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Pick the wrong crate for your small dog, and you are dealing with a daily escape artist or an expensive dust collector in the corner. Choose the right one, and your dog walks in on their own, tail wagging. You need a crate that matches your real life — traveling, training, or just a quiet spot in the living room — not one that sounds good on a product page. This guide walks through six crates sized for small breeds, each chosen for a specific use, so you can decide without the jargon.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the co-founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You will find six ready-to-compare crates for small dogs here, from budget-friendly wire models to premium travel soft-siders. Each is chosen because it fits the dimensions small dogs actually need — measured in inches, not breed labels. This is your plain-English roadmap to picking the right crate without overpaying for features you will never use.
How To Choose The Best Crates For Small Dogs
Choosing a crate for a small dog is less about picking a “small” label and more about matching the exact internal length, door style, and material to how you live. Do you travel often? Is your dog a quiet sleeper or a determined chewer? Here are the three things that confuse most buyers in this category.
Size: The Nose-to-Tail Rule Changes Everything
The biggest mistake is buying a crate by your dog’s weight or breed name alone. Crates are sized by internal length and height. A 24-inch label sounds like it fits all small dogs, but a long-bodied Corgi mix may feel cramped while a stocky French Bulldog has plenty of room. Measure your dog from nose tip to tail base when standing, then add 4 inches to find the right internal crate length. Do the same from the top of the head to the floor for height. Ignore the “breed recommendation” on the box — your measuring tape is the only thing that matters.
Material: Wire for Home, Soft-Sided for Travel
Wire crates (metal bars over a plastic tray) are the standard for home use because they offer better ventilation, are harder to chew through, and are simple to clean. Soft-sided crates (fabric over a metal frame) are lighter and fold flatter for car trips, but they are not escape-proof. If your dog is a determined chewer or has separation anxiety, skip soft-sided crates — reviewers report that even medium-sized determined dogs can tear through the mesh in hours. For well-behaved small dogs that only use the crate for supervised naps or car rides, soft-sided is fine.
Doors and Assembly: The Convenience Factor
Small crates often sit in tight corners or next to furniture. A double-door design (one front, one side) gives you placement flexibility that a single-door model does not. Assembly is another real difference — many wire crates claim “tool-free” setup, but some still require you to bend wire hooks into place, which can be frustrating. Look for models that fold open without any twisting or bending if you plan to move the crate often. Hinged top panels that fold down (not just unzip) also make a big difference when you need to collapse the crate for storage.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics 24″ Metal Wire Crate | Wire | Budget-friendly home crate for small breeds | 24 x 18 x 20 inches | Amazon |
| Simple Deluxe 24″ Double Door | Wire | Training or placement flexibility | 24.41 x 16.54 x 18.5 inches | Amazon |
| Feandrea 20″ Lightweight Travel Crate | Soft-Sided | Portable trips with well-behaved dogs | 20 x 14 x 14 inches | Amazon |
| Pawtners 26″ Soft-Sided Crate | Soft-Sided | Spacious indoor-outdoor soft crate | 26 x 18 x 18 inches | Amazon |
| MidWest LifeStages 24″ Wire Crate | Wire | Heavy-duty home crate for training | 24.5 x 17.5 x 19.5 inches | Amazon |
| Homey PET 24″ Gold Decorative Crate | Wire | Style-conscious owners who want a pretty crate | 23.8 x 16.9 x 20.6 inches | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Amazon Basics Portable, Foldable Metal Wire Small Dog Crate
The Amazon Basics 24-inch wire crate earns its top spot by getting the critical spec right for small breeds: an internal length of 24 inches and a height of 20 inches, making it the perfect fit for a Havanese, Pug, or French Bulldog. A divider panel is included so you shrink the space for a puppy during crate training, then expand it as they grow.
It folds down flat with a top carrying handle and weighs 13.9 pounds (about the same as a gallon of milk). The removable plastic tray slides out for cleaning. The 15-millimeter bar gap (the space between the metal wires, about 0.59 inches) is narrow enough that a small dog’s paw or nose cannot slip through — a common danger with larger gaps. The one limit is the single-door design, which means you cannot place the crate flush against a wall if you need a side opening.
For most owners of a single small dog who wants a sturdy, no-fuss crate that works every day, this is the one to beat.
Why it’s great
- 24-inch length fits small breeds up to about 20 pounds with room to stand and turn
- Folds flat, weighs 13.9 pounds, and has a top handle for easy carrying
- Divider panel included for puppy-to-adult crate training
Good to know
- Single door only, so placement options against walls are limited
- Metal hook on the tray must be properly locked each time to prevent the tray from sliding out
2. Simple Deluxe 24-Inch Small Dog Crate with Divider
The Simple Deluxe 24-inch crate directly challenges the Amazon Basics pick by offering two doors (front and side) for nearly the same price — a real advantage if your crate needs to slot into a corner or against a piece of furniture. It uses dual sliding bolt locks on each door, which buyers report feel secure and give peace of mind that the door will not pop open with an excited dog pushing against it.
