The 7 Best Dog Crates in Australia

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Rankings re-checked weekly · Last re-checked 28 October 2026
Prices updated dailyAI-assisted, run by Jaco Olwagen

Quick Picks

Black folding wire dog crate with its single door open and a small fawn dog standing in the doorway

#1 New World 24 in Single Door Dog Crate with Divider and Leak-Proof Pan

A$47.85 · premium

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Black heavy-duty steel dog crate with large front door, small feeding door and tray

#2 Feandrea Heavy-Duty Dog Crate 122 cm XXL

A$239.99 · premium

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Black wire dog crate with a door open at one end, a black tray and a corgi sitting beside it

#3 PETAPPY Wire Dog Crate 30 in, Double Door, Two Locks per Door

A$89 · value

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Get the size right first

Size the crate first. With the dog standing, measure from nose tip to tail base and add 5 to 10 cm: that is the crate length. Floor to the top of the head or ears plus 5 to 10 cm is the height. The RSPCA's rule is that a crated dog must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down flat. A cavoodle of 5 to 12 kg fits a 76 cm crate, a staffy of 12 to 18 kg a 91 cm crate, a border collie or kelpie 91 to 107 cm, a labrador of 25 to 35 kg 107 cm, and a greyhound 122 cm because of its height. A puppy gets the adult size with a divider panel that moves back as it grows.

The 30-second match

Not sure which of the seven is yours?

3 quick taps and we'll match you to a pick using the same scores we rank with.

The picks, in order

7 picks

Number one at the top, number 7 at the bottom. The tier label on each card says which price bracket it sits in.

Editor's ChoiceBest Value
Black folding wire dog crate with its single door open and a small fawn dog standing in the doorway

New World

New World 24 in Single Door Dog Crate with Divider and Leak-Proof Pan

63 x 46 x 50 cmDivider includedDogs 5 to 9 kg
Premium
Rank #1

New World 24 in Single Door Dog Crate with Divider and Leak-Proof Pan

Our Verdict

MidWest's small folding crate for a dog of about 5 to 9 kg, with a Paw Block latch, a divider and a leak-proof pan, sold and shipped by Amazon AU.

Why it's number one: Sets up in seconds with no tools and folds flat at about 5 kg, with a divider, a Paw Block latch and a leak-proof pan in the box; no exact-model critic review exists, and its Amazon AU rating is 4.7 from 28,524 owners, the deepest on the list. It is a crate for dogs of about 5 to 9 kg: for a labrador, the Amazon Basics 106 cm is the one.

8.7ExcellentTop7 Score
A$47.85
Verified today
★ 4.7(28,550 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia

Delivery check, 28 October: Delivers to seven of the nine postcodes we check (not Darwin or regional NSW 2440). How we check

Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au

New World is a MidWest Homes for Pets crate line, and the 24 inch size is about 63 by 46 by 50 cm, rated for small breeds of about 5 to 9 kg: a shih tzu, Jack Russell, pug or small cavoodle. The listing suggests the next size up for a dog near the top of that range. It ships with a divider, so a small-breed puppy can start in part of it, plus a leak-proof plastic pan, rubber feet that protect the floor and a carry handle. The single door has a slide bolt with MidWest's Paw Block tip, and it folds flat without tools at about 5 kg. Australian owners call it the right size for their pooch and easy to assemble, and the wider pattern of reviews praises the value and how flat it folds, with mixed comments on how well the latch and wire wear. For a small dog it is the everyday crate done properly.

Security
7.8
Sizing
9.3
Setup
9.3
Portability
9.3
Owners
8.9

Owners is the 4.7★ Amazon AU rating from 28,550 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.

How we scored it

Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.

