Cassie's Picks | Practical puppy shopping
Wire vs. Soft-Sided Puppy Crates: Choose for Home Use
For a puppy still learning to settle or likely to chew an enclosure, a wire crate is the more practical type to investigate first. A fabric crate is a later option for a puppy who is already comfortable in a crate and does not chew its walls. Start with the puppy's behavior and measured fit, then compare cleaning and storage.
By Matt Milar, Sage Puppies. Researched buying guidance; these options have not been documented as Sage hands-on product tests. Reviewed October 12, 2026.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through product links in this article. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Puppies looking over a white nursery fence. This photo does not show tests of the products discussed below.
Two materials, different tradeoffs
Chewing and containment. Wire removes the fabric panels that a puppy can bite through, but a wire crate still needs secure latches, sound construction and regular inspection. Neither material makes a distressed puppy ready to be confined.
Cleanup. A removable wire-crate tray is straightforward to inspect and clean. A soft crate adds fabric, mesh and seams that need their own care routine; check whether you can remove and clean the liner before buying.
Storage. Both folding wire and fabric models can pack away. Compare the folded size, carrying weight and setup steps, especially if the crate will move between rooms. Folding convenience does not establish suitability as a vehicle restraint.
Measure the puppy and the usable space
Record your puppy's current weight, natural standing height and body length, following the chosen manufacturer's sizing method. Check the space available after any divider and bedding are installed. Your puppy should be able to stand naturally, turn and lie down comfortably.
A 24-inch label is an example size, not a recommendation for every Havanese, Havapoo or Cavapoo. Puppies of the same breed can have different proportions. If the fit is uncertain, check the model's instructions and ask for sizing help before ordering.
Researched product options
MidWest iCrate Fashion, 24-inch Single Door, Pink
This folding wire-crate example includes a divider and removable tray. Those are useful features to compare when planning a home setup and adjusting usable space.
Choose it if: the measured fit, divider arrangement and cleaning routine suit your puppy and home. Limits: a single door gives fewer placement options than a double-door model. This specific example size will not fit every small puppy, and it is not presented as a crash-tested car restraint.
MidWest Canine Camper Tent Crate: fabric comparison reference
The maker describes a folding steel-tube frame with fabric and mesh panels, top and front access, and locking zippers. It recommends tent crates for pets who have been crate trained.
Comparison reference: use the manufacturer's current Tent Crate information to check sizing, cleaning and use instructions. This is a non-paid reference, not a selected retail variant. Skip fabric crates if the puppy bites panels, pulls at zippers or struggles with confinement. Different Canine Camper models are not interchangeable.
Before the first session
Set the crate on a stable surface, check all fasteners and keep fabric or other objects out of reach of the enclosure. Introduce it gradually rather than treating purchase day as proof that the puppy can stay inside calmly.
Watch for biting, pulling at mesh, damaged parts or repeated escape attempts. Stop and adjust the setup if the puppy is struggling. Our first-week crate-training guide covers the learning routine.
Quick questions
Should I buy a soft crate for go-home day? Only if its instructions, fit and your individual puppy's crate experience support that choice. The Canine Camper manufacturer recommends its tent crates for crate-trained pets.
Is a wire crate chew-proof? Do not treat it that way. Inspect the model and the puppy's response; material alone does not remove the need for supervision and suitable training.
Does either example replace a car restraint? No crash-restraint claim is made for these home-crate examples. Use our car-ride gear guide to evaluate travel equipment separately.
Sources and related guides
MidWest iCrate Fashion model information | MidWest Canine Camper Tent Crate
Crate vs. playpen | Indoor playpen fit | Washable bedding
Preparing for a puppy of your own? Sage Puppies is based in South Jordan, Utah. Explore current available puppies and the Sage process. Choose retail supplies separately from your puppy application.
