The 6 Best Large Dog Crates Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Finding the best dog crate is a must-have for any pet parent. They are useful in many situations: a crate can provide a safe space for your dog to rest at home, or anywhere else for that matter. In addition to this, travelling with a dog is much easier if you have an appropriate crate.

Finding a good crate for a small dog is easy, as there are many options on the market to choose from. However, the larger the dog, the harder the task of finding a good crate.

Today’s guide will help you find the elusive large dog crate. To help you find the best crate for your large breed dog, we joined forces with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and dog parents to form a team of independent experts. We then spent months researching the most popular large dog crates Australia offers before narrowing down our favourites based on our separate tests.

Our team of experts also share what you need to look for when shopping for the best large dog crate for your pooch. Let's get started!

Australia's Best Large Dog Crates Reviewed

Later, we will go through our tips to figure out what kind of crate you want. But first let's take some time to look at actual available products. We share the products every member of our team of independent experts hand tested and loved using with their dogs.

Below you’ll find some great options, no matter what your budget is and what kind of crate you are looking for. And most importantly, they all come in large sizes.

This pet carrier from K9 is made for travel, but due to its overall functionality, it is also one of the best crates we have found - for staying at home as well as for travel. And, after all, using the same crate at home and when travelling can help keep your dog calm.

This crate is made of tough, durable plastic - blue at the bottom and white at the top. We admit it, plastic is not the most stylish material, but it’s definitely the best for dog crates. We quickly discovered this crate is durable, is easy to clean, and does not retain smells - which can be a problem with crates made of other materials that we've tried.

The crate comes with a sturdy metal door on the front. There are holes in the walls on every side. This ensures good airflow, which is extremely important, especially when travelling. The floor inside has a perforated panel which ensures the floor will stay dry despite any accidents that might happen. There is also a food bowl inside and a water funnel conveniently attached to the door.

This is the largest version of this crate. It is 94 cm long and 62 cm wide. Due to the size it’s quite heavy too, weighing 8 kilograms, but that’s kind of necessary for this size. If you are looking for something a bit smaller though, this crate does come in a variety of sizes from small to extra extra large.

Teddy the Designer Dog Crate is the dog crate we’ve been waiting for all along! Sure, your dog might be equally happy in a simple cage or a stylish kennel, but why not have something that looks nice inside your home?

The design of the Teddy is very simple but very clever. The floor, the top, and the walls are all made from birch plywood. Its default version is finished with a clear coating which looks very natural and fits almost anywhere. However, there is also a black version and there might be a possibility to get a custom finish too, in case you need something specific for the crate to fit in with the rest of your home decor. 

In terms of style, I like how the back wall features an interesting pattern of vertical perforations while the side walls are sets of solid plywood columns. It all ties in together for a very nice look which is completed with a transparent acrylic door at the front. The door is incredibly tough, even the most persistent of canines won’t damage it.

Everyone on our team of independent experts appreciated that the crate is available in three sizes. The interior of the largest one is almost 90 cm wide and 65 cm high which should be enough for most large dogs (although not for giant breeds). It's slightly taller than our number one choice, yet also slightly smaller in width. Getting a custom size might also be possible. 

If you have a large dog, but don’t want to fork out fortune in their new crate, you might have a tough time finding any good options. But we have you covered! This cheap large dog crate from iPet might just be what you are looking for.

The main selling point of this crate is that it is larger than most other ready-made options. The largest version is 123 cm long and 79 cm wide, which is quite spacious. It is great for one large dog or even two smaller ones. Smaller sizes are available too, of course, in case this is too large.

The crate itself is made of steel wire with a black coating that prevents rusting. The spacing between bars is 33 mm. That is quite a small distance which makes it less likely for the dog to stick their paw out and get stuck somehow.

Possibly my favourite aspect of this crate is that it is completely foldable. It folds down onto the bottom panel and it looks just like a briefcase in the end. Perfect for travel and storage.

Since it is essentially a wire cage, this crate ensures good airflow. It does not block out light which was sometimes a problem with dogs belonging to our team of independent experts. However, this can be easily solved by getting a cover for the crate - or simply throwing a blanket over it. Add a comfortable pillow for the floor and your canine companion will feel like a king.

The Bono Fido Kennel is one of the most beloved soft dog crates in Australia. Even though it is soft-sided, it comes with a sturdy frame that ensures the durability of the crate. It also comes with everything your dog needs to be comfortable which makes it one of our favourites!

So what does this crate look like? A durable and water-resistant fabric stretches across the rectangular frame. The doors are equipped with heavy-duty zippers and there are three of them. One at the front, one on the side, and one at the top. In addition to this, there are mesh windows on all sides. I was able to open them to increase the airflow or close them to give my pooch more peace and quiet.

In addition to this, the crate comes with a soft fleece pad for the bottom of the crate, something our first three crate options could use. The pad gives additional warmth and keeps the dog feeling comfy. Everyone on our panel of pros was relieved that the pad and the cover are washable in the machine to make cleaning a lot easier.

