Are you finding the best travel crate for Golden Retriever dog? With this article, I will help you select the right crate for your canine.
Planning a trip with a dog can seem like a tedious task. Before you travel with your dog, make sure to get all the essential items. Traveling with your furry friend won’t stressful when you have all the required items.
In this post, I will discuss one essential item to get before traveling with a Golden Retriever. That item is a dog crate. A crate would keep your canine safe and secure. Besides this, it will also make mobility easy. You can safely take your canine from one place to another with a travel crate. Each dog crate is made differently. Before purchasing, you want to make sure whichever crate you select is ideal for your pet’s needs.
About Golden Retrievers
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. The breed is active, sociable, and fun-loving in nature. Talking about physical appearance, its golden color coat gives an appealing look.
The breed originated in Scotland in the mid-19th century. It was originally bred to retrieve shot birds undamaged. Breed’s kind and friendly temperaments made it an amazing family pet dog. A golden retriever dog can get along with anyone – its owner, family members, kids, and other dogs (and animals) as well. That’s a good thing, but a fun-loving temperament is also the reason why Golden Retrievers are bad guard dogs.
Traveling With A Golden Retriever
Whether you plan a short trip or a long-distance hike with your Golden Retriever, it will be fun (for both of you). However, before planning a trip with your Goldie pup, there are certain things to consider:
- First of all, you need to make sure your pup is healthy. It is advisable to take the pup to your veterinarian at least two weeks before traveling.
- Another important aspect is training. Before going on a trip, train your dog properly. As golden retrievers are smart and easy to train, teaching basic training commands won’t take too long.
- Depending on the individual dog, some dogs have travel anxiety. If your canine has this problem, introduce him/her to the vehicle you plan to travel by. For example, if you plan a road trip by car, make your pup familiar with it and provide training on sitting in the car. Start with short trips. Once you feel your pup’s travel anxiety is gone, you can have a long vacation with your Goldie.
- Before going on the trip, put on a sturdy collar on your dog’s neck. The collar should have your pup’s identity with your contact information. This way, even if the dog is lost somewhere, getting him/her back would be easier.
- Goldens are energetic and their physical needs are high. When traveling by car, make stops to provide exercise. This way, you can prevent destructive and undesired behavior during the trip.
- Not all guest houses and hotels allow dogs. Thus, book a guest house or hotel that allows dogs.
8 Best Travel Crate For Golden Retrievers
Let’s check out the features, pros, and cons of each product:
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1. MidWest Homes For Pets Dog Crate
If you are looking for a sturdy dog crate that is easy to move, this one’s for you. To move or store, you just need to fold it down. This is 42″ dog crate with divider. It measures 42″ length x 28″ width x 30″ height. This size makes it ideal for Golden Retrievers. You can select from a single-door or double-door MidWest metal dog crate depending on your preferences.
This iCrate is really easy to assemble. You won’t require any additional tools for it. It has two sturdy side bolt latches. With these latches, you can lock your canine and ensure safety during the trip. The crate has a tray on the bottom, which would prevent floors from getting dusty. Apart from that, it also has roller feet, which would protect floors from getting scrapes.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Made with metal
- Slide bolt latches for secure lock
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to store and move as it can be folded down
- 42″ length x 28″ width x 30″ height
CONS
- In cold weather, this crate may not provide the required protection
2. AmazonBasics Folding Portable Pet Dog Crate
If you are looking for a soft travel crate for Golden Retriever, consider getting this one. Many pet owners don’t like their pet’s home to look like a cage. For them, a soft folding crate is a good option. Although metal crates are sturdy, the main problem is they are heavyweight and quite difficult to move from one location to another. This soft crate is made with durable polyester and PVC material. It is easy to fold down and set up. This would make it easy to travel with this crate.
With this portable crate, you also get zippered pockets attached. You can store your canine’s toys, snacks, treats, brushes, leashes, and other items there. The crate has ventilation on all four sides for smooth airflow and a comfortable experience inside. Unlike wired crates, soft crates aren’t too exposed. This ensures protection from different weather conditions.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Made with durable polyester and PVC material
- Soft-sided pet crate
- Easy to carry and store
- Zippered pockets to store essential items
- 41.9″ length x 30.9″ width x 30.7″ height
CONS
- Not as sturdy as a metal crate
3. Henkelion Pet Carrier For Puppies
Getting a large crate for a puppy may not be a good idea (when you are traveling). A small bag/carrier would be easy to carry and your pup would be comfortable inside it. This is the best pet carrier for Golden Retriever puppy. It is TSA Airline Approved pet carrier. If you are planning to travel with your pup by plane, consider using Henkelion’s puppy carrier.
