We tested and researched several dog crates on our own Great Danes as well as getting advice from friends and information available online to find the best dog crate for a Great Dane. We concluded that the best crate for UK readers was the Extra high GIANT dog cage and for our US and Canada readers the MidWest Homes for Pets XXL Giant Dog Crate.
Our life as Great Dane owners is not without its challenges. We’ve already covered dog beds for this giant breed, but sometimes there’s not the room or inclination to sleep in them.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Extra high GIANT dog cage 54 Black | Buy on Amazon |
FOR UK READERS – Very affordable, reliable and strong – and most importantly tall as well as wide.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | MidWest SL54DD Ginormus Double Door Dog Crate for XXL for the Largest Dogs Breeds, Great Dane,... | Buy on Amazon |
FOR US and CANADA READERS – One of the few tall Great Dane Crates out there. But rather excellent and a great size.
Crates are a great idea for Great Danes for a number of reasons and in this article, we will explore these reasons and identify what the best dog crate for a Great Dane is. We will also provide helpful tips and tricks to best train your GD to love their crate.
Contents
Best Dog Crates for a Great Dane
1. 🏆 Extra high GIANT dog cage 54 Black [UK]
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Extra high GIANT dog cage 54 Black | Buy on Amazon |
The perfect crate for Great Dane owners in the UK – we have one in our own bedroom and our large fostered Dane. It’s big, but so is he!
Not only is it spacious, but it’s also very tall – measuring at 54 x 33 x 42 inches. It’s best to note before continuing that this is a single door crate – located at the front – but that works well for us as we wouldn’t have space for a side door anyway.
It’s made from steel with a black coated finish and uses pins to secure the cage. This is also designed to be a permanent cage for the house – it’s not one that folds but rather comes in parts which are secured by the pins.
It’s a strong cage, very strong. It also has three separate slide locks at the top, middle and bottom of the door – so escape would be fairly improbable.
We chose this cage because when they say extra-large, they meant it. Our Dane has no complaints and gets a good nights sleep without being squeezed inside.
It comes with a metal tray for the bottom as well as a rubber mat. They do warn that the metal tray will probably break after a while – it did – but the rubber mat is the real lining and we used additional padding as well.
For a properly sized Great Dane dog crate – the pricing is great. It’s solid and has lasted a long time. If you’ve struggled to find a crate to fit your giant friends’ size – this is one to consider.
2. MidWest Homes for Pets XXL Giant Dog Crate [USA / Canada]
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | MidWest SL54DD Ginormus Double Door Dog Crate for XXL for the Largest Dogs Breeds, Great Dane,... | Buy on Amazon |
This USA / Canada crate is a hugely popular seller for big dogs.
3. AmazonBasics Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate, 122 cm
This AmazonBasics crate is not only affordable but a solid option for your Great Dane. The foldable design is made from sturdy metal, it can be easily collapsed and put into storage when needed. There’s a handy handle at the top to help with lifting and moving the crate.
As a large heavy-duty wire crate – it performs well for the pricing. It’s a double door dog crate with an opening at the front and the side – however, a single door version is also available.
4. PGO Dog Cage Puppy Crate Black
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | PGO Dog Cage Puppy Crate Black / Silver Pet Carrier (XX-Large 48", Silver) | Buy on Amazon |
5. Ellie-Bo Dog Cage Folding 2 Door Crate with Non-Chew Metal Tray
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ellie-Bo Dog Cage Folding 2 Door Crate with Non-Chew Metal Tray XXL 48-inch Black | Buy on Amazon |
You may want to combine this with:
Extra Waterproof Dog Bed in Black will fit Ellie-Bo 48 inch XXL
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ellie-Bo Indoor Dog Beds Soft and Washable Dog Crate Mattress Water Resistant Oxford Weave Cover... | Buy on Amazon |
6. MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | XL Dog Crate, MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate, Divider Panel, Floor Protecting Feet,... | Buy on Amazon |
7. Ellie-Bo Heavy Duty Modular Puppy Exercise Play/ Whelping Pen
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ellie-Bo Heavy Duty 6-piece 60cm High Modular Dog Pen | Buy on Amazon |
Why Choose a Dog Crate for your Great Dane
As I type this article, I’m lying on my bed. I have two Great Danes lying next to me (it’s walkies soon!). This is fine during the day, but at night – it’s less than ideal. Whether you sleep alone, or with your partner – having one or more Great Dane’s spread out beside you makes a very uncomfortable night’s sleep.
