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Everything is a little more complicated when you live with a Great Dane.
Okay, sometimes it’s a lot more complicated and every item you buy needs to be bigger, stronger, and more durable in order to survive a 100+ pound pup.
Sure, you could get away with smaller items when it comes to bowls or even beds.
But when it comes to finding the right dog crate for your Great Dane there’s really no middle ground: your giant dog either fits, or they don’t.
And most of the time, they don’t.
However, there are crates that can accommodate a big Great Dane if you know where to look. We’ve spent hours and hours tracking them down so you don’t have to.
We’ll also go over everything you need to know about picking out the right crate for your giant canine. But if you want to skip ahead and just see what made the list, you can check out our favorites here and all of these links will take you to Amazon where you can see the latest price.
- Best Overall: MidWest Homes XXL Giant Dog Crate
- Best On A Budget: Frisco XX-Large Heavy Duty Double Door Wire Dog Crate
- Best Hard Sided Airline Crate: Petmate VARI KENNEL
- Best Soft Sided Crate: Guardian Gear Collapsable Dog Crate
How To Find The Right Crate For Your Great Dane
While there are crate considerations that apply to any breed, the giant Great Dane plays by their own rules with just about everything.
From collars to life jackets and of course crates Danes do it different so let’s break down what you need to know.
Finding The Right Size Crate
It doesn’t matter how affordable, fancy, or well-reviewed a crate is, if your Great Dane can’t fit inside then it doesn’t matter!
That means the first thing we want to consider is size and Great Danes should be able to comfortably stand, turn and lie down in their crate. In fact, they shouldn’t be able to do any more than that, and crates that are too large can actually lead dogs to use one side of it as a bathroom spot.
But when crates are just big enough to be cozy, a Great Dane’s instincts kick in and remind them not to make a mess in the same spot that they sleep.
Veterinarian and Not A Bully contributor Georgina Ushi Phillips suggests adding roughly 4 to 5 inches to your dog’s height and length to find the ideal measurement. For most breeds, the height isn’t a big issue and the major factor is length but you’ll need to pay attention to both when it comes to the super tall Dane.
The average male Great Dane is 36 inches tall and females are usually around 33 inches tall which means you’ll need a crate that’s around 40 inches tall. That requirement alone will immediately remove 90% of crates on the market!
When it comes to length, most Great Danes are around 43 inches long so we’re looking for a crate that’s at least 48 inches long but ideally longer to leave room for the tail.
But crates don’t come in “between” type sizes and the usual lengths you’ll see are 48 inches and 54 inches. For most Great Danes, it’s going to be better to size up a few inches and go for 54 inches but smaller individual Danes could get away with a 48-inch crate.
Measure Twice, Buy Once
Even though most Great Danes fall into those average heights, you’ll still want to take a quick measurement on your Great Dane to be sure. Whether you have a taller Great Dane or a shorter one, it’s usually worth measuring on your own.
Long and lanky breeds like Great Danes are often taller when they’re sitting so it’s a good idea to measure from toes to head while your Dane is sitting. Then, add around 5 inches to that measurement to get an ideal crate height.
As I’ve already mentioned, crate sizes usually come at certain breakpoints (48 inches or 54 inches but nothing in between) so you do have a little wiggle room on the 5 inches but you want to make sure your Great Dane isn’t hitting their noggin on the top of the crate.
When it comes to length, you’ll want to measure nose to butt but skip the tail and we’ll add another 5 or so inches there to find our ideal crate length.
Understanding The Three Crate Types (That Danes Can Actually Fit In)
There’s a whole world of crates out there for dogs! Everything from dainty soft-sided crates to special designs that are made to fit snugly in the backseat.
But Great Danes rarely have the luxury of all these choices and they’re simply too big. Heck, just getting a Great Dane in a car at all can be tough let alone a crate made for a smaller breed.
We’ll take a fast look at the crates available for Great Danes and what they’re best for.
Wire Crates
When you think of crates, this is usually the first thing that comes to mind.
And for good reason, they’re strong, affordable, and can last for your Great Dane’s entire lifetime. They’re also available in sizes that are big enough for a giant Great Dane!
Even better, they’re easy to divide but you’ll usually need to buy dividers separately when it comes to the extra-large crates. Dividers let your puppy grow into their crate so they don’t pick up bad habits like pooping in the crate when you’re not around.
These crates can also fold down into easy-to-carry versions. Since we’re talking about a wire crate that’s large for a Great Dane, the folded version will still be quite large but it can easily be stashed into a corner when needed.
For the majority of people, a wire crate is the best choice and the huge 54-inch option from Midwest Homes has everything you need. You can check it out here or keep reading to see our full review.
Soft-Sided Crates
Soft-sided crates usually have a hard metal frame with nylon or other flexible material for the shell.
Unfortunately, you’re not going to find any soft-sided crates at the 54-inch height range and these will top out at 48 inches in height. That will be enough for some but not all Great Danes.
