Let’s be honest, shopping for a dog crate can feel… overwhelming. Wire crates, furniture-style crates, soft-sided ones for travel. Which one is actually going to work for your specific dog? You know they need a safe, comfortable den, but you also need something that doesn’t look like a prison cell in your living room and that you can actually set up without an engineering degree.
After getting my hands on a bunch of the most popular models for medium-sized dogs-think energetic Australian Shepherds, sturdy Bulldogs, and growing Labradors-I can tell you the differences are real. A crate isn’t just a cage; it’s your dog’s bedroom. It needs to be secure enough to keep them safe, spacious enough for them to stand and turn, and easy enough for you to manage. This list isn’t just specs and marketing talk. It’s based on what actually works, what dogs seem to like, and what features make your life easier.
Best Dog Crates for Medium Dogs – 2025 Reviews
MidWest iCrate – Best All-Around Double Door Security
The MidWest 36-inch double door iCrate is the gold standard for a reason. It’s the crate you buy when you don’t want to overthink it. The double doors offer fantastic placement flexibility in your home, and the newly enhanced security latches with the Paw Block give you serious peace of mind. It’s the definition of a workhorse.
Sets up and folds down in literal seconds with no tools, and the included divider panel is a game-changer for raising a puppy, letting you adjust the space as they grow.
Amazon Basics Double Door Crate – Unbeatable Value
If your main priority is getting a solid, no-fuss metal crate without breaking the bank, the Amazon Basics 30-inch model is your answer. It delivers all the core functions-double doors, a divider, a removable tray, and a foldable design-at a price point that’s hard to argue with. It proves you don’t need to spend a fortune for secure containment.
EasyCom Dog Crate Furniture – Stylish & Modern Hub
The EasyCom crate successfully bridges the gap between functional pet gear and actual furniture. This isn’t just a crate with a wood top slapped on; it’s a well-designed piece that functions as a TV stand, side table, or room divider. The 90% pre-assembled design is a massive time-saver, and the elevated base allows a robot vacuum to clean underneath-a small but brilliant detail for modern homes.
MidWest 30-inch iCrate – Perfect for Compact Medium Breeds
Not every ‘medium’ dog is the same. For compact breeds like Cocker Spaniels, French Bulldogs, or smaller Border Collies, this 30-inch double door iCrate offers a perfectly snug fit. It has all the same superb safety features, tool-free folding, and divider panel as its bigger sibling, just in a more space-efficient package for your home and your dog.
rehomerance Heavy Duty Furniture Crate – Spacious & Solid
The rehomerance crate is a beast in the best way possible. If you have a strong, active medium dog (or a large dog) and want furniture-grade durability, this is a top contender. The steel frame is seriously heavy-duty, and the overall look is that of a handsome, rustic end table. It offers a massive interior space, making it fantastic for dogs who like to sprawl out.
Amazon Basics Soft-Sided Crate – Top Travel & Car Option
This is a completely different tool for a specific job: travel. The Amazon Basics soft-sided crate is lightweight, sets up in seconds, and is perfect for road trips, hotels, or visits to family. It’s not for chewing or anxious dogs, but for a crate-trained dog who needs a portable, comfortable space on the go, it’s incredibly convenient.
Dwanton Dog Crate Table – Budget-Friendly Furniture Style
The Dwanton crate is an entry point into the world of furniture-style crates. It offers the attractive look of wood with a double-door design and includes a matching cushion, all at a more accessible price point. It’s a great choice if you want the aesthetic upgrade without the premium investment of higher-end models.
HOOBRO Sliding Barn Door Crate – Unique Modern Design
The HOOBRO crate stands out with its distinctive sliding barn door, which saves space and adds a unique modern farmhouse touch. It’s a stylish piece that aims to combine aesthetics with function, featuring a sturdy tube frame and a spacious top for decor.
Our Testing Process: Why These Rankings Are Different
You see a lot of ‘best crate’ lists that just regurgitate Amazon descriptions. We do things differently. To find the truly best dog crates for medium breeds, we started with 10 top-selling models and narrowed it down to the 8 most relevant and distinct options you see here. We eliminated duplicates and sizes mismatched for medium dogs.
Our scoring is a 70/30 split. The bulk of a product’s score (70%) comes from real-world performance factors: how well it actually contains and comforts a dog, the feedback from thousands of real owners, and the overall value it delivers. The remaining 30% rewards meaningful innovation and competitive advantages-like the MidWest iCrate’s Paw Block latches or the EasyCom’s pre-assembly and elevated design.
You can see this in action by comparing our top pick, the MidWest Double Door iCrate (rating 9.8), with our Amazon Basics Budget Pick (rating 9.0). That 0.8-point difference represents the premium for enhanced security features, slightly heavier-duty construction, and a more refined user experience. Both are excellent, but one is exceptional.
We don’t just rank by price or hype. A score of 9.0-10.0 means ‘Exceptional’ and is a top-tier, easy recommendation. An 8.0-8.9 is ‘Very Good’ to ‘Excellent’-a great product with some clear trade-offs. Our goal is to give you the data-driven insights you need to make the right choice, not just the marketing highlights.
