Best Dog Crates for Large and Extra-Large Dogs: Super-Sized Spaces!

Big dogs need – wait for it, you’re never gonna guess – big crates.

I know. I’ll give you a second to process this mind-blowing bit of info.

But there are a couple of other things to think about when buying a dog crate for your extra-large canine, some of which are actually a bit surprising. We’ll dive into this issue below and talk about the things you’ll want to look for when picking a the best dog crate for your big pooch.

And, of course, we’ll recommend a few of the best options available.

Best Overall Dog Crate for Large Dogs	Best Budget-Friendly Crate for Large Dogs	Best Extra-Large Dog Crate for Large Dogs
Impact Collapsible Dog Crate	Amazon Basics Metal Crate	MidWest Homes for Pets Crate
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Best Overall Dog Crate for Large Dogs

Impact Collapsible Dog Crate

See Pricing Now

Best Budget-Friendly Crate for Large Dogs

Amazon Basics Metal Crate

Buy on Amazon

Best Extra-Large Dog Crate for Large Dogs

MidWest Homes for Pets Crate

Buy on Amazon

The Best Dog Crates for Large Dogs

Now that you’re familiar with some of the most important things to look for in a dog crate, you’re ready to start making your choice. We’d recommend picking one of the crates listed below, as they’re all high-quality units, which have received great reviews from other big-dog owners.

1. Impact Collapsible Dog Crate

Best Overall Dog Crate for Large Dogs

Impact Collapsible Dog Crate

A top-of-the-line collapsible dog crate featuring military-grade components. 

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About: Sometimes, you just want to stop messing around and get the best product the market offers. And in terms of crates for large and extra large dogs, that means going with an Impact Collapsible Dog Crate (or really, any of the crates in Impact’s lineup). Backed by the manufacturer’s 10-year warranty and built to last, this dog crate stands head-and-shoulders above most other options on the market.

Features:

• Ships fully assembled
• Fitted with military-grade handles and stackable corners
• Comes in your choice of 7 colors, including neutrals like Black and bright offerings like Teal
• Get 15% off with code K9OFMINE

Specifications:

• Material: Aluminum
• Sizes: 6 sizes, ranging from Medium (30.5″ L x 20.5″ W x 26″ H) to Triple Extra Large (54.5″ L x 35.5″ W x 42″ H)
• Divider Included?: No (can be purchased separately)
• Removable Tray?: No
• Wheels?: No
• Collapsible?: Yes

2. AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Dog Crate

Best Budget-Friendly Crate for Large Dogs

Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Crate

An affordable, no-frills crate that'll get the job done without breaking the bank.

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About: The AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Crate is designed to be functional and affordable, so it doesn’t come equipped with many fancy extras. This makes it a great choice for those who want a high-quality dog crate without spending a lot of money.

Features:

• The bottom of this dog crate features “mini dividers” to prevent your pup from sneaking a paw through
• Available in single- and double-door models
• Easy, tool-free assembly
• Dual door locking feature keeps canine secure inside

Specifications:

• Material: Steel wire
• Sizes: 7 sizes, ranging from (22.0″ L x 13.0″ W x 16.0″ H) to (48.0″ L x 30.0″ W x 32.5″ H)
• Divider Included?: Yes
• Removable Tray?: Yes
• Wheels?: No
• Collapsible?: Yes

3. Petmate Sky Kennel

Best Airline-Approved Crate for Large Dogs

Petmate Sky Kennel

An IATA-compliant crate that's suitable for air travel and breaks down for storage.

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About: As the name suggests, the Petmate Sky Kennel is designed to comply with the requirements set by most airlines for four-footed passengers. However, it is also a great dog crate for general home use, and the mostly solid sides may provide additional security for nervous pups.

Features:

• Provides plenty of ventilation to keep your pet comfortable
• Door features a vault-style secure latch and is secured in four places
• Comes with a “Live Animal” sticker and two clip-on water dishes
• Made in the United States

Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Sizes: Available in 6 sizes, ranging from 21″ to 48″
• Divider Included?: No
• Removable Tray?: No
• Wheels?: No
• Collapsible?: No

4. LEMBERI Heavy Duty Indestructible Dog Crate

Best Rolling Crate for Large Dogs

LEMBERI Heavy Duty Indestructible Dog Crate

A well-crafted dog kennel featuring a tray you can remove and wheeled base for convenient cleaning and movement.