Inside the bag, there’s a three-layer cozy mat – wooden board, foam layer, and woolen mat. This machine-washable mat would provide a comfortable experience. The handle on the top will make it easy to carry and move from one place to another. Talking about safety, the carrier is attached with a leash. By putting on the leash, your canine would be safe throughout the journey. For better airflow, sunlight, and a wider view, the bag has breathable mesh entrances on the sides, front, and top.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Three-layer cozy mat
- Padded shoulder strap to easy mobility
- Airline Approved design
- Machine washable
- Side pockets to store essential items for your Golden Retriever puppy
- Leash inside to ensure your pup’s safety when traveling
- 17″ length x 11″ width x 11″ height dimensions (MEDIUM)
CONS
- The attached mesh net might be too thin
4. SportPet Designs Plastic Wire Door Travel Dog Crate
A soft material crate can be broken down by your goldie easily, especially when he/she becomes destructive. Rather than wasting money on poor-quality crates very often, it is good to invest in one sturdy dog crate. This dog crate by SportPet is built to last longer. It is made with strong plastic construction. The sides and front have plastic wires. With that, there would be smooth airflow and breathability inside the crate.
For easy mobility, it has two handles and four snap on/off wheels. The crate also comes with two dishes, four Live Animals stickers, metal bolts, and nuts. If you are planning to travel by air, it’s imperative to get a crate that is airline-approved. Talking about SportPet’s dog crate, it is IATA airline approved. Not just for traveling and outdoors, this sturdy dog crate is amazing for indoors as well.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- IATA Airline approved
- Strong construction
- Removable wheels
- Locking feature
- 48†length x 32†width x 35†height
CONS
- Quite expensive
5. EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate
This is another best Golden Retriever travel crate you can consider buying. The crate comes with a lightweight design. Unlike a wire crate, you won’t face difficulty moving it from one location to another. For better ventilation, it has three mesh doors. Three mesh doors will ensure smooth airflow and sunlight.
On the top, it has an adjustable padded shoulder strap which would make it easy to carry. When traveling, this lightweight carrier won’t be a big burden for you. When it’s not in use, it can be folded down and stored in a secure place. With some simple steps, you can fold down this soft crate and make it easy to store.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Crate cover is made with fabric
- Three mesh doors
- Easy to set up and fold down
- Zippered pockets to store items
- 42″ length x 28″ width x 32″ height
CONS
- The strong smell of vinyl
- Not as sturdy as a metal crate
6. Petmate Navigator Pet Carrier
This can be a good choice when looking for a sturdy wire dog crate for the Golden Retriever. This sturdy iron crate is built to last longer. As compared to a soft crate, the Petmate ProValu wire dog crate has a longer lifespan.
It can be folded down for easy storage and mobility. By folding it down, you would be able to carry it without hassle. Talking about security, the company has used a five-point precision lock system. With this locking system, your canine would be safe inside. It also has a removable plastic pan. It would prevent floors from getting dirty. As it’s removable, cleaning would be easy.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Made with iron
- It can be folded down for easy storage & travel
- Double door
- Five-point precision lock system
- Removable pan for easy cleaning
- 42″ length x 28″ width x 30″ height
CONS
- Quite difficult to assemble
- Although it has multiple locking points, it can be easy for your pup to figure out how to unlock. Thus, the locking system needs improvement.
7. Petmate VARI Kennel
This is another heavy-duty travel crate by Petmate. The crate is built with high-quality, sturdy materials to ensure a longer lifespan. Before getting a dog house, it’s imperative to make sure it has proper ventilation. Otherwise, your dog won’t get proper breathability and comfort inside. To provide your canine with fresh air, sunlight, and a wider view, Petmate VARI Kennel features wired ventilation.
