When looking for the right crate for you dog, there are lots of options. It’s important to take the time to find a crate the best fits the needs of your dog and family. In this post we break down different crates including tips to help you find the best fit for your and your Labrador Retriever.
Our Pick
MidWest Homes Dog Crate
With a combination of quality, features, and values, The MidWest Homes Dog Crate is our number one choice. This crate comes with a divider allowing it to advance for your 8 week old puppy until they are full grown. The MidWest Homes Dog Crate comes with one or two door variations for those who like their options open. It is, in our opinion, the best crate for raising a Labrador Retriever.
Best Dog Crates
As you are looking for the best dog crates for Labradors, keep in mind it needs to be sturdy, should include a divider, and is at least 42″ in order to comfortably fit a full size dog.
Here is a list of our top picks for you depending on your budget and what you are looking for in a crate.
| Our Picks | Brands |
|---|---|
| Best Overall Dog Crate | MidWest Homes Dog Crate |
| Best Budget Dog Crate | Petmate ProValu |
| Best Heavy Duty Dog Crate | Haige Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate |
| Best Decorative Dog Crate | Merry Products Dog Crate |
| Best Travel Dog Crate (Hard) | Petmate Ruffmaxx Outdoor Crate |
| Best Travel Dog Crate (Soft) | Amazon Basics Premium Portable Crate |
Best Overall Dog Crate: MidWest Homes Dog Crate
The MidWest Homes Dog Crate has everything you need to raise your Labrador Retriever. It includes a removable divider which we highly recommend when crate training your puppy. Since the divider can be removed you can use the same crate once your dog has outgrown the divider.
The crate has a durable floor pan that is easy to clean in case of accidents while doubling to catch extra fur that is shed. This crate also comes in a two door version for some versatility.
AmazonBasics does have a very similar crate, however The MidWest Homes Dog Crate has much thicker and sturdier wire framing making it the higher quality pick.
Key Features:
- Comes with dividers to accommodate a puppy
- The metal is very durable
- The bottom of the kennel contains a removable dog tray that bedding can be placed on
- It breaks down quickly and becomes very compact (folds flat) for travel
- Moderate in price
- No tools required
- One-year warranty
Best Budget Crate: Petmate ProValu Dog Crate
Best Budget
Petmate ProValu Dog Crate
If you’re looking for a budget friendly crate, we would recommend the Petmate ProValu Dog Crate. However, as of the writing of this article you would only save about $5 when purchasing this over the MidWest Homes Crate, so be sure to check prices.
As mentioned above, this crate does have thinner wire, but other than that it is essentially the same crate as the MidWest Homes option. The wire, while thinner, is still adequate making this crate a great option. If you have the extra $5, it’s worth the upgrade to the MidWest Homes crate.
Key Features:
- Slide bolt latches for safety
- Portable
- Folds Flat
- Metal Framing
- Comes with divider panels for a puppy
- Removable plastic tray
- Moderate in price
- One-year warranty
Best Heavy Duty Crate: Haige Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate
Best Heavy Duty
Haige Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate
The Haige Pet Heavy Duty Dog Crate is pricier than the other two crates mentioned, however, there are some benefits to getting what you pay for. The Haige crate is made from heavy-duty stainless-steel with a non-toxic finish.
Key Features:
- Anti-rust
- One door with a locking caster
- Heavy-duty non-toxic metal
- 3-5 minutes to assemble, hardware included
- Removable trays under the crate, easy to clean
- Comfortable for feet, 1-inch floor spacing
- Three-year warranty
Best Decorative Crate: Merry Products Dog Crate
Best Decorative
Merry Products Dog Crate
This Merry Products Dog Crate is a luxe option for those who are looking to avoid the typical “cage” look in their home. It is designed to be comfortable for your Labrador Retriever and look luxurious. This crate is made of wood veneer, but it is reinforced with durable powder coated black steel to make it breathable and sturdy.
Key Features:
- Durability, built to last
- Elegant design
- Easy removable tray
- Simple assembly
- Three sizes to choose
Best Hard Travel Crate: Petmate Ruffmaxx Outdoor Crate
Best Hard Travel
Petmate Ruffmaxx Outdoor Crate
If you are looking to travel, the Petmate Ruffmaxx Outdoor Crate is a great option. It is large, durable, and has plenty of ventilation for your dog. Since this crate is so easy to move around it also works great as a second crate for the home. Keeping one in another room in the house allows your dog to have a place of seclusion.
Key Features:
- Strong and dependable
- Easy front door latch
- Eco friendly
- Made for travel
- Well ventilated
Best Soft Travel Crate: AmazonBasics Premium Portable Crate
Best Soft Travel
AmazonBasics Premium Portable Crate
The AmazonBasics Premium Portable Crate is a must have for any dog owner. It is perfect for travel, for a spare crate, for camping, or to have in an extra room of the house. It folds down for easy, quick storage…and also includes a plush fleece-covered pet bed. Your dog will love this crate.
Key Features:
- Includes plush fleece-covered pet bed
- Easy storage
- Well-ventilated with multiple screened panels
- Pockets on the top and sides for storing treats, toys, and more
- Many colors and sizes
What to Look For in a Crate
Reviews are great but remember there is more to consider when choosing the perfect crate for your pet. You will also want to consider the material, quality, cost, and what you will primarily be suing the crate for.
Use the information below to help you know which of these characteristics is essential for you and your dog.
Material
When choosing the best crate for Labrador Retriever, wire the the way to go. Here are a few reasons why you might consider a wire crate:
- Wire crates are durable
- Easier to clean than other crates
- Creates a comfortable environment for the dog
- Allows the dog to see out of the crate easily
- Breathable
- For comfort, just place a blanket or pad in the bottom of a wire crate, and your dog will feel right at home.