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About: The LEMBERI Heavy Duty Indestructible Dog Crate is tough as nails and designed to keep even the most determined dogs safely contained. It remains moveable with a wheeled base, and those wheels lock, too, keeping the kennel in place as you see fit. This dog crate arrives mostly assembled as well, with the wheeled base taking ten minutes or less to set up.

Features:

• Non-toxic, anti-rust finish helps this dog crate last against day-to-day wear and tear
• Removable floor grate separates potential messes from your pup
• Top and front doors offer plenty of access for cleaning and checking in on your canine
• Offered in neutral Black and Silver finishes

Specifications:

• Material: Alloy steel
• Sizes: (37.4″ L x 25.6″ W x 30.5″ H), (42.52″ L x 29.92″ W x 34.46″ H), and (47.2″ L x 30.7″ W x 36.0″ H)
• Divider Included?: No
• Removable Tray?: Yes
• Wheels?: Yes
• Collapsible?: Yes

5. SportPet Rolling Plastic Crate

Best Rolling Plastic Crate for Large Dogs

SportPet Rolling Plastic Crate

A durable plastic crate that comes with a gutter-style floor and 4 rolling casters.

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About: The SportPet Rolling Plastic Crate will work well in your home or when traveling with your pet. It is designed to comply with most airline regulations, and it is even easy to push through the airport, thanks to the included wheels.

Features:

• Metal hardware to comply with most airline regulations
• Both sides and the back panel feature a metal-wire window
• A clip-on water dish and 4 “Live Animal” stickers are included
• Gutter-style floor to keep your dog dry in the event of an accident

Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Sizes: 5 wheeled styles, ranging from Medium to XXX-Large
• Divider Included?: No
• Removable Tray?: No
• Wheels?: Yes
• Collapsible?: No

6. MidWest Homes for Pets XXL/Giant Dog Crate

Best Extra-Large Dog Crate for Large Dogs

MidWest Homes for Pets XXL/Giant Dog Crate

A cavernous crate with ample ventilation that's large enough for Great Danes and other giants.

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About: While there are a number of 48-inch dog crates available, larger crates are often difficult to find. But the Midwest Homes for Pets XXL/Giant Dog Crate is one of the biggest dog crates on the market and provides plenty of space for most extra-large dogs with its 54 inches of length.

Features:

• Uses special L-bars to prevent the sides from bowing out
• Features 2 doors (1 on the front and 1 on the side)
• Doors feature 3 heavy-duty latches
• Not technically “collapsible,” but you can take it apart by removing the 4 drop pins
• Backed by manufacturer’s 1-year warranty

Specifications:

• Material: Metal wire
• Sizes: Single size measuring 54″ L x 37″ W x 45″ H 
• Divider Included?: No, but can be purchased separately from the manufacturer
• Removable Tray?: Yes
• Wheels?: No
• Collapsible?: Not technically, but you can take it apart by removing the 4 drop pins

7. Midwest Homes for Pets Ultima Pro

Best Mid-Tier Crate for Large Dogs

Midwest Homes for Pets Ultima Pro

A good value choice, this crate provides a great combination of features and price.

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About: The Midwest Homes for Pets Ultima Pro is the most durable model in Midwest’s lineup. It is secure enough to keep escape-artist dogs contained and comes in sizes sufficient for many large and extra-large dogs. It is clearly not the best dog crate available, but it is definitely worthy of consideration by pet parents seeking good value for their dog-care dollar.

Features:

• Equipped with 2 doors and slide-bolt latches
• Strong carrying handle makes for easier transport
• Includes 4 rubber feet to protect your floors
• Backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty

Specifications:

• Material: Metal wire
• Sizes: 5 sizes, including Large (42″ L x 28″ W x 30″ H) and X-Large (48″ L x 30″ W x 35″ H)
• Divider Included?: Yes
• Removable Tray?: Yes
• Wheels?: No
• Collapsible?: Yes

8. Revol Dog Crate

Most Innovative Crate for Large Dogs

Revol Dog Crate

A new take on the classic dog crate, complete with several interesting features in a sleek, modern look.

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About: Manufacturers occasionally re-envision existing products, thereby bringing something new to the marketplace and giving dog owners a different option. And that’s exactly what has happened with Revol’s Dog Crate. Inspired by products designed for human babies, this collapsible, aluminum-and-plastic crate may be the best dog crate for forward-thinking pet parents.

