Crate training can be beneficial to any dog because it provides them with structure and a safe place to spend time that is all their own. Choosing the right crate can significantly help with crate training and your dog’s comfort level. If you have a small dog, it can be difficult to find a crate that doesn’t seem entirely too big. The right size crate can make a big difference for your dog’s training, as well as their level of comfort.
We’ve reviewed the best of the best crates for small dogs to help you find the best crate to start your dog on the crate training journey or to replace an old crate.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites – 2023 Update
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Midwest Collapsible Wire Crate
Plastic tray slides out for easy cleaning
Front and side doors with double latches
Fully collapsible and has a carrying handle
Check Price
Best Value
Frisco Collapsible Wire Crate
Best value
Double latching door on size S
Multiple sizes available
Check Price
Premium Choice
Frisco Credenza Dog Crate
Available in three colors to match your home décor
Collapsible for storage
Includes two crate mats
Check Price
Petmate Vari Dog Kennel
Top half comes off for easy access
Enclosed and has a secure latch
Approved for some airlines
Check Price
Firstrax Sof-Krate N2 Series
Four entry doors
Easy to use zipper closure
Collapsible and breathable
Check Price
The 10 Best Crates for Small Dogs
For the best overall crate for small dogs, check out the Midwest Ultima Pro Double Door Collapsible Wire Crate. This coated metal crate contains a plastic tray that slides out for easy cleaning without you having to take your dog out of the kennel. It has a front and side door with double slide latches on each to keep your dog securely inside.
Size: 24”L x 18”W x 19”H
Material: Coated metal
Collapsible: Yes
Number of Doors: 2
Check Price on Chewy
It’s fully collapsible and has a carrying handle for easy transport. It includes a divider panel, which allows you to adjust the size of the kennel if you’re dealing with a very small dog. It also has four rubber roller feet, which protect your floors from the metal kennel base. This crate is sturdy, but it’s also quite heavy at 24 pounds, so it’s not ideal for everyone.
Pros
Plastic tray slides out for easy cleaning
Front and side doors with double latches
Fully collapsible and has a carrying handle
Includes a divider panel
Has four roller feet to protect floors
Cons
Heavy
The best crate for small dogs for the money is the Frisco Fold & Carry Single Door Collapsible Wire Crate. This dog crate only has one door, and the XXS and XS versions only have one door latch. The S-size crate has a double-latching door. It’s available in multiple sizes, depending on just how small your dog is, and it has a slide-out tray for easy cleaning. It’s collapsible and has a carry handle for easy storage and transport. It includes a divider panel and is a lightweight crate option that retails for a great value.
Plastic tray slides out for easy cleaning
Front and side doors with double latches
Fully collapsible and has a carrying handle
Includes a divider panel
Has four roller feet to protect floors
- Plastic tray slides out for easy cleaning
- Front and side doors with double latches
- Fully collapsible and has a carrying handle
- Includes a divider panel
- Has four roller feet to protect floors
Heavy
- Heavy
Size: 18”L x 12”W x 14”H; 22”L x 13”W x 15”H; 24”L x 18”W x 19”H
Material: Coated metal
Collapsible: Yes
Number of Doors: 1
Pros
Best value
Double latching door on size S
Multiple sizes available
Plastic tray slides out for easy cleaning
Fully collapsible and has a carry handle
Includes a divider panel
Cons
Only has one door
XXS and XS sizes only have a single door latch
The premium pick for crates for small dogs is the Frisco Broadway Dog Crate Credenza, which doubles as a beautiful piece of wooden furniture in your home. This credenza crate is available in three colors to match any décor. It’s quite large for a small dog and does not come with a divider panel. It’s collapsible for storage when needed, and it includes two crate mats for maximum comfort. It features multiple sturdy locks that keep everything safely in place, and it’s intended for pets up to 40 pounds, so you’ll be able to keep décor on top of it too.
Best value
Double latching door on size S
Multiple sizes available
Plastic tray slides out for easy cleaning
Fully collapsible and has a carry handle
Includes a divider panel
- Best value
- Double latching door on size S
- Multiple sizes available
- Plastic tray slides out for easy cleaning
- Fully collapsible and has a carry handle
- Includes a divider panel
Only has one door
XXS and XS sizes only have a single door latch
- Only has one door
- XXS and XS sizes only have a single door latch
Size: 5”L x 24.5”W x 30”H
Material: Wood, steel
Collapsible: Yes
Number of Doors: 1
Pros
Available in three colors to match your home décor
Collapsible for storage
Includes two crate mats
Multiple sturdy locks keep everything secure
Can hold décor on top
Cons
Premium price
Very large
No divider included
If you’ve got a new puppy that needs a kennel, the Petmate Vari Dog Kennel is the top pick. This plastic kennel isn’t collapsible, but the top half does come off for easy access to your puppy or for cleaning. It’s more enclosed than some of the other options, helping your puppy feel safe and secure. It only has one door, but the latch is secure, and this kennel is approved for travel on some airlines. The plastic is eco-friendly, and this kennel has a carrying handle and a seat belt loop for transportation. It has an internal moat that helps keep your puppy clean and dry if they have an accident or spill their food or water.
