add a few inches in each direction. Because puppies grow startlingly fast, the economical move is to buy the expected adult size and use a **divider** to keep it snug for now — most quality wire crates include one. If you're still working on crate confidence, our step-by-step [guide to crate training a puppy](https://www.honest-hound.com/how-to-crate-train-a-puppy) pairs perfectly with this list.

**A note on safe, kind crate use.** A crate is a short-stay den, not all-day storage. Welfare bodies including the [WSAVA](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Dog-and-Cat-Welfare-During-Transport-Factsheet.pdf) stress that crates must be correctly sized, well ventilated, and never used to confine a dog for excessive periods. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — for a dog with genuine separation distress, please see your vet or a qualified behaviorist.

## The 13 best dog crates, ranked

Our picks run from the everyday wire crate most families should start with, through heavy-duty options for escape artists, travel and airline crates, a soft-sided pick, and furniture-style crates for the living room. Each entry says who it's really for — because the "best" crate is the one that fits *your* dog.

1

### MidWest iCrate Fold & Carry

Best Overall

**What it is.** The wire crate most new owners start with — collapsible, affordable, and supplied with a divider so a single crate carries your puppy all the way from tiny to full-grown.

**Best for:** A first crate that grows with your puppy **Price:** $ — Budget **Type/size:** Wire · XXS–XL (7 sizes)

Key features

- Folds flat in under a minute, no tools
- Removable, washable plastic tray
- Divider panel grows with your puppy
- Double-latch single door
- Seven sizes, XXS to XL

Pros

- Inexpensive and everywhere
- Divider saves buying twice
- Very easy to clean

Cons

- A frightened or strong dog can bend the wire
- Single door limits placement
- Tray can crack over time

**Why it's on the list:** Recommended as the everyday starter wire crate by USA Today's Reviewed (with vet Dr. Linda Simon) and named Best for Puppies by Dogster's vet-collaborated panel. It is built around exactly the stand-turn-lie-down sizing rule the AKC recommends, plus a divider.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=MidWest+iCrate+fold+and+carry+single+door+dog+crate)

2

### Diggs Evolv

Best Upgrade

**What it is.** A modern, design-led crate with a steel frame and wire-mesh walls, rounded edges, a divider, and an outside latch your puppy cannot work open. It doubles as a playpen.

**Best for:** A safer, better-looking wire crate **Price:** $$$ — Premium **Type/size:** Wire / steel mesh · S–L

Key features

- Escape-resistant external latch
- Rounded, paw-safe edges
- Steel frame with mesh walls
- Divider; converts to a playpen
- Multiple sizes

Pros

- Editor's Choice at Reviewed
- Sturdier and safer-feeling than budget wire
- Looks good in a living room

Cons

- Heavier and harder to travel with
- Premium price

**Why it's on the list:** USA Today's Reviewed named the Diggs Evolv its Editor's Choice, praising the secure external latch and rounded edges. It is the upgrade pick when a basic wire crate feels flimsy.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Diggs+Evolv+dog+crate)

3

### Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door

Best Value Wire

**What it is.** Chewy's house-brand wire crate — very similar to the MidWest but with two doors and six sizes, and a divider included.

**Best for:** Two doors and flexible placement on a budget **Price:** $ — Budget **Type/size:** Wire · XS–XL (6 sizes)

Key features

- Two doors for easier placement
- Six sizes with divider
- Collapsible with carry handles
- Plastic base pan

Pros

- Named Best Overall by Dogster
- Affordable
- Second door helps in tight rooms

Cons

- Like all budget wire, can bend under a scared or strong dog

**Why it's on the list:** Dogster's vet-collaborated team rated the Frisco Fold & Carry its Best Overall for value and flexibility — a solid everyday alternative to the MidWest when you want a second door.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Frisco+fold+and+carry+double+door+dog+crate)

4

### Frisco XX-Large Heavy-Duty Wire

Best for Giant Breeds

**What it is.** An oversized wire crate (around 54 inches) made for giant breeds, with a triple-latched front door and a protective coated finish.

