This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Discover the best crate options for your Great Dane, designed to provide ample space and comfort for your large breed dog. This article guides you through top picks and key features to consider for secure, spacious Great Dane crates.
After years of using them, I can say without hesitation that the Ginormous Dog Crate by Midwest Homes is by far the best crate for Great Danes on the market today!
The Ginormous Crate by Midwest Homes is the best XXL crate on the market today by a wide margin! It's large enough to hold a fully grown Great Dane, and its durable metal construction ensures that it will last many years of use.
- Large size: 54 inches long, 37 inches wide, 45 inches tall
- Metal construction for added strength and durability
- Offers single and double door options for ease of access
- Leakproof removable tray included
- Adjustable divider panel not included by default (add-on available)
- Large size requires 2 people for initial assembly
Not only is it the only crate I’ve found that’s truly large enough to accommodate a Great Dane’s giant size, but it’s also well constructed well enough to withstand years of use. While there are cheaper options available, they are bound to break over time or be undersized for your Great Dane.
With those few details in mind, let’s jump into the full review of the
Review Criteria for the Best Great Dane Crate
There are several factors to consider when purchasing a crate for a Great Dane.
Sure, there are cheap options on the market that cost a fraction of the price. But your Great Dane with either outgrow or break them in short order!
You’re far better off buying a great crate one time and not needing to worry about it going forward.
Criteria #1 – Size
To even begin considering a crate for a Great Dane, you’ve got to take into account how large that it will be as a fully-grown adult!
Cramming your Great Dane into a crate that’s too small for them is not only uncomfortable but could also increase the likelihood of orthopedic issues. They should have ample room to enter the crate, turn around, and stretch out.
Don’t think that’s important? Then try hanging out in a box you barely fit in for a couple of hours and let me know how it feels.
Hint: it feels terrible!
Now the purpose behind getting a crate large enough to hold an adult Great Dane isn’t because they will spend all of their lives using a crate.
While some do (and there’s nothing wrong with that) many families are comfortable letting their Great Dane stay outside of their crate overnight or when they leave the house to run errands once they’re past the puppy phase.
However, because Great Danes often reach ~80% of their adult size by the time they’re 1 year old, it means that they’ve probably still got some puppy mischief left in them 😉
This is why it’s valuable to have a crate on hand that they’re able to comfortably spend time in.
If you’re Great Dane doesn’t have 2 inches of clearance above their head when they’re sitting or standing (whichever is taller), then your crate is too short. The lower ceiling will force them to hunch during movement, once again creating a very uncomfortable experience for them.
Given that the
While you may find other crates on the market of similar lengths or widths, many fall short when it comes to height. Pun intended!
Criteria #2 – Durability
With the size issue out of the way, the next thing I’d like to talk about is durability. Many crates just aren’t built with a giant dog in mind.
The majority take existing (small) crate designs and simply scale them up. But this doesn’t take into account the added strength that needs to be built in to support much larger and STRONGER dogs!
In addition to accounting for the dog’s strength, the size of these large crates makes them more susceptible to bending and breaking over time. This also forces the need for design to account for added strength around the weld and attachment points.
Unfortunately, because many “XXL” crates don’t take these things into consideration, their crates simply don’t last. These cheap crates are known to break after months of use – not years!
While a quality crate like the Ginormous by Midwest Homes certainly costs more money upfront, not needing to replace it on a yearly basis will save you money in the long run. Not to mention the hassle of needing to re-order or re-assemble them!
Criteria #3 – Accessories
You wouldn’t think that something as basic as a crate needs accessories, but you’d be wrong!
First and foremost, a crate that doesn’t have a leakproof tray or pan is a disaster waiting to happen.
These trays or pans are often constructed of heavy-duty plastic that is able to catch water, urine, poop, vomit, etc… that could be accidentally unleashed inside the crate. Believe me when I say that these are a requirement and not optional when it comes to crates.
Especially during those puppy years!
While some crates simply offer these as an added up-charge, they’re included by default at no added charge for the best crates.
Thankfully, MidWest Homes was kind enough to not only include theirs at no added fee, but if you were to lose or need to replace one, they make it very easy to do so as well.
Due to it’s large size, you may find that there aren’t many options for where to place an XXL dog crate in your home. That’s why it’s extremely helpful to have the option of getting a 1 or 2 door version of the dog crate.
This added flexibility allows you to place the crate where you want it inside your home, without needing to worry about your Great Dane being able to get inside of it!
While there is typically a very small price increase for the added door, I’ve always found it to be worth every penny.
Last but certainly not least in the accessory department is an adjustable divider panel.
This nifty panel allows you to control the available space inside the crate. Assuming that you’re using the crate for a puppy at some point, this divider panel is an extremely useful tool for potty training.
Rather than cover the full details here on how it’s used in potty training, I’ll instead refer you to my dedicated article on Great Dane potty training.
Because the divider panel isn’t a necessary accessory, it doesn’t come with the crate by default. However, given how useful it is in potty training, I’d highly recommend purchasing it (link to Amazon).
Ginormous Crate Assembly
Should you choose to purchase this XXL dog crate (and I hope you do), then you’re going to want some instructions to follow along with when it comes to assembly.
Sure, the crate will come with some written assembly instructions as well, but this quick video should make the process even easier for you!
Additional Great Dane Crate Tips
While picking the right crate for your Great Dane is an important step, it’s not the only one to make it a good long-term fit.
You’ll also want to consider other key things such as optimizing the placement of the crate, making it comfortable by adding a bed, and making them feel comfortable in it.
These steps ensure that the crate becomes not just a place for your Great Dane to stay out of trouble, but one where they feel comfortable and safe. Look at a crate as a modern-day equivalent of a den.
It’s a place where they can go to nap or take a break or they’re feeling anxious or stressed out.
For this reason, it’s extremely important that you never use the crate as a place for punishment. Do NOT send them to their crates for a timeout if they do something bad, as you always want them to have a positive association with being in the crate.
In addition to making it more comfortable with bedding and toys, you can further develop this positive relationship with the crate by feeding them treats inside of it or petting and praising them.
For more information on crate-related topics, make sure to take a look at my following articles linked below:
