Best XL Dog Crate Picks for Giant Breeds: XXL Sizes Measured, Built to Last

An XL dog crate, also sold as an extra large dog crate, is usually the 48-inch class, and our top pick is the EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 48 inch, sized by its maker at 48 by 30 by 32 inches. Giant breeds such as Great Danes may need the next size up, an XXL dog crate.

The test is simple: your dog should stand inside with headroom to spare, turn around, and lie flat. So measure before you buy: nose to the base of the tail, and standing height to the top of the head, plus room for bedding.

We compared six crates, listed from $113.99 to $216.49 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026, on size class, doors, floor pan, and tradeoffs.

What makes a crate XL, and which dogs need one

"XL" is a size name, not a standard. No standards body defines it, so one maker's X-Large can be shorter than another's. Wire crates such as EliteField and MidWest models are named by length, and the XL tier generally points to the 48-inch class.

Labels can mislead. New Age Pet lists its Horizon X-Large at 40 inches long and 29.1 inches high inside, with a 42.99-inch exterior. Its Large size gives just 35 inches of interior length. A dog that needs a true 48-inch crate would not fit either one, whatever the box says.

Which dogs need an extra-large crate

Size, not breed name, decides. The American Kennel Club notes that large to giant breed puppies usually weigh 70 pounds or more as adults, which is a working threshold for when to start looking at XL crates.

Giant breeds sit well above that line. The AKC breed standard for the Great Dane lists males at 30 to 32 inches tall and 140 to 175 pounds, and females at 28 to 30 inches and 110 to 140 pounds. Those numbers are why a crate's height matters as much as its length.

What a well-fitted XL crate does

The AKC's crate-training guidance says a crate should be just large enough for the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. An oversized crate has its own problem: a puppy can eliminate at one end and sleep at the other.

That gives you two limits to work between:

• Too small: the dog has to crouch, cannot turn without bumping the sides, or cannot stretch out flat.
• Too big for now: a young dog has enough spare floor to make a toilet corner.
• Right size: standing room with headroom, a full turn, and a flat lie, with any extra length closed off by a divider.

For dogs of every size, see our guide to the best dog crates.

Our picks: the best XL dog crates

WebVet did not test these crates hands-on. Each pick rests on the maker's published specifications, the Chewy listing, and the sizing guidance from the AKC and IATA cited here. We favored crates sold in a clear 48-inch or XX-Large class, with a floor pan or divider where the listing confirms one.

How to choose among these large-dog crates:

• On a budget: the two MidWest iCrate models are the lowest-priced picks, listed at $113.99 and $119.99 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026.
• Two doors: look at the iCrate double door or the Frisco double door.
• Past the 48-inch class: the two Frisco XX-Large crates.
• Flying: the Petmate Vari, the only plastic kennel in the set.
• Chewing or escaping: the heavy-duty Frisco crates are the closer fit, and our guide to heavy duty dog crates goes further on that problem.

Soft-sided crates are a separate category with different limits. See our picks for the best soft dog crates if a light folding crate is what you want for a calm dog.

EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 48 inch: best overall XL wire crate

From ChewyIn stock

EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 48 inch

A 48-inch steel wire crate with three doors and a divider, sized 48 by 30 by 32 inches by its maker.

$158.88

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EliteField publishes clear dimensions for this crate: the 48-inch size is 48 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 32 inches high. It was listed at $158.88 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026.

What the maker and listing describe:

• Three doors, giving your dog more ways in and out and you more ways to interact with it.
• Steel construction that the listing calls solid and easy to clean.
• An included divider, so a puppy can grow into the crate.
• A folding design, also sold in 36-inch and 42-inch sizes.

The size step matters. EliteField's 42-inch version is 42 by 28 by 30 inches, so moving up to the 48-inch adds 6 inches of length, 2 of width, and 2 of height. That extra length can be what separates a cramped large dog from one that can lie flat.

Who it suits: a large dog whose nose-to-tail length leaves room to turn inside 48 inches, and whose head clears 32 inches with bedding in place. The listing also suggests it for weaning puppies and housetraining.

From the maker spec sheet:

• EliteField builds it from 3, 6, 8, and 9 gauge wire with 1-1/3 inch mesh spacing, and each of the three doors has two self-locking bolt latches.
• The pan is a slide-out ABS tray.

The tradeoff is that 32-inch roof. A tall giant breed may need the XX-Large class instead. EliteField's published dimensions are from an older product page, so confirm the current size before ordering.

