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After another round of testing, we added the Frisco Heavy Duty Fold and Carry Double Door Wire Dog Crate as an option.
No dog owner wants to come home to an overturned trash can or a pile of feces on the floor. A good dog crate is critical to reducing these types of accidents and helping your pet thrive. This crate is a comfortable and safe place where even the most curious dogs can stay inside while their people are outside. We hired local rescue dogs and our own rescue dogs to check 17 boxes. We have found the MidWest Ultima Pro Collapsible Dog Crate with Double Door to be the best all-around dog crate. It’s durable, safe and available in five sizes, each designed to last a lifetime – with removable dividers, the crate can adapt as your pup grows.
This type of box is the strongest, most escape-proof, and can be folded and easily transported. Plus, it will last your pet’s entire life.
The MidWest Ultima Pro Folding Wire Dog Crate with Double Door features a dense, thick wire mesh to prevent escape and damage. Its bottom pan doesn’t give in or be clawed out, unlike the more fragile pans included with cheaper models. It folds securely into a briefcase-like rectangle, with durable clip-on handles that won’t fall apart with a sudden crash if you grab the wrong part. Even if you are confident that your dog does not have separation anxiety and will not try to get out of the crate, the Ultima Pro is a smart investment in providing a safe place for your dog and future dogs.
This box typically costs 30% less than our top pick, but is made from slightly thinner wire. It’s lighter, but probably won’t last as long.
The MidWest LifeStages Double Door Folding Wire Dog Crate has a slightly looser mesh and thinner wire than other dog crates we’ve tested, so it’s lighter and easier to carry. This box is typically 30% cheaper than the Ultima Pro. So, if money is tight and you have absolute confidence that your dog will remain calm in the crate, LifeStages will do the trick. However, due to their lighter construction, LifeStages crates are less likely to withstand long-term wear and tear from more aggressive dogs.
Typically half the price of our main options, this dog crate is durable and safe. But the larger design makes it more awkward to carry.
The Frisco Heavy Duty Carry Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Double Door is made from thick steel wire and is just as durable as our top pick, but this type of dog crate typically costs half the price. The locking mechanism keeps your dog securely inside, and the removable tray won’t warp or slide out of the base after your dog uses it. But this wire box comes in a slightly larger size than the other boxes we tested. Overall, Frisco dog crates are about 2 inches larger, making them a little heavier than the MidWest model we recommend and more bulky to carry when folded.
This model has a durable plastic body and a secure latch, making it ideal for use at home or on the plane. But its smaller windows provide less visibility for your pup.
If you want a crate that you can fly your dog in from time to time, or you want something that a hardy dog will be less likely to escape from your home, then a durable plastic crate (sometimes called an “air kennel”) is the way to go. , what you need. the path is a good choice. Petmate’s Ultra Vari Kennel was the top choice among the trainers we surveyed, and it’s the best travel option for most dogs. The box is easy to assemble and lock, and has the necessary fastenings for safer air travel in an aircraft fuselage. (However, this model is not intended for use in a car, so consider using a seat belt). The Ultra Vari security design features only one door, rather than two doors side by side like our other options. This way, your puppy will have fewer ways to escape. But if you use this crate at home, it can be difficult to find a place where your dog can see clearly in a crowded room. Narrow crate windows also limit visibility, which can be a problem if you have a particularly curious puppy or one who is “afraid of missing out.”
This type of box is the strongest, most escape-proof, and can be folded and easily transported. Plus, it will last your pet’s entire life.
This box typically costs 30% less than our top pick, but is made from slightly thinner wire. It’s lighter, but probably won’t last as long.
Typically half the price of our main options, this dog crate is durable and safe. But the larger design makes it more awkward to carry.
This model has a durable plastic body and a secure latch, making it ideal for use at home or on the plane. But its smaller windows provide less visibility for your pup.
