The ultimate guide to choosing the right dog crate

Hello :o) my name is Morten

Since 2007, I have sold dog crates, so I am one of the most experienced in this field. I love helping people find the perfect dog crate for them. The one that fits perfectly for your car, your dog, and your budget. The best way I can help you is by sharing my knowledge. Much of the knowledge I have gathered over the years through customer questions and hands-on experience, I’ve compiled below. I hope that if you have a question, you can find the answer below. And if not, feel free to write directly to me at @SafeCrate.co.uk. No question is too small or silly. If I can help, I’ll gladly do so – and if I can’t, I’ll likely refer you to another source who can answer your questions.

You can either read from start to finish, or choose what you want to know more about from these headers. Just click on the header, and you’ll go directly to the right section.

 

Why dog crates

How big should the dog crate be

Should it be crash-tested?

Which dog crates fit my car?

Which brand/quality should you choose?

Which brand/quality do we sell the most of?

How do you train your dog to travel in a dog crate?

How do you measure your car so you can find the right dog crate?

What mistakes do people often make when buying dog crates?

What types of dog crates are there?

Double dog crates – what should you be aware of if you have more than 1 dog

What accessories should you have for the dog crate?

 

 

Why dog crates

People have many reasons to buy a dog crate. First and foremost, it's for safety. Just as we humans have seat belts to protect us in case of an accident, dog crates help save lives if the worst happens. Furthermore, more and more rules are coming into play. In some countries, it's a legal requirement for the dog to be in a crate, but this varies by country. In the UK, it is required to secure the cargo in the car, and that also includes the dog. - Driving with unsecured cargo, including a dog in the car, is penalized with a fine (currently £600). The dog must either be secured in a dog crate or by using a so-called dog seat belt. Professionals, however, recommend that dog seat belts or collapsible crates not be used, as they are not as safe as a solid dog crate. If the dog is just lying in the boot without being fastened, it’s not safe. There's so much room that it can get thrown around and hurt in sudden braking or sharp turns.

And there are practical considerations. It's easier to clean a dog crate than the entire boot. When you go on a trip, the dog always knows where it should be.

How big should the dog crate be

As one of the few countries, Sweden has clear rules about how large a dog crate should be (but in practice, these rules can be difficult to follow. Read more about it here). But in the UK, there are no regulations for the size of the crate relative to the dog when it comes to private travel with dogs. So, in the UK, we should listen to what professionals say – from breeders to veterinarians, trainers, etc. Read for example statements from professionals

A rule of thumb says: The smaller, the better!

There should, of course, be space for the dog, but not more than exactly enough. We often experience that people buy crates that are too large for their dogs. They do it with the best intentions because they want the dog to have the best possible space. But dogs, unlike humans, like to feel enclosed. A smaller crate gives a "den-like" feeling, where the dog settles better and feels safer. And at the same time, it frees up more space for other things in the boot. So it’s a win-win. On most of our dog crate models, it’s specified which dog size the crate fits. But keep in mind that it’s a guideline, for example when it says “up to Labrador,” since a Labrador can weigh anywhere from 20-40kg. And there’s a difference between driving around the countryside or taking just short trips of less than 1 hour. If you want to read more about how to find the right crate size, read our guide here: https://safecrate.co.uk/measure-for-the-right-size-dog-crate

Should it be crash-tested?

There are no EU standards or regulations for dog crates in terms of materials, safety, and other factors, as we know them for seat belts or child seats. But if you see a manufacturer claim that the crate is “crash-tested,” you should be a little skeptical. “Crash-tested” is not a protected label, so anyone can “test” their dog crates and call them crash-tested. We’ve seen some perform computer simulations in cars moving at a maximum speed of 20km/h. How realistic is it to have an accident at 20 km/h?

With us, we’ve had positive feedback from customers who have been in accidents where the dog crates helped save lives. We currently sell 4 different quality levels, and we’ve actually received statements from customers where the dog crate has saved the dog’s life in accidents, both with the cheapest brand we sell and the most expensive. So, no matter which brand/quality you choose, the dog is better protected than if it weren’t in a crate. That said, there is a big difference in robustness, build quality, and material strength depending on whether you choose the cheaper SafeCrate brand or the expensive K9 Pro brand.

Which dog crates fit my car?

The biggest concern our customers have had is whether there is a specific dog crate that fits their car. I totally understand this, as measuring the boot properly can be incredibly difficult.

