Soft Crate vs Hard Crate: Which One Fits Your Dog
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details
For most dogs learning a crate for the first time, a hard-sided crate is the better starting point. In the soft crate vs hard crate choice, Whole Dog Journal does not recommend soft crates for initial crate training, and it says dogs who scratch or chew at their confines are not good candidates for one. A soft crate can still make sense for a dog that is already calm in a crate, especially for travel. The sections below compare soft crates with wire and hard plastic crates, show where the sources agree, and mark what the sources do not cover.
Quick answer
- Choose a hard-sided crate, usually wire or plastic, when your dog is new to crating or tends to chew and try to escape.
- Consider a soft crate for a dog that is already calm and crate-trained, mainly for lightweight travel.
- Wire crates give visibility and are described as great for all dogs, especially escape artists; plastic crates have smooth surfaces but are often not well-ventilated.
- Check the latch and the wire condition on any crate, because worn wire can come apart and cause injury or an escape.
What each type is built from
Soft crates are usually made of fabric, and the material is the first thing to understand. Whole Dog Journal says soft crates “are usually made of canvas or nylon, and are therefore more destructible than wire or plastic crates.” That single fact drives most of the advice about them.
Wire crates are the familiar folding kennel with metal bars and a tray. Whole Dog Journal calls it “the ubiquitous dog kennel – the wire crate.” Hard plastic crates are a molded shell with a front door. Whole Dog Journal describes plastic dog crates as “generally used for small to medium-sized dogs,” and notes that they are typically made of thick plastic with a front-facing door and a carrying handle on top.
Some crates are sold as heavy-duty models. Whole Dog Journal says “you can purchase heavy-duty wire crates, if needed,” and it describes a category of crates “commonly marketed for giant breed dogs, dogs who destroy their crates, or for master kennel escape artists.” The sources we opened do not give a single material list for every heavy-duty model, so check the product’s own construction details.
Comparison table
The table uses only what the pages we opened state. “Not stated” means the sources we opened do not cover that point.
| Point | Soft-sided | Wire | Hard plastic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main material | Canvas or nylon (WDJ) | Metal bars and tray (WDJ) | Thick plastic shell (WDJ) |
| Chewing | Not recommended for dogs who scratch or chew (WDJ) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Injury risk | Not stated | Worn wire can come apart (WDJ) | Smooth surfaces, except the door (WDJ) |
| Escape | Not the best choice for escape artists (WDJ) | Difficult to escape when properly assembled (WDJ) | Not stated |
| Visibility | Not stated | Lets the dog see the world around it (AKC) | Not stated |
| Ventilation | Not stated | Not stated | Often not well-ventilated (WDJ) |
| First crate training | Not recommended (WDJ) | Great for all dogs (WDJ) | Not stated |
| Travel | Comfortable and lightweight for calm, trained dogs (WDJ) | Not stated | Not stated |
| Typical size note | Not stated | Heavy-duty models available (WDJ) | Generally for small to medium dogs (WDJ) |
The table shows the gaps as well as the answers. Several cells read “not stated” because the pages we opened did not address those points. We did not fill them with guesses.
Soft crates: when they fit
Soft crates suit a narrow set of dogs. Whole Dog Journal says that “for already crate-trained or exceptionally calm dogs, a soft kennel is a comfortable, lightweight travel option for dogs of any size.” The key phrase is already crate-trained. A soft crate is not a training tool for a dog who has never used a crate.
The same source warns that a soft crate is a poor choice for a dog who scratches or chews at the confines. The fabric is the weak point, so a determined chewer can damage it. For a dog who is calm and settled, a soft crate can be a light, portable option when you travel, visit family, or need a small space for a short stay. Keep the stays short and the dog supervised if you are unsure how the dog will behave.
Hard crates: wire versus plastic
Wire crates have a clear advantage on visibility and on escape resistance when they are assembled correctly. The AKC explains that “some dogs prefer a wire crate so they can see the world around them, while others settle better in a darker, more den-like crate.” That choice depends on the dog, so watch where your dog settles and how calm it is inside, not only the frame.
Whole Dog Journal is direct about wire crates for escape: “wire crates are great for all dogs, especially escape artists,” and it adds that “wire crates are difficult for a dog to escape from when properly put together.” The second half of that sentence matters. A wire crate that is not fully assembled, or that has a bent latch, is not the same product.
Wire crates have maintenance issues. Whole Dog Journal notes that “wire crates can eventually rust and can become difficult to put together and then unfold, especially if it’s folded and moved around frequently.” It also warns: “as the crate becomes worn, watch for stray pieces of wire that have come apart and could cause injury and/or escape.” Check the frame, the tray and the door regularly, and replace a crate that has loose pieces.
Plastic crates have a different profile. The Whole Dog Journal crate guide says that “except for the door, plastic crates have smooth surfaces to minimize the chance of an injury.” The same source adds a trade-off: “plastic crates are often not well-ventilated, however.” If your home is warm or your dog pants in confinement, a plastic crate may need extra airflow, such as an open door during supervised time. The sources we opened do not give a ventilation fix beyond that.