**Best for:** Giant breeds in a calm household **Price:** $$ — Mid-range **Type/size:** Wire · XXL (giant)

Key features

- Around 54 inches for giant dogs
- Three latches on the front door
- Protective coated wire
- Removable tray; folds without tools

Pros

- A rare true giant-breed wire size
- Triple-latch door
- Easy to clean

Cons

- Expensive
- Some sharp wire edges reported
- Not for determined escape artists

**Why it's on the list:** Dogster highlights the Frisco XXL as the go-to wire crate for giant dogs, noting the three-latch door and protective finish — a calm-household option where heavy-duty steel would be overkill.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Frisco+XX-Large+heavy+duty+double+door+wire+dog+crate)

5

### Impact High Anxiety Crate

Best for Separation Anxiety

**What it is.** An aluminum crate built specifically for dogs that hurt themselves trying to escape — welded, with a steel paddle latch plus extra butterfly latches and small ventilation holes designed to resist teeth.

**Best for:** Severe separation anxiety and true escape artists **Price:** $$$$ — Investment **Type/size:** Aircraft-grade aluminum · multiple sizes

Key features

- 62% thicker aluminum, welded
- Steel paddle latch + 4 butterfly latches
- 0.5-inch vent holes resist teeth
- Dog-damage guarantee

Pros

- Among the most secure crates made
- Backed by a dog-damage guarantee
- Long-term tests report destructive dogs contained and calmer

Cons

- Very expensive
- Heavy
- A crate alone won't cure anxiety — pair with behavior work

**Why it's on the list:** K9 of Mine's two-year hands-on test and Business Insider both rate the Impact High Anxiety among the strongest options for escape-prone, anxious dogs — while the vets they quote caution it is a management tool, not a cure.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Impact+high+anxiety+dog+crate)

6

### ProSelect Empire Dog Cage

Best for Powerful Dogs

**What it is.** A near-indestructible steel cage built from a three-quarter-inch 20-gauge steel frame and half-inch steel tubes, welded at every stress point.

**Best for:** Very strong, powerful breeds **Price:** $$$$ — Investment **Type/size:** Steel · L–XL

Key features

- 3/4-inch 20-gauge steel frame
- 1/2-inch steel tubes
- Reinforced welds at stress points
- Rolling casters; removable tray

Pros

- Built for the strongest dogs
- Extremely durable
- Widely regarded as escape-proof

Cons

- Heavy
- Assembly usually needs two people and time
- Premium price

**Why it's on the list:** Heavy-duty roundups from Rover and Spirit Dog Training consistently cite the ProSelect Empire for powerful dogs, noting the gauge of steel and the welds — and flagging the demanding assembly honestly.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ProSelect+Empire+dog+cage+heavy+duty)

7

### SmithBuilt Heavy-Duty Crate

Best Value Heavy-Duty

**What it is.** A welded-steel crate with redundant door locks, a top hatch, rolling casters and a removable tray — a more affordable step up from wire for escape artists.

**Best for:** A strong dog without the top-tier price **Price:** $$$ — Premium **Type/size:** Steel · L–XXL

Key features

- Welded steel frame
- Two main-door locks plus a top latch
- Rolling casters
- Removable grate and tray

Pros

- A Reviewed editor used it for years with a 90-lb pointer and lab, no damage
- Redundant locks
- Cheaper than aluminum

Cons

- Heavy and tool-assembled
- A few owners report a rare escape or a defective unit

**Why it's on the list:** At USA Today's Reviewed, the SmithBuilt is the writer's own long-term pick for an extra-large escape artist — “never so much as dented” over years — making it the value choice in heavy-duty steel.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=SmithBuilt+heavy+duty+dog+crate)

8

### Gunner G1 Kennel

Best for Car Travel

**What it is.** A double-walled, rotomolded travel kennel and one of the very few crates to carry Center for Pet Safety certification for crash performance.

**Best for:** Safe car travel and frequent road trips **Price:** $$$$ — Investment **Type/size:** Rotomolded · S–XL

Key features

- Double-walled rotomolded shell
- Center for Pet Safety certified (with strength-rated anchor straps)
- Aluminum door; tie-down ready
- Several sizes

Pros

- Independently verified crash safety
- Extremely tough
- Trusted for travel

Cons

- Expensive
- Heavy
- Overkill for purely at-home use

**Why it's on the list:** We verified this at the source: the Center for Pet Safety's certified-products list includes the Gunner G1. CPS independently crash-tests and certifies travel crates, so this is the pick when in-car safety matters most.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Gunner+G1+dog+kennel+crash+tested)

9

### Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel

Best Airline-Friendly Plastic

**What it is.** A heavy-duty two-piece plastic kennel with 360-degree ventilation that meets most airlines' cargo requirements.

