How to choose a dog crate
Start with your dog's adult size, not the puppy in front of you. A crate should let your dog stand without ducking, turn around and lie flat on its side. Measure from nose to the base of the tail and add a few inches, then measure from the floor to the top of the head while sitting. If you are buying for a puppy, buy the adult size and use a divider panel so the usable space grows with the dog. Both MidWest crates here include one.
Next, decide what the crate is for. Wire crates are the default for home training: they fold flat, give good airflow and let your dog see the room. Plastic travel kennels feel more den-like and are what airlines and pet shippers expect, but they are bulkier and do not fold. Heavier wire, like the gauge used on the MidWest Ultima Pro, matters for strong dogs that push on doors. No wire crate is escape-proof. If your dog bends bars or panics when confined, talk to your vet or a qualified trainer before buying a tougher box.
Crate features worth paying for
- Two doors. A side door makes it easier to fit the crate into a corner or along a wall.
- A removable, leak-proof pan. Accidents happen during house training, and a pan you can slide out and rinse saves the floor.
- Divider panel. Essential if you are sizing up for a growing large-breed puppy.
- Floor-friendly feet. Rubber feet or rollers stop the crate scratching hardwood.
How to choose a dog bed
Watch how your dog sleeps. Sprawlers and big, heavy dogs usually do best on a flat or bolstered slab of solid memory foam, which keeps its shape under weight. Dogs that curl into a ball or burrow often prefer a round bed with a raised rim. Older dogs and large breeds benefit from a thicker, firmer base, because thin fibre fill compresses until they are lying on the floor. A removable, washable cover is close to non-negotiable, and a waterproof inner liner protects the foam from accidents and drool. For general cleaning tips, see our guide to removing pet stains naturally.
Size the bed to your dog lying stretched out, then add some room. If the bed is going inside a crate, measure the crate floor first; a big bolster bed will not fit inside most wire crates.
Our dog beds and crates compared
| Product | Type | Best for | Key spec | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed | Memory foam bolster bed | Medium to large sprawlers | Solid memory foam base, four sizes | Washable cover plus inner liner |
| KOPEKS Jumbo 7-inch Orthopedic Bed | Thick memory foam mattress with pillow | Giant breeds and seniors | 7-inch memory foam, about 50 x 34 in | Waterproof liner, non-skid base |
| Best Friends by Sheri Calming Donut XL | Round shag donut bed | Dogs that curl and nest | 45-inch diameter, raised rim | Machine washable shag |
| MidWest Ultima Pro 42-inch | Heavy-gauge wire crate | Strong large-breed dogs | Thicker wire than standard MidWest crates | Two doors, divider, pan |
| Petmate Sky Kennel 32-inch | Plastic travel kennel | Dogs 30 to 50 lb who travel | Interior 29.5 x 19.75 x 23.5 in | IATA LAR compliance stated by Petmate |
| MidWest LifeStages 48-inch | Double-door wire crate | XL breeds, 90 to 110 lb | About 48 x 30 x 33 in | Divider, Paw Block latches |
US vs Canada buying notes
All six products use the same ASIN on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca, so you are looking at the same item in both stores. A few practical differences are worth knowing. The Canadian listings for the MidWest crates show metric dimensions, which makes it easy to misread a size; convert back to inches and compare against the brand's chart before you order. The PetFusion and Best Friends by Sheri listings are parent listings with several sizes and colours, so check you have the right size selected in your store before checking out. The Petmate Sky Kennel is made in the USA, according to Petmate, and is a bulky item; delivery times to rural Canadian addresses can be longer than for a folding wire crate.
If you plan to fly with your dog, read the airline's own pet policy for the route you are booking. Air travel rules for crates are set by each airline, and Canadian and US carriers do not all accept the same kennels, sizes or hardware.
Keeping beds and crates clean
Wash bed covers every week or two, more often in shedding season, and let foam inserts air out in the sun now and then. Rinse crate pans with warm soapy water and dry them fully before sliding them back in. If the bed lives on a sofa or in a family room, our guide on getting dog smell out of a couch covers odour control for soft furnishings, and removing dog hair from clothes helps with the fur that migrates off the bed. For shedding control at the source, our grooming and pet hair picks include clippers and pet hair vacuums.
Frequently asked questions
What size dog crate should I buy?
Buy for your dog's adult size. Your dog should be able to stand without ducking, turn around and lie flat. Measure nose to tail base and add a few inches, and measure sitting height to the top of the head. For a growing puppy, buy the adult size and use the divider panel so the space is not big enough to use one end as a toilet.
Is a wire crate or a plastic kennel better?
For everyday home training, a folding wire crate is usually the easier choice. It ventilates well, lets your dog see you, and collapses for storage. A plastic kennel such as the Petmate Sky Kennel feels more enclosed, which some dogs like, and is the type airlines and pet shippers expect. Many owners end up with one of each: wire at home, plastic for travel.
Can I put an orthopedic dog bed inside a crate?
Only if it fits flat on the crate floor. Bolster beds and thick mattresses like the KOPEKS Jumbo are usually too big for a wire crate, and a bed that bunches up can block the door. Measure the inside floor of the crate, then look for a flat pad or crate mat made for that size. Keep the bulky orthopedic bed outside the crate for daytime rest.
Are these dog crates escape-proof?
No. Some are sturdier than others. The MidWest Ultima Pro uses heavier wire than standard crates and the LifeStages adds Paw Block latches, but a determined dog can still bend or work at a wire crate. If your dog is trying to break out or hurting itself, stop crating and ask your vet or a certified trainer for help before you buy anything tougher.
Which dog bed is best for a large senior dog?
Large, older dogs usually do best on a thick slab of solid memory foam that will not flatten under their weight. The KOPEKS Jumbo has a 7-inch memory foam base, and the PetFusion Ultimate uses solid memory foam with bolsters for a head rest. A low entry height also helps a stiff dog get on and off easily. Ask your vet if your dog has ongoing joint concerns.