Chewing and escape
Chewing and escape are the two problems that most often push owners toward a different crate, so this section is the core of the choice. Whole Dog Journal says soft crates are a poor match for chewers. Wire crates have a risk of their own: worn wire can come apart. The sources we opened do not say how plastic crates hold up to chewing.
For escape artists, the sources point toward hard-sided options. Whole Dog Journal says heavy-duty wire crates exist for dogs who try to escape, and it describes the category as built for “master kennel escape artists.” The latch is part of the crate too, so check it along with the frame.
The AKC also warns about injury during escape attempts: “although you might want to protect your home from destructive behavior, dogs can end up hurting themselves while trying to escape.” A crate that holds a dog safely is a better choice than one that looks sturdy but lets the dog work at the door. If your dog repeatedly tries to get out, the sources we opened suggest looking at the crate and the dog’s stress together.
Common mistakes
Buying a soft crate for a dog who has never used a crate. Whole Dog Journal does not recommend soft crates for initial crate training, so start with a hard-sided model.
Choosing a crate by size label alone. Whole Dog Journal suggests measuring your dog’s standing height and length, and then “add 2 to 4 inches to both to find the proper size.” Check the product’s dimensions against those numbers.
Ignoring wear on wire crates. Worn wire can come apart and cause injury or an escape. Check the frame regularly.
Assuming plastic is always airy. Whole Dog Journal says plastic crates are often not well-ventilated, so do not assume airflow just because the shell looks open.
Treating a soft crate as a training tool. Use it for calm, already-trained dogs and for travel, not as the first crate.
How we chose this comparison
We wanted to answer the question owners actually ask, which is which crate type fits a given dog, rather than list features. We opened four pages on 2026-10-23: two Whole Dog Journal guides on crate types and crate safety, the AKC nine-step crate training guide, and the AKC step-by-step guide. Each quoted sentence was checked against the page text before we used it. Where a cell in the table has no verified answer, we wrote “not stated.”
This guide does not name a brand, a model or a price, and it does not rank products. Where the sources disagree or do not cover a point, we say so.
What we could not verify
- Ventilation for soft crates. The pages we opened do not say how air moves through fabric crates, so the table leaves that cell blank.
- Hard plastic crates and escape. We did not find a verified source that rates plastic crates for escape resistance.
- Heavy-duty wire crate specifications. The sources do not list the gauge, weld strength or latch standard for any model.
- Exact size ranges for each material. The pages we opened do not map crate material to a specific weight or size range.
- Long-term cleaning and odor. The sources we opened do not address how to clean fabric, wire or plastic crates, so this guide does not give a cleaning method.
FAQ
Is a soft crate safe for a dog?
Whole Dog Journal says soft crates are a poor match for dogs who scratch or chew at their confines, because the fabric is “more destructible than wire or plastic crates.” For a calm, already crate-trained dog, the sources we opened describe a soft crate as a comfortable, lightweight travel option. For a chewer, choose a harder material.
Which is better for an escape artist, wire or plastic?
Whole Dog Journal says wire crates are “great for all dogs, especially escape artists,” and that they are difficult to escape from when properly assembled. The pages we opened do not rate plastic crates for escape resistance, so we cannot give a verified ranking for plastic.
Can I use a soft crate for travel?
Yes, if your dog is already crate-trained and calm. Whole Dog Journal calls a soft kennel “a comfortable, lightweight travel option for dogs of any size” for those dogs. Keep the stay short and watch the dog while it is inside.
Why do some dogs prefer a wire crate?
The AKC says some dogs prefer a wire crate “so they can see the world around them,” while others settle better in a darker, more den-like crate. Watch your dog’s behavior to see which suits it.
How do I check a wire crate for safety?
Look for worn or loose wire, a properly assembled frame and a latch that holds. Whole Dog Journal warns that worn wire can come apart and cause injury or an escape, so replace a crate that shows loose pieces.
Do plastic crates have any drawbacks?
Yes. Whole Dog Journal says plastic crates are often not well-ventilated. The same source notes their surfaces are smooth, except for the door, which helps reduce the chance of injury.
Bottom line
Start with a hard-sided crate, wire or plastic, for a new or chewing dog. Choose a soft crate only for a calm, already crate-trained dog, mainly for travel. For an escape artist, look at wire crates first and check the assembly and latch carefully.
Next steps
If you are deciding where the crate will sit and what goes inside, read our guide to a puppy crate with no bedding and our guide to a blanket over a dog crate at night. Both pages cover setup choices that come after you pick the crate type.
Sources
- https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/best-types-of-crates-for-dog-training/
- https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/gear-and-products/what-is-a-safe-dog-crate/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-crate-train-your-dog-in-9-easy-steps/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/crate-training-step-by-step/
- https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/totw/crate-training-tips/
