But The Poodle is a fantastic choice for a pet, friend and companion. They’re affectionate, proud (rightfully so) and extremely smart. In fact, Poodles are the second most intelligent dog breed in the world.
But if you’re serious about keeping a Poodle, getting a safe, durable and reliable dog crate is essential. It’s arguably your most expensive and important one-time purchase.
There are a ton of amazing dog crates on the internet. But to make things easier, we’ve found the 4 best dog crates for Poodles. All are great options, though, some have more functional features than others.
RECOMMENDED: 24 Charming Dogs of France
Crate Training for Poodles
There’s been a lot of debate on the topic of crate training with dogs. Despite some belief, crate training is not cruel for your Poodle. Rather, most veterinarians agree that, if done right, there are a ton of great benefits to crate training.
The most important benefit of using a dog crate is to housetrain your Poodle. Chances are, you’re bringing in your Poodle as a puppy. If that’s the case, a dog crate will help them learn how to control their bladder and bowel. It’s important because you don’t really want your Poodle taking care of “business” all around the house.
Another great benefit of dog crates is that they can provide a safe and anxiety-free environment for your Poodle. Dogs in the wild always look for dens or other small enclosures as a means of protection. They feel safe and protected while in this space. Likewise, dog crates can do the same for your Poodle.
Puppies, including Poodles, will chew. Teething is completely normal in puppyhood, however, you don’t want them chewing on everything in sight. Allowing your Poodle to chew on toys only in the crate can teach your dog to only chew on things that belong to him or her.
I’m just highlight some of the benefits of using a dog crate. For more information and benefits on crate training, I suggest checking out this resource here.
Size of Poodles
Poodles come in three distinct sizes: toy, miniature and standard. In this guide, we’re going to be making recommendations for the standard Poodle.
Gender | Height | Weight |
Male | 18-24 inches | 45-70 lbs |
Female | 16-22 inches | 45-60 lbs |
Keep in mind, these numbers are for the average size of a purebred standard Poodle. Mixed Poodles, such as a Goldendoodle or Cavapoo, may vary drastically in both height and weight.
Recommended Poodle Crate Size
Poodles are considered medium-sized dog breeds (borderline large dog breeds). So, we recommend a 42 inch dog crate for maximum functionality and comfort. A 42 inch crate gives them enough room to stretch out their legs, but also not too much space as to cause anxiety.
If you plan on bringing home a standard Poodle as a puppy, they’ll be small. You always want to purchase a dog crate according to the full potential adult-size of the dog.
Buying tip: Poodles grow quickly. In fact, they’ll likely reach near full-size by the end of the first year. Getting a dog crate that fits perfectly as a puppy will likely end up costing you much more money buying new crates down the line.
Our Favorite Crates for Poodles
#1 Midwest Homes iCrate
The Midwest Homes iCrate is by far our favorite dog crate for Poodles. They’ve thought of every functional feature that a dog crate will ever need. As a result, over 300 thousand happy customers have given them a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
When it comes to dog safety and attention to detail, Midwest Homes really nailed it. They’re the perfect balance when it comes to durability, functionality, convenience and price.
The Midwest Homes iCrate has a lot of reasons to love it. Read below and check out why we have them at the top of our list.
- What to Get: The 42 inch w/ divider & double doors.
- Reviews: 305,000 +
- Stars: 4.5 / 5 Stars
- Highlights: Secured latches, rounded corners, electro-coat finish, removable pan, divider, convenience.
Best Features
As mentioned, the Midwest Homes iCrate puts dog-safety first. Their crates are coated with a non-toxic electro finish (in satin black), which not only looks good but also makes it 100% safe for heavy chewers. Given that Poodles are notorious for chewing, this certainly is a big plus.
Furthermore, corners are not sharp but rather rounded. This can help prevent unwanted and unnecessary injuries should your Poodle try to escape. It’s also great for active dogs that move around a lot while in the crate.
As for security, the iCrate chose to use the simple yet effective two slide secured bolt latches. It’s a locking mechanism in the simplest form, but I highly doubt any Poodle will be able to break out from this.
Another component of the iCrate we really love is the collapsible design. This means you’re able to fold this crate into a compact carrier within seconds, making it ultra convenient for transportation and/or storage.
But what really makes this crate stand out is the standard divider panel. It’s a panel that lets you adjust the living space of the crate. When your Poodle is a small puppy, they certainly won’t need a 42 inch crate. In fact, too big of a crate may cause some anxiety.
Because Poodles grow quickly, being able to adjust the size of the crate space means you won’t have to keep spending money upgrading to bigger sized crates.
The iCrate also comes with a removable plastic pan that secures firmly to the bottom of the crate. Should an accident occur in the crate, you can easily slide out the bottom to clean up. It’ll save you time and effort!
The Cons
As our number one recommended dog crate for Poodles, there’s very few things we didn’t like with the iCrate. However, if we were to nitpick, we would suggest a thicker wiring on the frame of the crate.
