Dog Crates

Dog crates give your dog an enclosed space of their own, somewhere to sleep, settle when the house is busy, or travel in safely. This collection covers a full range of sizes and styles, from compact puppy crates through to large and XL models built for bigger breeds. You'll find wire crates that fold flat for storage, heavy-duty builds with reinforced construction, travel-focused designs, and furniture-style crates that sit more comfortably in a living room. Crate sizing varies between manufacturers, so check the interior dimensions listed on each product against your dog's measurements rather than relying on the size label alone.

Shop Dog Crates for Different Needs

Most shoppers arrive knowing roughly what their dog needs but not which style fits their home. These are the main groups in the collection.

Puppy and Small Dog Crates

A small dog crate suits toy and small breeds, and the same models often work as puppy crates. If you're buying for a puppy, size for the adult dog they'll grow into and use a divider panel to reduce the usable space in the meantime, it's cheaper than buying twice. Add a washable dog bed cut to the base, and keep a familiar chew from our dog toys range inside to help a young dog settle.

Large and XL Dog Crates

Large dog crates are built for medium-to-big breeds, labradors, shepherds, huskies, retrievers and similar. XL models go further, for great danes, mastiffs and other giant breeds. Standing height is the measurement most often underestimated at this size. Larger crates are also substantially heavier assembled, so decide where it's going before you build it, and check that the door swing clears nearby furniture.

Heavy-Duty Dog Crates

A heavy-duty dog crate uses thicker-gauge steel, reinforced corners and stronger latching than a standard wire model. These suit powerful dogs, persistent escape artists, and anyone who has already had a lighter crate bent or pushed open. The trade-offs are weight and price, most don't fold, so they're best suited to a permanent position rather than a crate you move between rooms.

Travel Dog Crates

Travel crates prioritise weight, portability and secure closure over floor space. Look at how the crate secures in a vehicle, how easy it is to carry loaded, and whether ventilation is adequate on all sides. If your main need is short trips and vet visits rather than in-car containment, a soft-sided dog carrier may suit better than a full crate. Airline requirements vary by carrier and route, check directly with the airline before booking.

Furniture-Style Dog Crates

Furniture-style crates are built into a wooden or panelled frame with a usable flat top, so they read as a side table or console rather than an enclosure. They suit open-plan living rooms and homes where a wire crate would look out of place. They're heavier and less portable than standard crates, and load limits on the top surface vary, check the product listing before putting anything substantial on it.

How to Choose the Right Dog Crate

Beyond size and style, a handful of details decide whether a crate lasts:

• Material. Wire gives the best airflow and visibility; plastic is lighter and warmer; wood suits furniture-style designs but is harder to clean thoroughly.
• Door configuration. Double-door crates give you more placement options in a corner or against a wall. Check which side opens and how much clearance it needs.
• Latches. Slide-bolt latches at top and bottom are harder for a dog to work open than a single centre catch.
• Tray design. A removable, leak-proof slide-out tray makes cleaning quick. Plastic trays are lighter; metal trays resist chewing.
• Folding. Collapsible crates store flat between uses, which matters in smaller homes or if the crate is occasional.
• Ventilation. Open wire sides breathe better than solid panels, which counts in warm rooms and in cars.
• Assembly. Most arrive flat-packed. Check whether tools are needed, particularly on larger and heavy-duty models.
• Placement. Somewhere quiet but not isolated — dogs generally settle better where they can still see household activity.

Choosing the Right Dog Crate Size

Sizing causes more returns than anything else in this category, and breed labels aren't precise enough to buy from. Measure your dog.

Take length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and height from the floor to the top of the head while standing. Add a few inches to each for working minimums. Your dog should be able to stand fully upright, turn without twisting, and lie out on their side with legs extended.

• Small — toy and small breeds; compact enough for a bedroom corner or beside a sofa.
• Medium — mid-size breeds, with extra length for dogs that sleep stretched out.
• Large — big breeds needing real standing headroom.
• XL — giant breeds; heaviest models, best kept in a fixed position.

Always compare those figures against the interior dimensions on the individual product page. External dimensions include the frame and overstate usable space.

Dog Crates vs Dog Cages, Kennels and Houses

These categories overlap in conversation but serve different purposes:

• Dog crates — enclosed or panelled structures for indoor use, training and travel.
• Dog cages — open wire enclosures for indoor containment and airflow. Browse our dog cages.
• Dog kennels — outdoor runs and enclosures for containing a dog in a defined area. See our dog kennels.
• Dog houses — outdoor shelters providing cover and a resting space. See our dog houses.

Shop Dog Crates at Pawtons

Browse the range above, filter by the size you need, and check interior dimensions against your dog's measurements before ordering. A washable dog blanket over part of the frame makes a wire crate feel more den-like, and the rest of our dog accessories cover the bedding, bowls and extras that go inside.

Dog Crates — Frequently Asked Questions

What size crate do I need for my dog?

Measure your dog nose to tail base, and floor to the top of the head while standing, then add a few inches to each. Your dog should be able to stand, turn around and lie out fully. Compare those figures against the interior dimensions on each product page, not the external ones.

What size crate suits a large dog?

Large breeds usually need one of the bigger models, and XL crates suit giant breeds, but adult size varies within every breed. Measure your own dog rather than working from breed averages. Standing height is the figure most often underestimated, a crate long enough but too low is the common mistake.

What is the difference between a dog crate and a dog cage?

The terms overlap and many retailers use them interchangeably. Generally, a crate is an enclosed or panelled structure used indoors and for travel, while a cage is an open wire enclosure focused on containment and airflow. If an open wire design suits you better, see our dog cages collection.

Are dog crates suitable for puppies?

Yes, and many small and medium crates are sold with puppies in mind. Buy for the adult size your dog will reach and use a divider panel to reduce the usable area while they grow. That avoids replacing the crate in six months as they outgrow a puppy-sized model.

What is a heavy-duty dog crate?

Heavy-duty crates use thicker-gauge steel, reinforced corners and stronger latching than standard wire models. They suit powerful dogs and dogs that have already tested a lighter crate. They're heavier and rarely fold, so they work best in a permanent spot rather than as a portable option.

What is a furniture-style dog crate?

A furniture-style crate is built into a wooden or panelled frame with a flat top, so it functions visually as a side table or console. It suits living rooms where a wire crate would look out of place. Check the listing for any stated weight limit before placing items on top.

Are dog crates suitable for travel?

Some are designed specifically for it, prioritising portability, secure closure and all-round ventilation. Check how the crate secures in a vehicle and how manageable it is to carry. Airline requirements differ by carrier, route and aircraft, so confirm directly with the airline rather than assuming any crate qualifies.

What should I look for when buying a dog crate?

Start with interior dimensions, then consider material, door configuration, latch design and whether it folds. A removable slide-out tray makes cleaning far easier. Match the crate to how you'll actually use it, a travel crate and a permanent living-room crate call for different priorities.