Your extra large dog brings an extra-large dose of love and joy into your life. Whether he is a Great Dane, an English Mastiff, a Saint Bernard, or another extra large breed, he deserves all of that same love and joy in return.
That means getting him a comfy extra large dog bed and an extra-large dog crate or kennel where he can retreat to feel safe and secure.
But how do you find the right crate for your extra-large dog? In this guide, we are going to introduce you to top products. But before we get into the list, we will discuss the benefits of choosing the right extra large dog crate and go over some important questions and considerations for comparing products.
Our Top Pick for an Extra Large Dog Crate
Don’t want to compare products? Just looking for one simple solid recommendation? Before we dive into the guide, we just wanted to let you know real quick which product is our favorite.
For its quality construction, excellent ventilation, and superior value, we recommend the MidWest Homes for Pets XXL Giant Dog Crate.
Benefits of Finding the Right Extra Large Dog Kennel
You might be tempted to just go with the first extra large dog crate you find to save time. But it is worth it to put in a little extra time if it means finding the right kennel. Here are some reasons why:
Questions to Ask When Choosing an Extra Large Dog Kennel
Here are a couple of questions to ask as you are shopping for an extra-large dog kennel.
1. What will you use the dog crate for?
There are a variety of uses for dog crates. Finding a product with the right design features starts with identifying your purpose for getting an extra-large dog crate:
Crate training. When you bring a new dog into your home, crate training can make for a fast and effective adjustment to living indoors.
Protect your possessions. Can’t be there to monitor your dog all day? If your pet is destructive, putting him in his crate when you cannot watch him can stop him from destroying your items.
Transportation. Whether you are going on a road trip or need to get your pet quickly to the vet, a crate makes it safe, fast, and easy. They are also great for emergencies that require you to flee your home in a hurry with your pet.
Comfort and security. Dogs have a denning instinct. Your pet's crate can serve as his den. It is his comfortable, enclosed territory and offers him a feeling of safety. If he gets overwhelmed (like during a scary thunderstorm), he can hide there.
2. Where will you put the dog kennel?
Besides considering the purpose intended for your dog crate, you should also think about where in your home you will put it and whether you will ever want to move it from one room to the next.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Extra Large Dog Crate
Now that you are thinking about your specific needs, we can discuss features you should evaluate when comparing products.
Size
First of all, you need to buy the right size crate. In this guide, we are including XL and XXL crates. XL crates typically are around 42" long and are suitable for breeds like Lab, Boxer, and Golden Retriever. XXL crates are usually around 48" long and may be suitable for St. Bernards, Mastiffs, and Great Danes. That said, with these giant dogs, 54" is often more ideal.
You should measure your dog when choosing a crate. Measure your dog’s length from nose to tail, and then add 2-4 inches. It is vital to provide enough space that your dog can move around comfortably inside the crate. At the same time, if you offer too much space, he may try to use one side as a toilet.
What if your pet is a puppy? One idea is to purchase a crate that will be a suitable size when he reaches adulthood but features a divider. Using the partition, you can restrict the space inside when he is a puppy. You can then take the divider out as he grows.
Material
A variety of materials are used to build crates for extra large dogs, including metal, plastic, wood, cloth, and various alloys and composites.
Choose a material based on how you will use the crate and on the personality of your dog. For escape artists, go with heavy-duty materials like steel.
For portability, something lightweight and collapsible like cloth is often a good choice (but you may have to choose wire or sturdy plastic if your pet is too destructive for cloth).
Construction
Check to see if latches, bolts, and other hardware are rugged enough to stand up to abuse. Also, ideally, there should be no sharp, protruding metal or plastic anywhere (if there is, sand it down).
Easy Cleaning
A removable tray can make it easy to clean a crate’s interior, as can multiple doors.
Portability
Several features can impact the portability of a crate for travel. As discussed, a cloth crate is a good option since it is lightweight, and you can collapse it when your pet is not inside, saving you space in your luggage.
If you are going to take an airline flight, you will need to choose a crate that you can adapt to fit within that airline’s regulations.
Finally, if you do not plan to travel with your crate, but do you want it to be easy to move around your home, consider its weight and whether you can add wheels.
Security
A crate must be secure. The quality of latches, bolts, and hinges plays a role in the overall design. This is not only important to contain your dog but also to prevent injury.
Ventilation
Any crate should be well-ventilated when the doors are all closed. Obviously, wire crates are well-ventilated. But for more enclosed materials and designs, you should make sure that there is plenty of airflow.
Extra Features
Some products include additional useful features. We already discussed dividers. Another helpful extra is a removable bottom tray. You can pull it out to clean it instead of reaching inside. Also useful are rubber feet, as these are unlikely to damage your floors.
Affordability
Finally, you should consider the cost of an extra-large dog crate. Many of the best products are neither the cheapest nor the priciest but falls somewhere in between. The trick is to make sure that you are getting great value.