Not only are ours very large, but they also move around a lot, snore and give off some unfortunate emissions late at night.
So we decided on a crate – and it was one of the best decisions we ever made. It took some time to coax him into it, but it was worth the effort. Now he happily uses it each evening to go to sleep as well as during the day when he wants some alone time.
It can be a great way to give you and your dog some privacy without worrying they’ll go wandering in the middle of the night.
What to Look For in a Great Dane Crate
It goes without saying, but the size. It needs to be big. A Great Dane dog crate needs to not only fit your Dane, but also give them some space to spread out.
But the surface area is not your only consideration – you should also consider the height of the Great Dane. There are several crates out there that profess to be XXL – but are in fact not well suited to a Dane.
Research into how the dog will get in and out of the crate. A surprising number of people don’t consider this – but it’s important. Doors in crates open outwards.
Crates usually come with one or two doors – one at the side and one at the front. For many people, a single door is fine – and works in a lot of spaces – but if you have ample space, two could work better for you. The side door particularly is rather inviting for daytime laying and snoozes.
If you are planning on using the crate for night-time sleeping, you should consider padding the base. There are several waterproof mats available. We also use a pillow (which has smelled better!).
The majority of crates are made from steel. This makes them fairly indestructible and chew-proof. However some owners aren’t fans of this – so alternative materials such as plastic are available.
Check the crate has locks that are easy to use – most are sliding locks. One at the top and bottom of each door should be a minimum. Having a single lock in the middle is fairly useless as the dog could push through the bottom section if they really wanted to.
Finally – consider if this crate is a permanent addition or just for occasional use. Some come in parts which are put together and secured by pins. However, other crates are foldable – which makes it easy to take down and move to another location or put away in storage.
How to Crate Train Your Great Dane
Great Danes are some of the best dogs a family could wish for. These gentle giants are often well behaved, good with children and adapt well to living with other dogs and animals. They are also receptible to training.
When it comes to training your Great Dane, it is best to start as early as possible just like other dog breeds. However, it is not impossible to train Great Danes when they are beyond their puppy years. This has been proven with crate training, one of the most useful types of training for dogs and their owners.
Read on to learn more about crate training from what it is, why it is beneficial and the biggest consideration when crate training any Great Dane breed.
Crate training is training a dog to follow commands to use a crate. These crates are much more dog-friendly than they sound, often including soft comfy bedding for a secure night’s sleep, food bowls and even a place to go potty as a puppy. They are used inside the home to give dogs their very own space or doggy den.
There are not too many differences to consider when crate training different breeds of dogs. However, there is something that all Great Dane owners should have at the forefront of their mind.
Buying the right sized crate is very important because you need your dog to feel safe, secure and comfortable when using it. Nobody wants their four-legged family member to be squashed up or even experience joint pain.
Great Danes are one of the biggest growing dogs and you need to factor this into your decision when buying a crate. Puppies can be bought as small as ten inches tall but can grow up to 40 inches and beyond. When holding your little pup, think big when buying a crate to make sure they will be able to stand up and turn around in it.
A crate can last a long time, so you want to get the most use out of it as possible.
The Benefits of Crate Training Your Dane
Affectionate and loving are two traits that can easily describe most Great Dane dogs. However, there are times when you will have to keep your dog secure, such as when guests are around or while you yourself sleep. Providing your dog with a comfortable home of their own in these situations is beneficial – but it’s not the only benefit of crate training. Others include:
- Preparations for transportation (some crates can be added to some vehicles)
- Helps teaching puppies to go potty in one place
- Adds convenience to owning a dog
- Helps the Great Dane feel safe while asleep
Helpful Tips for Crate Training your Great Dane
We now move on to crate training your Great Dane and other large breed dogs. We’ve written this from the perspective of a Great Dane puppy, though as we found with our fully grown adult foster Dane – the same rules apply – you may just need a little more patience.
