There are 4 basic crate types to choose from: wire crates, plastic crates, soft-sided crates, heavy-duty crates and cute crates. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
Always follow your breeders or veterinarians recommendations for crating your dog.
WIRE CRATES
PROS:
•Good for dogs that get hot easily, due to either living in a hot climate or having a heavy coat
•With some models, you can buy a divider to section off the crate, so your dog’s area in the crate starts out small and gets bigger as he grows
•Many wire crates fold flat for carrying or storage
•Removable floor tray is easy to clean
CONS:
•Tend to be noisier than plastic crates when your dog moves around, but this can usually be resolved by placing a thick piece of cardboard between the floor tray and the wire bottom of the crate
•Some escape-artist dogs find that it’s easier to break out of wire crates
•Large sizes can be heavy and difficult to move
•Not too attractive to have around the house
PLASTIC CRATES
PROS:
•Good for dogs who like cozy spaces and tend to sleep in corners or under tables
•Can be used for airline travel – if your dog is acclimated to this type of crate, flying with him will be easier
•More difficult for escape artists to get out of; if your dog is good at breaking out of crates, you may need to get him a plastic crate that’s one size too big for him to prevent him from escaping
•Available in different colors
•Top half of crate comes off and can be stacked inside bottom half for storage
CONS:
•Your puppy might get hot in there, since there isn’t as much air circulation
•Some dogs like to be able to see what’s going on around them and may get frustrated that they can’t see out the sides
•You may have to break out the hose or climb inside the thing to clean it out if your dog has a tragic diarrhea incident in it
•Not too attractive to have around the house
SOFT-SIDED CRATES
PROS:
•Very lightweight and portable
•Good for light use with small, non-destructive dogs
•Good for car travel, camping, picnics, etc.
•Very easy to store when folded
CONS:
•May be difficult to clean in the event of a major potty accident
•Destructive dogs can eat their way out
•Clever dogs may figure out how to unzip and open the door panel
HEAVY-DUTY CRATES
PROS:
•Can contain most destructive or escape-artist dogs
•Some are approved for airline travel – if your puppy is acclimated to this type of crate, flying with him will be easier
CONS:
•Expensive (but worth it if you compare it to the cost of replacing less sturdy crates after your escape artist gets out of them or your destructive dog destroys them!)
•Not super attractive… but your dog will sure look tough hangin’ out in one of these things!