We’ve tested many car models, so our clear recommendation is that you use the car selector at the top of the page or here. That way, you can easily see which dog crates fit your car brand, model, and year.

We’ve also created a guide to show you how to measure your boot yourself. You can find it here: https://www.safecrate.co.uk/measure-for-the-right-size-dog-crate

If you’re still unsure, or if your car isn’t listed in the overview, feel free to contact us and ask. We test as often as we can, usually when someone visits our showroom. When you contact us, we need to know the make, model, and year of your car. The year is important because car designs change every time the manufacturers release a new generation/version of the cars.

Don’t forget to tell us which dog you have and its weight. We’d also like to know if we should suggest a small terrier or a large shepherd dog.

Although it’s easier to choose the right crate the first time and get the right crate straight away, it may happen that you receive a crate that’s not quite right. So, unpack the crate, assemble it, test it in your car, and let your dog try it. If it doesn’t fit, either the dog or the car, you should of course not keep it. Just contact my colleague and tell them you’ve chosen the wrong crate. You can easily return it, even if it’s been assembled and tested. Therefore, it’s risk-free to order a dog crate. You may lose a little time and some return shipping cost, but

 

Which brand/quality should you choose?

We currently have 4 different brands/qualities. It’s not that important which one you choose over the others. We’re proud of all the brands/qualities we sell, and without hesitation, we recommend them all. Your decision should therefore be based on your budget, dog, and car.

The best thing I can do is to try to describe what you get for your money with each brand. Therefore, you can read a good comparison of the brands we sell here: https://safecrate.co.uk/detailed-specifications-of-dog-cages

We have dog crates that don’t cost much, which are very budget-friendly, and we also have other, more expensive dog crates. If you choose a basic dog crate, you’ll get just that. A good basic crate that does exactly what it should – keep the dog safe during driving.

If you choose to pay more for a more expensive crate, you should know that you’re getting a much stronger, better-built crate, and you also get a lot of accessories included. You get more thoughtful details and a more robust crate. But you also pay for that, so you are the one to decide what’s best for your needs.

Which brand/quality sells the most?

Online in our store, we sell the most dog crates from SafeCrate, especially the 3rd generation from SafeCrate. (those that are completely black) are popular. They’re great premium dog crates where you get a lot for your money.

When people visit our showroom, many end up choosing one of the more expensive Elite or K9 Pro dog crates.

Online, it can be difficult to judge the differences between the dog crates. It’s easier when you see them in person.

What often makes a huge difference when people visit our showroom is that the Elite and especially the K9 Pro dog crates, utilize the space in the car boot better. This is because there is a larger selection of K9 Pro and Elite crates. That means there’s a greater chance of finding a model that fits the boot optimally.

But it’s also because of the design that particularly K9 Pro often optimizes the space in the car boot the best. The top of the crate is narrower, so it can move further to the side in the boot, and the angle of the back of the crate aligns better with the angle of the back seat. Both of these factors mean that less space is used in the boot.

And it’s worth remembering that with the Elite K9 Pro dog crates, accessories are included in the price. With SafeCrate crates, you need to purchase this equipment, so the price difference is actually smaller than at first comparison.

How do you train your dog to travel in a dog crate?

Most dogs don’t have a problem jumping into the dog crate and staying there during the ride. But for some, it’s necessary to train a bit so the dog gets comfortable and knows the crate. The best trick we know is to bring the dog crate into the house for the first few days. Leave the door of the crate open. Place a blanket the dog knows in there. Some toys. Some treats. The dog gradually becomes familiar with the crate and learns to recognize it as a safe place.

Another trick is to fill the crate with cushions, soft toys, blankets, and other things. Especially if the crate is a bit too large (maybe because the dog isn’t fully grown yet?). We’ve also heard from customers that it helps to cover the crate – for example, with a blanket – so the sides and front are more enclosed, making it darker. That way, external distractions are reduced.

How do you measure your car to find the right dog crate?

We’ve made a detailed guide on how to measure your car boot. You can read it here.

When you measure the boot of your car, there are several things to keep in mind. You can’t just measure the depth of the boot with a tape measure and expect that to tell you which dog crate will fit. There are several pitfalls you need to watch out for. For example, you need to know if the dog crate you’re looking at has a slanted back, so it utilizes the space behind the back seat. Most dog crates do, but the angle of the crate is rarely the same as the angle of the back seat. Therefore, space in the boot is often not used 100%.