**Best for:** Air travel and a den-like feel **Price:** $$ — Mid-range **Type/size:** Plastic · S–XL

Key features

- Impact-resistant plastic shell
- Ventilation on all sides
- Meets most airline cargo specs
- Metal door; disassembles for storage

Pros

- Affordable airline-style option
- Cozy, enclosed den feel
- Widely available

Cons

- Bulky to store
- Some owners report quality inconsistency
- Always confirm your airline's exact rules

**Why it's on the list:** USA Today's Reviewed recommends the Ultra Vari for owners who fly, noting it meets most airline cargo specifications. Note: it is not crash-test certified — for verified in-car crash safety, see the Gunner G1 above.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Petmate+Ultra+Vari+Kennel+dog+crate)

10

### Petmate Aspen Pet Porter

Best Budget Travel

**What it is.** A lightweight, affordable two-piece plastic carrier-crate that fits dogs up to about 70 pounds and meets many airline cargo criteria.

**Best for:** Budget travel for small-to-medium dogs **Price:** $ — Budget **Type/size:** Plastic · XS–L (to ~70 lb)

Key features

- Lightweight plastic
- One-hand squeeze latch
- Ventilation on three sides
- Meets many airline cargo rules

Pros

- Inexpensive
- Easy to assemble
- Light to carry

Cons

- Less rugged than the Ultra Vari or Gunner
- Not for escape artists

**Why it's on the list:** USA Today's Reviewed names the Aspen Pet Porter a sturdy, budget-friendly travel pick that meets most airline cargo criteria for small-to-medium dogs.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Petmate+Aspen+Pet+Porter+dog+kennel)

11

### EliteField 3-Door Soft-Sided Crate

Best Soft-Sided

**What it is.** A lightweight nylon-and-mesh crate with three zip doors, a carry case and a washable fleece bed — easy to pack for trips.

**Best for:** A calm, crate-trained dog on the go **Price:** $$ — Mid-range **Type/size:** Fabric / mesh · 5 sizes

Key features

- Three mesh doors with locking zippers
- Five sizes, eleven colors
- Machine-washable
- Carry case and fleece bed included

Pros

- Very light and portable
- Soft and quiet
- Washable

Cons

- Not chew- or escape-proof
- Some dogs learn the zippers
- For calm, trained dogs only

**Why it's on the list:** Dogster recommends the EliteField as a top soft-sided crate for travel, while honestly noting fabric crates suit already-trained, relaxed dogs — not puppies or escape artists.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=EliteField+3+door+soft+sided+dog+crate)

12

### Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate

Best Furniture (Small Dogs)

**What it is.** A wooden end-table crate with slatted sides that genuinely looks like furniture and blends into a living room — sized for dogs under about 25 pounds.

**Best for:** A small dog in a living room **Price:** $$ — Mid-range **Type/size:** Wood · small (under ~25 lb)

Key features

- Solid-wood end-table design
- Slatted ventilation on all sides
- Locking door
- Usable tabletop surface

Pros

- Really does look like an end table
- Sturdy wood
- Pleasant in living spaces

Cons

- Small dogs only
- No removable tray for cleaning
- Not chew-proof

**Why it's on the list:** USA Today's Reviewed picks the Casual Home wooden crate as the best furniture-style option for small dogs, noting it functions as a real end table — with the honest caveat that there is no cleaning tray.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Casual+Home+wooden+pet+crate+end+table)

13

### Merry Products Slide-Aside Crate & End Table

Best Furniture (Medium Dogs)

**What it is.** A larger furniture-style wood-and-steel crate whose top holds up to 300 pounds, with a choice of a hinged or a sliding door.

**Best for:** A medium dog where the crate lives in a living space **Price:** $$$ — Premium **Type/size:** Wood / steel · medium

Key features

- Wood with steel-bar construction
- Tabletop holds up to 300 lb
- Hinged or sliding door
- Black or white finish

Pros

- Furniture looks for a medium dog
- Sturdy tabletop
- Choice of door style

Cons

- One size only
- Not chew-proof
- Heavy and fiddly to assemble

**Why it's on the list:** Dogster recommends the Merry Products Slide-Aside as a furniture-style crate for medium dogs, praising the 300-lb tabletop while noting the single size and that wood is not for determined chewers.

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Merry+Products+slide+aside+furniture+dog+crate+end+table)

## Common crate-buying mistakes

- **Buying for the puppy, not the adult.** Without a divider you'll outgrow a small crate in weeks. Buy the adult size and divide it down.
- **Underestimating an escape artist.** A determined or anxious dog will bend, dent or unzip a budget crate — sometimes hurting themselves. If that's your dog, go straight to heavy-duty steel or aluminum and add training.
- **Assuming "travel" means "crash-safe."** Most crates have no crash data. If car safety is the point, look specifically for Center for Pet Safety certification.
- **Treating the crate as a babysitter.** No crate replaces exercise, company and toilet breaks. Match crate time to your dog's age and needs.

![A calm dog resting safely inside a sturdy travel crate secured with anchor straps in the cargo area of an SUV](https://www.honest-hound.com/hs-fs/hubfs/honest-hound/best-dog-crates/hh-best-crates-car-travel.webp?width=1200&height=675&name=hh-best-crates-car-travel.webp)

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the best dog crate for most people?**

For most new owners, a divider wire crate such as the MidWest iCrate is the best all-round starting point: it is inexpensive, folds flat, and the divider lets one crate grow with your puppy. From there, the “best” crate depends on your dog — heavy-duty steel or aluminum for escape artists, a rotomolded or plastic kennel for travel, soft-sided for a calm dog on the go, or a furniture-style crate for a small dog in the living room.

**What size crate does my dog need?**

Your dog should be able to stand up fully, turn around, and lie down on their side — but no bigger, or a puppy may sleep in one corner and toilet in another. The AKC's rule of thumb is to measure your dog and add a few inches in each direction. Because puppies grow fast, most guidance is to buy the expected adult size and use a divider to shrink the space while they are small.

**Which crate is best for a dog with separation anxiety or an escape artist?**

Look at heavy-duty crates built for the job — the aluminum Impact High Anxiety or the steel ProSelect Empire and SmithBuilt. Reviewers and the vets they quote are clear, though, that a stronger crate manages the symptom; it does not treat the anxiety. Pair any crate with reward-based training and, for genuine separation distress, your vet or a qualified behaviorist.

**Are any dog crates actually crash-tested for the car?**

Yes, but only a small number. The independent Center for Pet Safety crash-tests and certifies travel crates, and the Gunner G1 is on its certified list (along with the Cabela's GunDog and Lucky Duck kennels). Many crates described loosely as “travel” or “heavy-duty” have no published crash data, so if in-car safety is the priority, look specifically for CPS certification.

**Plastic, wire, soft-sided or furniture — which type should I choose?**

Wire crates are the breathable, collapsible everyday default and take a divider. Plastic kennels feel more den-like and are required by most airlines. Soft-sided crates are light and easy to pack but suit only calm, trained dogs. Furniture-style wooden crates look best in a living room but are not chew-proof and are usually for smaller, settled dogs.

**How long can a dog be left in a crate?**

A crate is for short, age-appropriate stretches — not all-day storage. A common rule of thumb for puppies is roughly their age in months plus one hour, and even adult dogs should not be crated for long daytime periods without breaks, exercise and company. Welfare bodies including the WSAVA stress that crates must be correctly sized and never used to confine a dog for excessive periods. For longer absences, use a pen or a gated, dog-proofed room.

**Do I really need a divider?**

For a growing puppy, yes — it is the single most useful feature. A divider lets you keep the crate snug enough to support house training now, then open it up as your puppy grows, so you buy one crate instead of three. Most quality wire crates include one.

New here? Start with the basics

### A crate is one piece of a calm first month.

Our [complete New Puppy Care guide](https://www.honest-hound.com/new-puppy-care) pulls the whole first few weeks together — and once your crate arrives, the [step-by-step crate-training guide](https://www.honest-hound.com/how-to-crate-train-a-puppy) shows you how to make your dog love it. Looking for everything else? See [the dog gear you actually need](https://www.honest-hound.com/dog-gear-reviews).

