5 Best German Shepherd Crates: Our 2024 GSD Crate Size Guide

Crates can be a great tool for housetraining your pet, and they give your furry friend a place that’s all their own. Crating, despite what you may have heard, is not a bad thing. It takes advantage of your German Shepherd’s natural burrowing instinct, and provides them with a comfortable place to sleep, feel safe, and relax.

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But choosing the right crate for your German Shepherd is not easy. So we’re here to help. In this guide, we will discuss the 5 best German Shepherd crates of 2024. We’ll also give you some basic information about the most popular types of crates, how to choose the right crate for your German Shepherd, and tips about crate training German Shepherd puppies. Ready to get started? Read on, and get all of the information that you need to pick the right crate for your precious pooch.

Popular Types of Crates for German Shepherds

There are a few different types of crates that are commonly used for German Shepherds. Let’s take a look at each one of these now.

• Folding wire crates – Folding wire crates are the most ubiquitous, easy-to-use, and inexpensive types of German Shepherd crate on the market. Using a wire design, they provide your dog with a view of the outside. They also fold for portability, and can easily be cleaned. Most of them also come with a bottom panel which can be padded with a bed or blanket to create a comfortable bed for your pup.
• Soft-sided crates – Soft-sided crates are usually only recommended for dogs that have been extensively crate trained and do not have crate anxiety. This is because they are much more prone to destruction by your pup, compared to a metal crate. They use a canvas or nylon fabric, which is stretched over metal supports to create a comfortable “den” for your German Shepherd. They are very comfortable, lightweight, and easy to fold, so they are a top choice for travel, or for excursions such as camping.
• Heavy-duty crates – Heavy-duty crates usually use thicker wire, compared to traditional folding wire crates, and have a reinforced door to help ensure that your dog does not escape. If your pup has a tendency to try to break out of its crate, a heavy-duty crate may be a good option for you.
• Plastic portable dog crates – Sometimes called “pet carriers” these crates are made of thick plastic, with a front-facing swinging door. They are useful for flying or traveling with your German Shepherd, but they are quite expensive, so we don’t recommend them for day-to-day at-home use.

There are some other options out there – like “fashion” crates that are made of wood and double as side tables – but the above four options are the most popular types of German Shepherd crates.

How to Determine the Correct German Shepherd Crate Size

One of the most important parts of choosing the best German Shepherd crate for your pup is to measure it properly. You want to purchase a well-ventilated, comfortable crate where your German Shepherd can stand up, turn around, and lie down.

However, this is a balancing act. You don’t want your dog’s crate to be too big. This is because dogs do not like to soil their own bedding, and this is why they will “hold it” while in a crate. They don’t want to pee or poop in the place where they are sleeping.

If your crate is too big, though, your dog may be able to find a corner away from its bed to have an accident – which will defeat the purpose, and encourage future accidents.

To measure your German Shepherd properly, here’s what you’ll need to do.

• To get the proper length, measure your German Shepherd from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail, and add 2-4 inches.
• To get the proper height, sit your German Shepherd down, and measure from the head or tip of its ears to the ground.
• To get the proper width, measure your German Shepherd’s body width, and add 4 inches

Using these dimensions, you can choose the right size of crate for your dog. Note, too, that most larger crates come with a divider. This divider can be used to make the crate smaller for a puppy, ensuring that you do not have to purchase multiple crates as your dog grows.

Overall Best Dog Crates for German Shepherds

Our 2024 Picks: Best Dog Crates for German Shepherds
	Frisco Fold & Carry Single Door Dog Crate Lightweight design Easily collapsible for storage Price: $	CHECK PRICE
	Frisco Indoor & Outdoor Soft Dog Crate Soft-sided design with strong metal structure Reinforced corners for a long lifespan Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	MidWest ICrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate Double doors for easy entry and exit Secure latching mechanism Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	PetMate Sky Kennel Approved for flight by most airlines Extremely secure and safe Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	MidWest ICrate Dog Crate Kit All-inclusive dog crate kit Available in sizes up to 48 inches Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE

Frisco Fold & Carry Single Door Dog Crate

Key Features:

• Lightweight design
• Easily collapsible for storage
• Divider panel included
• Easy-to-clean plastic pan

Overall Best Crate For A German Shepherd –If you’re looking for the best dog crate for your German Shepherd, it doesn’t get much better than this single door dog crate from Frisco. It’s simple, affordable, and comes with all of the features and extras that you’ll need to crate train your German Shepherd puppy. The included plastic pan is easy to clean, and a divider panel lets you divide the crate, and allow it to grow with your dog. It folds and has adjustable handles, making it easy to move and transport, and it has a secure, double-latch system to ensure that your German Shepherd won’t accidentally escape its crate.

