This is a specific conversation about Dog crates — the right size and type — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
A soft crate collapsing under a Ridgeback is a really common problem — they're a big, muscular breed and most fabric crates simply aren't built for that kind of weight and strength. You need something rigid that won't flex or buckle. Before I point you to the right option, a couple of quick questions: how heavy is your dog currently, and is this crate mainly for home use, travel, or both? Also, does your Ridgeback actively push or lean against the crate walls, or are they generally calm once settled inside?
He's about 40kg. It's mainly for home use — we use it at night and when we're out. He's not destructive or anxious, the soft crate just bent under him when he lay against the side. We don't really travel with it.
inparticular.ai
That's helpful — a calm 40kg dog who just needs structural integrity rather than escape-proof containment is a slightly easier problem to solve than an anxious chewer. For home use with no travel requirement, you want a heavy-gauge wire crate rather than a plastic airline-style one, as wire gives better airflow and the open feel suits a confident dog. What size crate are you using currently — do you know the dimensions, or did the collapsed one feel roughly the right length for him to stretch out?
The old one was 106cm long. He could fit but it was snug. I'd probably go a touch bigger if I could.
inparticular.ai
For a 40kg Ridgeback, 106cm is on the tight side — ideally you want him to stand, turn, and lie fully stretched without touching the ends. Around 122cm long is the sweet spot: enough room to be comfortable, but not so cavernous it loses that den feeling. My recommendation is the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate in the 48-inch (122cm) size. It's a double-door wire crate with a robust steel frame, a fold-flat design for easy storage, and a removable divider if you ever need to adjust the space. The gauge is solid enough that a lean-against won't cause any flex or collapse — this is what most Ridgeback and large-breed owners end up with after exactly the experience you've had. It's widely available on Amazon UK and reasonably priced for the quality.
That sounds good. Does it come with a tray in the bottom? The last one had a fabric floor which was a nightmare to clean.
inparticular.ai
Yes — the MidWest iCrate comes with a plastic slide-out floor tray as standard. It lifts out completely so you can wipe it down or hose it off, which makes a big difference for day-to-day maintenance. The wire floor sits above it, so it stays clean underneath. One thing worth noting: at 40kg your dog may find a bare wire floor uncomfortable over a full night, so it's worth pairing it with a fitted crate mat. The MidWest brand does their own that's sized to fit the 48-inch crate exactly, or any firm flat bed cut to roughly 76 x 48cm will do the job.
Perfect, that's exactly what I needed. I'll go for the 48-inch iCrate. Thanks.
inparticular.ai
Great choice — it should be a significant upgrade. The rigid frame will hold up no matter how he positions himself, and the slide-out tray will save you a lot of bother. If he takes a night or two to settle into the new one after the old familiar crate, just keep the routine the same and he'll adjust quickly. Good luck with it.
