A crash-tested dog crate carries third-party certification tied to a specific size and dog weight, and the Center for Pet Safety publishes the models that have passed.
Most crates sold as “crash tested” have never been through an independent test at all. The Center for Pet Safety (CPS) exists because of that gap — its certified-product list is the only U.S. crash-testing program for pet crates that publishes results, and it’s where any honest answer about the safest dog crates for car travel starts.
What follows is the short list of products with documented third-party testing, how the certification actually works, and the anchoring mistakes that turn a good crate into a projectile.
Which Dog Crates Actually Hold Their Certification?
Five products carry publicly documented third-party crash testing results usable by U.S. buyers: the Gunner G1, Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel, Cabela’s GunDog Kennel, Rock Creek Crates Aluminum Kennel, and the Thule Allax line.
The critical detail is that certification attaches to a crate and a dog-weight class — never to a brand. Gunner’s certified G1 variants are the Small, Medium, and Intermediate; there is no CPS-certified G1 Large or XL. Cabela’s covers the GunDog Intermediate and Large, and
The one worth knowing about is the 2015 CPS study run with Subaru, which put a G1 Intermediate fitted with 8-foot tie-down straps at the top of the crate results. That same study’s highest honors went to two carriers rather than crates: the PetEgo Forma Frame Jet Set Carrier with ISOFIX-Latch connection and the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed with PPRS Handilock.
A Realistic Look At What’s Certified
Certified crates are few and mostly sized for working dogs, so checking your dog’s exact weight against the tested range matters more than picking the brand you like.
| Crate | Certified Sizes | What The Testing Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Gunner G1 | Small, Medium, Intermediate | CPS certified with strength-rated anchor straps; no certified Large or XL |
| Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel | Medium, Intermediate, Large | Large rated 5 stars with a 110 lb test dog (July 2022) |
| Cabela’s GunDog Kennel | Intermediate, Large | CPS certified in those two sizes only |
| Rock Creek Crates Aluminum Kennel | Medium | Company states 5-star CPS certification, first aluminum crate to earn it |
| Thule Allax | Allax S and line variants | Crash tested and TÜV SÜD certified, certificate Z1 013709 0039 |
| TransK9 | Brand-wide claim | Company says independent testing by a chartered mechanical engineer; no model-level certification published |
The manufacturer of record on that page is Thule Sweden AB.
Why Certification Doesn’t Cover Your Car
A certified crate proves the crate survived a test — it says nothing about whether your vehicle’s tie-downs can hold it, which is why the vehicle manufacturer is the right source for cargo anchor strength.
Anchor the crate with strength-rated straps only. Bungees, rope, and elastic cords stretch under load and defeat the entire point of a crash-tested crate. There’s also an honesty problem in the category itself: Subaru and CPS said in 2015 that no U.S. test protocols or performance standards existed to substantiate “crash-tested” pet product claims at the time, which is precisely why certification language should always come with a named testing body attached.
If you’re weighing specific models against your vehicle, our roundup of dog crates for car travel compares the certified options side by side. CPS publishes the full certified list on its test results page.
FAQs
Is a crash-tested crate the same as a crash-proof one?
No. Certification means the crate performed to a defined standard in a controlled impact test with a specific test dog. It doesn’t guarantee your pet walks away unharmed from every real-world crash, and it doesn’t account for how the crate was installed or what your vehicle’s cargo area looks like.
Can I just use a seatbelt harness instead of a crate?
A harness can be a legitimate option, and CPS testing has included carriers and restraints alongside crates. The same principle applies either way: look for documented third-party testing rather than manufacturer claims, and check that the product is rated for your dog’s weight class specifically.
Why do some crate brands advertise crash testing without naming a certifier?
Because “crash tested” has no legal definition in the U.S. pet product market. Without a named testing organization, a certification number, or published test results, the claim can’t be verified. Treat any crash-test claim without those specifics as unproven until the company produces the report.
References & Sources
- Center for Pet Safety. “Test Results” Certified crate models and sizes, including Gunner G1, Lucky Duck, Cabela’s GunDog, and Rock Creek.
- Center for Pet Safety. “2015 Crate Study Results” Gunner G1 Intermediate with 8′ tie-down straps as the top crate performer; carrier top performers.
- Subaru of America. “Subaru of America and Center for Pet Safety Studies Showcase Promising…” 2015 statement that no U.S. test protocols or performance standards existed for pet product crash claims.