Pros:

• Affordable and offers great value for the price
• Available in sizes of up to 48 inches to accommodate larger German Shepherds
• Secure latching system for your dog’s safety

Cons:

• Breaking down the crate properly takes a bit of practice
• Initial assembly is quite difficult
• Strong, aggressive dogs may be able to bend the latch and door, and escape

Frisco Indoor & Outdoor Soft Dog Crate

Key Features:

• Soft-sided design with strong metal structure
• Reinforced corners for a long lifespan
• Multiple ventilation screens for comfort
• Secure zipping mechanism

Best Travel Crate for a German Shepherd – If you do a lot of traveling, this soft-sided dog crate from Frisco is a great option. It’s very lightweight and easy to set up and take down, making it a perfect choice for long road trips, camping, and other such excursions. With a secure zipper, multiple ventilation holes, and a durable fabric stretched over a stainless steel frame, it’s sure to hold up to your adventures. However, we do not recommend using this crate if your dog has a tendency to scratch, or has not yet been completely crate-trained.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Easy to fold and transport
• Provides a dark, denlike environment for your German Shepherd’s comfort

Cons:

• Not appropriate for dogs that are aggressive or not yet crate trained
• Will wear out more quickly than a wire crate
• No loops to stake the crate to the ground when outside

MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate

Key Features:

• Double doors for easy entry and exit
• Secure latching mechanism
• Foldable for simple storage, transportation
• Includes leak-proof pan, carrying handle, divider

Best 42 Inch Crate for a German Shepherd – 42-inch crates are typically the best choice for adult German Shepherds, as they will have enough room to move around, but not enough to soil their crate away from their sleeping area. This crate from MidWest is our top choice for a 42-inch crate for German Shepherds, thanks to its durable design, double doors with secure latches, and roller feet which help protect hardwood and tile floors. It also comes with a divider panel, plastic pan, and a carrying handle, and can be folded for easy transportation and storage.

Pros:

• Made from high-grade steel wire for strength, durability
• Rounded corners keep your dog safe
• Divider panel is easy to move and remove

Cons:

• Expensive, compared to other 42-inch crates
• May rust easily in moist environments, use indoors only
• Creative dogs may be able to push the latches open from the corners

2 More German Shepherd Crates

Looking for even more suggestions for the best German Shepherd crates in 2024? While the below options didn’t quite make our list of top picks, they still may be a good option for you, depending on your needs. Take a look now!

PetMate Sky Kennel

Key Features:

• Approved for flight by most airlines
• Extremely secure and safe
• Ventilated for comfort
• Heavy-duty, impact-resistant shell

If you need to fly with your dog, this PetMate Sky Kennel is a good choice, and is approved for flight by most major airlines. However, even the large size is only rated for dogs up to 70lbs, meaning that some extremely-large male German Shepherds may not fit properly in this crate. For smaller Shepherds and puppies, though, this is the best option for air travel, thanks to its highly-secure design and safety features.

Pros:

• Great for air travel
• Sturdy and durable
• Multiple vents for comfort

Cons:

• May be too small to accommodate larger male German Shepherds
• Door is complicated to latch and unlatch
• Side vents can be popped out with repeated pushing

MidWest iCrate Dog Crate Kit

Key Features:

• All-inclusive dog crate kit
• Available in sizes up to 48 inches
• Double-door design
• Cover keeps your pup feeling safe and secure

This iCrate Dog Crate Kit is ideal for a new puppy owner, and comes with a dog crate, bedding, water and food bowl, crate cover, and a divider, so you’ll have everything that you need to begin training your dog. You’ll get all of these products in a single, affordable package, making it a great deal that saves you both time and money.