Heavy-duty tensile-strength wire gauge (the thickness of the metal bars, not given as a number but reported as sturdier than budget models) makes this crate feel robust for the price. A divider panel is included to adjust the interior space. The leak-proof ABS composite tray (a tough plastic tray designed to resist stains and odors) slides out easily for cleaning. The entire crate folds flat with no tools required — just pull it open.
Owners mention the carry handle is attached near the side door rather than centered on top, making one-handed carrying feel slightly unbalanced. Choose this over the Amazon Basics pick if you need the placement flexibility of two doors or want the double-latch security without spending extra.
Where it shines
- Double-door design (front and side) for flexible placement in any room
- Dual sliding bolt locks on each door for secure containment
- Leak-proof ABS composite tray resists stains and odors
Worth noting
- Carry handle is placed near the side door rather than centered, which can feel unbalanced
- One reviewer noted the handle position was low and difficult to use for carrying
3. Feandrea Collapsible Dog Crate, 20-Inch Portable Travel Crate
If you travel with your small dog in the car or take them to the office, the Feandrea 20-inch soft-sided crate is built for that. At just 2.1 kilograms (about 4.6 pounds), it weighs less than half the Pawtners 26-inch soft crate — a 2.0x weight gap that makes a real difference when you are hauling gear through an airport or up stairs. It sets up in seconds with a steel frame that pops into shape, and four mesh doors provide 360-degree ventilation, so your dog never feels boxed in.
A removable Sherpa fleece pad (a thick, soft pad similar to a small blanket) is washable. A side pocket and water bottle holder keep supplies handy. Self-locking zippers prevent clever escape attempts from inside, and reflective strips add a safety layer for low-light walks. The internal volume is 20 x 14 x 14 inches — snug for dogs under 15 pounds. One reviewer with a large dog reported the “poor quality” result of a 70-lb husky destroying it in a weekend. This caveat reinforces its purpose: this is for small, well-behaved dogs only, not a chew-proof home crate.
At 2.1 kilograms, it weighs less than half the Pawtners 26-inch soft crate — a 2.0x weight gap that makes a real difference when you are hauling gear through an airport or up stairs.
What stands out
- Extremely lightweight at 2.1 kg (4.6 lbs), half the weight of bulkier soft crates
- Four mesh doors for full ventilation; sets up in 30 seconds with no tools
- Side pocket and water bottle holder keep travel essentials accessible
The trade-offs
- Only suitable for very small dogs (under 15 lbs) — not for longer or heavier breeds
- Mesh netting is not chew-proof; not suitable for unattended use with a destructive dog
4. Pawtners 26-Inch Foldable Soft Sided Dog Crate
The single number that matters most in this category is interior length: 26 inches, the biggest footprint of any soft crate here — 26 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches tall — so it fits small dogs up to about 20 pounds without making them feel squeezed. That is 30% more length than the Feandrea 20-inch crate, meaning a long-bodied small breed like a Corgi or a Jack Russell has room to stretch out. Customers note it is “lightweight, foldable, and sturdy mesh,” with good ventilation and 360-degree visibility that keeps the dog calm because they can see you from any angle.
An included soft mat adds comfort for naps. The entire crate folds flat in under a minute. The catch is weight: at 4.24 kilograms (9.3 pounds), it is about twice the weight of the Feandrea, though still manageable for most people to carry a short distance. For price-to-performance, this is the best option if you want a spacious soft crate for home and car trips — just ensure your vehicle trunk can fit the fully expanded 26-inch length before buying. Some reviewers point out the plastic frame clips do not engage properly, requiring tape or zip ties as a workaround.
Given the generous interior and included mat, the price-to-value read is strong for buyers prioritizing space over portability, though the reported clip issue may require a small DIY fix.
The upsides
- Largest soft-crate interior at 26 x 18 x 18 inches, ideal for longer-bodied small dogs
- Breathable mesh with 360-degree visibility keeps the dog calm and engaged
- Folds flat in under a minute; comes with a soft mat
Keep in mind
- Weighs 4.24 kg (9.3 lbs) — about double the weight of the Feandrea, heavier to carry long distances
- Some shoppers say the plastic frame clips do not engage properly, requiring tape or zip ties
5. MidWest Homes for Pets 24-Inch LifeStages Crate
What you get at this lower price is a premium heavyweight crate built with heavier-gauge wire, precision-welded corners, and slide-bolt latches featuring a Paw Block guard that stops the latch from sliding open if a dog paws at it. Designed for dogs 12 to 20 pounds, it includes a divider panel so it grows with a puppy from day one. The leak-proof tray is corrosion-resistant, rubber feet protect your floors, and the double-door design (front and side) gives full placement flexibility.