Soft-sided crates are best for well-mannered Danes since the soft nylon can easily be destroyed by a big Great Dane or a smaller but eager puppy. Because of their construction, these crates are very lightweight which makes them a good choice for travel or spending time on the road.
Just make sure you measure your Great Dane before going this route.
Hard Plastic Crates
Also frequently called airline crates, hard plastic crates can be a great option for Great Danes although they’re not as budget-friendly as a plain wire crate.
Some Great Danes will prefer the den-like feel of a hard plastic shell that keeps outside stimulation down. Even though some Great Danes have a reputation for being a little lazy on their own, others will benefit from the reduced stimulation that a hard plastic crate offers in order to unwind, relax and rest.
Even if you only plan on using your crate for the home, many prefer the look of a hard plastic crate compared to a larger wire option.
But the big downside with hard plastic crates is that they’re not easy to clean without literally crawling inside the crate. That makes these a poor choice for Great Danes that are still practicing their bathroom skills.
Do You Need Any Specific Features?
Crates are quite simple but there are still some extras that every Great Dane owner should consider first.
Extra Doors, Entrances, and Easy Access
Most dog crates have an entrance at the front and that’s it. While that might seem like all you need, the addition of a side door or other entrance can give you a lot more options when it comes to placement.
And considering just how large a Great Dane’s crate is going to be, you may need that extra flexibility to find a spot that fits.
Dividers and Size Adjustments
Great Danes grow fast and you don’t want to buy a new crate every few months to match your pup’s rapid growth. Instead, you’ll want a crate that Great Danes can grow into.
But you also don’t want it to be so massive that Danes feel comfortable designating one corner as a bathroom spot. That’s where dividers and adjustable sizes can help but you aren’t going to find these on anything besides a wire crate (at least when it comes to crates big enough for Great Danes).
Unfortunately, dividers are rarely included with giant crates so you’ll need to shop these seperatately.
Removable Trays
If your Great Dane is a puppy then the removable trays of a wire crate are pretty much a requirement. Accidents are going to happen with any puppy and these trays slide out and can be taken outside for easy clean-up.
You won’t have this luxury with soft-sided or hard-sided crates and while you can make your own system to make cleaning up accidents easier, it’s not going to be the same as a removable tray which makes this another benefit for wire crates.
4 Best Crates For Big Great Danes
It’s really hard to find crates big enough for Great Danes.
I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know but it’s worth emphasizing that the general market for crates just doesn’t have Great Danes in mind.
We’ll look at some crates that are clear winners in terms of size but we’ll also look at a few that could be on the tighter side and these may not fit all Great Danes. If you want to play it safe, go with our best overall or best on a budget picks- both of which are huge and should fit the vast majority of Great Danes.
When it comes to some of the other two options on this list, you’ll need to double-check the size of your Great Dane and make sure they can fit before purchasing.
With the background information out of the way, let’s dive into our favorite crates for Great Danes!
Best Overall: MidWest Homes XXL Giant Dog Crate
✅ 54-inches long and 45-inches tall makes it one of the biggest crates on the market and perfect for Great Danes
✅ Easy on the budget when you consider how massive this crate is
✅ Single or double doors gives you more options for placing this crate in your home
✅ More than 6,000 five star reviews on Amazon from other big dog owners
For most Great Dane owners, this crate will be the obvious pick since it combines size, affordability, and quality with all the extra features we could want.
All in one big crate.
And this crate is really big at 54 inches long and 45 inches tall which makes it one of the biggest dog crates you can find and gives it more than enough room for Great Danes.
But big isn’t all we’re looking for and Midwest Homes, the company that produces this crate, has a strong reputation for quality across the internet. Cheap wire crates aren’t worth it as flimsy connection points can easily be broken by a powerful Great Dane. But that’s not the case here and there are more than 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon backing this crate up.
You also get the option of a single or double door which gives you more flexibility when it’s time to find a place for this giant crate.
I know it can be a little difficult to picture a double door (or at least I had trouble picturing it) so it’s worth checking out the quick video below to see exactly how it works and start thinking about how you could take advantage of the extra doors. It also shows you a big Great Dane inside the crate so you know what to expect!
Just keep in mind that you’ll need to specifically select the double door option on Amazon and there are two versions of this crate available (one single and one double).
You can divide this crate but you’ll need to purchase the divider separately. You can check out the divider on Amazon by clicking here.
Just like it sounds, a divider can split the crate into whatever size you need and you can slowly increase the available size as your Great Dane grows. Even though they’re using a much smaller crate for demonstration, you can see exactly how it works in this video. Just keep in mind that the double doors may not be functional when the divider is in place so you’ll need to balance out the need for a divider vs a need for double doors (at least while your puppy is growing).
You’ll also find an easy-to-remove tray that will be an absolute lifesaver if your Great Dane is prone to accidents.
