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Are you searching for the ultimate way to transport your pup? You may be moving to a new home or heading out on the road for a well-deserved vacation. Whatever your reason may be, one thing is clear: You’re on the move and you want your favorite four-legged pal to come with you. But you need to do it safely.
A great way to do so is to use a dog travel crate. Making use of a portable dog crate is the very best way to ensure that your pup arrives safely with you to your destination. Of course, there are literally hundreds of new travel dog crate models available to buy on the web. How can you be sure you have the best one?
When it comes to choosing a portable dog crate, there are a number of very important factors to keep in mind. On this list, I’ll go over them, and I’ll give you our top choices for portable dog crate models.
All of the dog travel kennel and travel crate models on this list have been subjected to my exacting battery of tests. This is to fully ensure that each and every one of them is worthy of a spot on this list. And now I’ll give you my top choices for the best portable and travel kennels for dogs.
My #1 Recommended Travel Dog Crate
I’ve gone through a whole bunch of portable dog kennels to arrive at our number one choice. This is the new Petmate Sky Kennel. This handy travel crate for dogs lives up to all of our expectations. It’s portable, lightweight, and very affordable. It also is extremely resistant to wear and tear on the road.
And, believe me, I gave this new travel kennel quite a workout. It not only stood up to the test but even surpassed our expectations on a number of key levels. For this reason, I gladly recommend the new Petmate Sky Kennel to our readers. It’s a portable dog kennel that will give great service for many years to come.
Petmate Sky Kennel
- Suitable for medium dog breeds from 30 to 50 pounds.
- Meets most airline cargo specifications.
- Ventilated on all sides.
- Backed with a full warranty of guaranteed quality direct from the manufacturer.
The Petmate Sky Kennel is a very affordably priced dog travel cage that is well worth your initial investment. The crate comes with full ventilation on all sides. You can rest assured that your dog will be able to breathe easily during your trip. And you can monitor your pup in person to reassure them with your presence.
It should also be noted that the Petmate Sky Kennel is very roomy. It’s an excellent crate for puppies as well as small to medium breeds. Its hard plastic design is very sturdy and impact-resistant. The design has been specially engineered by experts in order to give your dog a safe and comfy temporary home during your travel period.
Runner Ups
While the Petmate Sky Kennel is my personal choice for the best dog travel crate, I know full well that there are other options on the market. Some of these may be large dog travel crate models that best suit the needs of much larger breeds. For this reason, I have also included a full rundown of my runner up choices.
All of the models on my runner up list have been subjected to a wide and very exacting battery of tests. They have proven their worth to me as they will to you. You may even find one of these models more suited to the needs of your pup than my own top choice. Without further ado, let’s check out the final 5 runner ups.
Aspen Pet Porter Heavy-Duty Pet Carrier
The new Aspen Pet Porter Heavy-Duty Pet Carrier is a dog travel crate that more than lives up to its illustrious sounding name. It’s been specially designed for air travel but can also be used in a wide variety of applications. It measures 32 inches across and is an excellent model for owners of dogs weighing between 30 and 50 pounds.
It might be chosen over the others on this list for a variety of reasons. For example, its travel worthiness is generally superior to most other travel dog crate models on the market. Its hard plastic design is sturdy and very durable. The model is well ventilated to allow you to monitor your dog and keep them happy during your travels.
Pros
- Hard and sturdy crash-proof plastic construction.
- Fully ventilated on all sides.
- Durable comfort grip handle for easy transport.
- Lightweight and portable.
Cons
- Not meant for larger breeds of dog.
- Needs to be assembled by the owner.
Petmate Two Door Top Load
The new Petmate Two Door Top Load dog travel crate makes for an excellent choice for buyers on a budget. True to its name, it comes equipped with top and front loading doors. These make for handy entrance and exit points for your pup. The crate is designed to meet the needs of puppies and smaller dogs alike.
The crate is designed to meet most airline travel rules. The sides are fully ventilated so that you can monitor your dog’s mood and pass them a handy snack if need be. The crate also comes with a comfort grip handle so that you can easily bring it with you. It’s a very handy, lightweight, and portable model that is worth its price.
Pros
- Fully ventilated on all sides.
- Top and bottom doors for an easy entrance or exit.
- Comfort grip handle for easy transport.
- Extremely portable and lightweight.
Cons
- Designed for the needs of pups and small dogs rather than larger breeds.
- Definitely designed as a travel rather than training crate.
SportPet Designs Plastic Kennels Rolling Plastic Wire Door Travel Dog Crate
This handy new dog travel crate is one of the best new models for airline transport. It comes with 4 live animal stickers and meets most modern airline travel regulations. It includes a removable sliding pan to allow you to keep the crate clean while being stored. Assembly is easy as all of the needed metal bolts and nuts are included.
The SportPet model is also an excellent choice for overground travel. It’s fully ventilated on all sides to allow you to monitor the mood of your dog during transport. It’s been designed for the needs of large dogs but also be used to transport puppies as well as small to medium breeds. It’s a bit pricy but well worth the investment.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable design.
- Fully ventilated on all sides.
- Meets most modern airline travel regulations.
- All necessary metal nuts and bolts for construction have been included.
Cons
- A bit pricier than some of the other dog travel crate models on this list.
- Designed with the needs of large, rather than small or medium, breeds in mind.
Petmate Vari Kennel
The Petmate Vari Kennel is an excellent choice for pups and small dogs. It comes with all of the features that you have come to expect in a small dog travel crate model. Yet, it also has more than its share of very recommendable perks. These include tie-down strap holes, wire vents for ventilation, and a specially raised interior.
The crate has been made with heavy duty recycled plastic. It has been specially designed to keep your dog safe in the event of a collision or fall. The model also features a front latch that has been designed to allow your pup to quickly enter and exit the crate. It has been specially ventilated on all sides.
Pros
- Tie-down strap holes for easy transport.
- Ventilated on all sides.
- Interior has been specially raised for your dog’s comfort.
- Designed with the needs of larger breeds in mind.
Cons
- A bit pricy as compared to some of the models on this list.
- Designed to be as portable as possible but may still be a bit heavy for some pet owners to handle.
IRIS Medium Deluxe Pet Travel Carrier
This handy new pet travel carrier is perfect for the needs of small to medium breeds. It can easily store pups as well as adult dogs of up to 44 pounds in weight. It comes with a handy side door for you to make an easy entrance and exit from. The crate is fully ventilated on all sides to allow you to monitor your pup during travel.
Pros
- Designed specifically with the needs of small to medium dogs in mind.
- Total dimensions are 26.40″L x 18.50″W x 20.00″H.
- Comes with a removable food and water tray.
- Backed with a full warranty of quality from the maker.
Cons
- A bit on the pricy side but well worth the investment.
- Designed for small rather than medium or large breeds.