Best crate for a Great Dane
A Great Dane's crate needs to be planned around the dog it will become, not the puppy in front of you now. This is one of the largest breeds around, often well over 70cm at the shoulder as an adult, so a crate that looks generous for a young puppy can be outgrown within months. Buying for adult size from the start, or accepting that a growing puppy needs at least one crate upgrade, avoids the more common mistake here.
Sizing for a genuinely giant breed
The crate needs to be long and tall enough for your Great Dane to lie fully stretched out and stand up without ducking, which for this breed usually means one of the largest crate sizes on the market, sometimes labelled specifically for giant breeds. Measuring your own dog, or asking a breeder for expected adult size, is more reliable than guessing from breed averages alone.
A crate that is too small is not just uncomfortable; a dog that cannot lie flat or turn around properly is more likely to feel confined and stressed by it, which works against the crate becoming the calm, settled space it is meant to be.
Build quality and weight matter here
A giant breed puts real weight and force through a crate over time, so a flimsy wire frame designed for a much smaller dog is more likely to bend, loosen at the joints, or simply not hold up. Heavier-gauge metal crates, or well-built furniture-style wooden crates rated for larger dogs, tend to last far better.
Check the floor as well as the frame. A thin plastic tray can flex or crack under sustained weight, and a solid, well-supported base makes a real difference to how stable the whole crate feels once a fully grown Great Dane is standing or turning inside it.
Practical setup tips
Measure your doorways and the space you plan to put the crate in before ordering, since giant-breed crates take up considerably more floor space than most people expect, and getting a flat-packed crate through a narrow doorway is worth checking in advance.
A crate cover or placing the crate against a wall rather than in an open room can help a large, exposed-feeling dog settle more easily, particularly for a breed that can otherwise feel oddly vulnerable given how much space it actually takes up.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Plush Checkered Dog Car Back Seat Bed
A quilted checkered car bed that turns the back seat into one flat, cosy platform for your dog.
From£11.99
Waterproof Pet Furniture Protector Blanket
A quilted waterproof throw that shields beds and sofas from hair, mud and accidents.
From£11.99
Quilted Cotton Pet Floor Mat
A soft, washable quilted cotton mat that gives cats, dogs and small pets a cosy place to rest. Lightly padded with a pretty patterned finish, it lies flat over floors, crates or pen bases and machine washes easily.
From£10.99
Enclosed House-Shaped Pet Bed
A cosy house-shaped enclosed pet bed in soft, water-resistant down-jacket fabric, with a padded roof and removable cushion. The snug cave design keeps cats and small dogs warm and gives them a private place to retreat.
From£24.99
Front-Facing Legs-Out Pet Carrier Backpack
A breathable front-carry backpack that holds your small dog or cat facing outward, legs through the openings. Padded adjustable straps and a secure buckle keep them comfortable on walks and rides.
From£8.99
Canvas Shoulder Sling Pet Carrier Bag
A soft canvas shoulder-sling carrier that lets your cat or small dog poke their head out while you walk. Breathable open top with a novelty lion-mane collar and paw design for hands-free trips.
From£9.99
Padded Roll-Up Pet Travel Mat
A quilted, water-resistant travel mat that gives your dog a comfy resting spot anywhere. Folds and rolls up with the attached strap to carry like a tote, ideal for car boots, picnics and trips away.
From£26.99
3-in-1 Padded Pet Travel Bed & Car Booster Tote
A quilted pet tote that switches between a portable bed, a raised car booster and a carry bag.
From£24.99
Front-Carry Pet Backpack Carrier
Hands-free front-carry backpack that holds a small dog or cat against your chest, with breathable leg openings and a padded, adjustable harness. Cute bear-pocket detail and drawstring top keep your pet snug and secure on the go.
From£15.99
Reversible Flannel & Sherpa Pet Blanket
A reversible pet blanket with plush sherpa on one side and flannel on the other, machine washable and sized from 50 by 70 centimetres up to 145 by 216.
From£12.99
Front-Pack Pet Carrier Backpack
A breathable front-pack carrier that holds small dogs and cats against your chest with their legs comfortably out. Padded straps, a mesh back panel and an adjustable buckle keep your pet secure and ventilated on the go.
From£12.99
Foldable Floral Teepee Pet Tent Bed
A pretty floral teepee tent bed with tie-back curtains and mesh windows for a private, airy retreat.
From£9.99
Common questions
- What size crate does a Great Dane need?
- Great Danes generally need one of the largest crate sizes available, often specifically labelled for giant breeds, since the dog must be able to lie fully stretched out and stand without ducking its head once fully grown.
- Should I buy a puppy-sized crate for a Great Dane puppy?
- You can, but be prepared to upgrade within months given how quickly the breed grows. Many owners buying for a Great Dane choose to size up from the start rather than replacing the crate partway through puppyhood.
- Are wire crates strong enough for a Great Dane?
- A well-built, heavy-gauge wire crate rated for giant breeds can work well, but a lighter crate designed for a much smaller dog is more likely to bend or loosen under the weight and movement of a fully grown Great Dane.
- How much floor space does a Great Dane crate take up?
- Considerably more than most people expect; giant-breed crates are among the largest sold for domestic pets. Measuring the intended space, and checking it fits through doorways, before ordering is worth doing rather than assuming it will fit.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.