[Read the New Puppy Care guide](https://www.honest-hound.com/new-puppy-care)

**How we put this together.** Honest Hound is written by experienced owners, not vets, and our recommendations are researched and cross-checked against trusted sources like the AKC, WSAVA and the Center for Pet Safety, plus reputable independent reviews. We don't hands-on test crates and we never fabricate reviews or testing. Read more about [how we research and choose](https://www.honest-hound.com/how-we-test), or our full [affiliate disclosure](https://www.honest-hound.com/affiliate-disclosure).

General information only — not veterinary advice. Always follow the manufacturer's size and safety guidance, and consult your vet or a qualified behaviorist for advice specific to your dog.

Sources: [USA Today / Reviewed — Best Dog Crates](https://www.reviewed.com/pets/best-right-now/best-dog-crates); [Dogster — Best Dog Crates](https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/best-dog-crates); [Center for Pet Safety — CPS Certified](https://centerforpetsafety.org/cps-certified/); [AKC — How to Choose the Best Crate](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/choose-best-crate-dog/); [WSAVA — Welfare During Transport (2025)](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Dog-and-Cat-Welfare-During-Transport-Factsheet.pdf); [K9 of Mine — Impact High Anxiety review](https://www.k9ofmine.com/impact-high-anxiety-dog-crate-review/). Last updated June 2026.

More in: [Dog Crates](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/tag/dog-crates) · [Dog Gear](https://www.honest-hound.com/blog/tag/dog-gear)

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© 2026 Honest Hound. Reader-supported: some pages contain affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences which products we recommend. General information only — not veterinary or financial advice.

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      "text" : "For most new owners, a divider wire crate such as the MidWest iCrate is the best all-round starting point: it is inexpensive, folds flat, and the divider lets one crate grow with your puppy. From there, the “best” crate depends on your dog — heavy-duty steel or aluminum for escape artists, a rotomolded or plastic kennel for travel, soft-sided for a calm dog on the go, or a furniture-style crate for a small dog in the living room."
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      "text" : "Your dog should be able to stand up fully, turn around, and lie down on their side — but no bigger, or a puppy may sleep in one corner and toilet in another. The AKC's rule of thumb is to measure your dog and add a few inches in each direction. Because puppies grow fast, most guidance is to buy the expected adult size and use a divider to shrink the space while they are small."
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    "name" : "What size crate does my dog need?"
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    "acceptedAnswer" : {
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      "text" : "Look at heavy-duty crates built for the job — the aluminum Impact High Anxiety or the steel ProSelect Empire and SmithBuilt. Reviewers and the vets they quote are clear, though, that a stronger crate manages the symptom; it does not treat the anxiety. Pair any crate with reward-based training and, for genuine separation distress, your vet or a qualified behaviorist."
    },
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    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
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      "text" : "Yes, but only a small number. The independent Center for Pet Safety crash-tests and certifies travel crates, and the Gunner G1 is on its certified list (along with the Cabela's GunDog and Lucky Duck kennels). Many crates described loosely as “travel” or “heavy-duty” have no published crash data, so if in-car safety is the priority, look specifically for CPS certification."
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    "name" : "Are any dog crates actually crash-tested for the car?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Wire crates are the breathable, collapsible everyday default and take a divider. Plastic kennels feel more den-like and are required by most airlines. Soft-sided crates are light and easy to pack but suit only calm, trained dogs. Furniture-style wooden crates look best in a living room but are not chew-proof and are usually for smaller, settled dogs."
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  }, {
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    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "A crate is for short, age-appropriate stretches — not all-day storage. A common rule of thumb for puppies is roughly their age in months plus one hour, and even adult dogs should not be crated for long daytime periods without breaks, exercise and company. Welfare bodies including the WSAVA stress that crates must be correctly sized and never used to confine a dog for excessive periods. For longer absences, use a pen or a gated, dog-proofed room."
    },
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      "text" : "For a growing puppy, yes — it is the single most useful feature. A divider lets you keep the crate snug enough to support house training now, then open it up as your puppy grows, so you buy one crate instead of three. Most quality wire crates include one."
    },
    "name" : "Do I really need a divider?"
  } ]
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```

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