Top Extra Large Dog Crates
You now should feel like an expert in important features and considerations in extra large dog crates and kennels. Ready to explore your options? Below, we introduce you to our top picks on the market today.
1. MidWest Homes for Pets XXL Giant Dog Crate
Best Wire Dog Crate for Giant Dogs
For a high-quality wire dog crate for giant dogs, our recommendation is the MidWest Homes for Pets XXL Giant Dog Crate.
This product measures 54 x 37 x 45 inches and weighs 81.7 pounds. We chose the version that includes two doors, one on the front and one on the side. But there is also a version with a single door available.
What we love about this dog crate is the attention to detail that has gone into every aspect of its design, from the drop-pin construction to the "L" bar for reinforcement. You can expect the kennel to offer years of excellent performance for your extra-large dog.
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2. MidWest Homes for Pets Dog iCrate
Best Wire Dog Crate for Extra Large Dogs
If you like the MidWest Homes for Pets XXL Giant Dog Crate above but are looking for something a tad smaller, this MidWest Homes for Pets Dog iCrate is worth considering. It comes in various sizes, but the size measuring 48 x 30 x 33 inches is suitable for many XL dogs.
We have chosen the double-door configuration for convenience, but there are also single-door versions of this product. It is available in black, pink or blue. This product includes many nice design features, such as rounded corners and a rust-resistant E-coat finish.
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3. ECOFLEX Dog Crate
Best Wooden Furniture Style Extra Large Dog Crate
Looking for a dog crate that can blend in with your furnishings—and double as one itself?
The ECOFLEX Dog Crate may be a suitable option. This product is available in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra-large. We recommend the extra-large size, which measures 42.5 x 27.6 x 30.9 inches.
This elegant product features a combination of plastic-wood polymer composite material and steel bars. The simple, contemporary design should be a fit for most decorative styles. You can choose from four colors: Espresso, Antique White, Grey and Russet. You can place books, décor, or other items on top, using the kennel as an end table.
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4. Petsfit Portable Soft Collapsible Dog Crate
Best 42” Soft Crate for Travel for Extra Large Dogs
Our first pick for a soft travel crate is the Petsfit Portable Soft Collapsible Dog Crate for Indoor and Outdoor Use. You can get this product in four different sizes. For extra dogs, the one you want is the 42 x 28 x 28 inches version.
There are two different shapes and colors offered. We selected the green cuboid, but there is also a yellow-green trapezoid (a brownish color).
Made of sturdy cloth, this product weighs a mere 4 pounds, perfect for taking with you on vacation. There are two doors along with a top entrance. You can roll the doors up if you want your pet to be able to move in and out of the crate freely.
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5. Zampa Pet Portable Crate
Best 48” Soft Crate for Travel for Extra Large Dogs
For a slightly larger soft pet crate, think about the Zampa Pet Portable Crate. This product is available in four different sizes. The largest of those measures 48 x 31 x 31 inches. That means it can accommodate a bigger dog than the Petsfit Portable Soft Collapsible Dog Crate.
This crate is reasonably sturdy for what it is. But as with any soft dog crate, it is not ideal for destructive pets. Any dedicated dog can get through the mesh pretty quickly.
What we like most about the product is its various ease-of-use features. You will love how quickly you can set it up or collapse it, as well as the removable, washable cover.
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6. Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier
Best Airline Approved Travel Carrier for Extra Large Dogs
Are you planning to take a flight with your pet soon? Consider the Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier for your trip.
This product is available in six different sizes. For your extra-large dog, you will want the version that measures 48 x 32 x 35 inches.
There is some confusion regarding whether or not this product is “airline approved.” This matter is complicated because there are variations between regulations for different airlines concerning dog crates.
So, pretty much regardless of what crate you purchase, you need to research the regulations for the airline you are considering using. You will then need to make some modifications (probably) to your crate to meet the regulations in question.
The reasons we suggest the Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier for airline travel are twofold. First of all, it is a sturdy, well-designed product. Secondly, the modifications required for airline travel with it are typically pretty minimal.
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7. Lemberi 48-Inch Heavy Duty Dog Crate
Best Heavy-Duty Metal Extra Large Dog Crate
If you are looking for an extra strong crate for your dog, we recommend the Lemberg 48-Inch Heavy Duty Dog Crate. This crate measures 47.24 "L x 30.7 "W x 36 "H, but there is also a smaller size worth considering with the longest side measuring 42".
The 20-gauge alloy steel bars are thick and heavy, preventing your dog from chewing his way out (thinner wire construction cannot always withstand aggressive chewers). They also resist rust.
Along with the heavy-duty build, this product also boasts a range of great ease-of-use features such as multiple doors and the option to add wheels.
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Get the Best Dog Crate for Your Pet
Whether you are looking for a wire crate, a heavy duty crate, a soft crate for travel, or another type of dog kennel, you now know there are quality options out there on the market. To get your extra-large dog the ideal crate now, click on any of the links in this post.
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