Buying guide
Best Puppy Crates in Australia 2025 — Vet & Trainer Approved
The right crate size and type can make toilet training 10x easier. Here's what Australian trainers actually recommend.
5 picks, 6 min read
Our top picks
- 1
Best Overall
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate
View on Amazon - 2
Most Durable
Ruff & Barker Heavy Duty Dog Crate
View on Amazon - 3
PetSafe Two-Door Wire Dog Crate
View on Amazon - 4
Petmate Soft Sided Travel Crate
View on Amazon - 5
Heavy Duty
Impact Dog Crate
View on Amazon
Compare at a glance
Wire (folding)
- Best For
- Most puppies — ventilation is excellent
- Australian Heat
- ✅ Best — airflow all sides
- Durability
- High
- Price
- $130–$280
Heavy-duty wire/steel
- Best For
- Anxious dogs, escape artists, large breeds
- Australian Heat
- ✅ Good — no walls
- Durability
- Highest
- Price
- $200–$450
Plastic (IATA)
- Best For
- Air travel, car transport
- Australian Heat
- ❌ Poor — traps heat
- Durability
- Medium
- Price
- $80–$200
Soft-sided fabric
- Best For
- Camping, travel for trained dogs
- Australian Heat
- ✅ Medium
- Durability
- Low — chewers will escape
- Price
- $60–$140
| Type | Best For | Australian Heat | Durability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wire (folding) | Most puppies — ventilation is excellent | ✅ Best — airflow all sides | High | $130–$280 |
| Heavy-duty wire/steel | Anxious dogs, escape artists, large breeds | ✅ Good — no walls | Highest | $200–$450 |
| Plastic (IATA) | Air travel, car transport | ❌ Poor — traps heat | Medium | $80–$200 |
| Soft-sided fabric | Camping, travel for trained dogs | ✅ Medium | Low — chewers will escape | $60–$140 |
Small
- Adult Weight
- Under 10kg (Cavoodle, Maltese, Pug)
- Recommended Crate Size
- 61–76cm
- MidWest Size
- 24" or 30"
Medium
- Adult Weight
- 10–25kg (Staffy, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel)
- Recommended Crate Size
- 76–91cm
- MidWest Size
- 30" or 36"
Large
- Adult Weight
- 25–40kg (Lab, Golden, Husky)
- Recommended Crate Size
- 91–107cm
- MidWest Size
- 36" or 42"
Extra Large
- Adult Weight
- 40kg+ (GSD, Malamute, Great Dane)
- Recommended Crate Size
- 107–122cm+
- MidWest Size
- 42" or 48"
| Adult Dog Size | Adult Weight | Recommended Crate Size | MidWest Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 10kg (Cavoodle, Maltese, Pug) | 61–76cm | 24" or 30" |
| Medium | 10–25kg (Staffy, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel) | 76–91cm | 30" or 36" |
| Large | 25–40kg (Lab, Golden, Husky) | 91–107cm | 36" or 42" |
| Extra Large | 40kg+ (GSD, Malamute, Great Dane) | 107–122cm+ | 42" or 48" |
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product links on this page go to Amazon AU. Prices shown are approximate, check Amazon for current pricing.
A properly sized crate leverages your puppy's natural instinct to keep their sleeping area clean — making house training predictable and fast. The key is sizing: too big and they'll toilet in one corner and sleep in the other. Too small and they'll be stressed. Get the size right, introduce it positively, and crate training becomes one of your most powerful tools.
Wire vs Plastic vs Soft-Sided: Which Wins in Australia?
Crate Sizing by Breed Size
Best Overall
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate
The Australian trainer favourite. Foldable wire crate with a divider panel for growing puppies. Heavy-duty dual latches, two-piece floor pan for easy cleaning. Folds flat for transport. Available in all sizes.