When measuring the height of the boot, remember to measure the height of the boot opening. Most cars are taller inside the boot, but that’s not as helpful because you can’t fit a dog crate that’s taller than the boot opening. The crate needs to fit through that opening.

Also, remember that there’s more space in the middle of the boot than on the sides. Most boots have a curvature at the bottom, and the back window often curves out at the sides.

When you measure the width of the dog crate you can fit, remember that you’ll have more width at the bottom of the boot than at the top. When you’re standing and looking at the car with the boot open, you’ll see the roof of the boot curves down at the sides. This means it’s narrower at the top than at the bottom. Therefore, some dog crates won’t fit all the way to the sides of the boot.

The simplest way to measure whether the dog crate will fit is to measure the depth of the top of the crate. A popular crate for station wagons is the SafeCrate XL 3rd Gen model. It measures: Width: 60 cm. Depth: 85 cm. Height: 65 cm. The top of the crate is 54 cm deep (all measurements for dog crates are listed in the overview).

Inside the boot, you note the 65 cm height relative to the back seat. That’s usually where the headrests enter the boot. Then, measure – with the boot closed – horizontally towards the back window. Don’t forget to measure at the sides of the boot, as that’s where you have the least space. If you have more than 54 cm, which corresponds to the depth of the top plate of the dog crate, then the crate will fit. If the top of the crate can fit, without touching the back window, the bottom will almost always fit too.

 

What mistakes do people often make when buying a dog crate?

The biggest mistake we see when people buy dog crates is that they buy one that’s too large. The dog owner does it with the best of intentions because they want to give the dog the best possible conditions. Even though dogs are different, it’s simply not in the dog’s best interest to have too much space. They like the den-like feeling it gives when there isn’t too much space. And from a safety perspective, it’s also better when there isn’t too much space. In case of an accident, the dog shouldn’t be able to get thrown too much from side to side.

Another mistake we often see is that the dog crate doesn’t fit their car. My strongest recommendation is that you choose the dog crate based on the car selector we’ve made. We’ve tested many car models and know by now what space is available in most car makes, models, and years. And if you’re unsure, contact us via email, Messenger, or whatever works for you.

If things go wrong, remember that we have the best exchange policy in the UK. It’s perfectly fine to receive a dog crate, assemble it, and test it to see if it fits your dog or car. You can simply pack it back up and send it back for a replacement model or get a refund.

What brand/quality of the dog crate do people buy the most?

What types of dog crates are there?

Dog crates, transport crates, carrier boxes. There are many names, but primarily there are 3 types of dog crates: 1) Fabric/canvas crates. 2) Mesh dog crates. 3) Aluminum dog crates. I am not an expert on fabric or mesh dog crates, so my review here is based solely on customers who’ve had either a mesh crate or a fabric crate and have shared their experiences with these types of crates – often in connection with purchasing a dog crate from us. Of course, I’m “biased” since we don’t sell fabric or mesh dog crates. We could have done that, but we chose not to, as there have been too many negative comments from past customers about these types of crates.

1. Fabric/Canvas

The cheapest dog crates are those made from fabric/canvas. They can be found for just a few pounds. Many of our customers have previously had a fabric dog crate but quickly found that it wasn’t an optimal solution. First and foremost, there’s no real safety with a fabric crate. It might be fine as a puppy crate, but not much more. Many dogs quickly claw or bite through a fabric crate. They are also usually square, so they rarely make good use of the boot space.

1. Mesh dog crates

Mesh dog crates are crates with small, thin bars, and there are many of them. They usually have a plastic tray at the bottom, but are open on the sides and top, so dog hair flies around everywhere. They are not very sturdy or safe, but on the plus side, they’re also not very expensive. And they are at least more durable than fabric crates.

Besides the lack of safety, many people replace mesh crates because they make a lot of noise while driving. They shake and rattle, which is a sound many can’t tolerate.

 

1. Aluminum dog crates

This is the type of dog crate we sell. It is also the type of dog crate many consider to be the “real” dog crate. They come in different constructions, with various materials and qualities. Although many advertise aluminum dog crates, it’s not entirely accurate. Usually, only the bars and profiles are made from aluminum. The sides, top, and bottom are almost always made from wood. Except in the K9 Pro dog crates – those are aluminum/aluminum composite throughout.

These are the strongest and safest dog crates.

 

Double dog crates – what should you watch out for if you have more than 1 dog

Fortunately, there are now plenty of dog crates for owners with two dogs. This wasn’t the case just a few years ago.

