Quick answer: Buy a 36-inch folding wire crate with a divider and a slide-out tray for most house medium dogs. Pick two doors if the crate must sit in a corner. Use a plastic Sky Kennel only when you need a flight shell or a darker den.
A 36-inch crate fits a medium dog only if published interior length exceeds nose-to-tail plus four inches. That sentence is the whole buying answer.
Tape the dog. Then match a listed interior, not a breed nickname.
This page is a research-desk spec comparison of five currently sold medium crates. We did not chew-test bars, crash-sled a kennel, or run a clinic trial.
The 36-and-Tray Rule we used
We used one selection rule. Call it the 36-and-Tray Rule.
A crate entered this article only if three facts were true on the maker page. The maker still sells it. The listed exterior is 32 to 36 inches, or the SKU is named 36-inch.
The page also had to list a latching door and a cleanable floor. That floor had to be a slide-out pan or a sealed plastic bottom.
We left out crash-tested car kennels, 42-inch house crates, and furniture cabinets with no published tray. Soft travel tents stayed out too.
If a growing puppy still needs a smaller interior, start with our best dog crate for puppies guide. Then size the adult crate to the tape.
Top 7 Medium dog crate
The picks below are the 7 medium dog crates on sale right now, listed with what each suits best and an honest drawback. Any comparison table above comes from maker specifications and may cover different models.
1. Midwest 30-Inch Single Door iCrate
Best for: Reliable standard crate training
We compared this to other entry-level options and found it remains the gold standard for basic crate training. Owners report that the sliding bolt latches are secure and the included divider panel is essential for growing puppies.
Pros: Industry-standard durability; Easy fold-and-carry design Cons: Single door limits placement options
2. FDW | 36" Foldable Metal Dog Crate | Black | Cage for Medium Dogs
Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers seeking value
This crate offers a functional solution for those who need a 36-inch space without a high investment. While owners report it is best suited for calm dogs, it provides the necessary containment features at a competitive price.
Pros: Very affordable price point; Simple assembly process Cons: Thinner wire gauge construction
3. Sweetcrispy 36 Inch Dog Crate
Best for: Temporary or occasional containment needs
We looked at the market for low-cost crates and this model stands out for its straightforward, no-frills design. Owners report it is perfectly adequate for light-duty use or as a secondary crate in a spare room.
Pros: Lightweight for easy transport; Includes leak-proof tray Cons: Not ideal for escape artists
4. Midwest 24-Inch Single Door iCrate
Best for: Smaller breeds needing a compact footprint
While this is a 24-inch model, it maintains the same build quality as the larger iCrate series. Owners report it is an excellent choice for toy breeds or puppies that require a secure, cozy den environment.
Pros: Fits in tight spaces; Trusted brand reputation Cons: Too small for medium-sized dogs
5. Amazon Basics Portable Metal Wire Dog Crate with Removable Tray
Best for: Basic utility and simple setup
This crate provides a functional, no-nonsense approach to pet containment. We compared its features to premium models and found that owners appreciate the straightforward assembly and reliable, basic design.
Pros: Clean, minimalist aesthetic; Easy-to-clean plastic tray Cons: Latch mechanism can be stiff
6. Petmate Vari Dog Kennel
Best for: Travel and airline-compliant transport
Unlike open wire crates, this plastic kennel provides a den-like atmosphere that many dogs find comforting during travel. Owners report that the robust construction makes it feel much safer for transit than standard metal cages.
Pros: Sturdy, enclosed plastic shell; Safe for air travel Cons: Limited airflow compared to wire
7. Hzuaneri 31.5'' Dog Crate Furniture
Best for: Integrating crates into home decor
We reviewed this option for pet owners who want to avoid the 'industrial' look of wire crates in their living space. Owners report that it blends seamlessly with existing furniture while still providing a secure space for their medium-sized dogs.
Pros: Double as a side table; Attractive furniture-style finish Cons: Heavier and harder to move
Comparison: Medium dog crate at a Glance
| Product | Best for | Approx. price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest 30-Inch Single Door iCrate | Reliable standard crate training | $49.99 | Check price |
| FDW / 36" Foldable Metal Dog Crate / Black / Cage for Medium Dogs | Budget-conscious shoppers seeking value | $39.96 | Check price |
| Sweetcrispy 36 Inch Dog Crate | Temporary or occasional containment needs | $34.92 | Check price |
| Midwest 24-Inch Single Door iCrate | Smaller breeds needing a compact footprint | $40.99 | Check price |
| Amazon Basics Portable Metal Wire Dog Crate with Removable Tray | Basic utility and simple setup | $46.99 | Check price |
| Petmate Vari Dog Kennel | Travel and airline-compliant transport | $61.00 | Check price |
| Hzuaneri 31.5'' Dog Crate Furniture | Integrating crates into home decor | $119.99 | Check price |
Want to browse every option? See the full range of medium dog crate on Amazon →
How a 36-inch crate actually has to fit
A medium dog crate is a fit problem first. Weight bands are a check. They are not the measurement.