- Divider panel grows with your pup
- Heavy-duty iLock dual-latch doors
- Two-piece removable floor pan
- Folds flat for storage and travel
Most Durable
Ruff & Barker Heavy Duty Dog Crate
Welded steel frame (not folded wire) designed for anxious and large breed puppies. Australian-owned brand. Powder-coated anti-rust finish, heavy-duty latches, will not be bent or pushed open.
- Welded steel frame — indestructible
- Powder-coated anti-rust finish
- Swing-out or sliding door options
- Heavy-duty latch mechanisms
PetSafe Two-Door Wire Dog Crate
Two door access for flexible room placement — front and side entry. Great for pups who panic with one exit. Chrome-plated rust resistance, easy fold, mid-price. Good for bedrooms and living rooms.
- Dual doors — corner or wall placement
- Chrome-plated rust-resistant finish
- Easy fold and transport
- Waterproof floor pan
Petmate Soft Sided Travel Crate
Lightweight fabric and mesh for car trips and camping with already-trained dogs. Breathable and comfortable. Not suitable for puppies still in training or heavy chewers — they will escape.
- Lightweight and portable
- Mesh sides for airflow
- Washable fabric cover
- Folds flat for storage
Heavy Duty
Impact Dog Crate
Aircraft-grade aluminium crate for dogs that have broken out of standard wire crates. Australian customers can order online. Lifetime warranty. Worth the investment for strong chewers and persistent escape artists.
- Aircraft-grade aluminium — cannot be bent
- Suitable for travel and home use
- Lifetime warranty
Introducing the Crate: Step-by-Step
- 1
Door open — explore freely
Place crate in a family living area (not isolated garage or laundry). Leave door open. Toss treats inside. Let them explore at their own pace.
- 2
Feed meals inside
Place food bowl just inside the door, then progressively further in. Creates a strong positive association with the space.
- 3
Close door for 5–10 minutes
While you're home and visible. If they're calm, open before they whine. Build duration slowly — never go further than they can handle.
- 4
Build to 30–60 minutes
Over 1–2 weeks. Stay home during all crating. Only progress when they settle calmly within 2 minutes of closing the door.
- 5
Night crating
Place crate by your bed initially so you hear toilet needs. Expect middle-of-night breaks until 12–16 weeks. Accelerates house training significantly.
- Puppy cries in the crate
- Wait for 2–3 seconds of silence, then let them out. Immediate response teaches them crying works. Gradual extension of wait teaches self-soothing.
- Puppy toilets in the crate
- Crate is too large, or they were left too long. Reduce space with divider, reduce time, or increase toilet break frequency.
- Puppy won't enter the crate
- Introduction was too fast or forced. Go back to basics — door open, high-value treats, never push them in. Patience over pressure.
Common questions
How long can a puppy stay in a crate?
A general rule: 1 hour per month of age plus 1. A 3-month-old = 4 hours max. Adult dogs can hold 8–10 hours, but even then, 6–8 hours is healthier. Always schedule potty breaks immediately after crating.
Should I crate my puppy at night?
Yes, but expect middle-of-the-night toilet breaks until 12–16 weeks. Place the crate by your bed initially so you hear when they need out. This accelerates house training and keeps them safe.
What size crate should I buy?
Check the breed's adult weight, then buy one size up to accommodate growth. Many crates have divider panels to reduce internal space while your puppy is small, then remove the divider as they grow.
My puppy cries in the crate — is this normal?
Yes, but don't respond immediately or they'll learn crying works. Wait for a 2–3 second silence, then let them out. Gradually extend the wait. This teaches self-soothing.
Can I use a crate for a chewer puppy?
Only if you use wire or heavy-duty plastic, never soft-sided fabric. Ensure no toxic materials are within reach. Offer appropriate chew toys inside and supervise early crate time.
Do I need to buy a new crate as my puppy grows?
Not if you buy one with a divider panel designed for growing pups. Otherwise, you'll need to size up around 6 months. Buy adult size with divider from the start.