Best Small Dog Crate 2026: 6 Picks

Here’s the small-dog crate trap: a crate that’s technically “small” but sized wrong. A 24-inch crate is perfect for a Pug and a palace for a Chihuahua puppy — except that a Chihuahua puppy in a 24-inch crate will designate one corner as the bathroom. Too big is a house-training problem; too small is a comfort problem; and the cheapest crates in this size class are where thin wire and cracked trays show up most.

The honest note most roundups skip: small-dog crates fail in predictable ways, and almost none of them are about size. The plastic tray cracks. The wire is thinner than it looks in photos. The door latch is fiddly. And a surprising number of “small dog crates” are really cat carriers with a dog label slapped on. This guide compares six crates genuinely suited to small dogs — wire, soft-sided, and hard plastic — with the complaints owners actually report: bent wires from teething puppies, trays that crack, zippers that determined dogs defeat, and kits whose “bonus” bed is barely a bed.

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Best Small Dog Crates at a Glance

Prices shift constantly — check before you buy. Sizes are manufacturer figures.

1. MidWest iCrate 24″ Single Door — Best Overall

The 24-inch iCrate (model 1524) is the best-selling small dog crate in the category for good reason: 24″ x 17″ x 19″ suits small breeds around 12–25 lbs — Pugs, French Bulldogs, Mini Dachshunds, Shih Tzus. It includes the features that make crate training work: a divider panel to shrink the space for a puppy, a leak-proof plastic pan, and a single front door with MidWest’s Paw Block and locking-tip slide-bolt latch. It folds flat without tools, weighs just 13.8 lbs, and carries a 1-year manufacturer warranty. This listing has sat at #1 in Basic Dog Crates for years.

The complaints are the small-crate greatest hits: the plastic pan can crack (it’s the thinnest part of any budget crate), some units arrive with sharp wire edges worth filing, and teething puppies can bend wires — reviewers consistently warn it’s not a crate for chewers or determined escape artists. None of that disqualifies it for a normal small dog; it just means you should inspect it on arrival like any crate.

Specs: 24″ x 17″ x 19″, 13.8 lbs · suits small breeds ~12–25 lbs · single door · divider panel, leak-proof pan, rubber feet, carry handle · Paw Block + locking-tip latch · folds flat, no tools · 1-year warranty.

Pros: the proven default — massive owner base; divider included for puppy training; genuinely portable at under 14 lbs; real warranty.

Cons: plastic pan can crack; check for sharp wire edges on arrival; not for chewers or escape artists.

Verdict: The safest first crate for a small dog — buy it, check the edges, add the divider for a puppy. Check the price on Amazon.

2. Amazon Basics 24″ Double Door — Budget Pick

Amazon’s own 24-inch crate (model 9001N-24B) is the value challenger: 24″ x 18″ x 20″, double doors (front and side), a divider panel, a removable plastic tray with a metal hook that keeps it from sliding out, and a top carry handle. At 15.1 lbs it folds flat for travel and storage, and it sits at #2 in Basic Dog Crates — one of the most-reviewed crates on Amazon.

Where the savings show: it lacks MidWest’s Paw Block and locking-tip latches — the door latches are the standard slide-bolt style that some owners describe as finicky. Review roundups document bent wires from determined chewers (one French Bulldog puppy owner), cracked plastic trays, and sharp edges that need inspecting on arrival — the same failure modes as every budget wire crate, just slightly more of them. It’s an excellent crate for a calm small dog; it’s not the crate for a puppy that treats the bars as a teething toy.

Specs: 24″ x 18″ x 20″, 15.1 lbs · suits pets under ~20″ long (Havanese, Pug size) · double doors · divider panel, removable tray with locking hook, carry handle · folds flat, no tools.

Pros: double doors at a budget price; huge review base; tray hook keeps the pan in place; genuinely good value for calm dogs.

Cons: no Paw Block/locking-tip latches — latches can be finicky; thinner-feeling wire than MidWest; tray cracks and sharp edges reported — inspect on arrival.

Verdict: The smart budget buy — same crate-training functionality as the iCrate, with cheaper hardware. Check the price on Amazon.

3. MidWest Life Stages 24″ Double Door — Best Upgraded Security

The Life Stages 24″ (model 1624DD) is MidWest’s premium small crate: 24″ x 18″ x 19″, double doors, divider panel, and leak-proof pan, with the upgraded hardware the line is known for — locking-tip slide-bolt latches with Paw Block so the dog can’t work the lock from inside, plus rounded side clips that reduce sharp points. At 15.5 lbs it folds flat like the iCrate, and it’s covered by the same 1-year manufacturer warranty.

This is the crate for the small dog that’s too clever for a standard latch — terriers and other problem-solvers that learn to nose a slide-bolt open. What it doesn’t buy you: stronger wire. A truly destructive chewer will still bend it, and you’re paying a premium over the iCrate for hardware your dog may never test. Match the crate to the dog you have, not the dog you fear.

