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For some dogs, crates can be comfortable havens for rest and people-watching. But for others, crates are a source of annoyance and trepidation—or a challenge to be conquered. Powerful pups, Houdinis, and dogs with anxiety are all popular candidates for heavy-duty dog crates.
Before buying, it’s important to note that some escape artists and crate chewers are responding out of an activated “flight” instinct driven by fear—in which case the answer isn’t necessarily a tougher crate but rather new training. (We’ve chronicled escape-artist Ruby’s path to adult dog crate training and some tools and toys that have helped her become a model crate dog.) If you think fear is behind your pup’s destructive habits, a conversation with your vet or trainer is a good place to start.
For other dogs, though, crates aren’t a source of fear so much as a challenge or object of destructive interest, and in those situations, a heavy-duty crate can make a difference.
Not sure where to begin? Learn more about how to choose a dog crate, hop down to our interviews with experts on heavy-duty options, or browse our favorites below.
Best Heavy-Duty Metal Wire Dog Crate: MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate
If you’re looking for a strong version of a wire crate, the MidWest Life Stages Crate is a good choice. This crate offers upgraded safety features like a slide-bolt door latch. It also has some great crate-training features, including a panel divider and a waterproof pan.
This crate is available in both a double-door and a single-door style; two doors are popular with anxious pups, while pet parents with escape artists will appreciate the single. The thick metal wire walls collapse and fold flat for storage, making it well suited for travel or pet parents who want to prioritize portability.
Note that while the Life Stages Crate is regarded as an impressively sturdy option for a wire crate, really powerful chewers are likely to need welded steel. If that’s your pup, read on!
What We Like:
- Lightweight, portable, and easy to fold and store
- Uses upgraded safety locks on doors
- Available in a wide range of sizes
To Consider:
- Consider the single-door option to reduce escape choices
- The bottom is a removable plastic pan that’s easy to clean but also is a target for chewers
- Not the most secure option for chewers and stronger breeds (consider welded steel models)
Best Rolling Wire Crate: Amazon Basics Heavy-Duty Pet Kennel
The Amazon Basics Heavy-Duty Kennel is an option that blends the wire and steel models by using a metal frame with wiring. It’s a little less severe looking for an indoor crate than some of the welded-steel options and packs almost as much of an anti-escape punch.
It comes in three sizes ranging from medium to extra large and has a pull-out tray for easy cleaning. Like some of the other options, it has both a front door and a top door to allow pet parents to place toys or food inside. Because it is a larger, heavier model than the Life Stages crate, it also features lockable wheels to help move between rooms.
What We Like:
- Wire with steel frame
- Locking wheels for easy transport
- Top hatch for placing food and toys
To Consider:
- While heavy duty, very determined dogs could bend wire if given enough time
- Requires padding
Best Heavy-Duty Steel Crate: KELIXU Heavy-Duty Dog Crate (Verified Review)
The KELIXU Heavy-Duty dog crate can look a little severe at first blush, but it’s a popular and well-reviewed solution for dogs with a gift for figuring out how to escape their kennels. We undertook an in-depth review of this product and found it both safe and secure for Bernese Mountain Dog Ruby, an experienced Houdini.
Made from welded alloy steel, it’s robust and durable, with a hatch that opens from the top, a wide front door, and a smaller food door. It closes with multiple locks, has locking wheels for moving, and comes with a plastic tray in case of accidents. We like the huge range of sizes the KELIXU comes in, though it’s worth noting that it will require soft bedding.
For pet parents who’ve seen lesser crates fail, we think it’s worth the steep price point.
What We Like:
- Durable, sturdy, and made from quality alloy steel
- Limits escape options
- Safe and ventilated
To Consider:
- This is a large and heavy crate, which limits portability
- This is an expensive crate
- No crate is 100% escape-proof
Best Budget Steel: Itori Heavy-Duty Crate for Large Dogs
The Itori crate is another popular welded-steel option. Like the KELIXU, it includes a front and top door, locking wheels, and a pull-out tray—and at a lower price point. But it features exterior bolt locks instead of rotating locks, and it doesn’t come in as many sizes, which may be a drawback for pet parents with anxious pups who need an exact fit.
Like the all of the welded heavy-duty steel crates, this crate requires sturdy padding.
What We Like:
- Exterior bolt locks and welded steel frame
- Lockable wheels for moving
- Top and front openings
- Lower tray can be washed
To Consider:
- At 80+ pounds, this is a very heavy crate
- Requires padding
Best Y-Shaped Model: SMONTER Heavy-Duty Crate
This popular welded steel option is similar to some of the other heavy-duty models, but it makes a design change that’s key for some pet parents with chewers: a Y-shaped grid pattern that’s more difficult for dogs to mouth. Its non-toxic finish and two exterior locking points were designed with escape artists in mind. This is a heavy model, so it comes with lockable wheels to help with moving from room to room.