Features:

• Available in 4 colors
• Design offer plenty of airflow and visibility
• Features front and top doors
• Dual-lock handle for extra security

Specifications:

• Material: Aluminum with plastic components
• Sizes: 4 sizes, from Small (25″ L x 17″ W x 19″ H) to Large (44″ L x 28″ W x 30″ H)
• Divider Included?: Yes
• Removable Tray?: Yes
• Wheels?: No
• Collapsible?: Yes

First Things First: What Qualifies as a “Large” Dog?

There’s no commonly accepted definition for a “large” or “extra-large” dog. Nor is there an official size range for terms like “giant,” “colossal,” “jumbo,” or “oh-my-god-how-much-does-that-dog-weigh?”

It’s all varies pretty arbitrarily from one manufacturer, owner, breeder, vet, and writer to the next.

But for our purposes here, we’ll keep things simple:

• Large breeds will refer to dogs weighing more than 50 pounds
• Extra-large breeds will refer to dogs weighing more than 100 pounds

Easy-peasy.

But to make it even easier, we’ve listed some of the most common examples below.

Just remember that all breeds vary a bit and individuals of some breeds may be larger or smaller than is typical for the breed.

Of course, there are dozens of other breeds who fall into one of these categories, but you get the idea. Nevertheless, when trying to determine the proper size dog crate for your dog, you’re better off using linear measurements.

We’ll explain how to do that below.

Determining the Proper Crate Size for Your Pooch

Finding the proper crate size for your pooch is fairly easy. Just grab your dog and a tape measure and we’ll get to work.

 Start by having your dog stand. Measure your dog from the tip of her nose to the base (not the tip) of her tail. Add 2 to 4 inches to that figure to get the proper crate length.

 Next, you’ll want to have your dog sit (a dog’s head is typically tallest when sitting). Measure the distance from the ground to the top of her head. Add 2 to 4 inches to this figure, and you have the proper height for the crate.

 These two measurements – the crate length and height – will serve as your guide to choosing the right dog crate for your pet. You don’t have to worry about the crate’s width, as most dog crates are designed with appropriate length-width ratios.

For example, if your dog is 38 inches long and 30 inches tall (while seated), she’ll need a 42-inch-long crate that is 34 inches tall. In most cases, you’ll want to focus primarily on the length of the crate when making your selection. Most large and extra-large pups will need dog crates measuring between 40 and 60 inches long.

Note that some authorities recommend adding 4 to 6 inches on top of your dog’s length when selecting the proper crate size, instead of the 2- to 4-inch guideline we prefer. This is fine if you’d prefer to scale up the crate a little bit, but understand that it is not a good idea to provide your dog with a crate that is too large. Doing so will eliminate some of the benefits dog crates provide (more on this later), so stay in the 2- to 6-inch range.

You can theoretically go overboard on the height of the crate without causing many problems, but you’ll rarely find many super-tall dog crates in practice.

Why Do You Need a Crate, Anyway?

A lot of owners consider dog crates optional, and if you put me in The Room of Absolute Truth^TM, I’d probably agree that they aren’t strictly imperative.

But they are incredibly valuable and *this close* to being mandatory.

For starters, dog crates do five important things:

1. They give you a place to confine your dog when you aren’t home. Many dogs become destructive when left at home alone. Others may raid the garbage can, which can be dangerous (or unpleasant, depending on the garbage can he prefers). But he’ll cause relatively little trouble while sequestered in a secure dog crate with a safe and long-lasting chew toy.
2. They give your pup a safe and secure place to hang out. Nervous dogs often like the cozy confines of a cave-like crate — it often serves as a “safe space” for them. Dog crates are also great for helping dogs afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms feel safe. If you have an anxious pupperino, try putting a crate cover over the crate’s frame for a cozier atmosphere.
3. They are helpful when company comes over. Visitors may find exuberant dogs a little hard to take, and even the best-behaved dogs can get in the way when you’re entertaining. But dog crates give you a safe and comfortable place to tuck your dog away when you have people over for dinner.
4. They provide a space-efficient place for their bed. Most dogs appreciate having a good bed, and it is often helpful to place the bed inside the crate to minimize the amount of extra space taken up by her stuff (see our top picks for the best dog crate beds to find good options that work with the dimensions of large-sized dog crates).
5. They are helpful for crate-training. Dogs don’t want to poop or pee where they sleep. Accordingly, they’ll rarely go in a crate of the proper size (read: not too large). This makes dog crates great tools for teaching them proper poop protocols for your home. Crate-training isn’t the best approach for all dogs, but it’s generally one of the best approaches to the house-breaking process.

