Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates

If you have a particularly crafty dog that can break out of normal dog crates, we know how frustrating it can be. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

When your dog cannot be contained by regular small crates, it’s time to look for something stronger and more durable. Heavy-duty dog crates not only keep your dog safe and protected, but they’re also designed for big dogs that need a lot of space, something you don’t have to worry about as much with small dogs. Here are six of the best options out there for a large crate dog, along with some tips for how to find the best heavy duty escape proof crate for you.

1. ProSelect Empire Dog Crate

Pros:

• ½-inch square bars or 20-gauge steel
• Strong welding reinforces stress points
• Two slide latches for extra security
• Powder-coated for added durability and protection against the elements
• Available in two sizes for medium to large dogs

Cons:

• Not for the budget-conscious shoppers

Our top pick is this top-of-the-line ProSelect Empire escape proof dog crate. The bars are made of ½-inch square bars of 20-gauge steel with strong welding at the stress points to make sure there are no weaknesses for your escape artist to take advantage of. This crate has two slide latches on the front door to keep your pet safe and secure.

The grated floor and removable tray make cleanup easy. Just remove it to quickly clean up waste and slide it back in place when you’re done. Removable casters make it easy to move, and the powder coating protects the metal, so it’s also suitable for outside use. The hammered finish also hides any dings and scratches well, just in case your pup is a biter.

This crate comes in two sizes: medium, measuring 33.75 by 37 by 25.13 inches; and large, measuring 41.25 by 42.25 by 30.75 inches. The medium is suitable for dogs between 25 and 40 pounds, the large for dogs between 41 and 70 pounds.

We love this design because it’s tough enough to stand up to dogs that are exceptionally crafty, powerful, or aggressive, no matter how big or small. Although it’s one of the more expensive options, it does what it says it will and is a great investment if you have the money to spare. That said, budget-conscious dog owners might be a little turned off by the price.

2. PARPET Heavy Duty Empire Crate

Pros:

• Made of ½-inch heavy-duty, powder-coated 20-gauge steel
• Reinforced welding at stress points for extended durability
• Two heavy-duty slide bolts
• Floor bars spaced ½-inch apart and won’t hurt your pet’s feet
• Removable casters

Cons:

• A little pricey
• Limited sizes available

Our next pick for best cage for dogs is this heavy-duty Empire Dog Crate from PARPET. It features 0.5-inch bars of 20-gauge steel and is extremely well made with welding at the stress points to provide impressive durability. The surface is powder-coated, which covers any sharp edges that may hurt your pets and protects the metal from the elements.

This crate is a private, comfortable den for your dog that’s extremely secure. It has a single door in the front that secures with two heavy-duty steel slide-bolts. The interior dimensions are 35.4 by 23.7 by 24.3 inches, and the space between the floor bars is only ½ inch, so it’s easy on your pup’s paws.

The removable metal pan makes cleanup easy. Just use the D-ring handle to slide out the tray to clean up any waste or dog hair that shed while your pup was in its crate. There are also four 3-inch removable steel casters with locking brakes, so it’s easy to move around and position the crate wherever you want.

If you’re willing to invest a little more money to get a top-of-the-line crate, the Parpet is the way to go. The only downsides are that this crate isn’t available in as many sizes as some of the other options, and, as we mentioned, it costs a little bit more. That said, if this is the right size for your dog, we definitely recommend it.

3. Gelinzon Heavy Duty Dog Crate

Pros:

• Corrosion and rust-resistant
• Covered with a one-year warranty
• Affordable
• Two slide locks
• Removable tray for easy cleaning
• Locking removable casters
• Dog bowl and silicone mat included

Cons:

• Some tough pups are still able to damage the floor
• Only one size available

Another great option for the best crate for large dog that’s a little more affordable is this dog crate from Gelinzon. The tough frame is made from a corrosion and rust-resistant steel, and there are two strong slide locks with safety buckles that prevent even the most clever pup from breaking free.

The grated floor features bars that are one-inch apart, which is ideal small spacing to keep your pet’s feet comfortable while also allowing waste, fur, and dropped food to fall into the removable tray below. The lower pan features a lip around the edge to contain any messes, and a retaining latch holds it in place so there aren’t any accidents.  This crate also has four removable locking casters, so it’s easy to move anywhere and lock in place when you find the perfect spot.

Assembly is easy. Everything you need is included, and all you have to do is unfold the crate, fit the eight screw bolts, and add the casters. The overall dimensions are 38 by 25.5 by 27 inches, and a small dog bowl and silicone mat are included. That’s not all, this product is also covered by a one-year warranty, something that only a few of these products offer.

4. ITORI Heavy Duty Metal Dog Crate

Pros:

• Front and top door
• Reinforced steel bars with welded reinforcement
• Resistant to rust, corrosion, and scratches
• Removable casters
• Two sizes available
• 30-month warranty
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not the best choice for a particularly large or aggressive dog

This best heavy duty metal dog crate from ITORI is made of ½-inch reinforced steel bars with welded reinforcement to make sure that even the toughest, strongest dogs can’t escape. The front door features double door locks for exceptional security, and the top door lets you easily interact with your dog while they’re in the crate without having to open the front door and risk an escape.

The frame is treated with a multi-layer finish that’s resistant to rust, corrosion, scratches, and scruffs. It’s ideal for indoor or outdoor use and, because it’s non-toxic, you don’t have to worry about your dog licking or chewing the frame.