Still, it’s unlikely that a Poodle will be able to escape this one, but having the peace of mind of a heavy duty crate with these fantastic features might make this the best crate ever built!
If you want to learn more about the Midwest Homes iCrate, check it out on Amazon.
What Poodle Owners Are Saying
Andrew says: “We had a smaller crate that our 60 lb, 1 yr old Standard Poodle “Sami”…the 48″ crate fits her perfectly. We picked the one with the two-doors which is really nice. Side bonus, the 48″ is about as tall as a couch back is…the construction quality is very good and sturdy (hence the table top), the two doors are great, and Sami has plenty of room to stretch. We would purchase again if necessary.”
CPH says: “Our puppy outgrew his first crate quickly (standard poodle). I wanted a crate big enough that this will be the last one I need to buy. Our dog is about 30 lbs and has plenty of room…Our puppy will eventually grow to 50-60 lbs and will fit him just fine as he gets bigger. I love that it has doors on 2 sides. But I don’t think you can beat this crate for the price. I would definitely recommend.”
Ms Wissay says: “Way to go Midwest Homes for pets! This crate is working out perfectly for us. I love all the features of ease,- double door, lightweight, super easy, no tool assembly, warranty, room to grow divider, etc. Bought for our 8 wk old Standard Poodle, who is now 5 months and 25 pounds…plenty of room yet to grow into and he is comfortable in his crate at night time. “
VIEW PRICE AT AMAZON#2 Amazon Basics Dog Crate
You know how I know dog crates are essential to dog owners? Amazon has decided to sell their own branded dog crate. With such a reputable company, you know they’ll have a great product. And surely enough over 350 thousand people have given it a 4 and a half stars.
The Amazon Basics dog crate and the iCrate are very similar in design. As a matter of fact, they have the same useful features we love in our dog crates. The only difference is in the cosmetics.
- What to Get: The 42 inch w/ Double Doors.
- Reviews: 356,000 +
- Stars: 4.5 / 5 Stars
- Highlights: Secured latches, (optional) double doors, removable pan, divider panel, foldable frame.
Best Features
Similar to the Midwest Homes iCrate, this Amazon-built dog crate is crafted with superb quality metal construction. Because of this, it’s both lightweight and sturdy.
In order to secure your Poodle, Amazon opted to use the two slide-bolt latch locks. Not only is it simply, but more importantly, it’s effective in containing your Poodle.
Yes, double doors are an option and not a standard. However, most Poodle owners love this feature. It’s slightly more expensive but its worth it because you have easier access to your dog and whatever you decide to put in the crate (toys, bowls, etc.).
The Amazon Basics dog crate comes with a removable plastic tray, allowing you to easily clean up after your Poodle in case of any accidents that may occur. If you’re housetraining your Poodle in a crate, you can expect to have a few accidents. Just make sure to clean up quickly.
Not all dog crates come with a standard divider panel, though the Amazon Basics crate does. It’s great for Poodle puppy owners because these dogs grow fast (they reach near adult size after the first year).
For the ultimate convenience, the Amazon Basics crate is built with a foldable design, allowing you to collapse the crate in a few seconds.
The Cons
Like with the Midwest Homes iCrate, there aren’t many things wrong with the Amazon Basics dog crate. It really comes with all the functions and features you’ll ever need in a dog crate.
However, we would like to have seen a thicker wiring frame of the crate. Chances are, your Poodle will never chew it’s way out of this one. But still, a thicker crate means more secure.
If you’re interested in the AmazonBasics crate, check out the current price here.
What Poodle Owners are Saying
Tony says: “We bought the crate for a Poodle puppy. He is about 10 lbs now and obviously the crate is to big for him, This crate does come with a partition that you can set up anywhere in the cage to make the space smaller and larger as the dog grows. The crate just unfolds and hooks together out of the box, took all of 30 seconds to set up…Another great Amazon Basics product!! Highly recommended.”
Jacque says: “Absolutely the best dog crate I have ever purchased! Large enough for my Labrador and he had plenty of room to stand up and turn around, wasn’t cramped at all! Liked it so well I purchased a 2nd one for my standard size poodle. Great quality!”
Patrick says: “Works perfect for crate training (potty training) my standard poodle puppy. Movable divider allows for making the crate small enough to start crate training and larger as the puppy grows…This is a real no-brainier for the price.”
VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
#3 New World Metal Dog Crate
The New World Metal dog crate is another excellent crate that we absolutely love. It’s a more cost efficient option, but lacks some features that we like in the top two.
Still, for the price, it’s a great choice for Poodle owners. We don’t think the lack of some features are deal breakers for this dog crate. It’s still very functional with a great durable build.
- What to Get: The 42 inch with double doors.
- Reviews: 1600 +
- Stars: 4.5 / 5 Stars
- Highlights: Double door, metal construction, collapsible crate, slide-bolt locks, removable tray.
Best Features
The name says it best, this New World dog crate was built with top-quality metal construction. Not only is it durable, but it’s super lightweight, which is useful considering how big these dog crates are.