As Wirecutter’s pet writer, I cover everything from dog harnesses and GPS pet trackers to pet separation anxiety and training basics. I am also a pet owner and an experienced animal shelter volunteer who has dealt with many problematic and unique dog crates.
This guide is based on a report by Kevin Purdy, a journalist and dog owner who crate trained his pug, Howard, using a variety of crates. He also wrote early versions of Wirecutter’s guide to standing desks and bed frames, among other things.
To create this guide, we spoke with a dog training expert, a veterinary technician, and two crate manufacturers we tested. We also read many relevant books and articles on dog training and behavior to learn how to make a good dog crate. 2 We partnered with Four Paws Friends, a pet rescue organization in Oklahoma, to test our dog crates on dogs both at home and on cross-country trips to meet their new families.
Not everyone buys or uses a dog crate, but they probably should. Everyone should at least consider a dog crate when bringing home a dog for the first time, whether it is a puppy or an adult dog, a purebred or a rescue. Experienced trainer Tyler Muto recommends a crate to every dog owner he works with. “If you talk to two dog trainers, the only thing you can convince them of is that the third trainer was wrong,” Muto said. “Also, almost every dog trainer will tell you that the board A crate is an indispensable tool for dog owners.”
At the very least, crates help prevent dog boarding accidents and also prevent dogs from coming into contact with dangerous or unhealthy foods or objects when the owner is away. Muto said keeping dogs in crates can break the pet’s habit of destroying household items and furniture when the owner is not home. 1 Crates also give your dog a place where he can feel safe and at home, and allow owners to isolate the dog from guests, contractors, or temptations when necessary.
However, not everyone needs the same box. Those with dogs that experience severe separation anxiety or a tendency to run away from the artist, or those who must travel frequently with their dog, may need a durable plastic crate. For those who have dogs whose dogs do better in a crate, or for those who only need a crate occasionally, use a wire panel that easily folds into a suitcase-style rectangle with handles. A cage will do.
People who want to use the crate frequently in common areas of the home, as well as those who have a dog that really loves the crate and doesn’t have separation anxiety, may prefer a furniture-style crate that matches their decor. or can be used as a final table. However, over the years we have not found a model that meets our safety and security standards at a reasonable price, so we do not recommend them. While using your dog’s chic crate as a coffee table (with books or a fancy lamp on it) may seem like a good idea, placing items in any crate can be dangerous in the event of an accident.
Finally, wire crates are not ideal for owners who do not plan to remove their dog’s collar every time they crate them. For dogs, wearing a collar in a crate poses the risk of entanglement, which can lead to injury or strangulation. As a result, many veterinary clinics and boarding facilities have strict policies for removing collars from dogs in their care. At a minimum, collared dogs should wear a removable or similar safety collar without a tag that could get caught in the crate.
Our entire selection of dog crates come in a variety of sizes, so whether you have a Cocker Spaniel or a Chow Chow, you’ll be able to find a crate that’s right for your dog.
Choose your crate size based on your dog’s adult size, or expected adult size if he’s a puppy, to get the most bang for your buck. All of our wire crate fitters come with plastic dividers to help adjust crate space as your puppy grows.
According to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a dog’s crate should be large enough for him to stretch, stand and turn around without hitting his head. To find the right size crate for your dog, pay attention to his weight and measure his height and length from nose to tail. Manufacturers often share weight ranges or recommendations as well as the dimensions of their boxes. While weight is important when measuring crate size, measuring it is key to ensuring your dog has enough space to feel comfortable in it.
For adult dogs, APDT recommends that owners add 4 inches of extra space to the dimensions and select a crate that fits that size, upsizing as necessary (larger crates are better than smaller crates). For puppies, add 12 inches to their height to account for their potential adult size. Be sure to use the dividers included with our wire crate accessories to block off unused areas, as puppies can easily soil the crate if there is a lot of extra space. (You can read more about the basics of potty training a puppy in the article How to Potty Train a Puppy.)