Important Criteria You Should Seek in Any Dog Crate

No matter how big or small your pup is, you’ll want to look for a number of important criteria when making your choice. And this goes for owners considering wire dog crates, plastic dog crates, or anything in between.

Keep the following things in mind when trying to pick a high-quality crate:

The Door Must Close Securely

Dog crates that don’t close securely are pretty worthless, so you’ll want to make sure that any crate you select has high-quality latches. But beware of dog crates with exceptionally large latching mechanisms, as some dogs will learn how to open the door themselves. 

If you have an especially escape-prone pooch, you’ll probably need a crate especially designed for Houdini dogs with double latches or more advanced locking mechanisms.

The Crate Must Not Have Any Sharp Edges

Some poor-quality dog crates have rough or sharp edges, often near the welded spots where two wires meet.

You can smooth minor rough spots with a bit of sandpaper or steel wool, but dog crates with significant hazards should be avoided entirely.

Two Doors Are Better than One

While dog crates with a single door will certainly work, double-door crates are much more convenient. They not only give your dog two ways to get in or out, they give you more flexibility with regard to placement.

For example, you’ll be able to place the crate against a wall without blocking the only entrance.

Removable Pans Make Accident-Cleanup Easier

Accidents – whether of the tinkling or water-dish-spilling variety – will occur. But dog crates with a removable plastic tray are much easier to clean afterward. You won’t even have to remove your pet from the crate to do so.

Typically, removable trays are most common in metal or wire dog crates, but you may encounter a plastic model with one too.

Size-Specific Concerns: Things You Need in a Large Dog Crate

In addition to the generic criteria, you’d want to seek when selecting any crate, large dogs present a few unique challenges. Be sure to select a crate that provides as many of the following features as possible:

Wheels Are Important

Large crates are bulky and heavy, which means they’re difficult to move. Therefore, you’ll want to give special consideration to models with wheels, as they’ll be easier to slide around the house when necessary.

Rigid Models Are Strongly Preferred

While a soft dog crate can work well for a small or medium-sized doggo, large and extra-large dogs should usually be provided with a rigid crate.

You may be able to get away with a soft crate for brief periods of time (and when you’re monitoring the situation), but most large dogs will be capable of busting loose in fabric crates.

Collapsible Crates Are Convenient

Whether you want a plastic dog crate, a wooden dog crate, or a metal model, you’ll want to stick to collapsible models if you plan on taking your crate anywhere or storing it when it isn’t needed.

Also, because you’ll likely be having the crate shipped to your home, you’ll save some money on shipping by selecting one that can be collapsed and shipped in a relatively flat box.

Dividers Are Important for Puppies

It is always wisest to purchase a crate that will last for your dog’s entire life, rather than buying a small one when she’s a puppy and a larger crate once she becomes an adult dog. Instead, go ahead and buy a crate that is suitable for her adult size and use dividers to temporarily shrink the size of the interior. As she grows, you can remove a divider panel to provide access to the entire crate.

Large Crates Require Thicker Wire

The wires used for small crates may not be sturdy or rigid enough to retain their structural integrity when used in big crates. Additionally, large dogs have stronger jaws and teeth than smaller dogs do. Accordingly, you’ll always want to look for crates that feature thick, strong wire (if you opt for a wire dog crate).

Large Crates Require Sturdier Hardware

The hardware used to keep the crate together will also need to be pretty heavy-duty to prevent your pooch from busting out of her crate. This not only includes the corner connectors but the latches and hinges too.

Best Dog Crates for Large Dogs: FAQ

Still have questions about picking the right dog crate for your super-sized pupper? We’ll try to help by answering some of the most common questions owners have below!

Don’t Forget a Bed for Your Crate!

A crate bed can help keep your pet’s crate super comfy and make the whole thing more appealing. There are plenty of great crate beds on the market you can buy, or you can just make one yourself, as demonstrated in the video above!

Do you have a big or extra-big four-footer? What type of crate do you use? What size dog crate do you use for your floof? Would you buy it again if you had the chance? What do you think the best dog crate is for large pooches? Do you have any crate training tips to share with our readers?

Let us know all about your experience in the comments below.