Setup takes under 5 minutes with no tools — just open the frame and the crate locks into shape. Buyers consistently call it “sturdy” and “well-engineered,” with one noting it is the “best fold/setup” they have owned compared to pet store brands. Choose this crate if you want a home crate that feels built to last through a puppy’s teething, clawing, and daily use without rattling or bending. At 15.5 pounds, it is heavier than the Amazon Basics model by 1.6 pounds and less portable — but that weight comes from actual metal thickness. Some buyers report rough wire edges at the doorways that may need filing.
This crate is perfect for the budget buyer who wants a home crate that feels built to last through a puppy’s teething, clawing, and daily use without rattling or bending, and who is willing to accept slightly less portability and the possibility of rough wire edges at the doorways in exchange for real metal thickness and durability.
Why we’d pick it
- Heavier-gauge wire and precision-welded corners for a sturdy, long-lasting crate
- Slide-bolt latches with Paw Block prevent accidental opening by a clever dog
- Double-door design and included divider panel for flexible placement and training
A few caveats
- At 15.5 pounds, it is heavier than standard wire crates and less portable
- Some owners mention rough wire edges at the doorways that may need filing
6. HOMEY PET 24″ Gold Color Folding Dog Crate
The Homey PET 24-inch gold crate is perfect for a buyer who wants a dog crate that does not look like a dog crate — someone with gold decor or warm-toned furniture who prefers a crate that blends into the living room rather than hiding in a corner. Its copper-gold finish with a reflective vintage-inspired sheen is the only one in this roundup you might not want to hide. It is made with thicker, heavier-gauge wire than most folding crates, with a nano spray powder coating (a rust-resistant finish applied electrostatically) that resists scratches and peeling, according to the brand.
A removable floor grid and pull-out tray create a two-layer system: the grid keeps your dog above any accidents, while the tray below catches messes for easy cleaning. Customers note the tray is deeper than standard, which helps contain spills. The double doors have double latches, and the bar gap is only 0.5 inches (12.7 millimeters) — small enough to keep a Yorkie or a Pomeranian from squeezing through. One reason to choose this over the rest: you want a crate that sits proudly in your living room, and you accept that the glossy gold finish shows dust and fingerprints more than matte crates.
No rubber feet on the bottom — it may scratch hardwood floors without felt pads added.
Strong points
- Copper-gold finish with nano spray powder coating looks beautiful and resists rust and scratches, per the brand
- Removable floor grid and deep pull-out tray create a hygienic two-layer cleaning system
- Heavy-gauge wire construction with double doors and double latches for security
Before you buy
- Glossy gold finish shows dust and fingerprints more readily than matte crates
- No rubber feet on the bottom — may scratch hardwood floors without felt pads added
Understanding the Specs
Bar Gap (Wire Spacing)
This is the space between the metal bars of a wire crate. You want a bar gap no larger than 0.5 inches (about 12.7 millimeters). A gap that is too wide means a small paw, nose, or even the dog’s entire head could slip through — a safety risk. The Amazon Basics crate has a 15-millimeter gap. The Homey PET crate uses a tighter 0.5-inch gap. Always check this number, not the size label, to ensure your dog cannot get stuck.
Internal Length (Nose-to-Tail Fit)
A crate’s listed dimensions (like 24 x 18 x 20 inches) are the external measurements. The internal length is usually an inch or two smaller. That interior length is the critical number: measure your dog from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail when standing, then add 4 inches. That sum is the minimum internal length your crate must have. A 24-inch crate typically has about 22 to 23 inches of usable interior length, which fits small breeds up to roughly 20 pounds.
FAQ
Should I buy a wire crate or a soft-sided crate for my small dog?
What does the divider panel in a crate actually do?
How do I measure my dog for the correct crate size?
Can I use a soft-sided crate for crate training a small dog at home?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most people, the crates for small dogs winner is the Amazon Basics 24-Inch Metal Wire Crate because it delivers the right internal dimensions for small breeds, folds flat for storage, and includes a divider panel for training at a price that leaves room for a good bed and toys. If you need the placement flexibility of two doors, grab the Simple Deluxe 24-Inch Double Door Crate. For travel with a well-behaved small dog, the featherlight Feandrea 20-Inch Portable Travel Crate at just 2.1 kilograms is the obvious pick.