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How to Choose the Right Dog Crate for Your Situation
Courtesy of Midwest Homes for Pets & Dog Crates "For Pets on the Go".
With so many choices, deciding which pet home to purchase can sometimes be confusing. Our goal is to help you decide which dog crate is perfect for your dog and your budget.
The strength and quality of the kennel you will need will be determined by
several factors:
For what purpose will you use the dog crate?
- For housebreaking a puppy only?
- For confining a destructive dog?
- For short-term confinement or confinement for long periods of time?
- Will you expect to use it while your dog is a puppy? An adult?
- How big is your dog?
- What type of temperament does your dog have? Stubborn, rebellious,
destructive? Or meek, mild, and retiring?
- How much portability to do you need? Will you be moving it frequently?
- Do you want to ship your dog on an airplane? In the cabin with you or in the cargo hold?
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Three types of dog crates are the most common:
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Plastic Dog Crates:
- Used for air travel (wire crates are not acceptable to airlines), and for home confinement, Plastic Dog Crates have wire doors and holes or vents on the sides and back for air circulation. They are very sturdy and afford a great deal of protection for the dog during a trip. For international travel, you must have a Sky Kennel, as they are the only ones IATA (International Air Travel Association) approved for travel between countries.
Smaller ones come with handles for actually carrying the dog crate and dog. Larger ones do not, as the combined weight would be too much for a person to lift. They require wheels or a dog crate dolly for easy transport.
Puppies sometimes start out in Sky Kennels at home because they feel secure in the closed-in construction of a plastic dog crate. On the other hand, puppies with socialization problems should probably be in a wire dog crate because it is a more social environment and allows them to be in closer proximity to family activity without being threatened by it. Either way, most dogs come to cherish their dog crate as home and kingdom and will actually choose to sleep in it when confinement is no longer necessary.
Metal or Wire Dog Crates:
- Used for home, kennel, dog shows, and sporting dog competitions, wire dog crates are made of heavy gauge wire on all four sides. They provide superior ventilation, take up less visual space in a room, and provide more ways for the dog to see and hear the activity around it. They have a pull-out pan in the bottom of the crate for the dog's comfort and for easy cleaning. They also store in a smaller configuration.
Wire dog crates have some important qualities that differentiate them from one another:
Gauge of Wire:
- The gauge of the wire on wire dog crates can vary from small wire to extra heavy-duty wire.
The higher the gauge, the lighter and less substantial is the wire. The lower number, the stronger and more sturdy the dog crate is, but the heavier it is to move or carry.
ie: 7 gauge wire is much stronger and thicker than 11 gauge wire.
- The number of bars in the wire crate will vary from densely wired to lightly wired.
Crates with wide wire spacing have fewer wires and are lighter weight
but will withstand less abuse. Crates with close bar spacing weigh more
and can withstand the more rambunctious or aggressive dog.
If you have a small dog or will be using the crate for a puppy only, you can
probably feel comfortable that the lighter crates will be sufficient.
However, if you will be confining an adult dog, a large dog, or a potentially
destructive dog, heavier gauge and denser bars will probably be necessary.
Doors:
- Dog crates used to come with one door in the end panel. However, wire dog crates with more than one door are increasingly more popular. Some have two (one on the end - another on the side) Some wire dog crates even have 3 doors (one on each end and one on a side.) More doors give many more options. They come in very handy if you want to put the crate against a wall, or need flexibility to use it in a van or have tight quarters at a dog show. The three-door variety of wire dog crates can even be used for two dogs separated by a wire panel. Put each dog into the crate from a different end. Less to carry and set up. convenience of separate entrances so one dog doesn't "bomb out" the door (inconveniently or dangerously) when you try to get the other out.
Finishes on Wire Dog Crates:
- Zinc: A bright, shiny finish for wire that is not only attractive but very durable.
- Hammertone: A very attractive black and silver "hammered look"
- Epoxy: Also referred to as "e-coat", this black or white coating provides a beautiful long lasting finish.
- Rattan: Polyethylene rattan material is added over the sturdy wire frame for a designer look
Pans for Wire Dog Crates:
- All MIDWEST wire homes come with an easy-to-clean pan made from tough, long lasting ABS plastic. Under normal conditions, these pans will last a lifetime. However, we also sell replacement pans if you need one.
- Other brands come with ABS plastic pans or galvanized metal pans.
- Replacement pans are offered for all brands and styles
Strength of Crate: MIDWEST provides the perfect home for every breed and temperament. We have tried to qualify each crate into one of the categories to make it easier for you to gauge their strength.
- Light Duty: For new puppies that will be crate trained from the start and for breeds with a mild temperament.
Styles Available in Light Duty:
- Canine Camper Soft-Sided MW1724 - MW1748
- Medium Duty: for older puppies and breeds with an average temperament.
Styles Available in Medium Duty:
- Bay Isle MW1824 - MW1842
- Life Stages 1600 & 1600DD Series: MW1622-48 and MW1622DD-1648DD
- Heavy Duty: for adult dogs that have never been crate trained and for active breeds.
