Dog Crate for Scottish Deerhound

Scottish Deerhounds are one of the tallest breeds out there, and height is where most crates immediately fail them — you need at least 90cm internally, which rules out the vast majority of 'XXL' options on the market. Crate size is the single most important factor: too small causes real distress, but too large removes the den-like feeling that makes a crate feel safe. Material matters too — wire tends to work best for large sighthounds at home because it gives good airflow and visibility without feeling enclosed. Can you tell me a bit more: roughly how tall is your Deerhound at the shoulder, is this for home use, travel, or both, and are you starting crate training from scratch or does your dog already have some experience with crates?

That's really helpful. At 80cm at the shoulder, she'll stand taller once her head is up — you're right to target 90cm internal height as a minimum, and I'd honestly go higher if you can. For a first-time crate, wire is the right call: she can see the room, feel part of the household, and it's much less likely to feel like confinement, which matters when you're building a positive association from scratch. What's the space like in that corner — do you have a rough idea of the floor footprint you're working with?

Perfect — with that footprint, you've got good options. The crate I'd point you to is the Midwest Homes for Pets iCrate in the 54-inch (137cm) size. The internal height on that model is around 97cm, which clears your 90cm minimum comfortably and gives her genuine headroom. It's a double-door wire crate, so you can open it from the front or the side — really useful when you're in the early stages of training and want to make access as easy and low-pressure as possible. It folds flat for storage, the divider panel that comes with it won't be needed for an adult but it's there, and the build quality is solid for a dog her size. It fits easily in a 130 x 100cm corner. That's the one I'd go with.

Yes — a few simple things make a real difference. A good orthopedic mat or memory foam pad sized to the base is worth doing properly for a large breed like a Deerhound; their joints benefit from it and it signals that this is a comfortable place. Put in a worn item of your clothing when you first introduce the crate — familiar scent is genuinely settling. Feed her meals just inside the entrance to begin with, not inside yet, just close — and let her choose to go in rather than being guided in. Don't close the door for the first few sessions at all. Deerhounds tend to be calm dogs but they can be sensitive, so keeping the early experience entirely voluntary gets you to a relaxed, willing crate user much faster than rushing the door-closing stage.

Good luck with it — the Midwest 54-inch is a straightforward, well-made choice and the height is the key thing you needed solved. Take the introduction slowly and she'll almost certainly take to it well. Deerhounds like having their own defined space once they associate it with something good.