While wire crates are the best option for Labrador Retrievers, they aren’t the only choice out there. Plastic and wooden crates are also very popular.
- Plastic crates are a great for traveling and provide a cozy environment for the dog; however, because they are more enclosed they aren’t as breathable as wire crates and tend to trap hot air.
- Wooden crates are breathable like wire crates; however, the wood can easily become a temptation for dogs that tend to chew.
Soft, travel crates are another common type of crate. This material is not ideal for a Labrador Retriever as a primary crate. However, they are a great option for a travel crate, or an extra around the house. They also provide a cozier environment for the dog, but can be a challenge to clean.
Quality
When looking for a dog crate, you want to find one that will last the entire lifespan of your dog. The material the crate is made from will play a significant role in its quality. Wire and metal crates will last longer than wooden, fabric, and plastic ones. If your dog is a big chewer, go with a metal crate for more durability.
Cost
Cost is often a factor when selecting a dog crate. It’s important to find a good mix of quality and style you need while staying in your budget. The price will sometimes, but not always, be a sign of quality. Typically, higher-priced crates are built sturdier and will last longer. There are however quality, budget-friendly, options out there.
What Size of Crate for a Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers will grow to be just over 20 inches in height and weigh between 60 and 75 pounds as adults. When selecting a crate for your Labrador Retriever, make sure it is large enough to accommodate the dog’s size.
For the average size Labrador Retriever we recommend a 42″ crate. However, use the tips below to adjust for your dog.
How to Measure Your Dog for a Crate
It’s very important to get the right size of crate for your dog. There needs to be enough room in the crate for the dog to be comfortable while standing and lying down, but not too much room that the dog feels unsafe. Do not eyeball the size of the crate when you make your purchase; instead, take the time to measure your dog correctly.
Follow the steps below to figure out what size of crate you need for your Labrador Retriever:
- When taking your measurements, make sure the dog is standing.
- To measure the length: Measure starting at the tip of the nose extending to the base of the tail.
- To measure the height: Measure from the top of the head down to the floor.
- Keep in mind these measurement directions are for Labrador Retrievers. If you have other dogs at home, the way you take the height measurement may vary.
- Figure out the size of the crate: Using these measurements, add about 4 inches to each measurement to obtain the height and length of an ideal crate.
What Size of Crate for a Labrador Retriever Puppy
Most dog owners will bring home a puppy rather than a full-grown dog. Getting a crate with a divider allows you to have the right size without having to buy multiple size crate as your puppy grows. To avoid buying multiple crates, look for ones that come with dividers so you can expand the crate as the dog grows. The divider really is necessary. If a puppy has too much room in a crate it allows for misbehavior. They will likely use the extra room to pee or poo rather than learning to wait until they are removed from the crate for a potty break.
Do your best to figure out how big your puppy will be by getting the measurements of its mother and father. For a female puppy, focus on the size of the mother and for a male, the father. Use the measurements of the parents to purchase an adult crate for your puppy. Again, make sure it has dividers that can temporarily make the crate smaller.
It is best to know the height and length of the puppy’s parents to help you select the size of crate your puppy will need; however, if you only know their weight, that will be okay. Use this table to help you figure out the size of the crate you might need based on the weight of the parent:
| Parent’s Weight | Crate Size (for length) |
| 40 – 70 lbs. | 36-inch crate |
| 70 – 90 lbs. | 42-inch crate |
| 90 – 110 lbs. | 48-inch crate |
How Long Should Your Labrador Retriever Be in the Crate
Crates become a place of safety and security for a Labrador Retriever when they are crate trained properly. However, because it is a small and confined space, you never want to leave your dog locked in a crate for too long. Puppies should only spend a maximum of 3 to 4 hours a day in their crate. This does not include overnight sleeping in the crate.
Use this table as a guideline for how long you should keep your dog in its crate during the day:
| Age of Labrador Retriever | Length of Time in Crate |
| 9 to 10 Weeks Old | 30 Minutes to 1 Hour |
| 11 to 14 Weeks Old | 1 to 3 Hours |
| 15 to 16 Weeks Old | 3 to 4 Hours |
| 17+ Weeks Old | 4+ Hours |
It is also essential to make sure your Labrador Retriever feels at home in its crate. Remember to associate the crate with positivity rather than punishment. This will help the crate training process and allow your dog to have a better night of rest.
How to Make a Crate More Comfortable for Your Dog
To properly crate train your dog and allow it to get a good night of rest, your dog will need to be comfortable. Sometimes buying the best-rated crate isn’t enough.
Follow these suggestions below to help your Labrador Retriever be more comfortable in its crate:
- First and foremost, make sure the size of the crate is suitable for the size of your dog. If your retriever is still a puppy, use wall inserts to make the crate temporarily smaller.
- Place bedding in the bottom of the crate for extra padding.
- Cover the crate to help your dog feel more secure and be less disturbed when trying to sleep or relax. Being able to see and hear everything that is going on around the dog can make it more anxious.
- Leave water in the crate.
- Place toys or comfort items in the crate for your dog. When crate training, you can even leave a treat or two in there.
- Make sure the smells associated with the crate are soothing to the dog.
Conclusion
Using a dog crate is an integral part of house training your Labrador Retriever and providing it with a safe place to rest its head at night. Make a list of what characteristics you want in a dog crate, and then use the recommendations above to find one that will work best for your family.
Be sure to read our article How to Crate Train a Labrador Retriever Puppy to learn more about crates and using them for potty training.