Skip to content
BuyOnceRight: buy once, buy right
Dog Crates · Best picks

Best Dog Crates for Large Breeds: Top Picks for Big Dogs

We analyzed specs, reputable reviews, and owner feedback to find the 3 Dog crates most worth your money in 2026. Here's the honest breakdown.

On this page

Our top picks

Short on time? Our top recommendation is the MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate (best overall). Here's how the shortlist breaks down.

  1. MidWest Homes for Pets MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate

    #1 · Best overall

    MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate

    Lowest price per inch of usable space in this category

    Check price
  2. Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch

    #2

    Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch

    Heavier wire gauge than basic iCrate-style crates at a similar price

    Check price
  3. Go Pet Club 44-Inch Heavy Duty Stackable Dog Crate

    #3

    Go Pet Club 44-Inch Heavy Duty Stackable Dog Crate

    Heaviest wire gauge of any crate in this roundup

    Check price
Jump to the full breakdowns
Compare

At a glance

The specs and traits that separate these picks, side by side.

How to read this table
Why it stands out: its biggest strength
Keep in mind: the main trade-off
Best for: the buyer it suits
Comparison: Best Dog Crates for Large Breeds: Top Picks for Big Dogs
PickWhy it stands outKeep in mindBest forPrice
MidWest Homes for Pets MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate product photo
MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate		Lowest price per inch of usable space in this categoryStandard wire gauge, not built for determined chewers or escape artistslarge breedsCheck price
Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch product photo
Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch		Heavier wire gauge than basic iCrate-style crates at a similar priceCosts more than the equivalent MidWest sizelarge breedsCheck price
Go Pet Club 44-Inch Heavy Duty Stackable Dog Crate product photo
Go Pet Club 44-Inch Heavy Duty Stackable Dog Crate		Heaviest wire gauge of any crate in this roundupAssembly reportedly goes faster with two peoplelarge breedsCheck price
In depth

The 3 best dog crates, explained

Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who it suits best.

MidWest Homes for Pets MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate
Best overall

1. MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate

MidWest Homes for Pets

Best overall for most large breeds that aren't escape-prone. Its case rests on lowest price per inch of usable space in this category and divider panel lets one crate serve puppy through adult sizing. One caveat, standard wire gauge, not built for determined chewers or escape artists.

  • 36"L x 23"W x 25"H, rated for 41 to 70 lb dogs
  • Front and side doors
  • Removable divider panel
  • Leak-proof plastic tray
  • Slide-bolt latches

Pros

  • Lowest price per inch of usable space in this category
  • Divider panel lets one crate serve puppy through adult sizing
  • Two doors give flexible placement against walls or in corners
  • Largest review base of any crate in this roundup, over 34,000 ratings

Cons

  • Standard wire gauge, not built for determined chewers or escape artists
  • Plastic tray can crack after a few years of daily use
  • No wheels, so repositioning a loaded crate means lifting it

Best for: large breeds

Product details Check price on Amazon
Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch

2. Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch

Carlson Pet Products

Best step-up pick. 5"H, rated up to 95 lbs and Front and side doors. One caveat, costs more than the equivalent MidWest size.

  • 42"L x 28"W x 30.5"H, rated up to 95 lbs
  • Front and side doors
  • Multi-point locking latch system
  • Removable leak-proof tray
  • Folds nearly flat for storage

Pros

  • Heavier wire gauge than basic iCrate-style crates at a similar price
  • Multi-point latches resist nose-nudging and paw-pawing better than single slide-bolts
  • 42-inch size fits most large breeds without upgrading to a giant crate

Cons

  • Costs more than the equivalent MidWest size
  • Heavier to carry between rooms or load into a vehicle
  • Still a standard wire crate, not rated for extreme chewers

Best for: large breeds

Product details Check price on Amazon
Go Pet Club 44-Inch Heavy Duty Stackable Dog Crate

3. Go Pet Club 44-Inch Heavy Duty Stackable Dog Crate

Go Pet Club

Best for dogs that need the sturdiest wire crate available, or multi-dog households that want to stack crates to save floor space. 5"H with wheels and Heavy-gauge stackable wire construction. One caveat, assembly reportedly goes faster with two people.