Four removable casters make this crate easy to move, and the locking brakes on two of them help keep the crate from sliding around. This crate is shipped partially assembled, so it doesn’t take long to set up, but at over 80 pounds, it’s pretty heavy, so you might need two sets of hands. The overall dimensions of the medium version are 42.52 by 29.92 by 34.64 inches, and the large is 47.24 by 30.03 by 34.64 inches. You can also choose between black and silver.

This is a great choice if you want something that’s made well but won’t break your budget. That said, if you have a particularly big or aggressive dog, it might not be sturdy enough. If it’s not, though, don’t worry. It’s covered by a 30-month worry-free warranty and ITORI has excellent customer service.

5. Lemberi Heavy Duty Dog Crate

Pros:

• 20-gauge reinforced steel ½-inch diameter tubing
• Environmentally-friendly durable coating
• Front and top doors
• Mesh floor with tray to collect waste
• Four casters
• Two sizes available
• Easy assembly
• 30-month warranty

Cons:

• Skilled escape artists may be able to get out

This Lemberi Heavy Duty dog crate uses 20-gauge reinforced steel. The ½-inch diameter reinforced tubes are extremely durable, ideal for keeping destructive dogs safe and limiting their chance of escape. This crate has an environmentally-friendly coating that’s safe for your dog and protects the metal against rust and corrosion.

There are two doors, one in the front that secures with double bolt locks, and one on the top so you can quickly open it to interact with your pet without risking an escape. The mesh floor allows waste and debris to fall through, and there’s a removable tray underneath that makes cleanup easy. You can easily move it around on the four casters, and two of them lock to provide stability when you get it in place.

You can get this crate in two sizes: medium, which measures 42.52 by 34.46 by 29.92 inches; and large, which is 47.25 by 36 by 30.7 inches. This crate comes pre-assembled, so it’s quick and easy to set up. Just fit the casters, add ten bolts, and you’re ready to go in about 10 minutes. Generally, this product is pretty reliable, but an especially skilled Houdini may be able to escape. This crate comes with a 30-month warranty so, if you’re not happy, reach out and Lemberi will help you out.

6. Haige Pet Your Pet Nanny Heavy Duty Dog Crate

Pros:

• Roof for extra headspace
• Heavy-duty metal construction
• Corrosion-resistant non-toxic coating
• Four lockable casters
• Wide slatted floor
• Easy setup

Cons:

• Aggressive dogs may be able to break out

The most unique thing about this large crate for dogs from Haige Pet Your Pet Nanny is the roof. Unlike other crates that feature a standard rectangular cube shape, this one has a pointed roof that gives your pet a generous amount of headspace.

This dog crate also features a heavy-duty metal frame made from corrosion-resistant steel that’s extremely durable. A non-toxic finish protects the metal from rust and corrosion. The front door closes securely using a durable patent lock, and there are four casters so you can move the crate anywhere, then lock them in place to provide stability.

If you’re looking for a crate with a comfortable floor, this is a great choice. A lot of other crates have thin wire floors that may hurt your dog’s paws, but this one uses wide slats that give your pup a little more support while still allowing waste and debris to fall through to the collection tray below.

The overall dimensions of this crate are 40.5 by 29.5 by 37.4 inches, so it’s suitable for medium to large dogs. It arrives mostly pre-assembled and takes about five minutes to set up. The company offers a three-year warranty – the best we found for a large crate for dog – so if you have any problems, reach out and they should take care of you.

Finding the Best Heavy Duty Dog Crate

The heavy-duty crates are a little more complicated than regular dog crates, so you must consider the following factors:

Size

Bigger is usually always better when it comes to dog crates because you want to make sure your dog has enough room to be comfortable, especially if your pet is going to be spending an extended period of time in their crate. Obviously, if you’re going to travel with your crate, there are other things to consider about the size, but, generally, you should give your pet as much space as possible.

Material

All of the products on our list are made of strong reinforced steel and for good reason. It’s strong enough to stand up to a tough, strong, aggressive dog. Aluminum crates are lighter, but won’t be able to take the abuse of a particularly aggressive or powerful dog. You should also consider a crate that is treated to resist rust and corrosion, especially if you plan to use your crate outdoors to give your dog some fresh air.

Wheels

Casters are the easiest way to move these dog crates, which is why all of these products have them. If you like to move your dog’s crate outdoors when the weather is nice or from one room to another, wheels are the only way to go about it. In addition to being very heavy, these crates will also scratch up your floors if you try to move them without the casters in place.

Conclusion

We know how frustrating it is when it seems like there is nothing that can contain your dog, but there are plenty of effective options out there that were specially designed to hold even the toughest escape artists. We reviewed some of the best heavy duty dog crates to help you find the right one for you.

Mary Nielsen

I grew up in a household that was filled with animals. I believe that my fate as a dog-loving person was sealed in early childhood since my parents owned several dogs of varying sizes and breeds. There was no choice but to take care of and learn about dog habits and the best animal care practices — otherwise, I’d be clueless about how to go about the creatures I was surrounded by day and night.

As a life-long puppy lover, I know a thing or two about dogs and how to go about caring for them in the best way possible. Although I’m not a professionally trained dog behaviorist, trainer, or veterinarian, all of my knowledge and experience with canines comes from a place of love and a deep-rooted passion for dogs and animals in general.

Seeing as dogs kept me company throughout every stage of my life, I decided to follow a different path in my academic life and obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing Management and Digital Advertising, which ultimately allowed me to combine my professional training and personal experience by creating the ultimate dog lover’s resource website! Along with my husband, Dave, I run MySweetPuppy for like-minded dog lovers who want to have a single, clear, and reliable information source about anything and everything related to dogs and their well-being.