Introductions Matter
When you first get your dog crate, you need to introduce your dog to it carefully.
Never force them to go inside. You will only make them fearful of the crate. Instead, try and entice them into their new crate with dog treats and attention.
What if They Don’t Come Inside?
If your puppy doesn’t come inside by the lure of treats, you can attempt to place them inside by supervising them constantly with affection and by calming their nerves once they are inside.
It is important to only give them treats inside the crate and never outside during this process.
Try luring your Great Dane to and inside the crate with treats. If you’re Dane isn’t a treat lover – try a favourite toy or similar.
Starting to Get Comfortable
Once your pup is getting comfortable in the crate. Leave them in for a few minutes before bringing them back out. Repeat this until you are able to close the door on them without them becoming anxious. If they are okay with the door being shut, the next progression is to leave them in for longer. Increase the time spent in the crate by a couple of minutes each time.
The Sign That Your Dane is Anxious
During this process, it should be obvious when your puppy is uncomfortable or scared of being left in the crate.
Whining may be common but for owners it is not easy to decipher whether it’s a sign of crate anxiety or just his demand to be let outside the crate – especially at night. At first, you can ignore him (not in the beginning) and see how he responds. Never shout at the dog or hit the crate.
Older dogs may whine because they want to be let outside to do their business. This is, of course, fine but if you give into whining for other reasons, it will only teach the dog that they can win, and they will whine even louder next time. If the whining starts to become unbearable, you may have to restart crate training.
Crate Training for Sleeping
Dogs will sleep wherever so that means getting them to recognise their crate as a ‘bedroom’ can be tough. The best way to do this is by playing with them to tire them out first. After they are tired out, entice them into their crate for treats, water or food. Repeating this is likely to cause them to rest inside their crate. This can be progressed to closing the door when you feel your dog is ready.
How to Make their Crate Comfortable
Making their crate comfortable is another way of inviting them in for a snooze. This can be done with comfortable dog baskets designed for supportive sleeping. You may also want to put chew toys inside their crate and their food bowl.
Yet, one of the best ways to make their crate feel secure is to add an item of your clothing to it. Your scent will be picked up by the dog and they will feel safer when they go to sleep or spend longer durations inside their crate.
Keep all these hints, tips and techniques in mind when crate training your Great Dane. These friendly giants need their space – and what better way to give it to them than in their own doggie den?
Great Dane Crates: Summary Table
| Position | Dog Crate | Online Rating | Available Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extra high GIANT dog cage 54 Black [UK Only] | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 | MidWest Homes for Pets XXL Giant Dog Crate [USA / Canada Only] | N/A | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | AmazonBasics Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate | No products found. | No products found. |
| 4 | PGO Dog Cage Puppy Crate Black | Buy on Amazon | |
| 5 | Ellie-Bo Dog Cage Folding 2 Door Crate with Non-Chew Metal Tray | Buy on Amazon | |
| 6 | MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate | Buy on Amazon | |
| 7 | Ellie-Bo Heavy Duty Modular Puppy Exercise Play/ Whelping Pen | Buy on Amazon |
Summary
When considering XXL dog crates for Great Danes you need to consider the size of both your dog and your living space. Not only should you consider the space the dog takes up laying down, but the height of the dog as well.
You should also consider the benefits of crate training your Great Dane. If you struggle with this or they suffer from separation anxiety and you find this unsuitable you may want to consider longer/slower training or alternatively a Great Dane dog bed.
Keep all these hints, tips and techniques in mind when crate training your Great Dane. These friendly giants need their space – and what better way to give it to them than in their own doggie den?
You can check out more of our dog crate guides and articles on our Crate section.
Don’t forget to comment on the section below to let our readers know how you’ve got on with Dane crates. Also, join the conversation on our Facebook page.