Complete Buyer's Guide: How to Choose a Dog Crate for Your Medium-Sized Breed
1. Getting the Size Right (It's Crucial!)
The most important step is measuring your dog. A crate that’s too small is inhumane, and one that’s too large can undermine house training. Here’s the simple rule: your dog should be able to stand up without crouching, turn around comfortably, and lie down stretched out. Measure your dog’s height (from floor to top of head or ears) and length (from nose to base of tail). Add 2-4 inches to each measurement for the minimum crate interior dimensions.
For medium breeds, you’re typically looking at crates in the 30-inch to 36-inch length range. A 30-inch crate suits dogs ~25-40 lbs (like a Beagle or Cocker Spaniel), while a 36-inch crate is better for dogs ~40-70 lbs (like a Border Collie or Bulldog).
2. Material Matters: Wire, Furniture, or Soft-Sided?
These are the classic, most versatile choice. They offer maximum ventilation, are easy to clean, fold for storage/travel, and often include dividers for puppies. They’re great for training, general use, and warmer climates. The trade-off is that they are the least aesthetically pleasing.
Furniture-Style Crates (Like EasyCom & rehomerance)
These are designed to blend into your home decor, often functioning as an end table, TV stand, or room divider. They provide a more den-like, secure feeling for your dog and look great. They are heavy, not portable, and are a larger investment. Best for dogs who are past the destructive chewing phase.
Soft-Sided Crates (Like Amazon Basics Travel Crate)
These are strictly for travel and temporary use with already crate-trained dogs. They’re lightweight, portable, and great for cars, hotels, or visits. They are not secure or durable for everyday containment or for dogs with anxiety or chewing tendencies.
3. Security Features You Shouldn't Skip
Your dog’s safety is paramount. Look for sturdy, double-latch mechanisms on doors. The MidWest iCrate’s ‘Paw Block’ is an excellent example of safety-focused design that prevents toe injuries. For furniture crates, test the latch operation-smooth, reliable latches are a sign of quality. Ensure the crate has no sharp edges or gaps where a collar could get caught.
4. Portability & Ease of Use
Think about your lifestyle. Will you need to move the crate for cleaning or trips? Traditional wire crates are champions here, folding flat in seconds. Furniture crates are permanent installations. Also, consider assembly. Some furniture crates (like the EasyCom) are mostly pre-assembled, while others can be a complex puzzle. For a basic wire crate, tool-free setup is standard and expected.
5. Considering Aesthetics & Your Home
If the crate will live in your main living area, how it looks matters. A furniture-style crate can be a beautiful addition. For a wire crate, you can easily drape a blanket over the top and sides to create a cozier den and hide the wire look. Just make sure to leave the front uncovered for ventilation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it cruel to crate a medium-sized dog?
Not at all, when done correctly. Dogs are den animals by nature, and a properly sized crate becomes their safe, personal bedroom. It provides security, aids in house training by taking advantage of their instinct not to soil their sleeping area, and keeps them safe from household hazards when unsupervised. The key is to never use the crate as punishment and to ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise, play, and interaction outside of crate time. It should be their happy place.
2. My dog is 45 lbs. Should I get a 30-inch or 36-inch crate?
For a 45 lb dog, I would strongly recommend the 36-inch crate. The 30-inch crate is typically rated for dogs up to 40 lbs. Giving your dog that extra few inches of length and height ensures they have room to stretch out fully and stand comfortably, which is essential for their long-term comfort and well-being. It’s always better to err on the side of slightly more space, especially for a dog that’s right on the borderline of the size chart.
3. Are furniture-style dog crates sturdy enough for anxious dogs?
It depends entirely on the specific crate’s construction. High-end models like the EasyCom or rehomerance use thick steel tubing and solid wood, making them very sturdy for most dogs. However, they are generally not as escape-proof as a fully enclosed wire crate for a dog with severe separation anxiety who is a determined chewer or door-dasher. For a moderately anxious dog that settles down, a well-built furniture crate provides a comforting, den-like enclosure. For a dog with a history of destructive escape attempts, a heavy-duty wire crate is often the safer starting point.
4. What's the benefit of a double-door crate?
Placement flexibility is the huge win. With doors on the front and side, you can push the crate into a corner and still have full access from the front. You can position it against a wall and use the side door as the main entrance. This makes fitting the crate into your room layout much easier and can improve airflow. It also gives your dog more than one view out, which can reduce boredom.
Final Verdict
Finding the right crate for your medium-sized dog boils down to balancing their needs with your lifestyle. If you want the most reliable, secure, and versatile option that will work for training, travel, and everyday life, the MidWest Homes for Pets 36-inch Double Door iCrate is an unbeatable all-rounder. Its thoughtful safety features and foolproof design make it our top pick.
If your budget is tight but you still need quality, the Amazon Basics Double Door Crate delivers incredible value. And if you’re ready to invest in a piece that looks as good as it functions, the EasyCom Dog Crate Furniture seamlessly turns your dog’s space into a stylish part of your home.
No matter which you choose, remember that a crate should always be a positive, safe haven for your pup. Introduce it slowly with plenty of treats and praise, and you’ll both appreciate having this essential piece of dog gear for years to come.