MidWest iCrate Single Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 48-in: best value single-door 48-inch crate

From ChewyIn stock

MidWest iCrate Single Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 48-in

A 48-inch folding wire crate with a divider panel, leak-proof pan, and rubber feet at the lowest price here.

$113.99

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The single-door iCrate was the lowest-priced of our six picks, listed at $113.99 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026. It covers the basics a large dog crate needs and folds flat without tools.

What the listing describes:

• Coated, precision-welded metal wire that resists rust and wear.
• MidWest's Paw Block and locking tips on the slide-bolt latch.
• An included divider panel to take the crate from puppy kennel to full size.
• A durable leak-proof pan, rubber feet to protect floors, and a carrying handle.
• A large opening with a low threshold for easier entry and exit.

Who it suits: owners of a large dog that measures comfortably inside the 48-inch class who want the lowest price here and still get a divider and pan. The listing also mentions use in the car and at a vacation rental.

MidWest lists this model at 47.76 inches long, 29.6 wide, and 31.7 high, a touch under the EliteField on every side. Its one-year warranty covers manufacturing defects only, not damage caused by the dog, which matters if yours chews.

The tradeoff is the single door, which limits placement to spots where the front faces open floor. MidWest's size data gives outside dimensions only, so check that 31.7-inch outside height against your dog's head height plus bedding.

Frisco Heavy Duty Single Door Wire Dog Crate, XX-Large: best heavy-duty single-door XX-Large crate

From ChewyIn stock

Frisco Heavy Duty Single Door Wire Dog Crate, XX-Large

An XX-Large heavy-duty wire crate with three door latches, drop-pin hinges, and a plastic base pan.

$195.79

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This Frisco by Chewy crate is sold in the XX-Large size, the step to consider once a dog has outgrown a 48-inch crate. It was listed at $195.79 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026.

What the listing describes:

• A large front door with three latches for an extra layer of security.
• Durable drop-pin hinges.
• An included plastic base pan for cleanup and comfort.
• Tool-free assembly.
• A protective black electro-coat finish.

Who it suits: a giant breed such as a Great Dane, or any large dog that has run out of standing or turning room in a 48-inch crate, provided the listed dimensions clear your measurements.

The tradeoff is that the listing description gives no inch dimensions or weight rating. Measure your dog, then compare against the dimensions shown on the product page before you order, because an XX-Large label alone does not prove headroom.

MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 48-in: best value 48-inch double-door crate

From ChewyIn stock

MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 48-in

The 48-inch iCrate with a front and side door, divider panel, and leak-proof pan for flexible placement.

$119.99

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This is the single-door iCrate with a second door on the side. It was listed at $119.99 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026, $6 more than the single-door model.

The listing describes the same build as the single-door model, plus the second door:

• Coated, precision-welded wire with Paw Block and locking slide-bolt tips.
• A divider panel, a leak-proof pan, rubber feet, and a carrying handle.
• Tool-free folding.
• Front and side doors, so the crate can sit against a wall, in a corner, or wherever the room allows.

Who it suits: a large dog in a home where the crate has to sit against a wall or in a corner, since the side door keeps it usable there. "Double" here means two doors, not room for two dogs.

MidWest lists the same 47.76 by 29.6 by 31.7 inch footprint and the same one-year defects-only warranty as the single-door model.

The tradeoff is the same as the single-door version. It is a 48-inch crate, so a giant breed that has outgrown the class needs the XX-Large Frisco crates instead.

Frisco XX-Large Heavy Duty Double Door Wire Dog Crate: best double-door XX-Large crate

From ChewyIn stock

Frisco XX-Large Heavy Duty Double Door Wire Dog Crate, XX-Large

Frisco's XX-Large heavy-duty wire crate in a double-door version, with three latches and a base pan.

$216.49

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Chewy sells this as the double-door version of Frisco's XX-Large heavy-duty crate. It was the highest-priced of our six picks, listed at $216.49 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026.

The listing describes the same heavy-duty build as the single-door Frisco:

• A large front door with three latches.
• Drop-pin hinges.
• An included plastic base pan.
• Tool-free assembly and a black electro-coat finish.

Who it suits: owners of a giant dog who need the XX-Large size and a second door, for example where the crate has to sit lengthwise along a wall.

The tradeoff is cost, $20.70 above the single-door Frisco at October 2026 Chewy prices, and the same missing dimensions in the listing description. Measure first, and confirm the interior height clears your dog's head with bedding in place.