Pros:

• Great value for the money
• Crate and all the accessories are durable and high-quality
• Bed and crate cover are machine-washable, dryer-friendly

Cons:

• Bed is relatively thin
• Cover may rip if put on the crate incorrectly
• Divider is hard to put in, take out

5 Tips For Crate Training a German Shepherd Puppy

If you’re crate training a German Shepherd puppy, we’ve put together a few helpful tips that will ensure that your pup loves its new crate, and gets used to it quickly. Take a look now!

• Make the crate comfortable for your German Shepherd puppy – Your dog will not be as happy or comfortable with its crate if it’s just bare metal and hard plastic. To make it comfortable and make sure your puppy is comfortable, you should line it with some blankets and bedding, and put some toys inside it. You may also want to cover it with a blanket or crate cover to make it more dark and “denlike.”
• Use a divider in larger crates – If you bought a large crate, you need to use a divider to keep the area small enough so that your German Shepherd can’t have an accident without soiling its bedding and sleeping area. This will help ensure that the housebreaking process goes smoothly.
• Don’t leave your puppy in its crate all day – Young puppies should only be kept in their crates for about 4 hours. More than that, and your dog will become uncomfortable, and it may have an accident, even if it’s trying its hardest to hold it. As your puppy grows, you can increase the time you leave your dog in its crate to about 8 hours. Still, though, your German Shepherd should have plenty of time outside its crate to run, walk, and play with your family.
• Never use the crate as a punishment – You want your dog’s crate to be a place where it can feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed. That means you should never send your German Shepherd to its crate when it misbehaves, or use it as a punishment. If you do, your dog will start associating negative feedback with the crate.
• Choose a calm, quiet spot for your pup’s crate – Your German Shepherd’s crate should be away from most foot traffic, and in a calm spot where it can relax, nap, and feel safe. A laundry room, spare room, or other such area is a great place to put your dog’s crate.

Crate training your German Shepherd puppy is not always easy, but it is rewarding – and the above tips will help you throughout the process.

FAQs About German Shepherd Crates

Got more questions about German Shepherd crates? We’ve got answers. Take a look at a few FAQs below.

• For how long should I crate train my German Shepherd puppy at night? Most puppies won’t be able to hold their bladders for a full 7-8+ hours of sleep at night. They will need to take a bathroom break. Until your dog is about 9+ weeks old, you should wake up and take it for a potty break about every 3 hours. After 9 weeks, you can start taking your pup out once per night, after about 4 hours after you go to bed. Then, once your dog is 12+ weeks old, you can start stretching the time between potty breaks out – until your dog lasts the entire night without an accident.
• Is crating good for my German Shepherd? Yes. Crating is not “inhumane.” It’s the best way to housetrain your dog, and if you do it successfully, your dog will feel totally safe, comfortable and happy in its crate – it will be like its very own bedroom! If you take the time to crate train a German Shepherd puppy – or even an adult dog – you will find that it’s well-worth the effort.
• Can my German Shepherd wear its collar in its crate? No, unless it’s a soft-sided crate. Collars can get caught on wire crates and cause strangulation, so it’s best to remove your dog’s collar whenever it goes into its crate, and you’re not going to be around – such as at night, or before you leave for work.
• Should I cover my dog crate? Some dogs prefer having a view of the outside, and some dogs like a more cozy, nest-like environment. It depends on your pup, so do some experimenting! However, if you do cover your dog’s crate with a blanket, make sure that it is still adequately ventilated for your pup’s comfort.

Got more questions about crate training, or picking the right German Shepherd crate? There are a lot of other helpful books and online resources about the subject, and we’d also recommend that you consult with your vet or an animal trainer if you have further concerns before beginning the crate training process.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in buying the best German Shepherd crate in 2024, we hope this guide has been helpful. By now, you should understand the basics about crate training and its benefits, as well as details about the top dog crates on the market.

So, if you’re ready to get started, take another look at our recommendations above! You’re sure to find a crate that’s perfect for your German Shepherd. Start shopping now, and begin the process of crate training your pup right away.