The Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate is a very popular dog crate option among many dog parents today.
In all our research into dog products, we’ve only met very few pet brands that could possibly give Midwest a run for their money when it comes to quality. These guys know what they are doing!
Midwest might not offer the cheapest prices in the industry. But you can hardly say that its products are expensive either. They are actually quite competitively priced for the kind of quality they offer.
Although they are most popular for their dog crates (especially the metal wire ones), Midwest makes a host of other pet products.
Some of them include safety gates, pet beds, exercise pens, grooming tables, playpens and vehicle barriers.
Table of Contents
Who Is The Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate For?
This crate comes in many different sizes, so there’s enough to go round every dog type.
Now, you might have a dog that chews through everything, this crate works because it’s made of metal. And the average dog can’t chew through that (if yours can, we need to call scooby doo, cos that’s a mystery).
The crate also works for moderately adventurous dogs that love to escape. However, there are some that are more big-bad-wolf than dogs. They can huff and puff and knock this crate down. This crate isn’t for them.
This crate works with all kinds of living spaces because it’s foldable. So, whether it’s a lavish duplex or a teeny apartment, your dog crate will fit in just fine.
Features Of The Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate
So what really makes this crate unique? Here we give you the lowdown on all the features, tell you which rocks and which is just meh.
Access
Okay, this is a feature that Midwest gets one hundred percent because the brand makes two versions of this crate. There’s one with a single door option and another with a double door option.
Now, as much as we would love for you to get the double door option, the single door option is not half that bad actually. It’s the more cost-effective option and that’s all, really.
If you can afford it, we would advise you to go for the double door option. The double door option remains your most convenient choice when going for any dog crate at all. Thankfully, this crate is available with this option.
The double door option is fantastic and versatile. Now, unlike with the single door option where placement is super important, the double door can be used anywhere you want.
They make clean-up a lot easier. You don’t have to bear with the thought that you could possibly lose your lunch and breakfast cleaning up your dog’s crate.
And if heavens forbid, your puppy gets an accident, you wouldn’t have to solve for x to know the best angle to lift your dog out from. You get what we mean, right?
Alright, moving on… just like the single door, the double doors are also large and open all the way down.
So, altogether, in the door department, this crate does one hundred percent great!
Two Heavy-Duty Slide-Bolt Latches
It’s super important to keep your dog secure when he’s in his crate. Dogs see their crates as a safe place of retreat. So, the goal is to keep it that way.
Midwest assures us that all Life Stage crates come with heavy-duty slide-bolt latch systems. Since it is heavy-duty, it is supposed to be safe for all kinds of dogs. Now, while the heavy duty aspect of this lock system is much appreciated by us, we are even more impressed by something else.
Midwest actually puts two of these locks on each door which more than assures us that your pup will be completely safe in his crate.
Metal Construction
Midwest isn’t joking on this crate.
Well, actually Midwest has two lines of dog crates. One for the very quiet angel dogs and the other for the well… more… you know…. Come on don’t force words out of our mouths.
Now, the Midwest Life Stages is actually the line of dog crates for the more “don’t-force-words-out-of-our-mouths” dogs. And Midwest made sure to create a dog crate that matches them strength for strength.
Instead of your regular metal wire, Midwest made this crate with heavier gauge steel. And as for the wire mesh formed, this crate keeps it really tight.
Even a fairly strong and bulky dog still won’t be able to bend this thing, which is pretty impressive.
Of course, we are assuming that you know better than to put the ProLine dog crates on the same platform for comparison. Those things are crazy strong crash-tested dog crates!
Foldable Crate With A Handle
We already told you that this crate is great for people who live in small apartments. Well, that’s because this crate comes foldable.
Raising a pet in an apartment can be a true test of faith, patience and DIY skills. You’re going to have to rely on everything you’ve ever known and some things you don’t even have a clue about to make many things work.
And space management is one very clue-demanding thing to cope with when you own a pet in an apartment. Thankfully, this is a dog crate that can take up a tiny footprint if you want.
It sets up pretty easily and also folds down easily too. In fact, you can easily set this up in seconds and you don’t even need any tools to do that!
Another reason a foldable dog crate works is for the times you have to travel. If you didn’t know, well now you do, dogs are very sentimental animals. And it’s not just humans they develop a strong sense of loyalty to.
Dogs can also develop a very strong attachment to certain things if they use them for a long time. You get where we’re going right?