  • Security 7.8 (rubric 7): Standard wire with one slide bolt on its single door, fitted with MidWest's Paw Block tip, and a leak-proof pan (card): the single-bolt band, top of it for the Paw Block; owners give the latch mixed comments but no escapes are reported.
  • Sizing 9.3 (rubric 9): Divider in the box and rated for small breeds of about 5 to 9 kg (card): the divider with a smaller adult range band at 9; the 36 in size is sold on Amazon AU by an Australian store, so no deduction.
  • Setup 9.3 (rubric 9): Assembles in seconds with no tools and folds flat, and the leak-proof pan comes out (card); Australian owners call it easy to assemble: just under the 10 anchor.
  • Portability 9.3 (rubric 9): Listed at 11.6 lb, about 5.3 kg (card), the 5 to 10 kg band at 8, plus 1 for folding flat with a carry handle.

Pros

  • + Divider in the box
  • + Paw Block slide-bolt latch
  • + Folds flat, no tools
  • + Leak-proof pan and rubber feet

Cons

  • − Small dogs to about 9 kg only
  • − Single door
  • − Mixed reports on latch wear
63 x 46 x 50 cmDivider includedDogs 5 to 9 kgLeak-proof panFolds flatSold by Amazon AU
Ships from AU warehouseAustralian Consumer Law may apply
Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au
Black heavy-duty steel dog crate with large front door, small feeding door and tray

Feandrea

Feandrea Heavy-Duty Dog Crate 122 cm XXL

122 x 74.5 x 80.5 cmHeavy-duty steelDogs 42 to 50 kg
Premium
Rank #2

Feandrea Heavy-Duty Dog Crate 122 cm XXL

Our Verdict

The steel crate for big dogs and escape artists, with two removable doors and a slide-out tray, sold from Feandrea's own Australian storefront.

8.4ExcellentTop7 Score
A$239.99
Verified today
★ 4.7(586 reviews)

Delivery check, 28 October: Delivers to all nine postcodes we check: every capital and regional NSW. How we check

Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au

Feandrea's heavy-duty crate swaps wire for welded steel tube, and at 122 x 74.5 x 80.5 cm it is the size for a German shepherd, rottweiler, big labrador or greyhound. The listing rates it for dogs of 42 to 50 kg, though anything over 30 kg has room. The front has a large door plus a small feeding door, both removable, and five L-shaped locks hold them shut against a dog that leans. The tray slides out for cleaning and the top panel lifts off to turn it into a pen. Owners consistently report it going together easily and standing solid, one calling it the most stable of three Feandrea crates they own, with a German shepherd able to stand up inside; the notes are no rubber feet, so it slides on a hard floor, and no cover included. Open on every side, it breathes as well as wire in a hot house. Most dogs never need this much steel.

Security
9.6
Sizing
6.6
Setup
8.5
Portability
6.3
Owners
8.8

Owners is the 4.7★ Amazon AU rating from 586 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.

How we scored it

Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.

  • Security 9.6 (rubric 9.5): Welded steel tube frame, five L-shaped locks across the two doors and a slide-out tray (card); owners report it standing solid with no escapes.
  • Sizing 6.6 (rubric 5.5): Rated for dogs of 42 to 50 kg (card): an 8 kg span that only suits giant breeds, and no divider.
  • Setup 8.5 (rubric 8): A rigid crate with a lift-off top and a slide-out tray, which the card's owners report going together easily.
  • Portability 6.3 (rubric 5): Provisional: the card lists no weight; a welded steel crate that does not fold takes the rule's provisional 5.

Pros

  • + Welded steel tube frame
  • + Five locks across two doors
  • + Removable doors and top panel
  • + Slide-out tray

Cons

  • − Does not fold flat
  • − No rubber feet, so it slides
  • − Overkill for most dogs
122 x 74.5 x 80.5 cmHeavy-duty steelDogs 42 to 50 kgDouble doorRemovable tray
Australian Consumer Law may apply
Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au
Black wire dog crate with a door open at one end, a black tray and a corgi sitting beside it

PETAPPY

PETAPPY Wire Dog Crate 30 in, Double Door, Two Locks per Door

76 x 48 x 53 cmTwo locks per doorDouble door
Value
Rank #3

PETAPPY Wire Dog Crate 30 in, Double Door, Two Locks per Door

Our Verdict

The 76 cm wire crate for a cavoodle or French bulldog, with two doors and two locks on each, from a newer brand with few Australian reviews yet.