What We Like:
- A sturdy metal frame adds security while a non-toxic finished surface is safe for your dog
- Popular for large, strong dogs
- Includes lockable wheels
To Consider:
- At 60+ pounds, this is a heavy crate
- Requires padding
Best Heavy-Duty Crate for XL Dogs: KELIXU XL Heavy-Duty Crate
At an enormous 48 inches, the KELIXU XL Heavy-Duty Dog Crate is the biggest heavy-duty option we’ve found: it has an A-frame raised top to accommodate the largest breeds as they stand. Like the KELIXU featured above, this crate has welded steel sides and exterior locks on both the front and top, plus a small door to place toys and food without allowing your dog to escape.
It’s easy and quick to assemble—but its size and weight also make it unlikely you’ll be able to conveniently move it from room to room without disassembling.
What We Like:
- Heavy-duty, XL, and as escape-proof as possible
- Include 360 degree locking wheels
- Great visibility and ventilation
- Can accommodate two dogs
To Consider:
- This model only has one door, which could make it difficult to arrange in a smaller room
- No divider available for growing dogs
Best Heavy-Duty Crate for Anxious Dogs: Impact
The Impact crate is one of the toughest we’ve come across. Made of durable aluminum with reinforced door frames, the crate has rivets that can withstand up to 500 pounds of force. Its zinc-plated steel paddle latch and four additional butterfly latches are backed by a lifetime guarantee, and its 0.05-inch ventilation holes were designed specifically to make it difficult for anxious chewers to hurt themselves.
Military-grade handles are a nice touch, especially since even the smallest size (30 inches) weighs a whopping 45 pounds. At $1,000+, this crate is a serious investment for serious escape artists.
What We Like:
- Premium escape-proof design
- Backed by a lifetime guarantee
- Comes in three different models
- The stationary model has four smaller sizes
To Consider:
- Designs are much heavier than standard crates
- Very expensive investment
Best for Car Travel: Gunner
Plastic crates typically aren’t considered heavy-duty, but the Gunner Kennel is an exception. It’s made from double-walled, rotomolded plastic and stainless steel hardware—no rattling wire here. Made in the USA, the crate is built with a reversible door, designed to be opened from either side, and comes in four different heavy-duty sizes (small, medium, intermediate, and large).
Two kayak-grade carrying handles make it relatively easy to transport, and non-slip feet raise the crate off the ground and reduce slippage when your car is in motion. Best of all, Gunner Kennels have a five-star rating for crash safety from the Center for Pet Safety and offer security for dogs up to 75 pounds.
What We Like:
- Dual-locking single door that offers structural support and security for escape artist dogs
- Element-repelling windows
- Oversized, removable drain makes for easy cleaning
- Lifetime warranty
To Consider:
- The Gunner is another pricey crate, with the smallest size starting at $500+
- Larger sizes of the Gunner get heavy quickly, with the biggest clocking in at 72 pounds
Best Outdoor Heavy-Duty Crate: Lucky Dog Welded Wire Kennel
This outdoor heavy-duty dog crate relies on a mix of welded steel and thinner metal wiring coated to prevent sharp edges from forming. It comes with a water-resistant covering to protects dogs from sun and rain. The modular panels are preassembled for easy set-up and break down.
If you have a lot of space, like a basement or rec room, we think you could set this up indoors—though note that there’s no bottom, which means it will need to be placed where spills or accidents won’t damage the flooring.
What We Like:
- Made of welded steel and coated wire
- Assembles without tools
- The latch is lockable, and a carabiner can make it extra secure
- Comes in two sizes: Medium 4′ x 4′ x 6′ and Large 8′ x 4′ x 6′
To Consider:
- May require anchoring for dogs intent on escape
- Has no bottom
- May require freight shipping
Best Luxury Heavy-Duty Crate: Diggs Revol Dog Crate (Verified Review)
Though plastic crates aren’t typically considered heavy-duty, the Diggs Revol Dog Crate makes the cut, especially for small and medium dogs. Not only is this luxury model portable—it collapses, has handles, and has wheels—but it is also incredibly sturdy. The crate is made with durable aluminum, steel mesh wire, and reinforced plastic and is made to the standards of baby products (read: no pinched paws).
We’ve found the Diggs Revol a good option for puppy training too, as it has a removable tray for easy cleaning, a ceiling hatch for easy access, and a puppy divider. It’s heavier than soft or plastic-only crates, but our product tester found it sufficiently portable for roadtrips and travel. There’s no denying that it’s one of the more expensive crates on the market—but it may be worth it if it meets all of your needs.
