Best Dog Crate (2026): Sizes & The Crates Dogs Actually Accept
Our top picks at a glance
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A crate is a den, not a prison. Used properly it gives your dog a calm, safe space and gives you a way to manage house-training and separation anxiety. The two mistakes owners make: buying the wrong size, and buying a flimsy crate the dog can bend or escape. Here's how to get both right.
Crate size guide (get this right first)
- Measure your dog: nose to base of tail (length) and floor to top of head (height while standing).
- Length rule: the crate should be 5–10cm longer than your dog, so they can lie flat with legs extended.
- Height rule: your dog should stand up and turn around without crouching.
- Puppy tip: buy the adult size and use a divider panel while they grow — don't buy three crates.
Rough guide: Chihuahua 46cm · Cocker Spaniel 61cm · Labrador 91cm · Great Dane 122cm+.
The 4 best dog crates of 2026
1. Best overall: Midwest iCrate (folding, double door)
~£50–£90 depending on size
The best-selling crate in the world for a reason. Folds flat in seconds, has two doors (front and side) for flexible placement, and the wire build is strong enough for most dogs. The divider panel makes it perfect for puppies growing into the adult size. Add the optional pan cover for cosier den vibes.
2. Best for strong/escape-artist dogs: ProSelect Empire (heavy duty)
~£150–£250
A seriously strong crate with reinforced steel bars and heavier-gauge wire. Designed for powerful dogs that bend or push standard crates. Still folds for storage, and the door slides smoothly. Worth the price if your dog has already destroyed a cheap crate.
3. Best for anxious dogs: EliteField soft crate (with cover)
~£40–£70
For travel and for dogs that want darkness and quiet, a soft crate with a full cover reduces visual stimulation and calms anxious dogs fast. Lightweight, folds into a carry bag, and the mesh windows let you check on your dog. Not suitable for chewers or unsupervised puppies.
4. Best furniture-style: wooden furniture crates
~£100–£250
If the crate lives in your living room, a furniture-style model doubles as a side table and looks like actual furniture instead of a cage. Wooden or cabinet-style crates are quiet, warm and more den-like. Heavier and harder to move, but far easier on the eyes.
Crate training in 3 steps
- Make it a good place: feed meals inside the open crate, add a cosy pad and a treat toy. Never use it as punishment.
- Close the door gradually: minutes at a time while you're home, then extend. Stay calm and reward quiet behaviour.
- Don't rush overnight: most puppies can sleep in a crate from the first night, but let them out for toilet breaks every few hours.
Bottom line
The Midwest iCrate is the best all-round value for most owners. Escape artists need the ProSelect Empire, anxious travellers will love a covered soft crate, and style-conscious owners should look at furniture crates. Size it for the adult dog, use a divider while they're young, and the same crate will last their whole life.
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