Crates for a Brittany Spaniel and Senior Beagle

Two dogs at different life stages often means two quite different crating setups — a Brittany Spaniel needs enough room to stretch but not so much that the crate loses that snug, den-like feel, while a senior Beagle usually benefits from easier access and extra padding underfoot to ease stiff joints. Crate size is the single most important factor: too small causes distress, too large undermines the security that makes crates actually work. Material matters too — wire crates give good airflow and visibility, plastic feel more den-like, and fabric is portable but not suitable for chewers or anxious dogs. Can you tell me roughly how much each dog weighs, whether these crates are mainly for home use or travel, and is either dog being crate trained from scratch or are they already used to a crate?

That's really helpful. For your Brittany at 18kg, you're looking at a large crate — roughly 36 inches (91cm) in length — so he can stand, turn, and lie fully stretched. For the Beagle at 11kg, a medium crate around 30 inches (76cm) is the right fit. Since comfort and easy cleaning are your priorities, and neither dog is a flight risk or destructive chewer, I'd go with a sturdy double-door wire crate for both — they're simple to wipe down, fold flat for storage, and the two-door design makes access easy, which matters a lot for an arthritic dog who might find angling in through one door uncomfortable. One more thing worth knowing for the Beagle: does she have a raised or flat bed in there currently? It'll shape what I suggest for the floor of her crate.

The crate is the structure, but for a senior dog the interior can make as much difference as the crate itself. A flat cushion doesn't give arthritic joints the pressure relief they need — an orthopedic memory foam mat is worth adding for her specifically. For the crates themselves, I'd recommend the Ellie-Bo Deluxe Double Door Dog Crate in a Large (36 inch) for your Brittany and a Medium (30 inch) for your Beagle. Both are well-built wire crates with a removable plastic tray that slides out and wipes clean in under a minute, and the double doors mean your Beagle can walk straight in from the front rather than having to manoeuvre sideways. They fold flat if you ever need to store them, and the wire panels give both dogs a clear view of the room, which settled dogs tend to prefer. Pair the Beagle's crate with a Pecute Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Mat in the medium size — it sits flush in the tray and gives her joints proper support without slipping around.

They're a solid mid-range option — the wire gauge is heavier than the budget flat-pack crates you'll find in supermarkets, and the plastic tray is thick enough to handle regular cleaning without cracking within a few months. They're not indestructible for a dog who actively throws themselves at the door, but for two settled, crate-trained dogs they're genuinely robust. The latches are double-locking on both doors, which is worth checking on any wire crate you consider. Thousands of UK owners use them long-term without issues. If you ever wanted to step up to a heavier-gauge option, the Midwest Homes iCrate is the benchmark, but honestly for your two dogs the Ellie-Bo will do the job well.

Great choices. One small tip: when the Beagle's mat arrives, give it 24 hours to fully expand before putting it in the crate — memory foam is usually compressed in packaging and the first night flat works best. Both dogs should settle in straightaway since they're already crate trained. Good luck with them.