Petmate Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, X-Large: best plastic kennel for air travel

From ChewyIn stock

Petmate Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, X-Large

A heavy-duty plastic kennel with a wire door, locking shells, and tie-down holes for airline travel.

$161.95

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The Vari is the only plastic kennel in our picks and the one built with flying in mind. It was listed at $161.95 on Chewy when we checked in October 2026.

What the listing describes:

• Top and bottom shells that lock together, assembled without tools.
• Heavy-duty, eco-friendly plastic with a durable wire door and a squeeze latch.
• Side and rear ventilation.
• An internal moat to help keep the dog dry.
• Tie-down strap holes molded around the door for zip ties during airline travel.

Chewy's listing calls it airline approved with restrictions, and tells buyers to contact their airline before booking. Who it suits: a large dog that will fly in a rigid kennel its airline accepts.

Petmate publishes these figures for the X-Large:

• 40 by 27 by 30 inches outside and 36.25 by 24.75 by 28.8 inches inside, rated for dogs of 70 to 90 pounds.
• The kennel itself weighs 31 pounds and carries a one-year limited warranty.
• For flights, Petmate says wing nuts and bolts are required.

The tradeoff is size. A 28.8-inch interior height sits below a Great Dane's shoulder, so this kennel suits large dogs within its weight range, not giant breeds. Petmate's plastic-kennel collection lists nothing longer than 48 inches.

The figures below come from the makers' published specifications, with the Chewy listing used where Frisco publishes no separate spec sheet.

Measuring a giant breed: height, length, and the headroom rule

A crate's label tells you less than a tape measure does. A detailed measuring method comes from IATA, the airline industry body, which sizes travel containers from four measurements of the dog. It is airline guidance, not a home-crate standard, but it is a sound way to check any XL crate.

Take these with your dog standing naturally on a flat floor:

1. A, length: tip of the nose to the base or root of the tail.
2. B, elbow height: the floor to the elbow joint.
3. C, width: across the shoulders or the widest point, whichever is greater.
4. D, standing height: the floor to the top of the head or the ear tips, whichever is higher.

IATA then turns those numbers into a minimum container size:

• Length: A plus half of B.
• Width: C times two.
• Height: D plus the height of the bedding.
• Snub-nosed breeds: a container 10% larger.

How big is an XL dog crate, measured on your dog

A worked example shows why the label is not enough. Say your dog is 40 inches from nose to tail base and 14 inches from floor to elbow. IATA's length formula gives 40 plus 7, or 47 inches. That dog sits right at the edge of a 48-inch crate.

For comparison, the EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 48 inch is 48 inches long, 30 wide, and 32 high. If your dog's standing height plus bedding is over 32 inches, that crate is too short. If the length formula runs past 48, it is too short the other way.

The headroom rule

IATA's container requirements say each animal must have space to stand, sit erect, lie in a natural position, and turn about normally while standing. The same document says bedding height should be added to the animal's height when working out minimum internal height.

There is no published inch figure for home-crate headroom. The working rule is plain: with the bed or pad in place, your dog should stand naturally with its head and ears clear of the roof, then sit up straight without ducking.

Measure again whenever something changes. A thicker bed raises the floor, a puppy gains height, and a crate that fit in spring may be too short by fall. The AKC test of standing, turning, and lying down comfortably is the same check, done by watching the dog.

42, 48, or 54 inch: when an XL crate is still too small

Wire crates such as EliteField's are named by length. Its 42-inch crate is 42 by 28 by 30 inches; the EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 48 inch is 48 by 30 by 32. The step from large to XL adds 6 inches of length, 2 of width, and 2 of height.

That is the practical difference between large and XL. If your dog's measured length plus half its elbow height runs past 42 inches, or its head with bedding passes 30, the 42-inch size is out. So the XL numbers to beat are 48 inches long and 32 inches high.

For smaller dogs, see our best small dog crates and our dog crate size chart.

Signs a 48-inch crate is too small

A 48-inch wire crate is the top of the XL class. Your dog has outgrown it when:

• Its standing height to the top of the head, plus bedding, is more than the crate's height.
• Nose-to-tail length plus half the elbow height is more than the crate's interior length.
• It cannot turn around while standing without pressing against both sides.
• It cannot lie fully stretched out on its side.

