Dog Crates Buying Guide: Sizes, Materials, and What Actually Matters

Size Chart by Weight

These are general guidelines.

Always verify against the specific crate's stated weight rating, since sizing can vary slightly between brands.

Wire Gauge and What It Means

Standard wire crates, like the MidWest iCrate, use wire thick enough for the vast majority of dogs that treat the crate as a resting place.

Heavier-gauge crates, like the Carlson Pet Products or Go Pet Club heavy-duty lines, use noticeably thicker wire that resists bending under sustained pressure from a large or restless dog.

The difference isn't cosmetic.

A thin-gauge crate under a 90-pound dog that leans against the side daily will show wear faster than a heavy-gauge crate under the same dog.

Latch Types

Single slide-bolt latches close at one point and work for most dogs.

Multi-point locking systems close the door at more than one location, closing the gap a determined dog can exploit by repeatedly pawing or nosing at a single latch point.

If your dog has previously worked open a simple latch, upgrade to a multi-point system rather than assuming a replacement of the same type will hold.

Divider Panels

A divider panel lets one crate serve a puppy through its full adult size, shrinking the usable floor space early on so the dog's instinct to keep its sleeping area clean supports housebreaking.

Not every crate includes one standard, so check before buying if you're crate training a growing puppy.

Price Ranges and What They Buy

The MidWest iCrate is the standard recommendation here.

Worth it for large, anxious, or latch-testing dogs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Sizing for the puppy instead of the adult dog.

This leads to buying a second, larger crate within months.

Skipping the divider panel on an appropriately sized crate.

Without it, a large crate for a small puppy can slow housebreaking.

Overbuying sturdiness for a calm dog.

See Also

How to Choose a Dog Crate, step-by-step decision framework Dog Crate Rusting, long-term maintenance