Almost all reputable dog crates use a slide bolt latch as their crate locking mechanism. The New World dog crate is no exception. It’s simple, but more than enough to keep your Poodle safely contained in the crate.
There is a removable plastic pan that’s able to securely latch to the bottom of the crate. Whenever you need to clean the pan, remove the latch and slide it out – hassle free!
Part of owning a large dog crate (42 inch) is having to deal with the space that it takes away from your home. With a foldable design, you can easily collapse the crate and store it away when you’re not using it.
The Cons
The main feature that we wish this crate had is the divider panel. We like this because Poodles can range a lot in size from puppyhood to adult. If you’re getting a puppy Poodle, you’ll want to adjust the size of the crate according to their current size.
What sucks is they don’t even offer this as an option. Instead, you’ll have to go to their competitors to buy a divider panel for this dog crate (yes, it’s compatible).
In addition to the divider, the wiring of the crate is a similar thickness to the top two options. So, it’s only fair to point out that they could have added more thickness to the wires to make it even more secure. Again, Poodles likely won’t be able to escape this one.
To learn more about the New World crate and check out the current price, click here.
What Poodle Owners are Saying
MCBK says: “Got the biggest that I could and I absolutely LOVE THEM!! We have two poodles and a Labradoodle all around 55-60 lbs and they are perfect for them to stand just fine and sprawl all out too. The bottom is great and soft for them because it’s kinda rubbery not a hard plastic or metal…But it’s honestly such a great buy for the quality and size for the kennel.”
Moconnor says: “I love this [42 inch] crate. I bought it for a standard Poodle/Aussie mix, 62lbs, smaller than a Labradoodle. She has plenty of room to stand up, turn around and stretch. There is enough room to have a small water bowl at one end and not get spilled. The double door is a plus, it gives more options to place the cage. It’s also easier to get her in the side door than the end door.”
Janet says: “The dog crate is just the right size for our poodle mix. Jess, our dog, is 17 inches high. He is not always happy to go to bed but once he is in he is fine and best of all no more accidents. The crate was very easy to put together and easy to open and shut.”
VIEW PRICE ON AMAZONBONUS REVIEW: MidWest Crate Cover
So why do you need a crate cover? Poodles are very affectionate dogs and love people. It’s expected that they may have some separation anxiety, especially as a puppy. If you plan to leave the house often, a crate cover will help a lot with this issue.
Not only will covers reduce stress and anxiety in your Poodle, but it also provides an extra layer of security for your Poodle. By covering up any distractions in the surrounding environment, you’ll be able to truly create a quiet and comfortable sanctuary for your Poodle.
Plus, it’s recommended by vets for dogs that suffer from anxiety issues.
While it’s true that this crate over is made by Midwest Homes, it’s compatible with all the dog crates recommended by this guide. Just make sure you pick the right cover size prior to purchasing.
- What to Get: The 42 inch.
- Reviews: 2500 +
- Stars: 4 / 5 Stars
- Highlights: Highly compatible, easy to use, 100% polyester, machine washable, warranty.
Best Features
It’s compatible with almost all standard dog crates with the matching size. Because we recommend a 42 inch dog crate for Poodles, make sure to select the 42 inch crate cover.
With 5 flaps, this crate cover can block all sides of the crate. The only side that it doesn’t cover is the bottom, which doesn’t need a flap anyway.
It’s very easy to use – secure the cover onto the crate using their hook/loop tabs. No matter how hard your Poodle pulls away at this, it’s unlikely they’ll rip it free.
Midwest Homes’ cover is constructed using 100% polyester material. It’s durable, smooth and most importantly, dog safe. Some larger, more aggressive dogs may chew this up, but it likely won’t be a problem for your Poodle.
When it gets a little dirty, just throw it in a standard machine washer and dryer! It’s as easy as that.
And the best part? It comes with a one year warranty so you can rest easy with your purchase.
Check out the Midwest Homes Crate Cover on Amazon here.
What Poodle Owners are Saying
Saxson says: “I put 2 of these great covers on my two Midwest 42″ dog crates. We occasionally use the crates for our standard poodles. When the crates weren’t being used they didnt look very pretty. I looked on Amazon for crate covers. These covers are handsome and do look pretty.”
Casey says: “Very nice!!! Love the flap in the front too! I don’t always make my pup sleep in his crate (unless he just WILL NOT SETTLE DOWN) but when I do, it instantly calms him and gives him the privacy and an environment free of distractions or temptations. The product feels as if it will be very durable and last for quite some time!”
Kate says: “This cover is constructed of a lightweight nylon fabric and has Velcro fasteners at the corners. It’s exactly what I needed, which is a neat and tidy look to cover a dog crate in my house. It’s well-tailored and looks much nicer than the old blankets I used that never quite covered the crate just right.”
VIEW PRICE ON AMAZONDid we miss a dog crate you think should be on this list? Leave a comment (with a link) in the comments section below. And if you already own one of these for your Poodle, let us know what you think!