Available in three colors to match your home décor
Collapsible for storage
Includes two crate mats
Multiple sturdy locks keep everything secure
Can hold décor on top
- Available in three colors to match your home décor
- Collapsible for storage
- Includes two crate mats
- Multiple sturdy locks keep everything secure
- Can hold décor on top
Premium price
Very large
No divider included
- Premium price
- Very large
- No divider included
Size: 1”L x 16.7”W x 14.5”H
Material: Plastic
Collapsible: No
Number of Doors: 1
Pros
Top half comes off for easy access
Enclosed and has a secure latch
Approved for some airlines
Eco-friendly plastic with internal moat
Has a carrying handle and seat belt loop
Cons
One door
No divider included
The Firstrax Noz2Noz Sof-Krate N2 Series is a soft-sided crate with top, side, and front entry doors. The doors are secured via zipper, which may not be secure enough for some dogs, but they do have a zipper-lock option. This crate is collapsible and breathable, thanks to its nylon mesh panels. The rounded corners help protect your home and car, and since the metal frame is covered by soft fabric, there’s little risk of your walls or floors being scratched. The base is water-resistant to keep spills out and accidents in, protecting your floors from your puppy and your puppy from spills in the home or damp grass. This crate retails for a moderately premium price.
Top half comes off for easy access
Enclosed and has a secure latch
Approved for some airlines
Eco-friendly plastic with internal moat
Has a carrying handle and seat belt loop
- Top half comes off for easy access
- Enclosed and has a secure latch
- Approved for some airlines
- Eco-friendly plastic with internal moat
- Has a carrying handle and seat belt loop
One door
No divider included
- One door
- No divider included
Size: 21”L x 15”W x 15”H; 26”L x 18”W x 21”H
Material: Nylon, steel
Collapsible: Yes
Number of Doors: 4
Pros
Four entry doors
Easy-to-use zipper closure
Collapsible and breathable
Rounded corners and coated frame protect your home and car
Water-resistant base
Cons
Zipper closure may not be sturdy enough for some dogs
Premium price
The EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate has three locking zipper doors and features breathable mesh panels for maximum airflow. It’s available in 13 colors and made with a lightweight, durable steel frame, soft nylon, and mesh. It includes a fleece crate bed and a carry case for transportation. The carrying case and fleece bed are machine washable, but the crate itself is spot clean only. It’s fully collapsible for storage. Some people have reported the mesh being torn by determined scratchers, so this crate may not be the best pick for dogs prone to scratching and escape attempts. It does retail for a moderately premium price.
Four entry doors
Easy-to-use zipper closure
Collapsible and breathable
Rounded corners and coated frame protect your home and car
Water-resistant base
- Four entry doors
- Easy-to-use zipper closure
- Collapsible and breathable
- Rounded corners and coated frame protect your home and car
- Water-resistant base
Zipper closure may not be sturdy enough for some dogs
Premium price
- Zipper closure may not be sturdy enough for some dogs
- Premium price
Size: 20”L x 14”W x 14”H; 24”L x 18”W x 21”H
Material: Nylon, steel
Collapsible: Yes
Number of Doors: 3
Pros
Three locking zipper doors
Breathable mesh panels
13 color options
Includes a washable fleece pad and carrying bag
Collapsible for storage
Cons
Mesh panels may be torn by scratching
Premium price
Zipper closure may not be sturdy enough for some dogs
The KindTail Pawd Collapsible Dog Crate is a unique crate available in three colors. It’s fully collapsible and has plenty of ventilation holes throughout. It has a built-in handle for transportation, and the door is designed to keep itself open once you open it, so your dog won’t be left trying to get into their kennel through a closed door. This is only recommended for dogs up to 15 pounds, so it’s not ideal for larger small dogs. This crate sells for a premium price. It only has one door with a singular latch, so it may not be the top pick for escape artists.
Three locking zipper doors
Breathable mesh panels
13 color options
Includes a washable fleece pad and carrying bag
Collapsible for storage
- Three locking zipper doors
- Breathable mesh panels
- 13 color options
- Includes a washable fleece pad and carrying bag
- Collapsible for storage
Mesh panels may be torn by scratching
Premium price
Zipper closure may not be sturdy enough for some dogs
- Mesh panels may be torn by scratching
- Premium price
- Zipper closure may not be sturdy enough for some dogs
Size: 21”L x 16.5”W x 16”H
Material: Plastic
Collapsible: Yes
Number of Doors: 1
Pros
Unique and available in three colors
Collapsible for storage
Features lots of ventilation holes
Door is designed to hold itself open
Built-in handle
Cons
Only recommended for dogs up to 15 pounds
Premium price
One door with a single latch
The Pet Gear The Other Door Double Door Collapsible Wire Crate actually has four doors, one of which opens up out of the way like a garage door. It’s made of sturdy metal and plastic, and the base is insulated and designed to not crack in cold weather. A color-coordinated plush bolster bed is included with the crate. It has a built-in handle and wheels for easy transportation, as well as a carry case. It retails for a premium price, and some people report some of the latches that hold this crate together are not very sturdy, making this a poor choice for escape artists and anxious dogs.
