Dog crates are very versatile: They are suitable both as a transport option, and as a retreat for home. These practical all-rounders should therefore be a standard accessories for all dogs.
Which dog crate is right for you and your dog and what you should look for when buying a crate, you can find here in our buying guide.
The most important thing first
- There are dog crates in different variants and made of different materials.
- You can use a transport box for your dog both for driving, flying or as a place of retreat.
- Depending on what you mainly need the dog crate for, different models may work better.
- An aluminum dog crate like the EUGAD dog transport crate* is particularly suitable for permanent use in the trunk.
- Foldable boxes like the Trixie Fabric Box* store well and make a great retreat at home or on vacation.
- Metal dog crates like the vidaXL dog crate* are sturdy and stable and particularly well suited for home use.
- The size of the dog crate should fit the size of your dog and should be neither too big nor too small.
Transport boxes for dogs: a comparison
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What do I need a dog crate for my dog anyway?
Since the choice of boxes is large, you should think carefully beforehand for what purposes you need them.
- Do you need it exclusively for transporting your dog in the car?
- Should he use the box at home as a retreat?
- Do you want to be able to take them with you as easily as possible, for example to a seminar, a trip or to a hotel?
- Do you want to take your dog on a plane trip?
Some of the boxes can be used for different purposes at the same time, while others are predominantly intended for one particular use. A permanently installed box in a car, for example, can’t just be dragged into the house. And foldable fabric dog crate is not suitable for air travel, but for home or hotel stay. In which cases a dog crate is useful, you can see here at a glance:
For driving
According to the road traffic regulations, dogs in a vehicle count as cargo and must be secured accordingly. If you have not secured your four-legged friend, you must expect a fine and even points. Therefore, whether it’s a trip to the woods, a trip to the vet, or the very first trip from the breeder to your home, be sure to properly accommodate your dog in the car. A metal or fabric dog crate that you can strap onto the back seat or place in the trunk works well for this.
By the way, if you don’t have room for a transport box, you can also secure your dog with an appropriate harness in the back seat. You can read more about it here: Driving with a dog – what to look for in car safety harnesses.
As a retreat
A dog crate can also be an ideal retreat for your dog at home, or away. If you get your dog used to his little den when he is still a puppy, you will quickly create a space where he feels very comfortable and safe. If it becomes too much for him in a situation, he can simply retreat into the box.
This is especially helpful if you travel frequently and want to take your dog with you. Staying alone can also be trained very well with the box. In our buying guide Dog crate for home – the perfect retreat for your four-legged friend you will find more information.
On the plane
If you are planning a long-distance trip, for example because you want to emigrate, then the trip will most likely be made by plane. Dogs can be transported in the aircraft in two ways: In the cabin or in the cargo hold. Whether your dog is allowed in the cabin with you as carry-on baggage depends on its size and weight. Larger dogs must travel in a sturdy box in the cargo hold. In order for your dog to be as comfortable as possible during the flight, you should select the transport box according to various criteria. You can read more in our guide to the topic Transport boxes for flying .
What are the types of dog crates?
Dog crates come in numerous styles, from quite small to quite large and from foldable to static. Some are made of fabric and therefore very light, others are made of metal and are therefore heavier, but more stable.
In the following section, we’ll take a look at the different models to help you choose.
Metal dog boxes
Metal dog crates are best for home use to give your dog a place to retreat to or to train with him to be alone or housetrained. If you hang a blanket over the box, it will act like a den for the dog, providing a safe retreat. There are even suitable covers for metal boxes, with which you can darken the box as desired.
Metal dog crates are easy to assemble and disassemble, because they can be quickly folded. Then you can carry and stow it like a suitcase.
| Advantages: | Disadvantages: | Suitable for: |
| – stable – easily foldable – Very permeable to air | – can make sounds – quite heavy | – Home – Seminars – Exhibitions |
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Aluminum dog crates
Aluminum dog boxes are much more stable compared to boxes made of metal struts. This makes them ideal for car trips with dog, because it is secured according to regulations. In addition, the boxes are designed to fit snuggly in the trunk due to their sloped sides. So that they can not slip, they can be fixed accordingly.
Another advantage of these boxes is the large distance between the individual bars, because this ensures good ventilation. The size for a dog crate in the car should be such that your dog can easily turn and sit down. But it shouldn’t be too big, because then it won’t have any grip when you brake hard or go into a curve.
Before you decide on a dog crate for the car, you should measure your trunk well.
Tip: If you travel a lot with your dog in the car or you have a large dog, think about a custom dog crate!
| Advantages: | Disadvantages: | Suitable for: |
| – rugged – easy to clean | – tends to be fixed – Not suitable for carrying around or on the go | – Driving a car |
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Plastic dog crates
Transport boxes made of plastic or hard plastic are suitable for various uses. For example, they are well suited to transport a dog in the cargo hold of an airplane (Attention: For this the box must meet certain criteria!).
But plastic dog crates are also good to use at home or for car trips.
Most often, these boxes have a fairly narrow entrance. You should definitely not just squeeze your dog in, but slowly get him used to his box.
Tip: All important points on the subject of dog crates in the airplane and what guidelines there are by the IATA, you can learn in our Buying guide: hand luggage or cargo hold? The right transport box for dogs on the plane.
| Advantages: | Disadvantages: | Suitable for: |
| – stable – light – good to clean | – Mostly narrower entrance – rather bulky and difficult to store | – Air travel – Train rides – Car transport – Home |
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Fabric foldable dog crates
Foldable boxes, so-called soft kennels, are very light and can be folded and stored to save space. This makes them ideal to take with you to the hotel or to a dog event. But they are also great as a home retreat.
They are also quick to set up and the ventilation mesh allows plenty of air to get in. You can also close or darken the side walls to better shield your dog. This way your dog is protected from visual stimulation and has his peace.