8.1ExcellentTop7 Score
A$89
Verified today
★ 4.6(28 reviews)

Delivery check, 28 October: Delivers to all nine postcodes we check: every capital and regional NSW. How we check

Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au

PETAPPY's 30 inch crate measures about 76 by 48 by 53 cm, the size this page's guide gives a cavoodle or French bulldog, and the maker sizes it for a dog up to about 66 by 43 cm standing. It has two doors, each with two locks, a plastic tray that locks in and slides out, rounded corners, floor-protecting feet and a handle, and it folds without tools. Australian owners so far call it strong, solid and easy to assemble, and owners overseas found it quick to set up, though one in Germany noticed the wire struts flex and one in Canada found the tray loose at first. No divider comes with it, so a puppy that will outgrow 76 cm needs a bigger crate with one. It is the plain wire crate in the cavoodle size.

Security
8.5
Sizing
6.3
Setup
8.9
Portability
7.8
Owners
8.4

Owners is the 4.6★ Amazon AU rating from 28 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.

How we scored it

Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.

  • Security 8.5 (rubric 8): Standard wire with two locks on each of its two doors and a tray that locks in (card): the two-bolts-per-door band at 8; one owner saw the struts flex, and no escapes are reported.
  • Sizing 6.3 (rubric 5): Sized by the dog, up to about 66 by 43 cm standing (card), with no divider and no kilogram range: a narrow single size at 5.5, less 0.5 because no size above 76 cm is sold on the listing.
  • Setup 8.9 (rubric 8.5): Folds out with no tools and the tray unlocks and slides out (card); owners call it quick to put up, one found the tray loose at first: between the 8 and 10 anchors.
  • Portability 7.8 (rubric 7): Provisional: the card lists no weight; a crate that folds flat with a handle takes the rule's provisional 7.

Pros

  • + Two locks on each door
  • + Doors on the end and side
  • + Tray locks in and slides out
  • + Folds flat, no tools

Cons

  • − No divider
  • − Few Australian reviews yet
  • − One owner saw the wire flex
76 x 48 x 53 cmTwo locks per doorDouble doorRemovable trayFolds flat
Australian Consumer Law may apply
Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au
Black folding wire dog crate with a single front door, top handle and black plastic base tray

Amazon Basics

Amazon Basics Foldable Wire Dog Crate 106 cm, Single Door

106 x 71 x 76 cmFolds flatSlide-out tray
Value
Rank #4

Amazon Basics Foldable Wire Dog Crate 106 cm, Single Door

Our Verdict

A plain labrador-length folding wire crate with one door and a slide-out tray, sold and shipped by Amazon AU.

8.0ExcellentTop7 Score
A$109.16
Verified today
★ 4.7(18,142 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia

Delivery check, 28 October: Delivers to seven of the nine postcodes we check (not Darwin or regional NSW 2440). How we check

Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au

Amazon's own single-door wire crate in its 106 cm size measures 106 by 71 by 76 cm, the length this page's guide gives a labrador, golden retriever or big border collie. One front door closes on a single latch, the plastic tray slides out for cleaning, and it folds flat with a top handle at about 13.5 kg. This listing has no divider, so a puppy needs a crate sized for now or a divider bought separately. Australian owners call it good quality for the price and easy to put together, with a door that opens and closes easily, though some find the wire lighter than they hoped and one says folding it down takes practice. Open wire on every side moves air through a Queensland summer, and Amazon AU sells and ships it. It is the plain big-dog wire crate for an adult dog that is already crate trained.

Security
7.4
Sizing
6.6
Setup
8.9
Portability
8.5
Owners
8.9

Owners is the 4.7★ Amazon AU rating from 18,142 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.

How we scored it

Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.