Overall, this giant wire crate has just about everything you’d need for a Great Dane, including plenty of positive reviews. You can read some of those reviews and see today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
Best On A Budget: Frisco XX-Large Heavy Duty Double Door Wire Dog Crate
✅ 54 inches long and just under 45 inches tall make this a good fit for Great Danes
✅ Very easy on the budget and includes double doors for flexible placement options
✅ Backed by more than 1,500 five star reviews on Chewy
❌ Much more difficult to divide which is a big downside for Great Dane puppies
Big crates are expensive but the folks at Frisco (a Chewy-only brand) are looking to change that with this massive wire crate. It’s very similar to our best overall pick not only in terms of size but also has a removable tray and double doors for flexible placement or easy access.
But a price drop has to come from somewhere and this crate isn’t quite as bombproof as the one from Midwest Homes. This could be a problem for younger Great Danes that may want to test the limits of their crate but for more docile Danes this should be a problem.
However, the bigger issue is that dividing this crate isn’t straightforward. Not only does this crate not come with a divider but I haven’t been able to track down a Frisco-brand divider that’s made for this crate. You could try to mix brands but that can also turn out to be quite a hassle.
Overall, it’s going to be very hard to beat the price of this crate and for well-behaved adult Danes that don’t need a divider, it could be all you need. You can read more reviews and see today’s price on Chewy by clicking here.
Best Hard Sided Airline Crate: Petmate VARI KENNEL
✅ The biggest hard-sided crate you're likely to find at 48 inches long and 35 inches tall
✅ Meets the majority of airline specifications and requirements
✅ Strong, heavy-duty siding with plenty of ventilation
✅ Dozens of reviews from happy Great Dane owners
❌Heavy and difficult to move without a cart
It’s very difficult to find a hard-sided crate (also called an airline crate) that’s tall enough to fit a Great Dane and this is probably as close as you’ll get.
Still, this crate is a little on the short side at 35 inches which means some Great Danes may not be able to stand or sit upright. I know, that’s not ideal but there are some scenarios where you have to use a hard-sided crate (like airline travel) and this will be your best option for Danes.
There are also many Danes that fall on the shorter side of the range and they’ll be able to happily fit in here and there are a handful of happy Great Dane owners who have taken the time to review this crate for their pup.
You’re not just limited to airline travel with this crate and many folks prefer hard-sided crates for the home too. Not only do some of them look better in the home, but some folks (including myself) prefer giving dogs more of a den-like experience that a hard-sided crate provides.
And if you are going to fly, this crate meets the airline requirements for many major airlines. However, you absolutely need to check the requirements for the individual airline that you plan to use and some will have requirements that exclude any carrier of this size. No one said flying with a Great Dane would be easy!
If this crate is still too short for your Great Dane to fly comfortably, you’re not completely out of options. While you’re not likely to find a bigger kennel at the local pet store, you can go the custom route, or even easier you can check out these kennel height extenders that are designed to work with the Petmate Vari Kennel line. I haven’t personally used these but it’s one of the few options out there for staying airline compliant while achieving the extra height that some Great Danes need.
The last thing to keep in mind is that as a hard-sided crate, this will be more difficult to clean. In fact, you’ll need to crawl inside the crate to really clean it. Sure, there will be plenty of room for you but if your Dane puppy made a mess then it’s not going to be a fun experience.
Overall, this crate makes a great choice for the ground or the skies and you can check today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
Best Soft Sided Crate: Guardian Gear Collapsable Dog Crate
✅ Measuring 42 inches long and 34 inches in height it's big but still may not be big enough for all Great Danes
✅ Very easy on the budget compared to other large crates
✅ One of the few large crates with color choices
❌Great Danes can easily escape or destroy this soft crate
When it comes to soft-sided crates, there aren’t a lot of options out there for Great Danes and even this crate is going to be too short for many Great Danes. But it can still work as a temporary, portable den for Danes to lay in or for Great Danes that aren’t quite as tall as others.
But size isn’t the only limitation with this crate and it’s also not a good choice for puppies or Great Danes that have ever shown an interest in escaping since the soft sides can easily be destroyed by a big Dane.
So while it’s far from perfect, if you specifically need a soft-sided crate that has a chance of being big enough for a Great Dane, this is one of your best options. You’ll get the big benefit of portability thanks to this crate’s ability to fold and its lightweight materials.
Just make sure you measure your Great Dane before going for this crate as some Danes will simply be too big for this to even be a consideration.
You can read more reviews, take a closer look at the colors and check today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
Closing Thoughts
The hardest part of crate training Great Danes isn’t actually the training part (which is pretty easy) but instead, it’s the problem of finding a crate that’s actually large enough to support these big pups!
Just about every Great Dane can fit in the wire crate that made our best overall spot and we’ve dug deep to find options that can work for some Great Danes in just about every category.
What do you think? Did you find what you were looking for?