Assembling this crate would be easy. You won’t need additional tools. Inside the package, you will get all the required items for assembly. To ensure the safety of your pup, the kennel comes with a strong and secure lock. Though the crate is expensive, it is strong and durable enough to last long.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Strong construction
- It meets airline cargo specifications
- Ventilation for sunlight and breathability
- Secure lock mechanism
- 48″ length x 32″ width x 35″ height
CONS
- Quite expensive
- No handle on the top
8. Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier
Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe is also the best pet carrier for Golden Retriever puppy. The bag is built in such a manner to make traveling with your pet easy. The attached shoulder strap and top handles make it easy to carry. This pet carrier is designed especially for those who want to travel by plane with their pets.
For breathability and outer view for your pet, it has mesh panels on all four sides. On the side, it has a zippered pocket. There you can put essential items of your pup. The Medium size of Sherpa Delta Travel Crate has a weight capacity of up to 16 lbs, making it ideal for small puppies. If your puppy’s weight is between 16 lbs and 22 lbs, get Sherpa’s large carrier.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Lightweight carrier
- Perfect for traveling by plane
- Shoulder straps and top handles for easy carrying
- Zippered pocket
- Mesh panels for ventilation
- 17″ length x 11″ width x 10.5″ height
CONS
- The top could have a mesh panel for better ventilation
- Strong chemical smell during initial use
Travel Crate For Golden Retriever: Buyer’s Guide
When getting a crate for your Golden dog, you will come across a lot of options. Among so many travel crates out there, finding the right one can be a bit difficult. I’m sure this buying would help you select the perfect crate.
Will you travel by car or plane?
One of the crucial aspects to consider before buying a crate for traveling is whether you will travel by car or plane. If by car, make sure it is car-safe and has all the essential features for a hassle-free journey. And if by plane, make sure the travel crate is airline approved. Even if it’s airline-approved, it is still advisable to talk to your airline before the journey.
Size
To provide a comfortable experience to your pup, make sure to select the right crate size. The right crate size varies from one dog breed to another. For a male Golden Retriever, get a travel crate with dimensions of 42″ height x 28″ width x 30″ height. If you own a female Golden Retriever, 36 inches can be the ideal crate size.
Metal Vs. soft dog crate
Whether you select a metal or a soft dog crate, both have their own pros and cons. A metal crate would be strong and long-lasting, but its higher weight would make mobility a bit difficult. On the flip side, a soft crate would be lightweight and easy to carry, but it can get damaged easily. Your focus should be on getting a crate that is lightweight and durable as well.
Safety features
Make sure the crate is durable and has a sturdy lock mechanism. A metal crate will have bolt latches, while a soft crate will have a zippered lock. With a poor lock mechanism, the pup would be able to escape easily.
Foldable
Foldability is the crucial aspect you should look for in a travel crate. You need to get a crate that is easy to fold down and set up. A foldable crate is easy to store and move. The Golden Retriever travel crates I have mentioned above are foldable.
Related Questions
What crate size should I buy for my Golden Retriever?
For a male, get a crate with dimensions of 42″ height x 28″ width x 30″ height. For a female goldie, consider a crate of 36″ size.
What crate size should I buy for my Golden Retriever puppy?
After using the puppy crate for some time, you will have to buy a new crate once your pup grows. To prevent this, I recommend you to get one with dividers. This way, you would be able to make the crate smaller.
If you want to buy a separate crate for your Golden puppy, consider a soft, lightweight, and easy-to-carry dog crate. Consider getting one with dimensions of 17″ length x 11″ width x 11″ height. Here I have already mentioned travel pet carriers for Golden Retriever puppies.
Can you fly with a Golden Retriever?
The answer is Yes. Some airlines require pets to be a minimum of 8 weeks old before traveling by air. Before the plane journey with your Golden Retriever dog, make sure he/she is well-crated. It is advisable to know about crate requirements, age criteria, etc. of the airline in advance.
Are Golden Retrievers good for traveling?
Whether you are planning to travel by plane or car, a Golden Retriever would be adaptable. However, the main issue is higher physical needs. Before going on a trip with your Goldie, note that this energetic dog breed requires regular physical activities. The best way to avoid destructive behavior is by providing a lot of exercise just before leaving for the trip.
Final Thoughts
The Golden Retriever is a fun-loving and adaptable dog breed. Your golden dog will enjoy traveling with you. You will have to prepare for yourself as well as for your canine. Be well-prepared before leaving for the journey. Among various items, a crate is something you can’t neglect when traveling with your Golden Retriever dog. I hope this guide helped you find the right crate for your canine.