If your dog is already attached to his crate, nothing says you can’t pack it up and take it with you on your next vacay. You can take this with you on trips and it won’t even take up so much space.
And now, on to something that would make you grin even wider. It saves you some cash. With this foldable dog crate, it means that you wouldn’t have to think of a different crate for travel. This works just fine.
But then if your hotel does not allow pets, well, at least you tried.
Dividing Panels
With dividing panels, you can use one dog crate throughout your dog’s life. From puppyhood to adulthood, you can make one crate suffice for Fido.
The dividing panels will be used to manage the space in the crate to get the ideal living space for your pooch, per stage.
You know puppies grow really fast in comparison to humans. So, thanks to the dividing panels included, you won’t have to keep buying up every other month.
Removable Plastic Pan With Pan Stop
Well, just like every other metal wire dog crate made these days, this crate comes with a removable plastic pan.
This is super important if you don’t want pee and poop on your expensive carpet. If any of those things dare to land on your carpet, you’re in trouble, sweetheart because it never completely goes away. You’d need to get an effective enzymatic cleaner to get that off.
Only problem is that this pan is a terrible idea for chewy dogs. They will chew it like a chew toy and enjoy every bit of it. So, a good idea might be to swap it out for a metal one.
Roller Feet
Naturally, because a metal dog crate is made of metal, the feet might give you a bit of a concern. Nobody wants anything that could trace unsolicited patterns on their floors. Especially if you’ll be moving the crate around.
Plus, hearing the sound of grating metal on floors? Arrrggghhhhh!!! Super annoying. That’s why the rolling feet on this crate are so important.
It eliminates these two potential problems which to us are equally big deals in their own right.
Trust us, few things make us happier than knowing that we don’t have to keep up with that aggravating noise or an ugly carpet.
Yuck!
Rounded Corners
Metal naturally poses a safety hazard for you and your pet especially if they are not properly filed around the edges.
While handling the crate, you could run your hand over the edges of the crate and it could cause a tear. Same could happen for your dog.
Now, it’s super important that you check out for this feature when looking for a dog crate. But Midwest assures you that you wouldn’t have to worry about that. So, yes this crate checks out as being safe for your dog and for you… but only around the doors.
Apparently, Midwest did a sloppy job on other metal edges in other parts of the crate. So, if you want this crate completely safe for Fido, plan to file around those edges once you get the crate.
Various Sizes Of The Midwest Life Stages Dog Crates
The last aspect of this feature we will discuss is the fact that it comes with various sizes to accommodate almost all breeds of dogs.
There are 6 sizes in all and each of these sizes comes with a divider.
We would advise you to measure your dog for a crate that fits the adult size of his breed.
Midwest advises that their dog crates be used like so:
1. There’s the 22-inch crate for dog breeds like- Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus, and the Chis.
2. The 24-inch crate is best for small breed dogs like- Australian Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Papillons, Boston Terrriers, Miniature Poodles and the likes.
3. Next size up is the 30-inch dog crate. This crate is best for medium dogs like French bulldogs, Miniature Dachshunds, Border Terriers, Bichon Frises, Tibetan Terriers, and the other similar dog breeds.
4. Then we have the 36-inch dog crate for the intermediate dog breeds. This will adequately house dog breeds like: the Cocker Spaniels, Whippets, English Setters, Australian Cattle Dog, and Basset Hounds.
5. The 42-inch dog crate is ideal for large breed dogs. And examples of large breed dogs that would fit into the 42 inch Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate include the Dalmatian, Vizsla, Irish Setter, Chow-Chow and Australian Shepherd.
6. The extra-large size of the Midwest Life Stage Dog Crate measures at 48 inches. It works great for extra large dog breeds like the Giant Schnauzer, Bloodhound, Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and the Bullmastiff.
Why We Love The Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate
1. This crate is super sturdy. Midwest wasn’t joking when it said that it used heavier gauge steel to make this thing.
So, yes, it is also durable, with no bending. No bowling over.
2. Since there are two door options available, you can choose to get anyone depending on the prevailing circumstances.
If you’re on a tight budget or tight living space, you can go for the single door. It’s still large enough. But if you can afford it, then the double door is the bomb diggity!
3. The dividing panels save you money and are great for crate training puppies. We love that this crate sets up so easily. In seconds, you can have your crate assembled and disassembled.
Plus, it does not even require tools, so it’s quite user-friendly.