The Great Dane problem

Great Danes are the clearest case. AKC lists male Great Danes at 30 to 32 inches tall and up to 175 pounds. Breed height is measured at the shoulder, so a male's head stands higher still. A 48-inch EliteField crate is 32 inches high, the same as his shoulders.

There is no published crate length for Great Danes. Our judgment, from those height figures, is that an adult male Great Dane belongs in a crate longer than 48 inches, such as a 54-inch crate, and a tall female may too. Confirm it with the measurements above.

The same logic applies to any giant breed. When a dog's shoulders reach the roof of a 48-inch crate, its head has nowhere to go, and the XX-Large class is the next size to measure against.

Growing puppies and the adult-size rule

Giant breed puppies take a long time to reach full height, and sources differ on how long:

• AKC: most puppies grow while their bones are still forming, which can take 6 to 24 months, and AKC's chief veterinarian, Dr. Klein, says giant breed puppies grow until they are 12 to 18 months old.
• [VCA Animal Hospitals](https://vcahospitals.com/pediatric/puppy/behavior-training/when-will-my-puppy-mature): large- and giant-breed dogs can become adults closer to 18 to 24 months.

The AKC's advice follows from this: buy a crate for the puppy's adult size, with a divider so it can grow with the dog. A 42-inch crate bought for a giant puppy will be outgrown long before the puppy stops growing.

What is the biggest dog crate I can buy?

The biggest crates in our lineup are the XX-Large class, such as the Frisco Heavy Duty Single Door Wire Dog Crate, XX-Large, one step above the 48-inch XL class, but no standards body defines XL or XX-Large, so the biggest crate that works is one whose interior clears your dog's measured length and standing height plus bedding. Frisco's XX-Large listing gives no inch dimensions, so measure before buying. Plastic kennels top out sooner: Petmate's plastic-kennel collection lists nothing longer than 48 inches.

Wire vs plastic vs wheeled XL crates for big dogs

For a big dog, the main choice is between wire crates and plastic kennels. Each fits a different job:

• Wire XL crates: open on all sides, collapsible or folding for storage, and in our picks often sold with a divider and a pan. Five of our six picks are wire. Containers made entirely of wire mesh cannot be used for airline cargo.
• Plastic XL kennels: a molded shell with a wire door and ventilation holes. They are the rigid option for air travel, but Petmate's collection lists nothing longer than 48 inches.
• Wheeled XL crates: none of the six picks rolls on wheels. Judge any crate on wheels by the same tests: headroom, interior length, a stable floor, and rigid construction if it will fly.

Wire and metal XL crates

For home use, the MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 48-in is a typical XL wire crate. Its listing says it folds flat without tools and comes with a leak-proof pan, a divider panel, and rubber feet, which makes it easy to store or move.

Metal XL crates also differ in how they close. The Frisco Heavy Duty Single Door Wire Dog Crate, XX-Large and the Frisco XX-Large Heavy Duty Double Door Wire Dog Crate, XX-Large are sold as heavy duty, with three latches and drop-pin hinges. The iCrates use a slide-bolt latch with locking tips instead.

None of the six listings describes a metal tray; the pans they name are leak-proof or plastic.

Plastic XL kennels and plastic-bottom crates

A plastic kennel uses its bottom shell as the floor. The Petmate Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, X-Large has top and bottom shells that lock together, side and rear ventilation, and an internal moat to help keep the dog dry.

Size is where plastic loses ground. Petmate markets plastic kennels up to giant sizes for Great Danes, yet lists only one kennel at 48 inches long, and its heaviest weight band is 90 to 125 pounds. A male Great Dane, at up to 175 pounds by AKC's figures, is well past it.

Whatever the brand, check interior length and height against your dog, not the size name on the box.

Furniture-style crates

Some crates are designed to look like furniture. New Age Pet's Horizon is made of ECOFLEX with stainless steel spindles and carries a 10-year warranty from its maker. Its product page also cautions that it may not suit dogs with anxiety or a chewing habit. Our guide to dog crate furniture covers that style in detail.

Is there a heavy-duty XL dog crate available?

Yes: the Frisco Heavy Duty Single Door Wire Dog Crate, XX-Large and the Frisco XX-Large Heavy Duty Double Door Wire Dog Crate are sold as heavy-duty crates, and Chewy's listings describe a large front door with three latches, durable drop-pin hinges, a protective black electro-coat finish, and an included plastic base pan. Both assemble without tools. Neither listing gives inch dimensions, so check the fit against your dog's measurements.