Tip: Folding dog crates reinforced with metal braces are much more stable than those without reinforcement.
Tip 2: For a small dog like a Chihuahua or Shih Tzu, you can also purchase a dog car seat. Learn what to look for from a dog car seat here:
– Buying guide: Transport bags for puppies
– The best dog carrier bags and dog bags in comparison
| Advantages: | Disadvantages: | Suitable for: |
| – light – easy to transport – can be stored in a space saving way | – are somewhat more difficult to clean plastic or metal boxes – dogs that like to nibble could gnaw on the fabric | – Home – on the road – Exhibitions – Seminars |
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These are the features you should look for when buying a dog crate
To help you find the right carrier for your dog, there are a few points to consider when making your decision.
The type
The first thing you should ask yourself is what kind of transport box it should be. If you want to integrate them permanently in the car, it is worth investing in a fixed aluminum box. If you want to use the box in different places, a lightweight foldable transport box might be a better choice. Or do you have a small dog to ride in the back seat, too? In that case, a dog car seat would be useful.
The material
For the material, you can choose between aluminum, plastic, nylon and metal. It is important that this is free of harmful substances and therefore harmless to your dog’s health.
The weight
The weight of your dog also plays a role. Because many manufacturers specify a prescribed maximum weight for their boxes, how heavy the dog may be maximum. This should be observed and adhered to.
If you want to take the box with you a lot, you should also make sure that it is as light as possible when empty.
The security
For long or frequent car trips, it’s a good idea to make sure you have a fastening option so that the box is well secured. For example, many boxes have extra tabs to secure them with the seat belt.
The accessories
Depending on the model and equipment, some boxes have additional useful features that can be very practical, for example, a removable plush cushion or a matching drinking bowl.
This is how big the dog crate should be
Depending on the size of the dog, you should also choose the box in the appropriate size. There are boxes in small hand luggage format, but also in XXL. As a rule of thumb, your dog should be able to stand upright, sit, lie down and turn around in the box. And even if you only mean well, the box should not be too big, otherwise it is no longer safe. To find the right size, you should measure your dog and use this rule of thumb as a guide:
- Box length: Measure from the tip of the dog’s nose to the tail and add 10 to 15 cm.
- Box width: Take twice the width of the dog.
- Box height: Measure from the dog’s paw to the tips of the ears and add 10 to 15 cm.
Big dog: What you should look for in the XXL dog box
Do you have a dog with a back height of 70 cm or more is, you certainly know how difficult it is to find the right equipment. Similar is the case with dog crates for large dogs. This is particularly evident when it comes to the right car box: transport boxes made of plastic are often only open to the front and partly to the top and are therefore not suitable for the trunk. XXL transport boxes made of aluminum are often so large that you also do not fit in every trunk. In this case, you should think about having a suitable dog crate made for you.
Training: How to get your dog used to the box
Just like us humans, our dogs have their own unique character and fears. Some dogs have no problem at all with a transport box, others are stressed by the mere sight of it. Therefore, it is important to start very gently with the training. The best time to start is when you’re a puppy. If your dog is already a bit bigger, you should start acclimating at least six weeks before you travel.
Step 1: Leave the dog carrier in the living room for now, so your dog can notice and explore it first. If you have a plastic box, you can put only the bottom tray as a basket at first.
Step 2: Put yummy treats or toys in your dog’s box. In the beginning, your dog will surely get out quickly, as he does not feel safe yet. The more you repeat this, the more your dog will lose his fear of the box and voluntarily stay in it longer.
Step 3: Once your dog comes to rest in the box, you can close the door briefly and open it again directly.
Step 4: If your dog likes to stay in the box, you can start to transfer this to the car. If your dog has no problem with driving, then he will quickly feel comfortable. However, you should not overload him and start slowly. In the beginning, only let him get in and out of the car and then start with very short rides. Little by little you can expand route.
Here you can find out what else you need to consider when training your dog in a box: How to get your dog used to a box
Frequently asked questions
Why a dog box?
Dog crates are versatile and can make life much easier for both dog and owner. For example, a dog crate can be used as a place of retreat at home. There are also dog crates for driving and even for the plane.
Why do you need a dog carrier in the car?
For any car ride, no matter how short, your dog should be transported safely. After all, you put on your seat belt every time. A dog transport box is ideal for this purpose. Be it for a short trip to the vet or a long trip on vacation.
Dog transport box – what to consider?
The dog transport box should be adapted to the size of your dog. It should be neither too small, nor too big for your dog to travel safely. A dog transport box for the plane should necessarily comply with the conditions of IATA.
Dog box – how big?
The dog crate should be large enough for your dog to stand, sit, lie down and turn around. The common formula for calculation is: length: tip of the nose to the tail 10-15 cm + width: twice the width of the dog + height: paw to the tip of the ear 10-15 cm.
What is the cost of dog crates?
The price range for dog crates is quite wide. This is mainly due to the wide range of products on offer. A small dog ice bag is much cheaper than a fixed aluminum box for the car. Roughly, you have to calculate between 20 and 200 dollars.
Where can I buy a dog crate?
You will certainly find the largest selection of models on the Internet at Amazon. In the specialized trade with large chains, such as Fressnapf or the feed house or in small pet stores you will also come across products from Trixie, Gulliver, Anione and many more. If you will use the transport box only irregularly, you can also look for a used version of Trixie and Co. on eBay or other portals. It is important that this is fully functional.
How to fix the dog carrier?
For safe transport in the car aluminum boxes have, for example, Velcro on the bottom. Small dog car seats can often be secured by a loop with the strap.
What do you use to transport your dog?
Have you already tested transport boxes and which ones were they?
We are look forward to reading all your comments.