  • Security 7.4 (rubric 6.5): Standard wire with a single latch on its one front door and a removable tray (listing); owners find the latch easy to work, though some call the wire flimsy: the single-bolt band at 6.5.
  • Sizing 6.6 (rubric 5.5): Sized by the dog (measure and add 10 cm) with no kilogram range and no divider (listing); one 106 cm size that suits a labrador on this page's guide, so the narrow-range band at 5.5.
  • Setup 8.9 (rubric 8.5): Folds flat with no tools and the plastic tray comes out (listing); owners call it easy to build, one saying folding it down takes practice: between the 8 and 10 anchors.
  • Portability 8.5 (rubric 8): Listed at 29.8 lb, about 13.5 kg (listing), the 10 to 15 kg band at 7, plus 1 for folding flat with a top handle.

Pros

  • + Labrador-length 106 cm
  • + Folds flat with a handle
  • + Slide-out plastic tray
  • + Sold by Amazon AU

Cons

  • − No divider in the box
  • − Single door and latch
  • − Some owners find the wire light
106 x 71 x 76 cmFolds flatSlide-out trayLabrador sizeAbout 13.5 kgSold by Amazon AU
Ships from AU warehouseAustralian Consumer Law may apply
Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au
Plastic airline dog kennel with a wire mesh front door and ventilated side panels

SportPet Designs

SportPet Designs Large Plastic Airline Kennel with Wire Door

80 x 56 x 58 cmIATA approvedDogs under 74 cm long
Value
Rank #5

SportPet Designs Large Plastic Airline Kennel with Wire Door

Our Verdict

The rigid airline kennel to buy for a medium dog that has to fly, with metal fixings, dishes and live-animal stickers already in the box.

7.5GoodTop7 Score
A$418.28
Verified today
★ 4.5(5,053 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia

Delivery check, 28 October: Delivers to seven of the nine postcodes we check (not Darwin or regional NSW 2440). How we check

Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au

SportPet's large kennel is a moulded plastic airline crate with a wire front door, metal bolts and nuts holding the two halves together, and two dishes and four LIVE ANIMAL stickers in the box. It is sized by the dog rather than by weight: the maker says the dog should measure under about 74 cm long and 51 cm tall, which suits many medium breeds such as kelpies and spaniels. Outside it measures 80 x 56 x 58 cm and weighs about 7 kg, and snap-on wheels make airport floors easier. Owners who have flown with it praise how sturdy and roomy it is and how quickly it goes together; the complaints are about fit, so measure first. Airlines and pet transport companies set their own crate rules, so confirm yours before booking. Plastic holds heat, so keep it out of the sun in an Australian summer. It is the pick for a dog that flies, and little else.

Security
7.4
Sizing
6.6
Setup
7.0
Portability
7.8
Owners
8.1

Owners is the 4.5★ Amazon AU rating from 5,053 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.

How we scored it

Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.

  • Security 7.4 (rubric 6.5): Moulded plastic shell joined by metal bolts and nuts, with a wire front door (listing): the rule's plastic-shell band; owners call it sturdy and report no escapes.
  • Sizing 6.6 (rubric 5.5): Sized by the dog, under about 74 by 51 cm for this large size, with no kg range and no divider (listing): the narrow-range band at 5.5, as for the other crates sized by measurement.
  • Setup 7.0 (rubric 6): A rigid two-piece shell bolted together with the included nuts and no removable tray (listing); owners call it easy to assemble: the 6 anchor.
  • Portability 7.8 (rubric 7): Listed at 6.92 kg (listing), the 5 to 10 kg band at 8; it does not fold and the listing names no handle, minus 1; the snap-on wheels are not in the rule.

