Heavy Duty Dog Crates: Strong, Escape-Proof, and Indestructible

Written by Rick Allen

There are quite a few important factors that go into making the best dog crate. If you have a bigger – or more rambunctious – dog, one of the most important factors is definitely whether or not the crate is tough. If you’re looking for a virtually escape-proof dog crate that can stand up to your pet, it’s vital that you choose one of the best heavy-duty dog crates out there today.

While there are some truly fantastic crates out there, it’s not always as easy to find them as you might hope. Fortunately, we’re here to help out not only by showing you where you can buy these nearly indestructible dog crates but also by showing you exactly what separates these great crates out from the rest of the competition. If you’re ready to find the perfect heavy-duty dog crate for your pup, you’ll definitely want to take a look at the fantastic products that we have reviewed. 

Top Heavy Duty Dog Crates in 2021

As you look at heavy duty dog crates, the first thing you’ll likely notice is that most of them look the same. What you might not know, though, is that even those crates that look the same have some important features that set them apart from the competition. Each of the crates reviewed below has at least a few features that will make it a perfect fit for specific types of dog owners. 

LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Crate

One of the most important things you need to look at when searching for a good, durable dog cage is the basic overall design. While most dog owners are used to the typical crates, heavy-duty crates tend to be designed a little bit differently. Since each of the crates on this list follows a fairly standard overall design, it is a good idea to start out by getting an idea of what you should expect from this type of cage. If you’re looking for something that represents what a heavy-duty dog crate should do, you’ll definitely want to start with this unit by LUCKUP. 

The main selling point of this cage – and indeed, most of these cages – is the fact that the crate is made out of high-quality steel that is much harder to break or damage than the materials out of which typical crates are made. While there’s no such thing as a truly indestructible crate, making the entire unit out of a strong material does go a long way towards not only keeping your pet contained but also safe. Combined with the fact that the material is largely weatherproof, this crate is also an investment that is designed to last for quite some time. 

Despite being rather big and solid, this cage is also designed to be very friendly to owners. The casters on the bottom make it easy to move, while the removable tray just underneath the crate makes it very easy to clean. You can even access your dog in two different ways with the dual-door design, which helps to give you some options in feeding or petting your dog when you don’t want him or her let out of the crate. If you’re looking for something that really sets the pace for the rest of the product segment, this is the crate for you. 

>> See our in-depth review of the LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Crate <<

ProSelect Empire Dog Cage

When most people think about heavy duty crates, they’re really thinking about whether the crate will be tough enough to stand up to their dogs. While the average dog certainly isn’t going to be able to bite through a cage of any kind, many larger dogs have the strength to bend the bars or to otherwise collapse the sides of crates. As such, those who are in the market for heavy-duty models really need to stop and look for something strong – something that’s like this model from ProSelect. 

The 20 gauge steel is the key feature here, as it’s simply much too strong for even big dogs to damage. This doesn’t just mean it’s bite-proof, though – it’s hard enough to bend that a dedicated dog still won’t be able to bend it out of shape with repeated rocking or slamming. This makes it much harder to escape from, even if your dog is the sort that typically shreds other cages. Even the locks are a little more resilient than normal, giving you a bit more security. 

The cage isn’t just tough, though – it’s useful. It has casters so that you can move the crate around and a tray so that you can clean it out without having to get inside. It’s a simple device that is made tough enough to outlast virtually any dog but still easy enough to use that it will satisfy almost any owner.

>> See our in-depth review of the ProSelect Empire dog crate <<

SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Crate

While many dogs rely on brute strength to get out of standard cages, some dogs use their brains instead. These escape artists are good not at just figuring out how sliding locks work, but at figuring out which parts of the crate are the weakest and exploiting those weaknesses so they can get out. If you have one of those smart dogs, you know that you can’t just depend on toughness to make sure that your dog stays safe. Instead, you’re going to need to make sure that you invest in a crate that’s designed to be escape-proof like this one from SMONTER. 

So, how does this crate defeat smart dogs? It actually has a couple of key features that go a long way towards accomplishing this task. First is the fact that the cage is made of steel and doesn’t have any easily exploitable weaknesses – there are no places where your dog can easily fit his or her snout to move a lock or press to move a bracket. The crate also allows you to access your dog through a top door, which ensures that your dog won’t be able to slip out when you want to feed him or her.

At the same time, the crate has little features that will make your life easier. It has casters, which makes the crate easier to move. It’s also very easy to set up and takedown, so it’s a perfect fit for anyone who has limited space. This is a strong cage that really is ideal for smart dogs and their owners. 