The challenge with double dog crates – especially with larger dogs – is that it’s usually the car that limits how large a double dog crate you can have. And they never get as much space as if you only had 1 dog. There simply isn’t enough space in modern cars for 2 dog crates of the size you’d typically choose for a dog over 20 kg.

But it actually doesn’t matter that much. Dogs like it when there isn’t too much space. It’s just the owners who tend to see it negatively. But it’s all in the best interest of the dog.

You should therefore ensure you use the depth available in the car boot and choose the deepest crate you have room for. But remember to measure carefully – take into account both the angle of the back seat and the slanted rear window. Remember, we have a guide to how you can measure your boot – see it here: https://www.safecrate.co.uk/measure-for-the-right-size-dog-crate

You should also decide if the dogs need to be separated. If you have a male and a female dog, it’s obvious – they need to be separated, especially when the female is in heat. But – do they really need to be separated? Dogs that live together can usually lie together in the dog crate without being separated.

Today, it’s possible to remove the partition in all our double dog crates. It varies a little how the partition is removed or disassembled depending on which brand of dog crate you choose. But the common thing is that it’s done in a split second, so in no time, you have a large dog crate – just with 2 doors.

If you don’t need the partition, the dogs will have a better chance of managing the space in the boot themselves. Sometimes they lie next to each other. Occasionally up against each other, and they might even lie on top of each other. They tend to settle in more easily, and often they take up so little space that there could be room for a third dog ????.

-          When you don’t have space for a double dog crate

For the same reason, it’s also possible to find a dog crate for 2 dogs, even if you may not have space for a double dog crate. In many new cars, especially the smaller crossovers that have become so popular in recent years, there isn’t enough space for a traditional double dog crate in the boot. In these cases, we advise dog owners to find the largest possible dog crate that fits in the car boot. Then, in 9 out of 10 cases, there’s plenty of room for both dogs to lie in the dog crate ????. It’s perfectly fine, especially on shorter trips. For longer trips, you just stop more frequently at rest stops so everyone can stretch their legs.

-          These double dog crates are the best

The biggest challenge with a double dog crate is that they tend to be quite square. The newer your car, the more curves it has. Aesthetically and aerodynamically, it’s fantastic with soft lines and rounded forms, but when it comes to dog crates, it’s not optimal.

We’ve found that car models are getting lower at the opening. At the same time, the rear windows are becoming more slanted, and the opening is rounding more at the edges. All of this is bad news for something as square as a dog crate.

K9 Pro double dog crates

The manufacturer K9 Pro (our top brand – the strongest, but also the most expensive dog crates) has a pretty ingenious design solution for this. The dog crates – especially the double dog crates – from K9 Pro are all in trapezoidal or A-shape. This means the top of the dog crate is narrower than the bottom of the crate. It’s genius because there is ALWAYS more space at the bottom of the boot than at the top.

If you choose a double dog crate from K9 Pro, you’ll be getting a double dog crate with more lying area than the other brands. Your dogs will get more space, as the crates are better optimized to use and maximize space in the car boot.

Some K9 Pro models also have a more slanted back and front. This is because they’ve taken into account the increasingly slanted rear windows that car manufacturers design into cars today. This applies to Audi, Mercedes, but also newer generations of Skoda Octavia, which all have more slanted rear windows.

See all double dog crates here: https://www.SafeCrate.co.uk/hundebur-til-2-hunder

 

What accessories should you have for the dog crate?

It’s not necessary to have accessories for your new dog crate. You can simply install the dog crate, place it in the car, and start driving with the dog, with nothing other than the dog crate.

But it is possible to increase safety, protect the car, and make it more comfortable for the dog with the right accessories.

Here, I’ll focus on the most common accessories people want when buying a dog crate. These are some that we sell ourselves, but I’ll also show/suggest similar solutions, so you can use something you already have at home. You should only buy accessories from us if you find it reasonable, and if you don’t already have something at home that meets the same needs.

a)      Bumper protector

Most people choose a bumper protector. The bumper protector is typically fastened to the car’s boot hooks on the sides. Many people also, for convenience, simply place the bumper protector under the dog crate.

Before the dog enters or exits the car, the bumper protector is unfolded to cover the bumper. It’s important to protect the bumper in one way or another. This is to prevent the dog’s claws from scratching the paint when it enters or exits the dog crate.

