Best dog crates for UK homes

Measure before choosing

No crate wins before you measure. Start with the dog standing naturally on a level floor. Record length from the nose to the base of the tail—not the tail tip—then height from the floor to the top of the head or ears, whichever is higher in the dog’s normal posture. Watch the dog lie on their side and stretch too: two dogs with the same standing length can use very different floor areas.

PDSA says the crate should let a dog stand and sit without touching the top, turn around, lie naturally, wag their tail and stretch out fully, with room for comfortable bedding and water. Its guidance is clear that too big is better than too small. For a puppy, allow for adult size or use an appropriate divider while the dog grows. Follow the step-by-step measuring guide if a standard size label does not translate easily to your dog's shape.

Compare those measurements with usable internal dimensions wherever they are available. If a listing only gives an overall product size, do not assume the wire, frame, tray lip and bedding take up no room. The internal-versus-external guide explains which number belongs to the dog and which belongs to the room.

Measure the room and route as carefully as the dog

Mark the external footprint on the floor with low-tack tape. Add the door swing, the space needed to slide out the tray and a clear route around the crate. Open nearby drawers, internal doors and sofa beds. Check direct sun at the times the dog will use the room, and avoid draughts and direct heat.

The best position is calm without isolating the dog. A hallway can be too busy; a shut utility room may leave a social dog cut off. Door position often matters more than a small difference in price, which is why every folding wire option in this guide has two access points. If a compact footprint is your starting point, compare small-dog crate layouts without letting the room limit the dog's usable space.

Match the crate to the job

Folding wire for an adaptable home setup

Wire gives airflow and visibility, and most examples fold flat. A partial cover may reduce visual stimulation for some dogs, but ventilation must remain clear and fabric should not be reachable for chewing. On a hard floor, check the feet and use a stable non-slip base if the frame rattles. A dog that panics or forces its way out needs a welfare assessment of the behaviour, not an automatic move to a heavy-duty crate.

Furniture-style only when permanence is useful

Furniture crates exchange portability for a more integrated appearance. They need more careful room planning because the full structure stays in place. Sliding doors can save the door-swing zone, but a large top surface and attractive finish do not make the interior suitable automatically.

Travel is a separate decision

Highway Code Rule 57 says animals should be suitably restrained so they cannot distract the driver or injure themselves or others during a sudden stop. A household wire crate described as portable or suitable for travel is not necessarily a documented crash-tested vehicle system. Match car equipment to the exact vehicle and follow its installation instructions.

Options in detail

Ellie-Bo Deluxe 36-inch: a ready-made starter set

The Ellie-Bo’s two doors, folding frame, metal tray and included bed mat cover the components many first-time buyers otherwise source separately. Its Amazon listing gives a 91.4 × 61 × 66cm overall size. The useful question is whether the measured dog still has enough usable height and floor area after the mat is fitted.

MidWest iCrate 36-inch: useful while a puppy grows

MidWest lists a 92.7 × 59.7 × 62.9cm size and includes a divider panel. A divider can reduce the available area temporarily without buying several frames, but it must be repositioned as the puppy grows. The listing’s 18–30kg suggestion is not a replacement for length, sitting height and sleeping posture.

Amazon Basics 36-inch: the simple two-door option

This is the most stripped-back layout in the shortlist: front and side access, a divider, a removable plastic tray, top handle and a frame that folds flat. The 91.4 × 58.4 × 63.5cm published dimensions make it easy to compare with other 36-inch frames, but they are not labelled as internal.

Feandrea PFC301X01: a permanent furniture piece

At 162.5cm wide, the Feandrea needs a deliberate permanent position. Its sliding doors avoid taking up extra floor area when opened, and the divider can split the interior. If it is intended for two dogs, each animal still needs an appropriate resting area, easy access and a way to avoid being crowded or guarded.

PawHut 106cm: a longer fold-flat footprint

The PawHut’s 106 × 68 × 76cm size sits between common 91cm and 122cm crate lengths. Its folded size is also published—106 × 71 × 6.5cm—which helps when a crate must pass through a cupboard or be stored under a bed. As with the other wire crates, treat these as overall dimensions until usable internal space is confirmed.

Safe setup and introduction

Use bedding that lies flat and leaves enough height to sit and stand. Keep water available in a stable bowl. Remove collars and leads before crating so they cannot catch on the wire or fittings, and inspect latches, welds, tray edges and fabric regularly.

RSPCA guidance recommends beginning with the door secured open, allowing the dog to investigate voluntarily and using treats or meals to build a positive association. Increase closed-door time gradually. Panting, cowering, frantic escape attempts, excessive barking or injury are reasons to stop and reassess.

PDSA says a dog should never be left in a crate for more than three hours, and some dogs tolerate less. Puppies need more frequent toilet breaks. A crate should be one resting option, never punishment or a place to leave a dog for a working day.

When a crate is not the answer

Repeated escape attempts, bent bars, broken teeth, bleeding paws or panic are not signals to buy thicker wire. Stop using a setup that is causing distress or injury and speak to a vet. Where behaviour support is needed, ask for a qualified behaviour professional.

A playpen, gated puppy-proofed room or open bed may provide the management you need with more space. The right answer is not always a crate.