>> See our in-depth review of the SMONSTER heavy duty dog crate <<

KELIXU Heavy Duty Dog Cage

Another real worry when it comes to standard crates is the possibility of your dog hurting himself or herself as he or she tries to escape. As unfortunate as this is, it’s also a very common behavior among aggressive dogs and dogs who are having trouble with crate training. If you absolutely must continue to put a dog with such a problem in a crate, it’s vital that you pick a crate that’s designed to keep him or her safe. One such crate is this heavy-duty dog cage that was designed by KELIXU to protect dogs just like yours. 

So, what does it mean for a crate to be designed for aggressive dogs? First and foremost, it means that the crate has to be tough. There cannot be any chance of the crate breaking or splintering, as the damage to the crate could actually be dangerous to the dog. As such, this crate is engineered to be incredibly tough and to ensure that any damage that is caused by the dog won’t go on to cause him or her pain. It’s not necessarily an engineering miracle, but the attention to detail can be nice for concerned pet owners. 

It’s also important to remember that this type of crate has to make the dog feel comfortable so that he or she doesn’t react negatively. This means that the crate has plenty of ventilation and space between the bars, both so that your dog can breathe easily and so that your dog can still see and hear you while in the cage. The crate even has little features that ensure that your dog won’t be disturbed when basic tasks need to be done, like a removable tray for cleaning or casters to move the crate. This is absolutely the kind of product designed to keep your dog a little bit calmer. 

>> See our in-depth review of the KELIXU heavy duty dog crate <<

SmithBuilt Heavy Duty Dog Crate Cage

Toughness is good, but sometimes it’s the overall design on which you need to concentrate. As nice as it is to say that the only thing you care about is how well the crate keeps your dog inside, the truth is that you’re going to spend far more time worrying about how easy it is for you to interact with your dog while he or she is inside the crate. If user-friendliness is a major factor for you, you have to choose something that is designed with real dog owners in mind. One such product is this crate from SmithBuilt. 

Every feature of this crate really feels like it was designed to make sure that dog owners won’t have to put in too much effort to keep their dogs safe and happy. One of the nicest features is one that’s been featured on this list several times already – the dual doors. By providing openings at the top and sides, you can easily interact with your dog without risking letting him or her out of the crate at the wrong time. The included removal tray even makes it possible to clean up after your pet without disturbing his or her rest. 

Another lovely feature is the inclusion of the caster wheels. This not only makes it possible to move the crate around even with the added weight of your dog inside, but it also makes it easier to move the crate without having to pack it up. This means much less effort for you as a dog owner and much more of a chance that you’ll keep using the crate even if you have to move it from room to room. This is a really great choice for anyone who just wants a simple crate that’s still going to keep their dogs safe. 

PUPZO Heavy Duty Dog Crate

Not every dog crate will be left inside. Many dog owners choose to give their dogs a crate outside, both to let them get fresh air and to give outdoor dogs a safe place to sleep at night. Unfortunately, leaving any kind of crate outside tends to be an invitation to weather damage. As such, any dog owner who chooses to leave a crate outdoors needs to be very careful about the type of weatherproofing used in his or her creation. If you’re going to leave your dog’s cage outside, you need to think about getting a crate like this one from PUPZO.  

PUPZO’s crate is made of steel, but even beyond that, it seems primed for those who are planning to keep their dogs outside. Not only is the construction incredibly tough, but it is also resistant to rust and corrosion. This means that not only are you going to have to worry less about having to replace your cage due to weather damage, but you’re going to have to worry less about the weather weakening your crate in a way that would allow a stronger dog to break out. This really is a very tough crate, even if you’re only looking at how it’s going to hold up years from now. 

Designed for larger dogs, this is still a crate that’s meant to be easy on dog owners. It has a removable tray that makes it much easier to clean up after your dog, as well as a design that’s meant to allow you to get the entire unit put together in just a few quick moments. This is really the kind of crate that you can set up and feel comfortable with using even if you have never had a dog crate before, which is exactly the kind of feature that most dog owners want.

Amazon Basics Heavy Duty Stackable Pet Kennel with Tray

When it comes to choosing heavy duty dog crates, you have to be extra careful. There are so many models on the market that it can be almost impossible to tell the legit ones from the rip-offs. This is why we have gone out of our way to make this new list of the very best heavy duty dog cage models for your convenience. 

The exciting new Amazon Basics Heavy Duty Stackable Pet Kennel with Tray is our pick for the best new heavy duty dog crate. This is a full-sized, full service, double door metal dog crate that will safely enclose even the most dedicated canine escape artist. 