No matter how careful you are, and even if you have a small dog that you carry in and out, scratches will inevitably appear on the paint if you don’t do something to prevent it. Therefore, it’s important to do something. Whether you use a bumper protector from us, or place plastic film on the car’s bumper, or maybe just use a towel, it doesn’t matter – just make sure you do something. And do it from the start. A couple of hundred pounds is still much cheaper than repainting the car.

The bumper protector from us comes in 3 sizes.

-          The small bumper protector 70x90cm

The "small" one is 70cm wide and is great for single dog crates, as it is usually wide enough to protect in front of the crate door. Find it here: https://safecrate.co.uk/large-bumper-protector

-          The large – covers the entire width of the bumper

The "large" one is 100cm wide and covers the entire bumper. It’s necessary if you choose a double dog crate since all double dog crates are 80-100cm wide. It’s also great for single dog crates if you want to protect the entire bumper. For example, the dog might not always jump straight in and out of the crate – so it's a good idea to protect the entire bumper. And the wide bumper protector is also useful if, for example, you’re going to Ikea or loading the car with large items ???? See it here: https://www.SafeCrate.co.uk/beskyttelsesmatte-til-stotfanger-stor

-          For both the bumper and boot

We also have a bumper and boot protector. It covers the entire boot. It is fastened around the headrest of the back seats and covers the part of the back seat that enters the boot, as well as the boot itself, and goes slightly up the sides. There’s a non-slip mat in the middle of the boot to ensure the dog crate doesn’t slide from side to side, and there are practical pockets on the sides for storage. The outer part extends to protect the bumper. This section is fastened with buckles and Velcro, making it very flexible.

It’s also fantastic for keeping the car free from dog hair because it’s super easy to take out, shake, and/or wash. See it here: https://safecrate.co.uk/large-protective-mat-for-bumper-and-trunk

 

b)      Mounting straps to secure the dog crate in the car.

In Germany, it is a legal requirement that the dog crate (the law actually applies to all loose items) be secured in the boot. It's not a requirement in the UK, but all loose items should be secured.

Whether you want to secure the dog crate in the car is therefore an individual decision. The risk of not doing so is that the dog crate may tip over with the dog inside – for example, if nothing is beside the dog crate and you make a sharp turn, or you get into a collision. You could also risk the dog crate hitting and damaging the back window.

The simple way to secure the dog crate is by using straps. The straps we have are simple ones with buckles. They’re a bit like the type you use for suitcases. You can also use trailer straps. But if you don’t have any lying around, you can buy them cheaply from us. See here: https://safecrate.co.uk/mounting-straps-for-fastening-dog-cage-set-with-2-pcs

If you buy a K9 Pro dog crate, it comes with small mounting brackets on each side of the crate, designed for mounting straps. For the other brands, we recommend you simply use the bars to attach the straps. You can buy them here.https://safecrate.co.uk/mounting-straps-for-fastening-dog-cage-set-with-2-pcs

 

c)       Anti-slip mat to place under the dog crate

If you don’t want to use mounting straps or similar – for example, if you’re going to be taking the dog crate in and out of the car regularly (in which case it could be annoying to have to attach/detach straps, ropes, buckles, etc.) – or if you just want extra safety, you can place an anti-slip mat under the crate. It’s like the ones you place under a rug. Our mat is larger (1x1m), so you’re sure it will cover the entire bottom of the crate. You can cut the mat to fit perfectly, or leave the entire mat in the boot – so it also works against dirt and dog hair in the rest of the car. See it here:

d)      Blanket for the bottom of the crate

The blankets we sell are thick with a non-slip backing. This means when you place the blanket in the crate, it stays in place. For example, if you use normal fleece blankets without putting anything underneath, it won’t be much good because it will quickly bunch up and end up at the bottom of the crate.

If you use our luxury blankets or find another solution – like a piece of a rug or something similar – it’s important to put something in there. If there’s nothing in the bottom of the crate, the dog will land on a smooth surface, and it can make the dog feel insecure.

-          Dog crates with built-in blankets/mats

The disadvantage of standard blankets, like the ones we sell separately, is that they typically come in only 1 size. And even though you can cut the blanket to fit the dog crate, it’s smarter if it fits perfectly from the start. That’s exactly the case with Elite dog crates and K9 Pro dog crates. Both come with a non-slip mat that is sewn to size for a perfect fit. They can also be easily removed from the crate and washed. Since they are non-slip, you can also place towels, fleece blankets, etc. on the mat without it bunching up at the bottom of the crate.