Specs: 24″ x 18″ x 19″, 15.5 lbs · suits small breeds · double doors · divider panel, leak-proof pan, rubber feet, handle · Paw Block + locking-tip latches, rounded clips · folds flat · 1-year warranty.

Pros: best latch security in a small folding crate; rounded clips mean fewer sharp edges; double doors for flexible placement.

Cons: premium price over the iCrate; same wire strength — not for destructive chewers.

Verdict: For the clever small dog that defeats latches — otherwise the standard iCrate does the job. Check the price on Amazon.

4. EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate 24″ — Best Soft-Sided / Travel

For car travel, hotels, and camping, a soft crate beats wire: the EliteField 3-Door 24″ measures 24″ x 18″ x 21″, weighs just 9 lbs, and folds down to 3 inches flat with a free carrying bag. The steel-tube frame holds its shape, the cover is water-resistant 600D fabric with hex mesh panels, and three doors (top, front, side) give you loading options wire crates don’t — the top door is genuinely useful for lowering a reluctant dog in. It includes a removable washable fleece bed, accessory pockets, and a 2-year warranty, which is generous for this category.

The hard rule with soft crates: they’re for crate-trained dogs only. Owner reports are consistent — a determined dog can push its nose through the zipper closures (the documented fix is parking both zipper pulls at the top and threading a twist tie through them) and persistent chewers can work through mesh. There are also scattered reports of stitching QC issues and stiff zippers, and the included mattress is thin enough that most owners add their own pad. Think of it as a portable den for a dog that already likes crates, not as containment for one that doesn’t.

Specs: 24″ x 18″ x 21″, 9 lbs · steel tube frame, 600D fabric + hex mesh · 3 doors (top/front/side) with zipper locks · fleece bed, carry bag, accessory pockets · folds to 3″ flat · 2-year warranty.

Pros: ultralight and genuinely portable; top door is great for reluctant dogs; folds flat with its own bag; best warranty here.

Cons: not for chewers or escape artists — dogs can defeat zippers; thin mattress; occasional stitching/zipper QC issues; not for all-day confinement.

Verdict: The travel crate — perfect for the car and the hotel, as long as the dog respects zippers. Check the price on Amazon.

5. Petmate Sky Kennel 21″ — Best for Air Travel

If the small dog is flying in cargo, wire and soft crates are off the table — airlines require hard-sided IATA kennels. The Sky Kennel 21″ (model 00100) is the small end of Petmate’s airline-compliant line: 21″ x 16″ x 15″ exterior (18.75″ x 13.5″ x 14.5″ interior), roughly 6 lbs, for pets up to 15 lbs — Chihuahuas, Yorkies, toy Poodles, kittens. Made in the USA from recycled EcoTEC plastic with 360-degree ventilation, tie-down strap holes, an easy-squeeze latch door with interlocks, and the travel kit: “LIVE ANIMAL” stickers, a clip-on food and water cup, ID stickers, and an absorbent pad.

The caveats come from the Sky Kennel line generally: the wing nuts holding the halves together are plastic — many owners swap in metal ones, and some airlines require metal hardware plus zip-tied corners, so confirm your airline’s rules before you fly. Units occasionally arrive scratched or warped, and the door latch can be stiff at first. It’s also a one-door kennel — fine for travel, less flexible than a wire crate at home.

Specs: 21″ x 16″ x 15″ (interior 18.75″ x 13.5″ x 14.5″), ~6 lbs · suits pets up to 15 lbs · IATA-compliant hard plastic · 360° ventilation, tie-down holes · easy-squeeze latch door · includes stickers, clip-on cup, ID stickers, absorbent pad.

Pros: the compliant choice for flying with a small dog; light for a hard kennel; made in USA; travel kit included.

Cons: plastic wing nuts — check your airline’s hardware rules; occasional warped/scratched arrivals; stiff latch; single door only.

Verdict: Buy this when the itinerary includes an airplane — and verify the airline’s kennel rules first. Check the price on Amazon.

6. MidWest iCrate 24″ Starter Kit — Best New-Puppy Bundle

New puppy owners don’t just need a crate — they need the bed, the cover, the bowls, and someone to explain crate training. MidWest’s 24″ Double Door Starter Kit bundles exactly that: the double-door 24″ x 18″ x 19″ iCrate (sized for 13–25 lb adult weight), a crate-sized dog bed, a privacy cover, two stainless steel bowls that attach to the wire, and a crate-training pamphlet. One box, everything a first-time owner needs on day one.

The honest accounting: kit accessories are kit accessories. Reviewers of the iCrate kits report the bed is thin and stains easily in accidents, the privacy cover is flimsier than a standalone cover, and you’re paying a premium over buying the crate alone. If you already own bowls and bedding, buy the plain double-door iCrate instead. But as a gift or a first-puppy purchase, the convenience of one box is real — and the training pamphlet genuinely helps owners who’ve never crate-trained.

