MidWest LifeStages Double Door Folding Dog Crate

The MidWest LifeStages is a folding wire dog crate with a slide-bolt door latch, a divider panel and a removable plastic pan. It comes in a Double Door style, with a front and a side door, and a Single Door style.

Who it suits

Owners crate training a puppy or giving an adult dog a home base, who want a wire crate that is sturdier than the lightest models but still folds flat. It is not built for dogs that try hard to escape.

Key facts

• Sizes 22, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 inch, in Double Door and Single Door styles (MidWest)
• Slide-bolt latch with locking tip and Paw Block, low threshold and wide door (MidWest)
• Divider panel included to adjust the living space (MidWest)
• Removable leak-proof plastic pan and rubber feet (MidWest)
• Sets up in seconds and folds flat for storage (MidWest)

What reviewers say

CNN Underscored named the LifeStages Double Door its best dog crate and the best wire crate it tested. It was lighter than the MidWest Ultima Pro but did about as well in a test that applied 50 lbs of pressure to the door, and it was sturdier and easier to set up than the lighter iCrate. Under that pressure the door warped a little and opened a small gap at the top, the front door hinges felt stiff, and the tester points out that a determined dog could still get out of a wire crate.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Two doors for flexible placement
• Pro: Divider panel for a growing puppy
• Pro: Folds flat for storage and travel
• Con: Front door hinges felt stiff in CNN’s test
• Con: Not escape proof, like any wire crate
• Con: Little privacy without a crate cover

Cautions

• Size it from your dog’s adult measurements and use the divider for a puppy.
• Remove tags and loose collars before your dog is crated alone.
• If your dog panics or tries hard to escape a crate, stop and talk to your vet or a trainer before using any crate.