4 Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates for 2023 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]If your pup often rides along in your car or travels with you, then a dog crate is a necessity. And since a dog crate is the spot your dog will spend most of their time, you want one that they will really like.

You generally want a spacious, comfortable, and inviting dog crate to make your dog happy. However, the most important factor when deciding on a crate to purchase is the size. Putting a dog in a crate too small for them is simply cruel – don’t do it!

Why Heavy Duty?

You might think you don’t need a heavy duty dog crate. It’s just a crate, right?

Wrong. A dog crate goes through quite a bit of stress, which means it needs to be durable to withstand all the stress.

Travel especially puts a lot of stress on everything. That’s the main reason everything travel related is super durable. Your crate carries very precious cargo too, so you definitely want a durable one. It’s one thing to lose all your clothes if your travel bag falls apart, but it’s a whole another problem if your dog crate falls apart while your dog is inside.

Plus, most airlines, ferries, and buses require a heavy duty crate for pet transportation. Getting denied boarding because you skimped out on your dog crate is a fast way to ruin a vacation or a move.

What is the Best Heavy Duty Kennel on the Market?

We’ve compiled a list of strong, toughest, safe, and affordable dog crates. All these heavy duty crates can be found on Amazon too, which means you get Amazon’s excellent customer service and support.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]

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Heavy Duty Dog Crate Comparison Table

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The Top 4 Heavy Duty Dog Crates and Kennels in 2023

Our list includes a wide range of heavy duty dog kennels spanning from high-end options to budget alternatives.

Here’s our picks for the Best Heavy Duty Dog Crates.

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1. Our Top Pick in 2023: Proselect Empire Dog Cages – The Bulletproof and Safe Heavy Duty Dog Kennel Option

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If you want something safer, then the ProSelect Empire has you covered. This kennel is virtually indestructible, according to them, and can protect your dog from just about anything!

Many dog owners consider the ProSelect the strongest kennel in year 2023 on the market, which makes it perfect for dogs that have a tendency to escape. So, if you have a strong dog that attacks cages, then this is the perfect cage for you.

We were impressed with the high quality of the welding, locks, and hinges during our inspection. They weren’t the weak welding and components that you often see on inferior models. The ProSelect definitely lives up to the title of “indestructible and bulletproof”.

Anyway, the cage is made of a strong 20-gauge steel and thick inserts to make it insanely strong. The one downside is that this isn’t made of stainless steel, but they did put a rust resistant coating on the metal. The two latches are a nice touch, and provide some extra security.

I personally tested this crate. We even had the option of flying with it. However, the crate weighs 76 pounds, so we decided against it – too heavy! The weight isn’t necessarily bad though since it means the crate is sturdy and durable, but if you plan on flying a lot, then you might want a different crate.

They did make the cleaning on this crate. All you have to do is slide the metal tray out, dump out the waste, and then hose it down. The four wheels on this cage also make it super easy to move. You definitely need the wheels to move this crate.

As for storing this crate, it’s not an outdoor crate since it’s made from steel and may rust. Though it should last you many years if you keep it inside

The crate has zero sharp corners. The casters are very well designed too. The floor of the cage actually rests above the floor underneath, so you have zero risk of your dog scratching your floor.

Final Verdict

The price is a little bit higher than the Cruising Companion, but if your dog is strong, then it’s you should choose this one. The two available sizes – 37” and a 42” – mean you should be able to find one that fits your dog.

 

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2. Best Heavy Duty Dog Cages Runner Up: Homey Pet Top Heavy Duty Cage –

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If you need a crate for your home or a big car, then the Stackable Open Top Heavy Duty Cage might be the one for you.

It’s made of metal and has an anti-rust finishing, which means it shouldn’t rust in the rain. The ventilation ducts at the bottom of the crate should keep your dog cool and dry.

This cage is easy to assemble with very heavy duty locks. The plastic floor might not be the best if you have an aggressive dog, but for a calm dog it works fine. The problem with metal floors is that your dog’s nails may get stuck in them.

Since the tray is made of plastic; it won’t rust. It’s also light and very simple to clean. We really like the feeding door since it allows you to feed your dog without opening the door. A good feature if you have a wily dog.

Final Verdict

Overall, we like the high quality and the design. The plastic might seem a bit cheap, but it’s actually much easier to clean and easier on your dog.

 

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3. Best Alternative Heavy Duty Dog Crate: LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Crate

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This crate received mixed reviews amongst reviewers. Many loved the wheels since it makes moving so much easier. Other reviewers hated the wheels, and prefer an easily stackable crate that doesn’t cause many problems.

In our opinion, wheeled crates should be used at home and not while traveling unless the airline or ferry requires wheels.

I personally found this very easy to use and move around the house. It has a strong front lock, but you won’t need it if you have a well-trained dog. The cage is made of a very strong steel, but it’s not stainless steel so it can rust. If you need to crate your dog outside for some reason, then you definitely want to purchase the stainless steel version.

If you have a dog that likes to escape, then you can actually add extra padlocks to the three doors. That’s right, this crate has three doors. One on the front, one on the back, and a small feeding door inside the main front door.

For a budget crate, this works fine. We recommend it if you have a well-trained dog that doesn’t destroy crates.

Final Verdict

It’s an excellent price and value. You will find it most useful at home, but it can also work for travel if stacking isn’t super important.

 

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4. Best Indestructible Dog Crate Escape-Proof Option: SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crate – Best Value Heavy Duty Dog Crate

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This crate is made of a high-grade steel and has a large front door with two locks. The two plastic trays make cleaning super easy.

It has ventilation on all sides, so your dog won’t overheat. The drainage is also great.

The frame on this crate is made of a thick steel with a rust resistant coating. Don’t worry, the coating isn’t harmful to your dog. The coating is also scratch resitant, so you can put this crate on your floor without scratching the floor.

SMONTER has a patented locking system on this crate, so your dog isn’t escaping unless it has opposable thumbs. Remember, the frame is steel… your dog isn’t chewing its way out of this crate.

Final Verdict

We find this a good value at this price point. We recommend this crate for a bigger dog, or a smaller dog that has a tendency to escape from their crate.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I really need a heavy duty crate?
  It really depends on your dog. Some dogs go crazy and destroy everything in sight while alone. If you have a dog like that, then you need a heavy duty crate. We also recommend it for any dog over 80 pounds.

• Are wheels necessary?
  Not always. It just depends on your strength and the weight of the crate. If you do get wheels, then make sure the wheels have locks. Some dogs can actually move a crate with wheels.

• Can anything prevent my dog from chewing and damaging their teeth?
  No. You can try placing chew toys in the crate. If that doesn’t work, then you can rub vaseline on the metal and sprinkle chili pepper on it. We don’t really recommend that method, but it does work.

• How long can I leave my dog in a crate?
  No longer than 8 hours.

• Do they sell crates for big dogs?
  Yes. Look carefully at the size though. Many crates won’t work with very big dogs like English Mastiffs or Great Danes.

Final Thoughts

For home use, the two best options are the ProSelect and LUCKUP. If your dog has a history of destroying crates, then we recommend the ProSelect since it’s so strong. The LUCKUP is also good, but not nearly as strong.

If you need more mobility, or your dog doesn’t go berserk, then the LUCKUP crate should work fine. It’s a little more affordable as well.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]