Dog Beds & Crates
Best Dog Crates for Large Dogs
(opens Amazon in a new tab)A crate can be a dog's own quiet spot, if it's the right size and never used as punishment [1][2].
We picked three dog crates for large dogs: a folding wire crate with a divider, a soft crate for travel with a calm, medium-sized dog (up to 70 lbs), and a wooden crate that doubles as an end table.
Our 3 picks at a glance
- Best OverallMidWest iCrate 42-Inch Double Door Dog CrateFolding wire crate with two doors and a divider, for 71 to 90 lb dogsCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best for Travel (Medium Dogs)Amazon Basics Folding Soft Dog Crate, 36-InchSoft travel crate for calm dogs up to 70 lbs and 32 × 21 inchesCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best Furniture-StyleHzuaneri Furniture-Style Dog Crate, 39.4-InchWood and iron crate that works as an end table, with three doorsCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
How we picked
We searched Amazon for large dog crates and furniture-style crates, read the top organic results, and skipped listings with a perfect score from only a few ratings. We picked one crate of each main type.
Sizing and training advice comes from vet behaviorists at VCA, from Humane World for Animals and from the AKC [1][2][3][5]. For a bed to go inside, see our large dog bed guide.
What vets and trainers say about crates
Size: two veterinary behaviorists writing for VCA say a crate should be big enough for the dog to stand, turn and stretch out [1]. Humane World for Animals says to buy for your puppy's adult size [2]. The AKC suggests measuring your standing dog from nose to tail tip and from head to floor, then adding 3 to 4 inches. It warns that a crate that's too big can encourage a dog to toilet at one end [3].
That's where a divider helps. VCA says you can install one if a puppy sleeps at one end and toilets at the other. It keeps the puppy in a smaller area, as long as it isn't left in for long periods [1].
Time: Humane World says, "Puppies under 6 months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time." It adds that "adult dogs shouldn't be left in a crate for more than 4-5 hours during the day" [2]. VCA and Humane World both say a crate should never be used for punishment [1][2], and the AKC advises against crating a dog with force or anger [5].
In the car, don't count on a wire crate for crash protection. In the Center for Pet Safety's 2015 crate tests, wire crates held with standard rubber straps gave no protection [4].
MidWest iCrate 42-Inch Double Door Dog Crate
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
VCA's behaviorists say a metal folding crate with a tray floor works well [1], and this is the most-rated crate here (the rating is shared across sizes). The 42-inch size is listed for dogs of 71 to 90 pounds, but the listing suggests sizing up to the 48-inch model if your dog is close to 90.
It comes with a divider panel so a puppy can grow into it, a tray the listing calls leak-proof, rubber feet and a carry handle. It has a front and a side door with slide-bolt latches, and folds flat without tools.
Good to know
- Divider included, so a puppy can grow into it [3]
- Front and side doors
- Folds flat; sold by Amazon
Keep in mind
- The rating is shared across iCrate sizes
- Its "rigorous safety testing" isn't described on the listing
- In the Center for Pet Safety's 2015 tests, wire crates on standard rubber straps gave no crash protection [4]
Amazon Basics Folding Soft Dog Crate, 36-Inch
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
For hotels, camping and overnight stays, a soft crate folds flat and weighs under 10 pounds. This one is 36 by 23.4 by 24 inches, with top and front openings, mesh panels, a washable fleece pad and side pockets.
The listing gives a sensible fit rule: your dog should be able to stand up and turn around, so measure nose to base of tail and head to floor, then add 4 inches.
Good to know
- Folds flat; under 10 pounds
- Top and front openings
- Washable fleece pad; sold by Amazon
Keep in mind
- Not really for large dogs: the title says large, but the spec says medium, for dogs up to 70 lbs and under 32 × 21 inches
- The listing says nothing about chewing, so we wouldn't use it for a dog that chews or tries to escape
- The AKC describes soft crates as an option for small breeds [3]
Hzuaneri Furniture-Style Dog Crate, 39.4-Inch
Ships from and sold by Hzuaneri.
If the crate lives in your living room, this one looks like furniture: an engineered-wood top over bars the listing calls iron pipe, with an arched front door and doors on both sides. It's the only listing here that gives inside dimensions: 37 by 21.8 by 23.6 inches.
The listing names Border Collies, Golden Retrievers and Huskies as good fits. It says two adults can assemble it in 40 to 50 minutes.
Good to know
- States inside dimensions
- Three doors
- Doubles as an end table or TV stand
Keep in mind
- The 220 lb figure is the tabletop's load, per the description, not a dog weight limit
- Heavy (53 lb) and made partly of particleboard; not for moving around
- "Anti-chew" is the listing's claim; it gives no details
- Far fewer ratings (1,178) than the other two
- The title says medium/large dogs; the spec says medium, so check the inside dimensions against your dog
Side by side
| Product | Type | Size | Doors | Folds | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate 42" | Wire | 42 × 28 × 30 in | 2 | Yes | 37 lb |
| Amazon Basics soft | Soft-sided | 36 × 23.4 × 24 in | Top + front | Yes | 9.7 lb |
| Hzuaneri 39.4" | Wood + iron | 39.4 × 23.6 × 24.8 in (inside 37 × 21.8 × 23.6) | 3 | No | 53.2 lb |
Specs as stated on each Amazon listing, checked September 2026.
What to look for
Stand, turn, stretch out
VCA says your dog should be able to stand, turn and stretch out [1]. Compare with inside dimensions where given.
Where it will live
Wire folds for storage; soft crates travel; furniture crates stay put.
Crash claims
In the Center for Pet Safety's 2015 tests, wire crates on standard rubber straps gave no protection [4]. Don't count on one in a crash.
The bottom line
- Best Overall: The MidWest iCrate is a folding wire crate with a divider and two doors.
- Best for Travel (Medium Dogs): The Amazon Basics soft crate folds flat for trips, for calm dogs up to 70 pounds.
- Best Furniture-Style: The Hzuaneri hides the crate in plain sight as an end table.
Questions pet parents ask
What size crate does my dog need?
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
Humane World says, "Puppies under 6 months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time." It also says "adult dogs shouldn't be left in a crate for more than 4-5 hours during the day" [2].
Should I use a crate divider?
It can help. VCA says you can install a divider if a puppy sleeps at one end and toilets at the other. It keeps the puppy in a smaller area, as long as it isn't left in for long periods [1].
Is crating a dog cruel?
Is a wire crate safe in the car?
Don't rely on one for crash protection. In the Center for Pet Safety's 2015 tests, wire crates secured with standard rubber straps gave no protection [4].
Sources
- Horwitz D, Landsberg G. How to Crate Train Your Dog. VCA Animal Hospitals, 2019. vcahospitals.com
- Humane World for Animals. How to Crate Train Your Dog or Puppy. humaneworld.org
- Paretts S. How to Choose the Best Crate for Your Dog. American Kennel Club, 2026. akc.org
- Center for Pet Safety. 2015 Crate Study Results. centerforpetsafety.org
- Gibeault S. How to Crate Train Your Dog. American Kennel Club, 2026. akc.org