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
Pharaoh Hounds are a great example of why standard crate sizing doesn't always work — their deep chest, narrow frame and long legs mean a typical medium or large wire crate is often too wide and too low. Crate size is the single most important factor: too small causes real distress, but too much floor space removes the den-like security that makes crates settle dogs in the first place. Material matters too — wire, plastic, and fabric each suit different situations. To point you to the right crate: how old is your Pharaoh Hound and roughly how tall are they at the shoulder? And is this primarily for home use, travel, or both?
She's three years old, about 55cm at the shoulder. It's mainly for home use — we're crate training her now because she gets anxious when left alone. We've never used a crate with her before.
inparticular.ai
That's a really sensible move for separation anxiety — a crate used correctly becomes a genuine safe space rather than a source of stress. At 55cm she's a typical adult Pharaoh Hound build: tall and lean, not particularly wide. The key measurement for her isn't so much floor width as internal height and length — she needs to stand, turn, and lie stretched without touching the sides. Starting from scratch with an adult also means you want solid, calm visibility: wire works well because she can see out without feeling exposed, and you can cover three sides with a blanket to create that enclosed den feel. Before I confirm the specific crate — does she tend to pace or push at barriers when anxious, or is she more likely to just curl up and settle?
She mostly curls up tight actually. She's not a chewer or a pusher — just gets very still and tense.
inparticular.ai
That's helpful — it means you don't need heavy-duty escape-proof construction, which rules out some of the bulkier options. For her I'd go with the Petnation Port-A-Crate, but actually the better match for her specific shape is the MidWest iCrate 42-inch single door wire crate. At 42 inches long, 28 inches wide and 30 inches high, it gives her the length and height she needs without excessive floor width that would stop it feeling like a den. The wire construction lets her see you and her surroundings while she adjusts, and a crate cover over three sides will make a big difference with her anxiety. It also comes with a removable divider panel — not essential since she's already full-grown, but useful if you want to section it down slightly while she's building confidence. It's widely available on Amazon UK for around £55–65 and folds flat if you need to move it.
That sounds good. Should I put anything specific inside it to help with the anxiety side of things?
inparticular.ai
Yes — keep it simple but deliberate. A fitted crate mat or orthopaedic pad that fills the floor properly matters for a sighthound, as they have very little body fat and bony pressure points. A worn item of your clothing placed inside helps enormously with separation anxiety — your scent is genuinely calming. Avoid toys with squeakers or anything that creates stimulation; the goal is stillness and calm association. Some owners use an Adaptil plug-in diffuser near the crate for the first few weeks, which has decent evidence behind it for anxiety. Build up time in the crate very gradually — start with the door open, feed meals near it, then inside it, before ever closing the door.
Really helpful, thank you. I'll go with the MidWest 42-inch.
inparticular.ai
Good choice. The 42-inch is the right call for her build — she'll have enough space to feel comfortable but not so much that it loses that enclosed, secure quality. Take your time with the introduction process and she'll get there. Pharaoh Hounds are sensitive dogs but they respond well once they trust a space.