Kennel buying guide

Best kennels for puppies

A puppy kennel earns its place by making everyday care easier: a manageable sleeping area, straightforward cleanup and a door you can reach without rearranging the room. Start with fit and a patient introduction. A long feature list cannot make an oversized or poorly placed crate comfortable.

Frisco Double Door Fold and Carry Crate
Source product photo; pictured size or color may differ from your selection. Image source ↗

Measure before choosing

Inside space answers “can my dog use it?” Outside space answers “can I put it here?” Both need checking.

  1. Measure nose to tail base, widest body point, and natural standing and sitting height in inches.
  2. Keep usable inside L × W × H separate from complete outside L × W × H; never substitute one for the other.
  3. Record bedding thickness and leave door, ventilation and walking access clear.
  4. Record today’s body measurements and the date; label any expected adult measurements as estimates.
  5. Check the divider attachment, remaining usable floor and whether the puppy can reach exposed gaps.

Set up, inspect and clean

Keep the first setup simple enough to inspect and clean. Recheck the divider position and actual fit as the puppy grows; an adult-size label does not show the space left behind a divider.

Questions for this setup

Should I buy the adult size now?

Compare an adult-sized model only when you have a credible growth estimate and a compatible divider. Today’s fit can be checked; future fit cannot be guaranteed.

Does the divider change the advertised dimensions?

It changes usable floor length. Measure the available compartment after installation instead of using the full kennel’s outside length.

Can weight replace a measuring tape?

No. Weight helps describe the puppy, but body length, width and headroom determine the space you need to check.

A useful puppy crate changes with your dog

For home use, a divider is worth checking. It lets you adjust usable space as the puppy grows, provided the panel is installed as directed and remains secure. RSPCA guidance emphasizes room to stand, turn and stretch, alongside gradual, positive introductions. That makes an adjustable wire model a practical first comparison rather than an automatic winner.

Buy for the routine you actually have. A main living-area crate may need two doors to work beside a sofa. A bedroom crate might need a quieter latch and a smaller footprint. If you will travel, evaluate a separate travel setup instead of assuming the eventual adult home crate is right for the car.

Before checkout, compare the selected crate dimensions, divider inclusion and tray access. Ask whether replacement parts are available. A modest crate that fits, cleans easily and works with your layout can be a better purchase than a furniture model chosen mainly for its appearance.

Our take

We would start with a correctly sized wire crate and a confirmed divider, then spend extra only when a second door or another feature solves a daily problem. The Top Paw, iCrate and Frisco comparisons are starting points, not a reason to skip measuring.

What to compare

Models discussed in this guide

Research comparisons, not hands-on test results or confirmation that a model fits your dog.

Source prices are shown from lower to higher within each model. Different sizes and configurations are not an exact-SKU savings comparison. Shipping, tax and checkout availability are excluded.

EveryYay Two Door Wire Crate

EveryYay Two Door Wire Crate

We would compare the EveryYay two-door wire model for a room where a side entrance keeps the dog’s route clear. It belongs beside the other ordinary double-door crates in the same size.

What could make us pass: Measure both door swings and the cleaning route. The second opening earns its place only if your furniture arrangement leaves it accessible.

RetailerObserved priceVariantProduct page
Petco$42.99 · 2026-10-2524 x 17.5 x 19.5 in (listed dimensions); blackView product at Petco

Read the full review and buying options →

MidWest iCrate Double Door

MidWest iCrate Double Door

We would put the double-door iCrate near the beginning of a puppy-crate comparison. Its clearest advantage over the single-door version is flexibility when you move the crate or rearrange the room.

What could make us pass: Compare the exact size and included divider. We would choose the single-door version if one accessible entrance already does everything your setup needs.

RetailerObserved priceVariantProduct page
Chewy$54.99 · 2026-10-2530 in; Color not confirmedView product at Chewy
Petco$100.99 · 2026-10-2542 x 28 x 30 in (listed dimensions); Color not confirmedView product at Petco
Target$101.37 · 2026-10-2530 in; Color not confirmedView product at Target
Target$133.00 · 2026-10-2536 in; Color not confirmedView product at Target

Read the full review and buying options →

Top Paw Double Door Wire Crate

Top Paw Double Door Wire Crate

We would start here when a puppy crate has to work in more than one room. The extra door gives you another way to place it beside furniture without blocking the entrance.

What could make us pass: Choose the size and door position first. A second door is worth paying for only if your layout will use it; the single-door Top Paw is the comparison to make.

RetailerObserved priceVariantProduct page
PetSmart$64.88 · 2026-10-2542 in; Color not confirmedView product at PetSmart

Read the full review and buying options →

Frisco Double Door Fold and Carry Crate

Frisco Double Door Fold and Carry Crate

We would compare the standard double-door Frisco for a home setup that needs more placement options. It is a useful alternative to investigate beside the iCrate and Top Paw double-door models.

What could make us pass: Match the measurements and accessories before choosing on price. A low starting price is not a bargain comparison if it represents a smaller crate.

RetailerObserved priceVariantProduct page
Chewy$72.49 · 2026-10-25Size not confirmed; Color not confirmedView product at Chewy

Read the full review and buying options →

Keep reading

Sources and next steps

Research snapshot: 2026-10-25. Confirm current specifications, travel requirements and prices with the source before purchase.