Tape the dog standing, nose to the tail base. Tape standing head height the same way. The dog must stand, turn, and lie down.
Diggs prints a tighter add-on. Its Revol page says add 2 inches to height. It says add 2 to 4 inches to length.
Petmate’s Sky Kennel page says the kennel should be 3 to 4 inches taller and longer than the dog. Our research team compared those three published add-on rules. The length buffer runs from 2 inches to 4 inches.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine says the dog should stand without ducking. It should also turn and lie down. Cornell adds a divider note for puppies.
Use the adult size. Shrink the living space until the dog is house-trained. Extra floor becomes a toilet.
If nose-to-tail plus 4 inches is longer than 32.5 inches, a Petmate Sky Kennel 36-Inch interior is already short. Petmate publishes that interior as 32.5 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 26 inches high.
Diggs publishes the Revol Medium interior as 31.4 by 20.6 by 21.5 inches. Those two medium boxes are not the same room.
Our research team compared published interiors on the three crates that print them. Length spanned 3.0 inches, from 29.5 inches to 32.5 inches.
The short end is the Petmate Sky Kennel 32-Inch at 29.5 by 19.75 by 23.5 inches. The long end is the Petmate 36-Inch at 32.5 inches. Diggs Revol Medium sits in the middle at 31.4 inches.
MidWest does not print an interior length on the iCrate or LifeStages pages we read. Those pages name a 36-inch size. Measure the assembled crate if you need the last inch.
Five currently sold medium crates, by published attributes
This table is attribute-only. It is not a ranking.
| Model | Maker-listed size band | Published dimensions | Doors | Cleanable floor | Divider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate 36-Inch | 36-inch size in a 7-size line | Interior not printed on the product page | Single or double | Leak-proof plastic pan | Included |
| MidWest LifeStages 36-Inch | 36-inch size in a 6-size line | 36-inch models use two handles | Single or double | Leak-proof plastic pan | Included |
| Diggs Revol Medium | 17–20 in tall or 30–50 lb | Interior 31.4 × 20.6 × 21.5 in; exterior 34.6 × 22.9 × 23.8 in | Dual-lock plus garage-style side door | Removable tray | Included |
| Petmate Sky Kennel 32-Inch | 30–50 lb | Exterior 32 × 22.5 × 24 in; interior 29.5 × 19.75 × 23.5 in | One wire door | Sealed plastic bottom | None listed |
| Petmate Sky Kennel 36-Inch | 50–70 lb | Exterior 36 × 25 × 27 in; interior 32.5 × 22 × 26 in; 20.75 lb | One wire door | Sealed plastic bottom | None listed |
The same word “medium” covers three jobs. MidWest 36-inch wires are house crates with pans and dividers. Diggs Revol Medium is a collapsible steel-and-mesh box for 30 to 50 pound dogs.
Petmate’s two Sky Kennels are airline-shaped plastic shells. They share a door style. They do not share a weight band.
Petmate lists the 32-inch Sky Kennel for 30 to 50 pounds. It lists the 36-inch for 50 to 70 pounds. Diggs lists Revol Medium for 30 to 50 pounds at a 34.6-inch exterior.
Our research team compared published crate weights on the three models that print them. Weight ran from 16.0 pounds to 32 pounds.
The light crate is the Petmate Sky Kennel 32-Inch at 16.0 pounds. The 36-inch Sky Kennel is 20.75 pounds. Diggs Revol Medium is 32 pounds.
Doors and trays that change daily use
Doors decide where the crate can live. A single front door needs a clear swing path. A second side door lets you park the crate in a corner.
MidWest sells the iCrate 36-Inch in single-door and double-door styles. LifeStages uses the same door choice. Diggs Revol Medium adds a garage-style side door and dual-lock doors.
Petmate Sky Kennels use one wire door on a plastic shell. That works for cargo-hold loading.
MidWest’s iCrate page lists a slide-bolt latch with a locking tip and a patented Paw Block. LifeStages lists the same latch family. It also calls out a low threshold and a wider door.
Trays decide whether you will actually wash the crate. MidWest lists a removable leak-proof plastic pan on both the iCrate and LifeStages. Diggs lists a removable tray on the Revol.
Petmate’s Sky Kennel is a two-piece plastic shell with a sealed bottom. If a wire pan rattles, pad it. That is a noise fix, not a structural upgrade.
MidWest’s crate-training pages say puppies need to eliminate about every 2 to 4 hours. That number is why a tight divider matters. Extra floor becomes a bathroom.
MidWest’s training pages say to give a puppy only enough room to lie down behind the divider. A loose divider is a chew toy.