  • 44.25"L x 28"W x 32.5"H with wheels
  • Heavy-gauge stackable wire construction
  • Removable divider and two water bowls included
  • Stacks up to three tiers for multi-dog storage
  • Wheels for repositioning

Pros

  • Heaviest wire gauge of any crate in this roundup
  • Wheels make it far easier to move than the MidWest or Carlson
  • Stackable design is genuinely useful for multi-dog households or kennels

Cons

  • Assembly reportedly goes faster with two people
  • Some buyers report weld quality issues on individual units
  • Largest, bulkiest footprint even when folded

Best for: large breeds

Product details Check price on Amazon
Head-to-head

Compare the top picks

Torn between our leading picks? These side-by-side comparisons settle it.

How we chose these picks

Every pick below earned its place through documented strengths, verified specifications, consistent praise in reputable reviews, and owner-feedback patterns. We don't sell placements, and we don't invent test scores.

Mistakes buyers often make

  • Choosing the cheapest option without checking warranty and support quality.
  • Assuming all models work with your existing setup, verify compatibility first.
  • Skipping the measurements: returns most often come from fit surprises.
  • Chasing the newest release when last year's model does the same job for less.

How we chose these picks

  • We started from manufacturer specifications and feature lists, the verifiable foundation.
  • We weighed reputable independent reviews from established tech and consumer publications.
  • We read large volumes of verified-owner feedback to find patterns in reliability and satisfaction.
  • We scored value: what you get for the price, not just absolute performance.
  • We excluded products with thin, suspicious, or heavily incentivized review profiles.

We don't claim hands-on testing we haven't done. Assessments synthesize manufacturer specifications, reputable independent reviews and documented owner feedback. Read our methodology.

Before you buy

Buying guide

How to choose: the factors that matter

  • Capacity and sizing, Measure your space and your actual use before falling for bigger-is-better. The right size is the one that fits your routine, not the spec sheet's maximum.
  • Build quality and materials, Heavier-gauge materials, tight tolerances, and solid joints outlast thin, rattly construction. In reviews, look for longevity comments over first-impression praise.
  • Ease of use and setup, Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and minimal assembly separate daily drivers from garage ornaments.
  • Maintenance and cleaning, Whatever you buy will need cleaning. Removable, dishwasher-safe, or wipe-clean parts get maintained; fiddly ones get neglected.
  • Warranty and support, A multi-year warranty signals the manufacturer expects it to last. Check what's actually covered, motors and frames matter more than accessories.

The bottom line

There's no single 'best' here, only the best match for your situation. Start from your must-have features, then choose the least expensive pick that covers them.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

What are the best dog crates for large breeds right now?

Our top pick is the MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate (best overall), because lowest price per inch of usable space in this category. The runner-up is the Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch, followed by the Go Pet Club 44-Inch Heavy Duty Stackable Dog Crate.

Is the MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate worth it?

For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our dog crates for large breeds research, though standard wire gauge, not built for determined chewers or escape artists.

What size crate does a large breed dog need?

As a rule of thumb, measure your dog from nose to base of tail and add 4 inches for length, then measure shoulder height and add 4 inches for crate height. Most large breeds (Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers) fit a 42-inch crate, while giant breeds (Great Danes, Mastiffs) need 48 inches or larger. A crate that's too big defeats the den-like security a crate is supposed to provide, so size to the adult dog, not extra room for play.

Is wire or heavy-duty steel better for a large dog?

Standard wire crates like the MidWest iCrate work fine for large dogs that aren't determined chewers or escape artists. For dogs that bend bars, pop latches, or otherwise test a crate's limits, a heavier-gauge crate like the Go Pet Club heavy-duty line or a true escape-proof aluminum crate is worth the extra cost. Match the crate to the dog's actual behavior, not just its size.

How much weight can a standard wire dog crate hold?

Most 42-inch wire crates are rated for dogs up to roughly 90 to 95 pounds, and 44-inch heavy-duty models often extend that to 100 pounds or more. Always check the manufacturer's weight rating for the specific size, since a 36-inch and 42-inch crate from the same line can carry different limits.

Do large breed crates need a divider panel?

Only if you're crating a puppy that will grow into the large breed's full size. A divider lets you shrink the usable space so a puppy doesn't have room to eliminate in one corner and sleep in another. Once the dog is full grown, the divider is removed and the whole crate is used.

Keep researching

Related guides & comparisons