Divider panels, trays, and floor strength under a heavy dog

A divider panel is what lets you buy a crate for a giant puppy's adult size without giving the puppy too much room now. The AKC explains why that matters: in a crate that is too large, a puppy can eliminate at one end and sleep at the other.

Which of our picks include a divider:

• EliteField 3-Door: sold by its maker as a crate with divider, in 36, 42, and 48 inch sizes.
• MidWest iCrate single and double door: both listings include a divider panel.
• Frisco XX-Large crates: the listing descriptions do not mention a divider.
• Petmate Vari: a plastic kennel whose listing does not mention a divider.

If you are raising a big puppy, a crate with a divider, such as the EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate with Divider, 48 inch, lets the crate grow with the puppy. Our guides on how to crate train a puppy and the best puppy crates cover the early weeks.

Trays, pans, and replacements

The crate pan carries a heavy dog's weight every day. Here is what each listing says about the floor:

• MidWest iCrate (both): a durable leak-proof pan, plus rubber feet to protect floors.
• Frisco XX-Large (both): an included plastic base pan that sits on the bottom of the crate.
• Petmate Vari: no separate pan; the bottom shell is the floor, with an internal moat.
• EliteField 3-Door: the listing describes steel construction that is easy to clean.

None of these listings gives a floor weight rating or pan dimensions. The pan is sized to its own crate, so to replace one, order by the crate's exact brand, model, and size, and measure the old pan before you buy.

Beds, mats, pads, and covers

Anything you put on the floor counts against headroom. IATA's rule that bedding height is added to the dog's height applies at home too, so a thick bed can turn a good fit into a tight one. Measure standing height with the bed, mat, or pad in place.

A few practical points for beds, mats, and pads:

• Choose a bed, pad, or mat sized to the pan's footprint so it lies flat and does not bunch up.
• A waterproof crate mat adds a layer over the pan; the iCrate pan is already described as leak-proof.
• A crate cover changes how enclosed the crate feels, not its size, so it does not change the measuring rule.

How long a big dog should stay crated

Floor strength is one limit; time is another. Humane World for Animals gives these guidelines:

• Adult dogs shouldn't be left in a crate for more than 4 to 5 hours during the day.
• Puppies under 6 months shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time.
• As a rule of thumb, puppies shouldn't be crated longer than their age in months plus one hour.

If a young dog protests at night, our guide to puppy crying in crate walks through what helps.

Moving, travelling, and airline rules for extra-large crates

Travel splits into two questions: driving with a large dog, and flying one. The rules for flying are far stricter.

Large dog car crates and portable XL crates

For the car, a folding wire crate is the most portable option. The MidWest iCrate Single Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 48-in listing describes it as made for home and car use, folding flat without tools, with a carrying handle for travel, storage, or a vacation rental.

Before buying a crate for the car, check two things:

• Fit in the vehicle: measure the cargo space, door opening, and roof height against the crate's outside dimensions.
• Fit for the dog: the crate still has to pass the standing, turning, and lying-down test inside.

None of the six listings describes crash testing, so treat these as travel crates for containment, not crash-rated car crates.

Airline rules for an XL travel crate

IATA's container requirements set the baseline airlines work from. The key points for an extra-large dog:

• Containers made entirely of welded wire mesh, or any other wire mesh, must not be used for air transport.
• Accepted materials are fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, welded wire mesh, and solid wood or plywood.
• Rigid plastic suits most breeds, but acceptance is up to the airline, and some rigid plastic containers may not be suitable for large dogs.
• In assembled plastic kennels, plastic clips must not be the only fasteners; IATA recommends metal nuts and bolts in every hole.
• Total ventilated area must be at least 16% of the four sides, and openings can be no larger than 25 mm by 25 mm for dogs.

IATA does not certify, approve, or endorse any container brand or model. So "IATA approved" or "airline approved" on a product page is not an IATA certification. Chewy's listing for the Petmate Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, X-Large says restrictions apply and tells buyers to contact the airline before booking.

Preparing the crate for the flight

The ASPCA's travel safety tips add owner-side steps:

• Use a USDA-approved shipping crate large enough for the pet to stand, sit, and turn around comfortably.
• Line it with some type of bedding.
• Close the crate door securely, but do not lock it, so airline staff can open it in an emergency.

Remember the bedding when you measure. A giant breed that just fits the kennel standing on bare plastic may not fit once the bedding is in, and IATA counts bedding in the height.

XL dog crate questions