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Three things decide which crate is right: how you'll use it, your dog's size, and the material.
| Use | Best type | Brands | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home, everyday | Furniture-style crate, or a clear crate that converts to a gate | Bowsers, New Age Pet, Hiddin | Furniture crates |
| Truck or SUV travel | Impact-resistant travel kennel you can strap down | Dakota 283 (G3, T1 Low Profile, 2D, Hero), Zinger | Travel crates |
| Air travel | Airline-approved aluminum crate | Zinger Airline Approved | Airline approved |
| Several dogs, kennels and breeders | Stackable aluminum crates or cage banks | Zinger, Lakeside | Stackable crates |
Measure your dog standing, from the nose to the base of the tail, and from the floor to the top of the head or ears. Add a few inches to each and compare with the crate's interior dimensions: your dog should be able to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. For travel, a snugger fit is safer than an oversized crate. Shop by size: small, medium, large and extra large.
Aluminum (Zinger) is light, strong and stackable, with airline-approved options. Rotomolded plastic (Dakota 283) is tough, ventilated and easy to hose out, which makes it a favorite for trucks and hunting dogs. Wood and furniture finishes (Bowsers, New Age Pet) blend into your living room. Clear acrylic (Hiddin) keeps sightlines open and converts to a gate.
Add a crate pad or mat sized to the interior floor, a cover for shade and calm, a ventilation fan for hot trucks, and ratchet straps to tie a travel kennel down. Shop crate pads, covers and accessories.
Measure your dog standing, from nose to the base of the tail and from the floor to the top of the head, then add a few inches to each. Compare with the crate's interior dimensions: your dog should be able to stand, turn around and lie down. Not sure? Text a pro at 737-215-3211 with your dog's measurements and breed.
Aluminum is light, very strong and stackable. Rotomolded plastic is impact-resistant and easy to clean, so it's ideal for vehicles. Wire crates are inexpensive but bend and rattle, and determined dogs can escape them. For travel or strong dogs, choose aluminum or rotomolded.
The Zinger Airline Approved Aluminum Cage is built for air travel. Airlines set their own rules for crate size, ventilation, hardware and labeling, so check with your airline before you fly and choose the size it requires for your dog.
Yes, with crates built for it. Zinger aluminum crates and Lakeside cage banks are designed to stack, which suits kennels, breeders and multi-dog households. See our stackable dog crates.
Strap the crate to the vehicle's tie-down points with ratchet straps so it can't slide or tip, and keep it out of direct sun with good airflow. Dakota 283 sells a ratchet strap and a ventilation fan for its kennels; see crate accessories.
Measure the crate's interior floor and choose a pad that matches. We carry pads and mats made for Dakota 283 and Bowsers crates as well as universal sizes. Text us your crate model and we'll confirm the fit.
Most of our crates run about $350 to $1,000. Dakota 283 kennels start around $356, Zinger aluminum crates around $400, and multi-unit kennel banks for breeders and pros cost more.
Still have a question? Text a pro at 737-215-3211 or send us a message.