Styles Available in Heavy Duty:
- Life Stages Ultima Series: MW1624UL - MW1648UL
- SUV Side-By-Side 600 Series: MW606SS - MW608SS
- Midwest Colossal Kennel 1154U Series: MW1154U
Soft Dog Crates:
- Soft dog crates are the crate of choice for travel by air in the cabin of the plane. They are very comfortable with luxurious interiors, soft pads, and mesh ventilation with or without roll up window covers for privacy and security. Because they are somewhat flexible, they will change shape slightly to accommodate different airline requirements for under-seat stowage.
It is important to get one that has a rigid wire frame to keep the carrier from collapsing in on itself from its own weight or from top pressure. Also a rigid bottom insert will keep it from sagging with the weight of the pet.
- Not all soft dog crates are for airline travel. Some soft-sided dog crates are used for confinement only such as at home, outside, or at dog shows. They require a dog with a placid temperament or a crate-trained dog, as they are made of fabric and can be chewed. However, the advantages are many: They are light weight for transport, offer shade protection and visibility but are still private and secure. They are becoming more and more popular - especially for dog show exhibitors.
Where Manufactured: All of the manufacturers develop and design all products in the USA.
- MIDWEST produces in one of their Indiana factories, or using their partners in China. Either way, each product is guaranteed to meet our specifications and our high quality standards. They have tested and issued quality statements addressing the Chinese quality problems recently brought to light in other parts of the pet industry.
- GENERAL CAGE develops and designs all products in the USA. Their "200 Series" crates are still actually manufactured in the USA. Their other crates are produced elsewhere and imported.
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| MIDWEST BREED SIZE CHART RECOMMENDATIONS |
*Important:
Choosing the right sized MIDWEST dog crate for your dog should involve a number of considerations.
- Your dog should be able to stand up and turn around comfortably. Minimum height is his height at the shoulder plus 3"-6".
- Depending on the gender and the possibility of mixed ancestry, and variations within a breed, your dog may need a home that is larger or smaller than listed. Females are usually smaller than males in a breed.
- This chart is provided to help you choose the proper size home for your adult dog. Puppies can take smaller crates, but if you intend to use it later, purchase the "grow-with-your-dog" Life Stages Crate in a size appropriate for the estimated adult size.
- For long confinement, choose a size slightly larger (though not large enough to allow him elimination space). For shorter confinement periods the regular size will do nicely.
- Due to space limitations, not all breeds could be listed. Select breed most similar in size to yours.
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| 22" Tall |
Tiny toys. In general, dogs in this category will weigh about
1 - 12 pounds.
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7 & 11 gauge wire
1.4" x 4.5" bar spacing
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| 24" Tall |
Cats, Bichon, Pekingese, Boston Terrier, Min Poodle. In general, dogs in this category will weigh about
11 - 25 pounds.
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7 & 11 gauge wire
1.5" x 6" bar spacing
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| 30" Tall |
Cocker, Cairn Terrier, Beagle Sheltie. In general, dogs in this category will weigh about
26 - 40 pounds
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7 & 11 gauge wire
1.5" x 8" bar spacing
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| 36" Tall |
Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Boxer, Brittany, Springer Spaniel. In general, dogs in this category will weigh about 41 - 70 pounds.
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7 & 11 gauge wire
1.5" x 8" bar spacing
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| 42" TAll |
Afghans, Retrievers, Rottweilers, Shepherds. In general, dogs in this category will weigh about
71 - 90 pounds
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7 & 9 gauge wire
1.5" x 9" bar spacing
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| 48" Tall |
Malamute, Dane, Pyrenees, Lg Rottweiler. In general, dogs in this category will weigh about
91 - 110 pounds.
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7 & 9 gauge wire
1.5" x 7.5" bar spacing
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How to Measure Your Dog for a Dog Crate
For airline travel, see airline approved crates and softsided dog carriers in our index,
as wire dog crates are forbidden on airlines.
The measurements of your crate are very important for your pet's safe,
comfortable confinement and travel.:
![[Measuring your dog]](./crates/measure.gif)
This diagram will give you a little help
- Length:
is from the from the front breast bone
to the base of tail plus 2" for medium breeds and 6" for large breeds.
- Height:
is from the floor to the shoulder plus 3"-6".
(For airline travel, it is
necessary that the crate be as tall as your pet's head, and he should be
able to stand in a natural manner as well as turn around and lie down.)
For housetraining you might choose one that will fit your pet as an adult
so that it provides life-long service. To estimate his adult size check
the breed standard. (Most breed standards, however, measure your pet at the
shoulder.)
- Width:
is a couple of inches less than height at the shoulder.
If you are traveling with your pet in the airplane cabin, see
softsided carriers in our index.
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Remember, Wire dog crates can never be used for airline travel.
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Crate Page
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Soft Dog Crates *
Metal Dog Crates *
Giant Dog Crates *
Dog Travel Crates *
Folding Dog Crates *
Airline Approved Dog Crates *
Midwest Dog Crates *
Wicker Dog Crates *
Rattan Dog Crates *
Portable Dog Crates *
Life Jackets *
Choose the Right Dog Crate
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