Choosing the best dog crate (or dog kennel) makes crate training, house training, travel, and downtime safer and less stressful. The right pick fits your dog’s body and behaviour—so you don’t end up with a crate they hate (or can escape).

Dog Crate vs. Dog Kennel: What’s the Difference?

Most owners use the terms interchangeably. Generally, “crate” often means wire/soft-sided indoor options, while “kennel” often refers to hard-sided travel carriers (and sometimes outdoor runs). This guide focuses on home and travel crates: wire, hard plastic, soft-sided, heavy-duty, and furniture-style.

How to Choose the Best Dog Crate

1) Size correctly (most common mistake): Your dog should stand without crouching, turn around, and lie naturally. Measure nose to base of tail and floor to top of head/ears. Add a little space, but not so much that a puppy can potty on one side and sleep on the other—use a divider panel as they grow.

2) Match the style to your life: Wire or plastic for home training, hard-sided for frequent travel, and heavy-duty for escape-prone dogs.

3) Prioritise safety: Secure latches, smooth/rounded edges, multi-side ventilation, and a sturdy build. Consider removing collars during unsupervised crating (snag risk), and ask your vet or trainer if you’re unsure.

Best Dog Crate Types (and Who They’re For)

Wire crates: Great airflow/visibility, foldable, often include dividers. Add a breathable cover for dogs who prefer privacy; avoid flimsy trays.
Hard plastic dog kennel: Den-like and easy to clean; solid for car travel. Check ventilation and door hardware; verify airline rules if flying.
Soft-sided crates: Lightweight for supervised trips (classes, hotels). Not for chewers or dogs with separation distress.
Heavy-duty crates: Reinforced security for escape artists/power chewers. Heavy and pricey; distress needs a behaviour plan, not just a stronger crate.
Furniture-style crates: Decor-friendly for crate-comfortable adult dogs; confirm ventilation, door security, and true interior size.

Crate Training Basics (Do This, Avoid That)

Do: Make it inviting, start with open-door treats, add brief closed-door reps, build time gradually, and practise while you’re home.
Avoid: Too much time too soon, using it only for isolation, crating without exercise/enrichment, or punishing resistance. If panic or injury risk shows up, pause and get professional help.

Quick Buying Checklist

Purpose: training, management, travel—or all three
Dog: calm vs. anxious/chewer/escape-prone
Fit: correct measurements; divider for puppies
Practicalities: two doors, easy-clean tray, tie-down points for travel, measure your room/car space