Specs: 24″ x 18″ x 19″ double-door iCrate · includes fitted dog bed, privacy crate cover, 2 stainless bowls, training pamphlet · suits small breeds 13–25 lbs · divider panel, leak-proof pan · 1-year warranty.

Pros: everything a new puppy owner needs in one box; double-door crate included; great gift; training guide included.

Cons: thin, stain-prone bed; flimsy cover; kit premium over the standalone crate; same wire-crate limits (not for chewers).

Verdict: The one-box answer for a first puppy — experienced owners should buy the crate à la carte. Check the price on Amazon.

How to Choose a Small Dog Crate

Size to the adult dog, then use the divider. A 24-inch crate suits most small breeds up to ~25 lbs, but a young puppy in a full 24 inches will soil one end and sleep in the other. The divider panel — included with every wire pick above — is what makes one crate work from 8 weeks to adulthood. If the crate you’re eyeing doesn’t include one, keep shopping.

Pick the material for the job. Wire crates are the best all-rounders: ventilated, chew-resistant (though not chew-proof), foldable, and cheap. Soft-sided crates win for car travel and storage but only suit crate-trained dogs. Hard plastic kennels are for airline travel and little else — they’re bulky and single-door.

Count the doors. Double doors (front + side) let you tuck the crate against a wall or into a car without blocking the only exit. Single-door crates are cheaper and fine if the crate lives in one open spot. For travel, also consider top access — the EliteField’s top door solves the “dog wedged in the back” problem.

Inspect the tray and latches on arrival. The two most common small-crate complaints are cracked plastic trays and sharp wire edges. Unfold the crate, run your hand along the wire ends, flex the tray, and work every latch before the dog goes in. This five-minute check catches most defects while returns are easy.

Don’t buy security you don’t need. Paw Block latches and locking tips are worth it for terriers and other latch-workers; they’re wasted money for a sleepy Shih Tzu. Conversely, no wire crate — however premium — holds a truly destructive chewer; that’s a training problem, not a shopping problem.

Plan for the car. A 24-inch crate fits in most back seats and cargo areas, but measure your actual vehicle — seatbelt geometry and sloped hatchbacks shrink usable space. For frequent travel, the 9-lb EliteField folds flat in seconds; a wire crate folds flat too but stays bulky.

Bottom line: the MidWest iCrate 24″ is the best default small-dog crate — proven, portable, and puppy-ready with its divider. The Amazon Basics 24″ gets you double doors for less if your dog is calm. Travel a lot by car? The EliteField soft crate is the one that actually fits the lifestyle. Flying? The Petmate Sky Kennel 21″. And new puppy owners should seriously consider the iCrate Starter Kit — one box, zero guesswork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size crate does a small dog need?

A 24-inch crate (roughly 24″ x 18″ x 20″) suits most small breeds up to about 25 lbs — Pugs, French Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Mini Dachshunds. Toy breeds under 10 lbs (Chihuahuas, Yorkies) are often comfortable in a 22″ crate. Whatever the size, use a divider for puppies so the living space stays small enough to discourage soiling.

Are soft-sided crates safe for small dogs?

For crate-trained dogs, yes — they’re a legitimate travel and home option. They’re not safe as primary containment for chewers, anxious dogs, or puppies still learning, because determined dogs can push through zippers or chew mesh. If your dog has ever escaped a soft crate, don’t buy another one hoping for a different result.

Can a small dog crate go on an airplane?

It depends on the airline and where the dog rides. For in-cabin travel (dogs typically under ~15–20 lbs including carrier), airlines require soft-sided carriers that fit under the seat — not crates. For cargo travel, you need a hard-sided IATA-compliant kennel like the Petmate Sky Kennel. Always confirm your specific airline’s carrier rules before buying.

How do I crate-train a small puppy?

Start with the divider in place so the space is just big enough to stand, turn, and lie down. Feed meals in the crate, toss treats in for voluntary entry, and keep early sessions short — minutes, not hours. Never use the crate as punishment. The MidWest Starter Kit’s included pamphlet covers the basics, and most puppies take to it within a week or two of consistent routine.

Wire crate vs. plastic kennel for a small dog?

Wire wins for everyday home use: better ventilation, visibility (which reduces anxiety for many dogs), fold-flat storage, and usually a divider. Plastic kennels win for airline travel and for dogs that feel more secure in an enclosed den. Many owners end up with both — wire at home, plastic for the vet and the airport.

Why does my dog hate the crate?

Usually one of three things: the crate is too big (feels exposed rather than den-like — use the divider), the introduction was rushed (the crate appeared and the door closed), or the dog was left too long too soon. Fix it by going back to basics: treats for voluntary entry, door open, short sessions, and building duration gradually. A crate cover can help anxious dogs by making it darker and more den-like.