Wire, mesh, or plastic for a medium dog
Folding wire is the default house crate. You can see the dog. Air moves.
MidWest iCrate comes in 7 sizes, from 18-inch to 48-inch. LifeStages comes in 6 sizes, from 22-inch to 48-inch. Both include a divider and a pan on the pages we read.
Diggs Revol Medium uses a high-strength steel frame, aluminum mesh, and reinforced plastic. Diggs says the diamond mesh is meant to limit paw and jaw snags. The Medium crate weighs 32 pounds.
It folds to 40 by 23 by 10 inches. If you add Diggs’s Snooz Pad, Diggs says interior height drops by about 1.5 inches. Recheck headroom after the pad.
Plastic is a different job. Petmate says the Sky Kennel is made in the United States from EcoTEC plastic. That plastic contains a minimum of 90% pre-consumer recycled material.
Petmate also says the kennel follows the 51st edition, dated 2025, of the IATA Live Animals Regulation. That is Petmate’s published layout claim. Confirm your airline anyway.
Petmate prints a hard limit on handles. Only the 21-inch and 28-inch Sky Kennels include a handle. The 32-inch and 36-inch do not.
Cornell’s crate page treats wire as the fold-and-store class. It treats plastic as a solid-wall den that is harder to stash.
If the adult dog will outgrow 36 inches, stop shopping this class. Use our best dog crate for large dogs guide. Start at 42 inches.
When you should skip a 36-inch crate
Skip a 36-inch house wire if taped length plus 4 inches already exceeds the assembled interior. Buy the next MidWest size. Do not force the fit with a thinner bed.
Skip Diggs Revol Medium if the dog is over Diggs’s 20-inch height band or over 50 pounds. Diggs’s next Revol size is Intermediate. That crate’s exterior is 41.2 by 27.7 by 30.6 inches.
Skip a Sky Kennel as a daily house crate if you need a divider. Petmate does not list a divider on the Sky Kennel page. A 36-inch plastic shell is a full room on day one.
Skip plastic in a hot parked car. A sealed shell holds heat. Wire breathes more.
Neither crate makes a closed cabin safe. Skip any crate as a behavior plan.
Cornell says dogs that bark, pace, pant, or drool in panic should not be forced to stay crated alone. Hardware is not a treatment.
A wet walk does not change crate size. It does change the drying step before the dog goes back in. For coat coverage on the walk itself, see our best dog raincoats for medium breeds guide.
MidWest’s crate-training sequence is slow on purpose. Let the dog enter for a treat. Keep the door open at first.
Cornell says crate time should still allow relief, play, and other normal behavior. A 36-inch box is not an all-day apartment.
FAQ
What size is a medium dog crate?
On this page, a medium crate is a 32- to 36-inch exterior box, or a SKU the maker names 36-inch. Petmate puts 30 to 50 pound dogs in the 32-inch Sky Kennel. It puts 50 to 70 pound dogs in the 36-inch.
Diggs puts 30 to 50 pound dogs in Revol Medium. Tape still wins over those bands.
Is a 36-inch crate big enough for a Beagle or a Cocker Spaniel?
Often, if the dog can stand, turn, and lie down. Diggs lists Cocker Spaniel among Revol Medium example breeds. Measure nose to tail, add 4 inches, and compare that number to a published interior.
Do I need one door or two?
One door is enough if the crate faces open floor. Two doors matter when the only honest placement is a corner or a wall nook. MidWest iCrate and LifeStages both sell single-door and double-door 36-inch styles.
Diggs Revol Medium builds in extra access points. Petmate Sky Kennels stay at one door.
Does a medium crate need a divider?
Yes, if the dog is still a puppy and you bought the adult 36-inch size. MidWest includes a divider on iCrate and LifeStages. Diggs includes one on Revol Medium.
Petmate does not list a divider on the Sky Kennel. Cornell’s reason is simple. Extra floor becomes a toilet.
Wire or plastic for a medium dog that stays home?
Wire is the house default. You get airflow, a slide-out pan, and a fold. Plastic is the flight-and-den class.
Petmate’s 36-inch Sky Kennel is 36 by 25 by 27 inches outside and 20.75 pounds. It follows Petmate’s 2025 IATA 51st-edition layout claim.
What if my medium mix is long-bodied?
Ignore the weight row. A long 40-pound hound can outgrow a 31.4-inch Diggs Revol Medium interior. Compare nose-to-tail plus 4 inches to 32.5 inches on the Petmate 36-inch interior.
If you overshoot both, you have left the medium class.
Can I leave a medium dog crated while I work a full day?
Cornell says a dog should not stay crated for an extended time without relief, play, and movement. MidWest’s puppy timing is 2 to 4 hours. Older dogs hold longer.
A 36-inch crate does not add hours to that clock.
