Short answer
The PDSA describes wire crates as "durable, sturdy, and well-ventilated" and "Ideal for most dogs", and fabric crates as "Usually used for travelling" but "Not suitable for puppies or dogs who like to chew things"1. In the car, the Highway Code says dogs should be suitably restrained and lists a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard2, and the Royal Kennel Club says the ideal is "a crate or fixed car cage"3.
Wire vs fabric at a glance
This article answers one question from our complete guide to what size crate your dog needs.
| Type | What the PDSA says |
|---|---|
| Wire | "durable, sturdy, and well-ventilated. Ideal for most dogs"1 |
| Fabric | "Usually used for travelling. Not suitable for puppies or dogs who like to chew things. Can be trickier to clean."1 |
Wire crates
Wire crates are the PDSA's choice for most dogs1. Many fold flat, they let air through on every side, and your dog can see out. Many have a removable tray and can take a divider, which suits a growing puppy.
Check the bar spacing on a crate for a very small dog, and check the inside dimensions against your dog's length and sitting height as usual.
Fabric crates
Fabric crates on a folding frame are light and pack small, which is why they're often used for travel. The PDSA says they're "Not suitable for puppies or dogs who like to chew things" and "Can be trickier to clean"1.
We suggest keeping a fabric crate for calm adult dogs, and not leaving a dog in one unsupervised until you know it won't chew or push at the sides.
Plastic crates and carriers
Plastic crates are enclosed and den-like, and easy to wipe clean. Their walls take up space, so the inside can be noticeably smaller than the outside. Check the inside dimensions and the ventilation before you buy.
Which crate for the car?
Rule 57 of the Highway Code says: "When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars."2
Rule 57 isn't one of the rules the Highway Code marks as "MUST". It's still the standard to follow.
The Royal Kennel Club says: "A dog should travel either behind a dog guard, secured with a car-seat harness or, ideally, in a crate or fixed car cage."3
A crate is one of several options. If you choose a crate for the car:
- Measure the boot, not just the dog. Measure the boot floor's length and width, and the height of the opening. A sloping tailgate can make the usable height at the back lower than at the front.
- Size it for travel. The crate should pass the size test, but in a car there's no benefit in lots of spare room. For puppies, the RSPCA says not to travel in an adult-sized crate4.
- Secure it. A crate that slides or tips when you brake isn't restraining your dog. Follow the crate maker's and car maker's instructions for securing it.
- Check it's meant for cars. A folding wire home crate and a fabric travel crate aren't the same as a fixed car cage. Check what the maker says about use in vehicles.
- Think about heat. Cars heat up quickly. Keep the crate out of direct sun, make sure air can get through, and never leave your dog in a parked car on a warm day.
Using a car harness instead
The Highway Code lists a seat belt harness as one way to restrain a dog2, and the Royal Kennel Club mentions a car-seat harness too3. A car harness needs to fit as well as a walking harness: see our complete guide to how a dog harness should fit and how tight a dog harness should be.
Puppies in the car
The RSPCA also says: "don't travel with your puppy in their adult-sized crate - they'll be better protected in a smaller space."4
If your puppy's home crate is the adult size with a divider, we suggest a separate, smaller crate or carrier for journeys. See how crate dividers work for a growing puppy.
Breed crate guides
Every breed needs a slightly different crate. These guides cover UK size guidance for the breed, sizes in each brand in inches and cm, and how to measure.
- English Springer Spaniel crate sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Border Collie crate sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Labrador Retriever crate sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Cocker Spaniel crate sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
Find your dog's crate size All breeds
Questions
Is a wire or fabric crate better?
The PDSA describes wire crates as "Ideal for most dogs", and fabric crates as usually used for travelling and not suitable for puppies or dogs that chew1.
Can a puppy use a fabric crate?
The PDSA says fabric crates are "Not suitable for puppies or dogs who like to chew things"1.
Does my dog have to be in a crate in the car?
What size crate should I use in the car?
Can I use my home crate in the car?
Check what the maker says about vehicle use, check it fits your boot, and secure it so it can't slide or tip. A puppy is better protected in a smaller space than its adult-sized crate, according to the RSPCA4.