Best Crate for a Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are a great example of where breed shape matters as much as weight — they're long, heavy-boned, and very low to the ground, so a crate with a high door step can be genuinely awkward for them to enter and exit, especially as they age. Crate size is the most important factor overall: too small causes distress, too large removes the den-like feeling that makes crates useful in the first place. Material matters too — wire crates offer ventilation and visibility, plastic gives more of a den atmosphere, and fabric is really only suitable for calm, already-trained dogs. To point you toward the right option, can you tell me roughly how much your Basset weighs and how long they are nose to tail? And is this for home use, travel, or both — and are they already comfortable in a crate or is this new for them?

That's really helpful. At 70cm and 28kg he's a solid adult Basset — you'll want a 36-inch crate as a minimum, which gives him enough length to lie fully stretched without being so large it loses that snug, secure quality. The low threshold issue is the key thing here. Wire crates generally have a lower door lip than plastic travel crates, which makes entry easier for short-legged dogs. What's your Basset's name, by the way? And does he tend to settle quickly once he's inside, or does he take a while to relax?

Bernard is a perfect Basset Hound name. If he's already happy inside once he's in, that's ideal — you're purely solving the access problem rather than a behaviour one. My recommendation is the MidWest iCrate 36-inch single-door wire crate. It's a 36 x 23 x 25 inch footprint, which suits Bernard's dimensions well, and the door sits very close to floor level — the lip is minimal compared to most plastic or double-door alternatives. Wire construction also means good airflow for a living room setting and he can see what's going on around him, which Bassets generally appreciate. It folds flat, has a removable tray for cleaning, and it's one of the most reliable mid-size crates available in the UK. The single front door keeps things simple since you have a fixed spot for it. I'd skip the divider panel since Bernard is fully grown — you won't need it.

Yes — the tray slides out from the front or back with no tools needed, so cleaning up rearranged bedding or the inevitable muddy paw prints is straightforward. It's a solid plastic tray rather than flimsy, and it sits flush so it won't catch on Bernard's legs when he steps in. One practical tip: a low-profile memory foam mat cut to the tray size works really well for Bassets — it stays flat even when nudged, and it's easier on their joints than a thick bolster bed that adds height and makes the entry point effectively taller again. The MidWest iCrate 36-inch is available on Amazon UK and usually ships within a day or two.

Happy to help — Bernard sounds like a very sensible dog. The MidWest iCrate 36-inch should make life noticeably easier for him. If you ever need to reassess as he gets older, a ramp leading up to the door entrance is also a low-cost addition that some Basset owners find useful down the line.