This Mobile Home from Kazoo is a great option for large dogs. It’s 122 cm long and 76 cm high, which is bigger than most crates offered by competitors. So, if you are having trouble finding a crate large enough, this could be a good choice. And even if your dog is smaller, why not give them a bit of extra space?

This is a wire crate made of powder-coated steel wire. The form was designed carefully to ensure stability and safety for your dog. The crate is equipped with two sturdy doors with latches. They are easy to open and stay closed.

Like our similarly designed option in our number three spot, this large dog cage comes with a thick plastic tray for the bottom. The tray slides out which makes cleaning exceptionally easy. The only complaint that our researchers had is that the floor is bare, hard plastic. However, this is easily fixed by throwing your pooch’s favourite pillow inside.

This crate is foldable too which makes storage and transport much easier.

This is the second option from Bono Fido on our list. It’s similar to the first one, but this one is more portable and smaller. The largest version of this portable pet home is 77 cm long. This does count as large when it comes to crate sizing, but for owners of really large dogs, it could actually be quite small.

If the size fits, though, you are probably going to love this crate. I liked how it is not only lightweight, but it is also foldable. It comes with a cute fabric bag which was great for carrying this pet home around when my dog wasn't using it. In addition, it is also portable when fully assembled with the dog inside. A sturdy handle at the top allows you to lift the crate easily.

The floor of this crate is enriched with soft padding, like the other Bono Fido crate in spot number four. This way, the crate is ready to use without any extra accessories. There are windows on two sides closed with strong mesh fabric. The windows additionally have lids that you can open or close to regulate the temperature and light.

What I Look For In a Large Dog Crate?

After seeing our favourites available in this category, you may be ready to jump onto purchasing your large pooch a crate. However, the first question to address is - what will the crate be used for? In general, there are two kinds of crates: those used at home and those used for travel (although there is no reason why it couldn’t be the same crate). 

Using dog crates at home is a relatively new concept in Australia, but these days it is supported by many dog behaviourists, and even recommended by RSPCA. 

The reason why some people oppose crate training dogs is that some dog owners do it the wrong way. If used as punishment, crate training is cruel, but if done right it can be good both for pet parents and for the dog (2). So, keeping that in mind, try to look for a crate that will be a comfortable safe place for your pup, and not a punishment.

Related: Best Dog Crate Covers

The same rules apply for crates that are used for travel, but you also need to pay attention to portability in addition to what we mentioned above.

Size

How big should a dog crate be? 

When getting a crate you will use at home, there is no need to confine your dog to a small space. However, it shouldn’t be huge either as it defeats the whole point of a crate. If you are looking for a crate for travelling, though, then you can go a bit smaller. But in any case, the dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and lay down inside. When it comes to air travel, having a crate spacious enough is required by IATA (4), although airlines can have additional requirements.

Portability

Another thing to consider about your dog’s crate is whether you would like to keep it in place or move around from time to time. If you don’t intend to move it, you have no problems - no matter what kind of crate you choose.

If you travel often and want your dog to always have a home (but not necessarily to use it for travelling), then you can look for foldable crates that can be packed neatly for moving and storage. On the other hand, if you want to transport your dog inside the crate, look for options that are made for that. They will usually have useful handles and reinforced floors for the purpose.

Material

When it comes to the material a crate is made of, there are many options. Wire crates are quite sturdy, provide a lot of airflow, and are often foldable. However, they do require additional covers to block out the light.

Crates made of plastic are a good option. A quality crate made of plastic will be solid and sturdy, while still not being overly heavy. This is generally the preferred option for travel. This type of crate is also easy to clean as plastic does not absorb liquids and odours.

The final option you have are soft crates. These are usually made of fabric with a metal frame. They usually have mesh windows on the sides to ensure appropriate airflow. Soft-sided crates are convenient because they are lightweight and portable. However, they can be a bit more difficult to clean.

In addition to this, they are not that good at preventing a dog from escaping. In general, this is a good option for crate-trained dogs that like to spend time inside their cozy cave.

My Final Thoughts

Finding a large dog crate is not easy, but we hope we have shown you it is definitely possible. If you are looking for a travel crate, especially for airline travel, our team of independent experts agree that the K9 Pet Carrier will most likely fulfil your needs.

On the other hand, if you need a large crate for your home you can customise, consider the Teddy Designer Dog Crate, or the iPet Foldable Pet Crate which is quite similar but comes at a much lower price. In any case, we hope this guide has helped you find the perfect crate for your canine!

References

1. Storer, Pat. 2012. Crate Training Your Dog: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-267. Storey Publishing.
2. Martin D, Campbell L, Ritchie M. 2017. “Problem Prevention”. In: Martin, D., Shaw, J., Eds. Canine and Feline Behavior for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.: Chichester; pp. 145-203
3. “How to Make Your Dog’s Crate Feel Like Home”. March 27, 2023. PetMD. Retrieved December 16, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/how-make-your-dogs-crate-feel-home
4. "Traveler's Pet Corner". IATA. Retrieved December 16, 2023. https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/live-animals/pets/
5.  “Why and how should I crate train my dog?”. RSPCA. Retrieved December 16, 2023. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/why-and-how-should-i-crate-train-my-dog/