APDT has a handy chart to help you figure out what crate size is right for your breed. If you need to buy a plastic travel crate for your puppy, keep in mind that these crates do not have partitions. In this case, it is best to choose a crate that fits your dog and then adjust the size of the new crate as he grows.
We read information about crate training from reliable sources such as the Humane Society, the American Kennel Club, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and the Humane Society of the United States. We also brought together a panel of Wirecutter pet owners to discuss their expectations from a dog crate. Then we spoke to qualified dog behaviorists to find out what makes a good dog crate. Among those we interviewed were dog trainer Tyler Muto of K9 Connection in Buffalo, New York, who is also president of the International Association of Canine Trainers, and veterinary technician at McClelland Small Animal Hospital in Buffalo Judy Bunge.
We then looked at hundreds of listings online and dozens of options at local pet stores. We learned that every box—no matter how high its rating or expert recommendation—was the subject of at least one review article about a dog escaping or, worse, a dog getting injured while trying to escape. However, at the time of our research, some crates were still attracting complaints about certain shortcomings: doors that bend easily, latches that open when bumped with the nose, or dogs that can slide out of the bottom of the crate.
We’ve moved away from wire crates without removable dividers because this inexpensive addition allows the size of the crate to change as your puppy grows. We also like wire drawers with two doors because this design makes them easier to fit, especially in small or irregularly shaped spaces. The plastic crates we reviewed are an exception to these rules as they can be used for air travel.
Based on these findings, expert advice, and the opinions of Wirecutter’s team of dog-loving employees, we’ve identified several contenders ranging in price from $60 to $250, available in wire, plastic, and furniture packaging.
We are recruiting volunteers for 2022 from the Oklahoma rescue organization Four Paws Friends. I adopted my dog Sutton from this rescue before joining Wirecutter and also asked the organization for Wirecutter’s guide to dog beds. Friends of Four Paws rescues animals from municipal owner-surrender shelters, and the organization transports many animals from Oklahoma to New York City for adoption. So these dogs were ideal for testing dozens of cages that needed to withstand wear and tear, and we tested these cages on dogs ranging from 12 to 80 pounds.
Dog trainer Tyler Muto played a key role in our initial testing of this guide. He inspects each box and evaluates each box’s structural strength, tamper-resistant locks, and the quality of the lined pallets. He also considered how easy it would be to fold, install and clean each drawer.
Overall, a good wire dog crate should be easy to fold and carry, and should be durable enough to accommodate multiple dogs if necessary. A good plastic crate should be about the same (although it won’t break as often) and provide the necessary security and restraint when traveling by air. A furniture box loses much of its claim to resistance to damage, but it still needs to be durable, and its appearance and usability are much more important than a wire or plastic box.
While Muto was checking, we also personally checked and inspected the boxes. To test each crate’s strength against being pulled out by teeth or powerful claws, we used a luggage scale and applied about 50 pounds of force to each cage door, first in the center and then in the looser corners, away from the latches. We install and disassemble each wire box at least a dozen times. After each drawer was locked and secured with plastic handles, we took each drawer into three locations to test how well it held together (not all drawers did this). We removed the plastic tray from each drawer to see if it was easy to remove and if there were any tricks or problems with cleaning. Finally, we manually check the corners and edges of each crate for sharp wires, plastic edges, or unfinished corners that could harm dogs or people.
This type of box is the strongest, most escape-proof, and can be folded and easily transported. Plus, it will last your pet’s entire life.
If you want a dog crate that will last your dog’s lifetime, and you may get another dog (or more) in the future, then the MidWest Ultima Pro Folding Wire Dog Crate with Double Door is your best choice. The box comes in five sizes: the smallest is 24 inches long; the largest is 48 inches long and fits many large breeds.
Ultimately, our testers liked this case better than all the others. Ultima Pro “definitely seems to be the most durable and is heavy enough to handle even the toughest dogs,” said Friends of Four Paws secretary Kim Crawford, noting that rescuers have always liked the brand.