Pros

  • + Listed as IATA approved
  • + Metal bolt and nut fixings
  • + Dishes and stickers included
  • + Snap-on wheels

Cons

  • − Sized by measurement, not weight
  • − No removable tray
  • − Holds heat in the sun
80 x 56 x 58 cmIATA approvedDogs under 74 cm longSnap-on wheelsMetal bolt fixings
Ships from AU warehouseAustralian Consumer Law may apply
Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au
Rustic brown wooden dog crate end table with a sliding barn door and steel bars

Hzuaneri

Hzuaneri 39.3 in Dog Crate Furniture with Barn Door, Rustic Brown

100 x 60 x 68 cmSliding barn doorSide table top
BudgetOn Sale
Rank #6

Hzuaneri 39.3 in Dog Crate Furniture with Barn Door, Rustic Brown

Our Verdict

The furniture crate that lets a living room still look like one: a rustic side table with a sliding barn door, sized for a small to medium dog and delivered free by Amazon AU.

7.3GoodTop7 Score
A$170.99RRP A$179.995% off RRP
Verified today
★ 4.5(1,981 reviews)

Delivery check, 28 October: Delivers to all nine postcodes we check: every capital and regional NSW. How we check

Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au

Hzuaneri's barn-door crate is a side table first and a crate second, for people who dislike the look of wire. Outside it is 100 x 60 x 68 cm and inside 94 x 55 x 57 cm; the listing names medium breeds, and Australian owners report it suiting a toy cavoodle, a dachshund and a 3 kg dog with room to spare. A dog much over 50 cm at the shoulder will not stand comfortably. The sliding barn door saves floor space, the end door has a multi-point lock, and the board edges sit behind steel tube. Owners call it solid and handsome, with a finished back, and the flat pack precise; some screws want a drill, and one buyer found the white version off-white with marked paint. At about 24.5 kg and not folding, it is assembled where it stays. A crate for a calm, crate-trained dog, not a chewer.

Security
7.4
Sizing
7.0
Setup
7.0
Portability
5.5
Owners
8.1

Owners is the 4.5★ Amazon AU rating from 1,981 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.

How we scored it

Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.

  • Security 7.4 (rubric 6.5): Board panels behind 0.4 in steel tube with a multi-point lock on the end door and a sliding barn door (listing); no escapes in the Australian reviews read, so the top of the board-panel band plus a half for the lock.
  • Sizing 7.0 (rubric 6): The listing names medium breeds and gives a 94 x 55 x 57 cm interior but no kg band and no divider; owners report small dogs, so a narrow range.
  • Setup 7.0 (rubric 6): Flat pack assembled with screws, some of which owners say want a drill; no slide-out tray is listed.
  • Portability 5.5 (rubric 4): Listed at 24.5 kg, the over-20 kg band at 5; it neither folds nor has a handle, minus 1.

Pros

  • + Doubles as a side table
  • + Sliding barn door saves floor space
  • + Steel tube covers the board edges
  • + Finished back, so it can stand in the open

Cons

  • − Some screws need a drill
  • − About 24.5 kg and does not fold
  • − Not for serious chewers or escape artists
100 x 60 x 68 cmSliding barn doorSide table top94 x 55 x 57 cm insideFSC-certified board
Australian Consumer Law may apply
Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au
Tan soft-sided folding dog travel crate with mesh windows and front zip door

Amazon Basics

Amazon Basics 2-Door Soft-Sided Folding Travel Crate, Large 91 cm

91 x 60 x 60 cmSoft-sidedWeighs 3.6 kg
Budget
Rank #7

Amazon Basics 2-Door Soft-Sided Folding Travel Crate, Large 91 cm

Our Verdict

The soft-sided travel crate for a calm, crate-trained staffy, kelpie or collie that folds flat in the boot and weighs under 4 kg.

7.3GoodTop7 Score
A$94.05
Verified today
★ 4.4(18,165 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia

Delivery check, 28 October: Delivers to all nine postcodes we check: every capital and regional NSW. How we check

Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au

A soft crate is for a dog that already loves its crate and needs one that travels, and this Large is the mainstream choice on the Amazon AU shelf. At 91 x 60 x 60 cm it suits a staffy, kelpie, border collie or spoodle of roughly 12 to 25 kg, and weighs about 3.6 kg with a PVC frame and polyester skin. Top and front doors zip shut, roll up and strap away, and mesh panels on all four sides let air through, which matters in a car in summer. It sets up in seconds and folds flat for the boot or a campsite. Owners report buying it for travel and getting what they wanted: caravans, holiday houses, the car and agility training, light to carry and quick to pop up. One owner's arrived dirty with failing zips, so check it over first. It is a travel crate, not a first crate, and never a crate for a dog that pushes. That limit is the whole caveat.