4. The crate comes with a pan stop which is super important to keeping the pan in place so it doesn’t move around and spill its content.
5. Lastly, it comes with rolling feet and rounded corners. They keep your carpet protected and they also keep you and your pet safe.
What We Don’t Like About The Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate
1. Well, this a little too heavy to move around for little more than a few times in all. Well, that’s thanks to the heavier gauge steel used to make the crate which also makes the crate durable.
2. The plastic tray might not be ideal for a dog that chews a lot. So, consider replacing that with a metal tray if your dog is that certain kind of dog.
3. It would appear that the rounded corners are just on the doors.
Another thing you need to note is this: filing will considerably affect the black finish on the crate too.
4. Now to the dividers, some say it feels a little flimsy, and we agree. It could actually be a little sturdier.
5. Finally, be careful when using these dividers for your pup. It’s not a really major issue except your pup is a really small breed.
Now, there was an isolated complaint about the gap between the divider and the bottom of the crate. So, if your pup goes snooping, his head could get stuck.
Fair heads up!
Alternative Options
More Affordable Option — AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate
The AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate is actually very similar to the Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate.
Both cages come in 6 sizes, and are also metal wire dog crates with single and double door options.
However, the Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate is made of heavier gauge steel which is probably the reason it is more expensive than the AmazonBasics Folding Metal Dog Crate.
If you need a dog crate that’s super affordable but still with a quality almost at the same level of the Midwest dog crate, this is the one you want to get.
High-End Option — Merry Pet 2-in-1 Configurable Dog Crate
Alright, here’s a pretty amazing dog crate. It looks really good in its wooden finish which would match the décor of your home.
What really makes this crate so impressive is that, like it’s name sounds, it’s a 2-in-1 crate. So, for the price of one, you get two items – a dog crate and a dog gate!
This crate only comes in two sizes though, the medium and the large.
But then it’s pretty easy to assemble, comes with a removable plastic tray, and sports a beautiful brown color.
Outdoor Waterproof Crate! — The Midwest Portable Tent Crate
You could also decide on this really nice, portable dog tent crate from Midwest. It comes in different sizes for all sizes of dog breeds.
However, it does not come in extra large and extra small sizes.
It’s pretty sturdy and secure thanks to its strong steel frame. Also, the material used to make this crate is water proof so it works for almost every kind of environment.
Finally, it’s great for travel. You could easily fold this down and pack it up on the go. And did we mention that it looks good?!
Quick Comparison Table
| Featured | More Affordable | More High End | Opposite End | |
| Product | Midwest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate
|
AmazonBasics Single Door & Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate 
|
Merry Pet 2-in-1 Configurable Pet Crate n Crate 
|
Midwest Portable Tent Crate 
|
| Material | Heavy gauge steel | Metal wire | Wood | Synthetic Sheepskin pad |
| Sizes Available | All | All | Medium and Large only | All except extra large and extra small |
| Colors Available | Satin Black E-Coat | Black | Brown | Grey and blue |
| Assembly Required? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | All kinds of dogs | All dogs except escape artists | Works as dog crate and dog gate. Great for all dogs except super aggressive dogs, and destructive chewers. | Outdoor activities. Crate-trained dogs only. |
What Are Customers Saying About The Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate?
It’s all love from the customers to this crate. Now, you know that the reputation that the Midwest brand boasts wasn’t reached by sudden flight.
Many customers are in love with this crate especially because it’s super sturdy. There are all kinds of, many times funny stories, of dogs and this crate.
You know the usual… Pup tries. Pup fails. Dog parent is super happy that dog has been conquered. Lol.
However, many customers also acknowledge that this crate is a bit heavy.
Another hit point with customers is that this assembles and disassembles pretty easily. And it can also make a great travel dog crate.
So, generally, this dog crate is a hit with the customers and the dogs. Hey! It’s a Midwest we’re talking about here!
Conclusion
Okay, our final verdict on the Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate?
We love it!
We would easily recommend this to any dog parent looking for a super sturdy dog crate that would last a very long time. Beyond durability, its heavier gauge steel construction also protects even the big dogs.
We are also quite impressed by the fact that this crate come with a double latch system on each door. This is very important to keep your pooch safe especially when you won’t be on hand to keep a close eye on him.
Altogether, this crate lives up to its expectations. It isn’t the most affordable dog crate brand in the business but it’s definitely worth the little extra you pay.
