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style="float:none; /*width:635px;*/">Choosing the Right Dog Crate; 5 Different Types to Consider

It’s time to buy a dog crate and you need to find the one that will best fit your needs, you have come to the right place! Whether you have decided that it’s time to crate train your dog, he has out grown the crate he is currently using or you are looking for a new airline approved dog carrier one of these five different types of dog crates will surely fit your needs. While the puppies are adorable in the “wooden crate” above, the five types of crates we will look at will certainly provide you with a more comfortable and secure crate for your dog!

SOFT SIDED DOG CRATES

Read all our reviews of soft sided dog crates here!

Soft Sided Dog CratesSoft sided dog crates are designed as a lightweight, portable option that provides fluffy cushioning for your dog and can come in range of sizes to suit most breeds. They are particularly common for dog show use given their portable nature. You might find soft dog crates suitable for when you:

  • Want somewhere to keep your dog during dog shows or when carrying them around in public.
  • Need somewhere comfortable to place your dog when visitors come over.
  • Travel with your dog in the car, and want a comfortable place to keep them in.

Soft sided dog crates can come in a range of sizes to suit all breeds but their construction is relatively lightweight compared to other types of crates. They can often feature padded insulation that keeps heat in during cooler months, as well as maintaining a cool temperature during hotter months.

This insulation as well as the soft construction makes the overall comfort experience for your dog higher when compared to other types of crates. They can also feature a damp proof mat on the floor of the crate that can easily be removed and cleaned.

Soft sided dog crates are typically less durable than other types of crates, and more anxious dogs are known to occasionally chew through them quite easily. They also offer less protection than plastic dog crates, so are not recommended for keeping your dog safe during airline travel.

PLASTIC DOG CRATES

Read all our reviews of plastic dog crates here!

Plastic Dog CratesPlastic dog crates are a hard crate that features holes in the sides for ventilation as well as a metal gate that opens at the front and come in a range of sizes to suit all dogs. They are a popular option for travel, and can be a cheap alternative to a heavy duty dog crate for airline travel as an airline approved dog carrier. You might find plastic dog crates suitable for when you:

  • Need a portable crate to carry your dog around in.
  • Want a crate for keeping your dog during dog shows.
  • Intend to travel for long periods with your dog via car or air.

Plastic dog crates come in a range of sizes that are typically lighter than other types of crates and fairly easy to transport when required. They tend to absorb heat very well, and although holes are included for ventilation some long-haired breeds may become overheated in warmer months.

The overall comfort experience for the dog is lower than other types of crate because there is not a lot of viewing room for them, and some dogs may become anxious and chew on the plastic. This type of crate can also retain odors that make them difficult to keep clean.

Plastic dog crates have a number of drawbacks when compared to other types of dog crates, primarily due to their enclosed design. They are mainly intended for use in transporting your dog, and not as a comfortable option to keep them inside at home.

 

WIRE DOG CRATES

Read all our reviews of wire dog crates here!

Wire Dog CratesWire dog crates feature a simple metal construction that comes in a range of sizes to suit all breeds, as well as larger pens that enable your dog to run around. They are often used for several purposes, but are chosen by many for crate training puppies or breeding dogs. You might find wire dog crates suitable for when you:

  • Need an option for easily crate training your dog or puppy.
  • Travel with your dogs in the back of a car or truck.
  • Want to keep multiple dogs or puppies in the same enclosure.

Due to their larger size, wire dog crates are typically heavier than other types of dog crates but are still light enough to travel with your dog when required. Their open construction doesn’t provide much in the way of insulation, so you may consider adding a dog crate cover to add a bit of warmth as well as style in cooler months.

Otherwise the overall comfort experience for the dog is very high because the open construction allows them plenty of space to see outside the crate and lets them easily become used to being inside it, though you may want to add a dog crate pad or bed for sleeping on. This same simple design makes cleaning a fairly easy task.

Wire dog crates are sometimes frowned-upon by people because it looks a lot like a cage, and people often don’t like seeing dogs caged-up. They are also not the most attractive option for keeping inside the home, but you can always find a stylish crate cover that matches your decor.

 

WOODEN DOG CRATES

Read all our reviews of wooden dog crates here!

Wooden Dog CratesWooden dog crates are designed as an attractive alternative to suit the style of your home and come in sizes to suit medium and large breeds of dogs. They are designed to stay inside the home, like a traditional dog kennel and many people can choose to make their own. You might find wooden dog crates suitable for when you:

  • Want a crate that matches the decor of your home.
  • Use a crate as part of your home’s furniture.
  • Don’t intend to carry your dog around inside a crate.

Due to their larger sizes, wooden dog crates are typically heavier than and not as portable as other types of crates. Wood also tends to be a good insulator to help keep your dog warm in cooler months or cool in warmer months, and this material makes it far more durable than many other types of crates.

The overall comfort experience for the dog is fairly high because the design of the crate provides ample viewing space for them as well as ventilation, though you may want to add a pet crate pad or bed to provide extra cushioning. They usually feature a slide-out tray that makes them easy to clean.

Wooden dog crates are typically more expensive than other types of crates due to the quality of their materials, and are mainly intended for the purpose of containing your dog within the home. It is a suitable option if you want to impress visitors, not keep your dog in something that looks like a cage and don’t need a crate for carrying your dog.

 

HEAVY DUTY DOG CRATE

Read all our reviews of heavy duty dog crates here!

Heavy Duty Dog CrateA heavy duty dog crate feature a durable welded metal construction as well as a locking door and come in sizes to suit most breeds or can be fitted to the back of a truck or SUV. They are most commonly used by professional animal handlers or hunters. You might find that a heavy duty dog crate is suitable for when you:

  • Need to transport your dogs in the back of a truck or SUV.
  • Want a crate that prevents your dogs from escaping.
  • Intend to transport your dog safely by air.

Heavy duty dog crates come in a range of sizes that are designed to be relatively lightweight and durable. The metal acts as an effective insulator that helps keep your dog warm in winter and cool in the summer. It doesn’t absorb the heat of the sun and a waterproof coating prevents it from rusting.

The overall comfort experience for the dog is fairly high given many of these crates feature ample viewing space for them and holes for ventilation, but you may consider adding a dog crate pad or mat. The holes in the construction also make it simple to clean.

A heavy duty dog crate is specifically designed for purposes where containing your dog and keeping it safe are the utmost priority, such as for use in transporting on the back of a truck or as an airplane approved dog carrier. It is not recommended as a way to keep your dog contained at home, unless you have particular problems with them escaping and causing trouble while you’re away.

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