This box has thicker wires and tighter mesh than any other available box we’ve tested, and the 50-pound pull doesn’t bother it at all. Our testers said the lock remains secure and is easy to lock and unlock. The box also folds seamlessly into a “suitcase” for portability and is easy to set up again.
The Ultima Pro tray is human-only removable, easy to clean and durable. Available in five sizes, the crate features a puppy rearing divider and rubber feet to prevent scratches on the floor—a hidden feature of the Ultima Pro. It offers a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects from MidWest, which has been in business since 1921 and has been making dog crates since the 1960s.
The box is made from thicker wire than most boxes in this price range and is significantly heavier. The Ultima Pro model is 36 inches long on its longest side and weighs 38 pounds. Other best-selling two-door boxes of the same size weigh between 18 and 20 pounds. But if you won’t be moving the box around often and struggling with the weight, we think the Ultima Pro’s durability is worth it.
The Ultima Pro also has more wires, with five bars on the short side instead of the usual three. This heavier, denser mesh of wire means there is less length of wire between joints, making the wire more difficult to bend. The non-bending wire means the drawer maintains its cube shape and all latches and hooks are positioned as they should. Every corner and buckle on the Ultima Pro is rounded to prevent injury when escaping. The wire is powder coated and looks more attractive than the smooth shiny wire found in cheaper boxes.
The Ultima Pro is made from thicker wire than most boxes in this price range and is significantly heavier.
The Ultima Pro lock is simple but secure and difficult for dogs to manipulate. Ring handle locking mechanisms are common on wire drawers, but the thicker wire of the Ultima Pro makes this metal drawer’s closing mechanism convenient and secure. In the event of an emergency, it will be easier to get the dog out of the crate if the lock is in place.
Folding the Ultima Pro for travel is very similar to other wire cases. However, the sturdy construction of the box makes this easier than if the box bends easily. The folded box is held in place by small C-clamps and can be transported using removable thick plastic handles. You’ll need to fold the Ultima Pro in one direction to secure it for portability, but once it forms into a “suitcase” shape, it stays together.
The plastic tray on the bottom of the Ultima Pro is thick but not heavy, and our training experts say it’s the most durable yet. The included litter box latch prevents a loose dog inside the crate from sliding the litter box out. In our testing, the latches remained stable when we pushed the tray out from inside the drawer. This hole leaves floors and carpets vulnerable to damage, and dogs can be injured if they try to escape through this hole. As far as cleaning goes, the Ultima Pro trays clean quite well with an enzyme spray and dish soap.
The included dividers allow you to choose the perfect full-size Ultima Pro model that’s the right size for your dog. As your puppy grows, you can move the partitions around so that your dog has enough room to spread out, but enough of a fence so that he can’t use the crate as a toilet. However, the dividers are noticeably thinner than the drawers, and only round hooks hold them in place. If your puppy is already showing signs of anxiety or avoidance, you may want to consider purchasing a safer crate that is suitable for his current size.
One small feature of a Midwestern drawer—scratch-resistant rubber feet on the corners—could one day save you a lot of heartache if you have hard floors. New dog crate users may not realize that the plastic tray sits on top of the bottom wire and therefore the crate itself sits on wire mesh. If your dog bumps into the crate or you move it around frequently, these rubber feet will be a little nifty touch that you’ll barely notice, and that’s a good thing.
Ultima Pro is available in five sizes on Amazon and Chewy, as well as authorized online retailer MidWestPetProducts.com. You can also find it in many regular pet stores. The crate comes with a one-year warranty and an instructional DVD of the crate (which you can watch on YouTube). Midwest is very clear and helpful in defining what dog crate sizes are appropriate, providing helpful breed/size/weight charts; many other cage manufacturers only provide one weight estimate.
Post time: Oct-06-2023