The exciting new indestructible dog crate is easy to clean and very easy to put together. Once assembled, you’ll notice how lightweight and easily portable it is. This is due to the specially designed heavy-duty steel caster wheels that have been included. Thanks to these handy wheels, you can easily move the crate to any location.

If your dog has a history of chewing through the flimsy bars of previous crates, this is the one to challenge them with. This heavy-duty crate is made of just the right material to render it one hundred percent escape-proof. It’s the one wire dog crate that has been specially designed and tested to foil even the most creative hound. 

When it comes to choosing a crate for your dog, comfort, security, and cost should be your criteria. We are happy to report that this handy new model meets all of these criteria with flying colors. This is the crate that will keep your dog safe both in and out of doors. It’s a model we highly recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the strongest dog crate available?

There are quite a few dog crates that can vie for this honor and they all follow more or less the same general construction plan. The strongest crates on the market right now are made out of steel, have reinforced hinges and corners, and generally have locks that are stronger than average. There are literally dozens of crates that fall into this category, though, so you may have to look to find the crate that best fits your needs. 

What is the best heavy duty dog crate?

The best crate is always the crate that works best for your dog. Though there are certainly crates out there that are better rated than others, the truth is that you need something that’s got all the features that are actually important to you. The crate needs to be the right size, have the right construction, and it needs to have all of the features that will keep both you and your pet happy to be declared the best. 

What is the best crate for a dog with separation anxiety?

This one largely depends on the dog. As a rule, though, you’re going to want something that will keep your dog comfortable and that will ensure that he or she cannot hurt himself or herself. While this might not seem logical to many humans, a key feature is making sure that the cage isn’t too big (the Northampton Veterinary Clinic suggests that the dog extends 2 inches past the shoulders and rump of a standing dog). You want something that will allow your dog to get up and shift positions, but not something so big that your dog can feel overwhelmed. Likewise, it’s a good idea to make sure that the crate is designed in a way that any damage from chewing or hitting the sides of the cage can’t end up hurting your dog. 

How do you make a heavy-duty dog kennel?

This is really all in the construction materials. You’re going to want steel – something that’s commercial-grade is usually good. The bars will generally be thick enough that a dog won’t be able to get his or her jaws around them, but not so thick that there isn’t plenty of ventilation. All the corners and hinges will be reinforced and the door should generally not be possible to open from the inside. 

Heavy Duty Dog Crate Buying Guide

If you’re looking for a dog crate, you’ve got to pay attention to more than just the amount of stars that a given crate gets on a popular review site. Instead, you really need to stop and think about what’s going to be important to you when you get a new crate. What features do you need and, more importantly, what features are going to keep your dog safe? Below are just a few of the features you should keep in mind when you’re searching for your next heavy duty dog crate. 

Strength/Composition

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty crate, your first concern is probably going to be the strength of the cage. As a rule, the thing you’re looking for here is steel. There are plenty of different types of steel builds, but anything labeled commercial grade or “20 gauge” is probably going to be a good idea. If you’re going to leave the crate outside, you’re also going to want to be on the lookout for something that is resistant to both rust and corrosion as well. 

Size

Size is the next factor. Most heavy-duty crates are designed for big dogs, but you should still check the dimensions. While many crates offer a quick blurb that tells you the recommended weight limit, it’s a good idea to remember that dogs can weight the same amount but still have vastly different heights. As such, you want to make sure that you give your dog enough space to get up and turn around without giving your dog so much space that he or she feels insecure in what should ultimately be a very safe space. 

Accessibility

How easy is it going to be for you to get to your dog in the crate? One of the great features in most of the heavy-duty dog crates right now is the fact that they have two doors, which gives you a door on top to use when feeding or petting your dog. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the crate has a removable tray at the bottom, as you’ll be able to pull this down and hose it off so that you don’t have to clean inside the crate manually. These may not seem like huge features, but they are going to make a big deal when it comes to day to day crate usage. 

Ease of Construction

How easy is it for you to put the cage together? If you are going to build the cage and leave it in one space forever, this really isn’t a feature that matters too much. If you know that you’re going to have to take the cage down and put it back up frequently because of space issues, though, you’ll need to find something that is fairly user-friendly. The less work it takes to set up the crate, the more likely you are to set the crate up when it is needed. 

Price

Finally, give a few minutes of thought to the price of the cage. If you are going to buy something that you know is going to be used for years to come, it’s fine to spend a little more. If you’re buying a crate for a dog that will outgrow it soon or who you will only have for a short time, though, spending too much could end up being a bad choice. Only you know your budget, though, so make sure that your choice of a cage reflects what you have to spend.