What We Like:
- A versatile crate for home, outdoors, and traveling
- Durable and safe
- Great for puppy training
- Comes in multiple colors and sizes
To Consider:
- This is a heavier model than other similarly-sized crates
- This is a pricier model
- Stronger breeds may be able to chew through plastic or bed wiring
Best Heavy-Duty Crate for Training Puppies: Sportpet Plastic Kennel
The Sportpet Plastic Kennel is popular heavy-duty pick for puppies who are just getting into crate training, since it balances portability with enough durability to hold up to small bodies and sharp teeth. We like it for young dogs because it’s sheltered enough to provide a quiet rest space and doesn’t need a crate cover (which some enterprising chewers can damage through the bars).
Wheels, removable bowls, and stickers make it a nice choice for air travel, and it’s approved by most airlines (though it’s always a good idea to check with yours before flying). If your heart is set on easy-to-clean and wallet-friendly plastic, the Sportpet is hard to beat.
What We Like:
- Made from durable plastic
- Ideal for first-time crate training
- Airline-approved and great for travel, car trips, and home use
- Comes with removable bowls, “live animal” stickers, and wheels
To Consider:
- Not ideal for strong chewers
- Do not attempt air travel unless your dog is crate trained
- Use measurement guidelines to find the right size
Best Heavy-Duty Dog Crate For Air Travel: SkyKennel Dog Crate
The SkyKennel Dog Crate is one of the most popular travel crates. It is approved for travel by airlines and has safety features for dogs who are looking for escape possibilities. The top and bottom are assembled with locking bolts, and the exterior lock is impossible to “pick” from the inside.
The study wiring is very difficult to chew, due to the spacing, and the plastic is ultra-durable with few edges for dogs to grasp with their teeth. We like that this crate comes in many sizes and has 360 degrees ventilation.
What We Like:
- Approved for air travel but secure for home use
- A good option for crate training puppies
- Portable; top and bottom can stack for storage
- Easy to clean and well-ventilated
To Consider:
- Dogs with enough time can chew through durable plastic: observe your dog before attempting travel
Best Heavy-Duty Furniture Crate: GDLF Heavy-Duty Furniture-Style Dog Crate
Very few of furniture-style crates are really heavy-duty, as most focus on decor rather than preventing escape. But the GDLF model comes the closest, with rave reviews from pet parents who say it both foils their Houdini and looks nice in their space. The slats are made of heavy-duty, anti-chew steel tubes. Adjustable feet (no wheels), a double-door opening, and built-in storage make it a functional option for the home.
Note that this heavy-duty crate isn’t designed for moving: it weighs 85 pounds. It comes in a 31″ or 42″ size, making it a good fit for medium and large dogs.
What We Like:
- A great option to match some home decor
- Uses steel tubing and anti-chew materials
- Adjustable feet
- Storage space
To Consider:
- May not work for giant sized breeds
- This is a heavy crate: 85 pounds
Best Heavy-Duty Double Crate: Homey Pet Heavy-Duty Double Crate
The Homey Pet Double Crate is one of the most robust double crates out there. It comes highly reviewed with a removable divider to accommodate two dogs separately and a washable double tray for easy clean-up. Available in one large size (42.5″), it includes areas for clip-on food bowls and features two exterior locking doors.
The combination of steel framing and wire faces may not be tough enough for two determined escape artists—but for more moderate chewers and occasional Houdinis, we think this should do the trick.
What We Like:
- Gives pet parents the option for one or two spaces
- Includes locking wheels for easy movement
- Includes food bowls
- Uses steel frame and wire facing
- Two front doors with exterior locks and one opening at the top
To Consider:
- This crate weighs an impressive 60+ pounds
How To Choose a Heavy-Duty Crate
When you’re shopping for a heavy-duty dog crate for a chewer or escape artist, it’s best to start with the bad news: no crate is truly escape-proof in the sense that it can stop any and all dogs from escaping. The good news, though, is that there’s usually a solution out there for your particular Houdini and their unique brand of destruction.
It helps to identify how your dog is likely to make their attempt. Do they chew at exposed plastic bits? Dig at weak or bendable wire bars? (If you’re not sure, a pet cam can help.)
The next step is to find a heavy-duty crate that’s safe for a dog who’s likely to try to destroy it via your pup’s favorite methods. Dog trainer Dan Capkin of PetLovers recommends keeping your eye out for a few key features:
- Avoid anything with sharp edges or materials that a dog can chew, like plastic and fabric
- Prioritize materials like welded steel and exterior locks to prevent them from creating a space large enough to break out of
- For anxious dogs, make sure they have extra good ventilation and visibility
- Add a comfy crate pad, toys that offer mental stimulation (and won’t be chewed unsafely), and something that smells like their favorite human
It’s also important to pay attention to crate size and weight (particularly if you need your crate to be portable), and ensure that the crate is appropriately sized for your dog.
How We Chose
We selected products based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We prioritized heavy-duty crates with sleek profiles to prevent chewing, durable materials like stainless steel, and locking features. Lastly, we’re guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated escape artists, who are never stingy with their feedback.
Further Reading