Unique and available in three colors
Collapsible for storage
Features lots of ventilation holes
Door is designed to hold itself open
Built-in handle
- Unique and available in three colors
- Collapsible for storage
- Features lots of ventilation holes
- Door is designed to hold itself open
- Built-in handle
Only recommended for dogs up to 15 pounds
Premium price
One door with a single latch
- Only recommended for dogs up to 15 pounds
- Premium price
- One door with a single latch
Size: 27”L x 18.25”W x 21.75”H
Material: Plastic, metal
Collapsible: Yes
Number of Doors: 4
Pros
Four doors
Sturdy and has an insulated base
Color-coordinated plush bolster bed is included
Built-in handle and wheels, plus a carry case for transport
Cons
Premium price
Some latches may not be sturdy
The Merry Products Double Door Furniture Style Dog Crate & End Table is a metal crate that includes snap-on wooden pieces that transform it into an end table. The pieces snap off and the crate is fully collapsible for storage. It has two doors, but both doors only feature one slide latch. This retails for a premium price since it is essentially a piece of furniture. It includes a removable plastic tray for easy cleaning and a divider to alter the size of the crate. Since the wooden pieces are made to snap off, the crate may be somewhat wobbly and pieces may be prone to popping off if not snapped into place properly.
Four doors
Sturdy and has an insulated base
Color-coordinated plush bolster bed is included
Built-in handle and wheels, plus a carry case for transport
- Four doors
- Sturdy and has an insulated base
- Color-coordinated plush bolster bed is included
- Built-in handle and wheels, plus a carry case for transport
Premium price
Some latches may not be sturdy
- Premium price
- Some latches may not be sturdy
Size: 27”L x 21”W x 22”H
Material: Wood, metal
Collapsible: Yes
Number of Doors: 2
Pros
Wooden pieces snap on and off
Fully collapsible metal crate
Two doors
Plastic slide-out tray and divider are included
Cons
Doors only have one slide latch each
Premium price
Pieces may come off if not snapped on properly
The New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Furniture Style Dog Crate & End Table is another nice option if you want to disguise your dog’s kennel as an end table. It’s made of reclaimed polymers and wood fibers, making it an eco-friendly product. It’s not collapsible and may take around 20 minutes to put together. It only has a single door with a latch that is not secure enough for escape artists. The manufacturer does not recommend using this kennel as a training kennel or for rambunctious dogs. It’s available in four colors to match your home’s décor. It’s only made for dogs up to 20 pounds, so it’s not a good option for larger small dogs.
Wooden pieces snap on and off
Fully collapsible metal crate
Two doors
Plastic slide-out tray and divider are included
- Wooden pieces snap on and off
- Fully collapsible metal crate
- Two doors
- Plastic slide-out tray and divider are included
Doors only have one slide latch each
Premium price
Pieces may come off if not snapped on properly
- Doors only have one slide latch each
- Premium price
- Pieces may come off if not snapped on properly
Size: 6”L x 18.1”W x 22”H
Material: Polymers and wood fibers
Collapsible: No
Number of Doors: 1
Pros
Looks like an end table
Eco-friendly materials
Can be put together by one person
Four color options
Cons
Not collapsible
Single door with latch that isn’t secure for escape artists
Not recommended for training
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Crate For Your Small Dog
Crate training is an important thing for any dog to learn. Not only does it teach them boundaries and provide them a safe haven, but it also keeps them safe and secure when you aren’t home. At some point in your dog’s life, they’ll likely end up in a cage at the vet clinic or in a boarding facility, so it’s essential that your dog knows the basics of kenneling and doesn’t feel like it’s a punishment or something to be afraid of. Here’s a video further discussing the importance of crate training your dog.
Looks like an end table
Eco-friendly materials
Can be put together by one person
Four color options
- Looks like an end table
- Eco-friendly materials
- Can be put together by one person
- Four color options
Not collapsible
Single door with latch that isn’t secure for escape artists
Not recommended for training
- Not collapsible
- Single door with latch that isn’t secure for escape artists
- Not recommended for training
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve found these reviews useful in finding the perfect crate for your small dog. The best overall pick is the Midwest Ultima Pro Double Door Collapsible Wire Crate, which is built to be tough and secure. If you’re on a budget, the Frisco Fold & Carry Single Door Collapsible Wire Crate is a great pick but may not be sturdy enough for anxious dogs or escape artists. If you’ve got a big budget, you’ll love the Frisco Broadway Dog Crate Credenza, which doubles as an attractive piece of furniture for your home. For puppies, try the Petmate Vari Dog Kennel, which is perfect for vet visits and early crate training.
