Buy a cheap wire crate for a husky and you'll come home to a bent crate and a husky on your kitchen counter eating bread. I've watched a foster husky bend the bars of a "heavy-duty" wire crate in 20 minutes. I've seen another chew through the plastic tray of a plastic crate in an afternoon. Huskies aren't being malicious — they're being huskies. Crate selection isn't optional; it's survival.
But "heavy duty" is a meaningless marketing term. Some heavy-duty crates are flimsy. Some cheap crates are surprisingly solid. The difference is the gauge of the wire (for wire crates), the thickness of the plastic (for plastic crates), and the welds (for everything).
What we use and why: The MidWest iCrate in the 42" or 48" size is what we recommend to most readers. The plastic handle on the door will eventually get chewed — that's not a defect, that's reality with huskies. Replace the handle with a metal gate latch from a hardware store for $4 and the crate becomes nearly indestructible. We've seen this setup last 3+ years on multiple huskies.
What You Actually Need in a Husky Crate
1. Size: 42" or 48" for Most Adult Huskies
Most adult huskies need a 42-inch crate (XL). Larger males or huskies who like to sprawl may need a 48-inch. The dog should be able to stand up without crouching, turn around comfortably, and lie down stretched out. Crates that are too small cause anxiety; crates that are too big defeat the purpose of crate training.
2. Material Depends on Your Husky
Wire crates: most common, good airflow, easy to clean, but bendable by strong dogs.
Plastic crates: required for airline travel, but chewable.
Heavy-duty crates: aluminum or steel, designed for escape artists, but expensive.
Furniture-style crates: look like end tables, blend into home decor, but rarely strong enough for huskies.
3. Latch Quality
The most common escape method isn't bending bars. It's figuring out the latch. Huskies are smart. A simple push-button latch is a puzzle they'll solve in days. Look for crate latches that require two simultaneous motions (push and lift, for example).
The Top 5 Crates for Huskies
1. MidWest iCrate (42" or 48") — Best Overall Value
The MidWest iCrate is the crate I recommend to most husky owners because it balances cost, durability, and features well. The wire is thicker than most competitors at this price point, the corners are reinforced, and the latches are double-locking (push and lift).
Setup is tool-free — it folds flat for storage. The included plastic tray is durable enough for most huskies, though if yours is a heavy chewer, consider upgrading to a metal tray.
Downsides: it has a plastic handle on the door that some huskies chew. Expect to replace the handle within a year.
2. Impact Collapsible Crate — Best Heavy-Duty Crate That Folds
The Impact Collapsible Crate is built from military-grade powder-coated aluminum — strong enough to contain a determined husky, yet folds flat in under 60 seconds with no tools required. The one-handed operation makes setup and breakdown effortless, and same-size units stack neatly when you need to save space.
It weighs less than you'd expect for an aluminum crate, with military-grade carry handles that make portability practical. The rounded diamond-shaped ventilation holes provide plenty of airflow while preventing teeth from getting caught on sharp edges.
Downsides: it's expensive ($300-450). Not designed for extreme escape artists — for truly destructive dogs, Impact's High Anxiety model is the safer bet. But for 95% of husky owners, this is the perfect balance of security, portability, and build quality.
3. Diggs Revol — Best for Home Aesthetic
The Diggs Revol is a crate that doesn't look like a crate. It's designed to blend into modern home decor — minimal aluminum frame, optional wood cover panels, magnetic door. If you keep your crate in your living room (many people do) and care about how it looks, this is the only crate I'd consider.
Build quality is solid — aluminum frame, reinforced corners. It's not as indestructible as the Impact, but it's stronger than most wire crates and won't embarrass you in front of guests.
4. Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel — Best for Air Travel
If you're flying with your husky, you need an airline-approved crate. The Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel is the most commonly accepted model. It's plastic (required by airlines), has reinforced corners, and a secure latch system.
Most huskies need the 36-inch or 40-inch size. Check with your specific airline before purchasing — each has slightly different requirements.
5. ProSelect Empire Dog Cage — Best for Kennels & Multi-Dog Homes
The ProSelect Empire is a commercial-grade crate designed for kennels, rescues, and serious breeders. The wire is thicker than consumer crates, the welds are stronger, and the latches are bolt-style (no plastic to chew).
It's not as pretty as the Diggs, and it's overkill for one dog, but if you have multiple huskies or run a foster setup, this is the crate to buy.
Quick Comparison
| Crate | Best For | Material | Price Range | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate | Most owners | Wire | $ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Impact Collapsible Crate | Escape artists | Aluminum | $$$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Diggs Revol | Aesthetics | Aluminum | $$$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Petmate Ultra Vari | Air travel | Plastic | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐½ |
| ProSelect Empire | Multi-dog homes | Wire (heavy) | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
How to Choose the Right Size
Measure your husky from nose to base of tail (length) and from floor to top of head (height) when standing. Add 2-4 inches to each measurement for the crate dimensions. Most adult huskies need a 42-inch crate; larger males may need 48 inches. Crates that are too big cause crate training issues; crates that are too small cause stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Recommendation for Most Husky Owners
The MidWest iCrate in 42" or 48" is the best balance of cost and durability for typical huskies.
Check MidWest iCrate on AmazonDisclosure: We earn a commission if you buy through these links. No extra cost to you.
Pro Tips From Our Testing
Tip 1: Always measure nose-to-tail and add 4 inches. The crate should be long enough for your husky to lie down stretched out without curling. The standard advice is to add 2-4 inches to your dog's nose-to-base-of-tail measurement. We've found 4 inches works better for huskies because they tend to sprawl when sleeping.
Tip 2: Upgrade the latches before you need to. Husky-proofing a crate is cheaper than replacing one. Spend $10 on metal gate latches from a hardware store and replace the factory plastic latches on day one. We've watched too many huskies figure out the factory latches within a week. Metal gate latches require two simultaneous motions to open — most huskies never solve them.
Tip 3: Place the crate where your husky can see you. Crate training works best when the crate isn't in an isolated room. Huskies are pack animals; isolation causes anxiety, which causes destructive behavior, which causes crate hatred. A crate in the corner of your bedroom or living room — visible, not isolated — trains 2-3x faster than one in a separate space.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Buying a crate that's too big "to grow into." Puppies grow fast, and many owners buy a 48" crate for a husky puppy "so he can grow into it." This backfires — a crate too big for a puppy allows the puppy to use one end as a bathroom and the other as a bedroom, which destroys house training. Buy the right size for the puppy, then size up when he outgrows it.
Mistake 2: Using the crate as punishment. "Go to your crate" should never be a threat. If your husky associates the crate with punishment, he'll resist going in and develop crate anxiety. The crate is a safe space — a den, not a jail. Toss treats in, feed meals in there, leave the door open when you're home. Build positive associations from day one.
Mistake 3: Skipping the metal tray upgrade. The plastic trays that come with most crates are chewable. A determined husky can shred one in an afternoon. Replace it with a metal tray (sold separately for most brands) within the first week. It's a $20-30 upgrade that prevents a much more expensive crate replacement.
Recommended Products for Your Husky
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- Heavy-Duty Dog Crate — Check price on Amazon
- Collapsible Wire Crate — Check price on Amazon
- Divider Panel Crate — Check price on Amazon
Editor's Note
Our editors evaluate grooming tools on the double coat specifically. The slicker brushes that shred guard hairs got cut from our list. Undercoat rakes that lift the dead layer without damage are what we actually use.
Sources & Further Reading
HuskySpot researches each topic against recognized breed and veterinary authorities. The following organizations inform our content: