Best Dog Crates for Small Breeds
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I found Georgie, a tiny dust bunny with the heart of a lion, chewing on the leg of my antique end table. Not gnawing, mind you, but meticulously filing a new notch into the already distressed wood. It was 6 AM, and the sunrise glinted off her tiny, determined teeth. That’s when I knew: the era of Georgie-induced furniture modifications had to end. We needed a crate, and not just any crate, but the best dog crate for a small breed like my morkie.
Here’s the thing about small dogs: they might be pint-sized, but their capacity for chaos is often inversely proportional to their weight. People often think a tiny dog doesn’t need a crate, that they’re too small to cause real trouble or too delicate to be “locked up.” Both ideas are pure nonsense. A crate isn’t a jail; it’s a den, a safe space, and a sanity-saver for you and your dog. But choosing the right one for a small breed involves a few specific considerations that differ from crating a Great Dane.
My clear point, after much trial and error (and one very chewed dog bed), is that for small breeds, a soft-sided, collapsible crate is almost always the superior choice over the traditional wire variety. Why? Portability, comfort, and safety. Wire crates, while durable, can feel cavernous and impersonal for a tiny dog. The open bars, while offering visibility, don’t provide the same den-like comfort a fabric crate does. For Georgie, a standard wire crate felt like a cage in a warehouse. She’d huddle in a corner, looking forlorn. But the minute I introduced her to a soft-sided crate, it was a game-changer.
The specific example that solidified this for me was during a weekend trip to my parents’ house. We brought the soft-sided crate, which folded flat and fit easily in the car. Setting it up was a breeze, and Georgie, instead of being anxious in a new environment, immediately curled up inside it as if it were her familiar bed. The enclosed, cozy space gave her a sense of security that a wire crate just couldn’t replicate. Plus, the mesh windows offered ventilation without the stark “barred” feeling. And let’s be honest, for a small dog, the weight of a traditional wire crate can be almost as much as the dog itself, making it a pain to move. A soft crate, on the other hand, is light as a feather.
So, if you have a small breed dog like my morkie, ditch the heavy, clunky wire crates and invest in a good quality soft-sided, collapsible one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What size crate is best for a small breed dog?
A crate should be just large enough for your small dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Avoid overly large crates, which can make them feel less secure and disrupt house-training.
What features should I look for in a small dog crate?
Prioritize secure latches, durable and non-toxic materials, and good ventilation. Consider features like a removable tray for easy cleaning, multiple access doors, and a divider for growing puppies. Portability might also be a factor.
Are wire or soft-sided crates better for small breeds?
It depends on your dog’s needs. Wire crates offer durability and ventilation, ideal for chewers or long-term use. Soft-sided crates are lightweight and great for travel, but less suitable for escape artists or heavy chewers.