Best Dog Crates For Medium Dogs

If you are a dog owner, you are familiar with your pet's habits. Dogs naturally seek some sort of private shelter—a den. If you don't have a backyard where you can build a doghouse, you might consider purchasing a dog crate. It's bigger than a dog kennel, but smaller than a dog house. This way, your dog can have a room for himself, where he can feel more secure. (It's also good to give them a sense of a having a home, especially when they are young, so that they will try to keep clean.) Here is a guide to some of the best dog crates on the market.  

Soft crates: Soft crates typically have a steel frame with a soft nylon cover. The steel frame opens and spreads out the nylon cover. The frame then clicks in place. The padded cover adds to the dog's comfort.

Steel Crates: These crates are a simple wire frame model, with a tray at the bottom. These are clearly a cheaper, no-frills dog crate. You'll have to buy a mat to pad the bottom of the crate. But this is probably the best for toilet training your dog, since it's the easiest to clean. Also, puppies have a habit of wanting to chew at things. It might be better to have a wire-frame crate at first, so that he won't damage it by chewing on it.

Travel crates: Some crates are so portable, they can serve as a kennel as well. You can transport the dog in them. They are made without any sharp protruding parts, which might injure the dog when traveling.

• Easy to move: Some dog crates have special features to make them easy to move from room to room. For example, they might be on wheels and have a pull handle.

• Easy to assemble: Some crates have a collapsible steel frame. “Assembly” is no more than just pulling out the steel frame until its parts click in place. Take note of how easy it is to assemble the frame. Most will say that they require no special tools for assembly.

• Doors: Some dog crates have a number of doors to them—1, 2, or even 4 doors. Some even feature a door that lifts open, like a garage door.

• Crate cover: A crate cover slips over a dog crate, so that the dog can sleep in total darkness. That's especially useful in crates that are a simple wire frame.

• Crate capacity: It's important to look at the weight tolerance of the crate. Crates are usually sorted according to the breed of dog and their average weight. There are dog crates that are intended for dogs up to 30 pounds, some up to 70 pounds, and some even up to 90 pounds. A 90-pound capacity crate would be necessary for the big breeds of dogs: Ge

  Midwest Homes for Pets—was founded in 1926 in Muncie, Indiana. They make exercise pens, bedding, crates and other accessories for travel with household pets. They have products for all types of pets: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and more.

  Petmate—is a company that makes kennels and other pet products. They were founded in 1966 in Arlington, Texas. They have a number of separate brands that make pet toys, games, and outdoors products.

  Petgear-- is located in West Rutland, Vermont. Petgear is a division of Vermont Juvenile Furniture, which has been making baby products since 1936. They later expanded to provide pet supplies. They offer pet crates, strollers, stairs, beds and other pet care products.

  New Age Pet—is a division of Pinta International Inc., a US-based subsidiary of Hang Wing Environmental Company, Ltd. Their products are manufactured in Shantou, China. They make ecologically-minded products from recycled materials—polymers and wood products. Their products are more durable and weather-resistant than traditional wooden structures.

  rman Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers. Also pay attention to the strength of the crate's material. If you have an aggressive, active dog, you'll want a durable crate to be able to confine it.

• Toilet Training: Some dog crates has pans to toilet train, or “housebreak” your dog. This is ideal for puppies, because then they get used to a routine of where to go to relieve themselves.

• Mat and pad: Some crates also have a mat on the floor. The padding makes it more comfortable and warm for the dog, and the mat helps you clean the crate (you just have to clean the mat). You could also supply the dog with a bed—some crates are big enough for that.

• Pouches: Some dog crates also have pouches for dog toys, leashes, and other accessories.

Midwest Homes for Pets—was founded in 1926 in Muncie, Indiana. They make exercise pens, bedding, crates and other accessories for travel with household pets. They have products for all types of pets: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and more.

Petmate—is a company that makes kennels and other pet products. They were founded in 1966 in Arlington, Texas. They have a number of separate brands that make pet toys, games, and outdoors products.

Petgear-- is located in West Rutland, Vermont. Petgear is a division of Vermont Juvenile Furniture, which has been making baby products since 1936. They later expanded to provide pet supplies. They offer pet crates, strollers, stairs, beds and other pet care products.

New Age Pet—is a division of Pinta International Inc., a US-based subsidiary of Hang Wing Environmental Company, Ltd. Their products are manufactured in Shantou, China. They make ecologically-minded products from recycled materials—polymers and wood products. Their products are more durable and weather-resistant than traditional wooden structures.