Security
5.5
Sizing
7.0
Setup
8.1
Portability
10.0
Owners
7.8

Owners is the 4.4★ Amazon AU rating from 18,165 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.

How we scored it

Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.

  • Security 5.5 (rubric 4): Fabric skin, mesh panels and zip doors on a PVC frame (card): the rule's soft-crate floor, and the card warns it will not hold a dog that pushes.
  • Sizing 7.0 (rubric 6): Rated for dogs of 12 to 25 kg (card), a 13 kg span just under the 15 kg line, covering staffies, kelpies and collies.
  • Setup 8.1 (rubric 7.5): Sets up in seconds with no tools and folds flat (card), but a soft crate has no tray, so the fabric floor is wiped rather than slid out.
  • Portability 10.0 (rubric 10): Weighs about 3.6 kg (card), under 5 kg for 9, plus 1 for folding flat in seconds and being light to carry.

Pros

  • + Weighs about 3.6 kg
  • + Folds flat in seconds
  • + Mesh on all four sides
  • + Top and front doors

Cons

  • − Mesh will not stop a chewer
  • − Zips are the weak point
  • − Not a first crate
91 x 60 x 60 cmSoft-sidedWeighs 3.6 kgTwo zip doorsDogs 12 to 25 kg
Ships from AU warehouseAustralian Consumer Law may apply
Check Price on Amazonon Amazon.com.au

How we rank dog crates

We score each crate on five dimensions. Build and security covers wire gauge, welds, latches and how well it holds a dog that pushes. Ease of setup is whether it unfolds in a minute or needs an hour with an Allen key. Size range is the run of sizes the line offers and whether a divider lets one crate grow with a puppy. Portability is weight and whether it folds flat for the boot. Value weighs what you get against the other six. Ratings and review counts come from Amazon Australia owner feedback, prices and stock are checked daily, and we do not buy or test the products; specifications come from the listings.

Scored on Build and security 40%, Size and fit 25%, Setup and cleaning 20%, Portability 15%, plus owner ratings and critic reviews
Prices re-verified every morning
No brand pays for placement
top7pets.au · Updated 28 October 2026Read our full methodology →

What to Look for in a Dog Crate

Size it properly

Measure nose to tail base and floor to head, add 5 to 10 cm to each, and buy the crate that clears both. Too big is fine for a trained adult; too small is never fine. For a puppy, buy the adult size with a divider and move the panel back every few weeks. Crate sizes are sold by the inch, and 76, 91, 107 and 122 cm are the common ones.

Wire gauge and latches

Cheap crates use thinner wire and a single slide bolt that a determined dog can nose open. Look for two latches per door, welds at every crossing and a tray that slides out without unclipping the frame. A powder-coated or electro-coated finish resists rust in a humid coastal home. Heavy-duty tube-steel crates are the step up for dogs that bend wire.

Summer airflow

Australian summers punish plastic kennels. A wire crate is open on every side and stays close to room temperature; a plastic kennel or a fabric crate traps heat. Keep any crate out of direct sun and off a hot verandah, add a cooling mat rather than a thick bed in January, and never crate a dog in a parked car.

Short stays only

The RSPCA and the Australian Veterinary Association are clear that a crate is a den for short periods, not a place to park a dog for a working day. Introduce it with treats and the door open, never use it as punishment, and give a crated dog water. Adult dogs should not be crated for more than a few hours at a time, and puppies far less.

Pick the sub-type

A wire crate with a divider is the right first crate for almost every household. Choose furniture-style if it lives in the lounge room, plastic if the dog will fly, soft-sided if it mainly rides in the car, and heavy-duty steel only if a wire crate has already failed. Buying the wrong type is the usual reason a crate ends up unused in the garage.

What price buys

The cheap end buys a folding wire crate with a tray that does the job for a calm dog. The middle buys thicker wire, better latches, a divider and a brand that answers the phone. The top end buys tube steel that a big dog cannot bend, or timber-look furniture that you do not have to hide when guests arrive.

Wire crates are the everyday standard: open on every side, fold flat, and the good ones ship with a divider. Double doors suit a corner. Furniture-style crates in timber-look board and steel tube live in the lounge room and cost more. Soft-sided crates weigh a few kilograms and suit calm, crate-trained dogs in the car. Heavy-duty steel crates are for big dogs and escape artists. We started with the whole Amazon Australia crate shelf, checked every candidate through Amazon's own product data for stock, condition and department, and kept to listings sold from Australia, by Amazon AU or an Australian storefront. One size per product family, chosen for the dogs Australians actually own. In summer a wire crate moves far more air than a plastic one, and no crate belongs in the sun or a parked car. The RSPCA is clear that a crate is for short periods and never a place to leave a dog all day. A plastic airline kennel is what a domestic flight requires. Renters and apartment dwellers want a crate that folds flat or passes as a side table.

Handy calculators

Free, in centimetres and kilograms, and built for a phone in the pet shop aisle.

Dog Crates — Frequently Asked Questions

What size dog crate does my dog need?+

Measure your dog standing, nose tip to tail base, and add 5 to 10 cm for the crate length; then floor to the top of the head or ears plus 5 to 10 cm for the height. The dog must be able to stand, turn around and lie flat. Roughly: 76 cm for a cavoodle or French bulldog, 91 cm for a staffy, 91 to 107 cm for a border collie or kelpie, 107 cm for a labrador and 122 cm for a greyhound or German shepherd.

Should I buy a puppy the crate it will need as an adult?+

Yes, as long as it comes with a divider. Buy the adult size for the breed, set the divider so the puppy can stand, turn and lie down but cannot wee in one end and sleep in the other, and move it back every few weeks. Buying two or three crates as the pup grows costs more and the dog never settles into one den.

How long can a dog stay in a crate?+

Short periods only. The RSPCA describes a crate as a place a dog chooses to rest, not a place to leave it while you work. A few hours for an adult that has been walked and toileted is the sensible ceiling, and a young puppy needs a break roughly every hour it is awake. If you are out all day, a fenced yard, a dog walker or a playpen with the crate inside it is the better setup.

Is a wire or plastic crate better in the Australian summer?+

Wire, by a long way, for a crate that lives in the house. It is open on every side, so air moves through it and the dog stays close to room temperature. A plastic kennel holds heat and only makes sense for flying, or for a small dog that likes a dark den in a cool room. Whatever the type, keep it out of the sun and never leave a dog crated in a parked car.

Can I use one of these crates for a domestic flight?+

Only the plastic airline kennel. Australian airlines and their pet transport partners require a rigid IATA-compliant container with a secure door, ventilation on several sides and room for the dog to stand and turn, which rules out every wire, soft and furniture crate here. Check the airline's size table before you buy, because a kennel that fits the dog can still be too large for a particular aircraft.

Which crate suits an apartment or a rental?+

A folding wire crate is the easiest to live with: it collapses flat when friends come over or when you move, and it leaves no marks on a rented floor if you sit it on a rug or a mat. If the crate will stay out permanently in a small living room, a furniture-style crate earns its space as a side table. Skip heavy-duty steel unless you have a dog that has already broken out of wire.

Do I need a heavy-duty crate?+

Only if a wire crate has already failed. Most dogs never test the walls, and for them heavy-duty steel is weight and money for nothing. Dogs that bend bars, chew latches or hurt themselves trying to get out need the tube-steel type, and they usually also need help from a trainer or a vet, because that kind of panic is separation anxiety rather than stubbornness.

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