Written by the team at Impact Dog Crates. We build dog crates for a living, which means our days are spent around trainers, breeders, working dogs and anxious rescues. Learn more about us here.
Boxers never really grow up, and that’s why we love them. They greet you like you’ve been gone for a year, wiggle their whole back end, and treat everything from the sofa to the crate door as an invitation to play. VCA Animal Hospitals says the breed tends to “retain puppy-like behavior into adulthood,” and anyone who has lived with one will tell you that’s no exaggeration. That’s a lot of strength and enthusiasm in one dog. Here’s how we think about size, how each crate material holds up against a strong, bouncy dog, and why a Boxer’s short muzzle changes how you set the crate up.
How Big of a Crate Does a Boxer Need?
For most adults, a 40” crate. Boxers are muscular and square-built, and Impact’s Collapsible, Stationary, and High Anxiety crates all name Boxer at the 40” (Large) size.
Your own dog beats any breed average, so measure from the floor to the top of his shoulders and from his nose to the base of his tail, then add a few inches to each so the crate feels like a den instead of a box. Our guide to measuring your dog for a crate shows how. If your Boxer is still a puppy, buy for the adult.
| Crate | Size | Dimensions (L x W x H) | Dogs it suits |
| Collapsible Dog Crate | 40” (Large) | 40.5”L x 23”W x 29”H | Boxers and other dogs of 45 lbs and up |
| Stationary Dog Crate | 40” (Large) | 40.5”L x 23”W x 29”H | Boxers and other big dogs |
| High Anxiety Crate | 40” (Large) | 40.5”L x 23”W x 29”H | Boxers and other dogs of 45 lbs and up |
| All three lines | 40”+ (Extra Large) | 40.5”L x 27”W x 33”H | Taller, wider dogs, such as German Shepherds and Dobermans |
A big, tall male may want more room than the 40”, and the 40”+ adds width and height. Reviews show the 40” working in real homes: one owner said it “fits fine” for their Boxer, and another chose the Collapsible 40” for a Boxer who travels in a motorhome.
Wire, Plastic, Soft-Sided, or Aluminum: What Actually Holds Up Against a Boxer?
A Boxer leans, pushes, and paws, and he does it with total enthusiasm. Here’s how each material handles that.
| Material | Where it falls short for a Boxer | The takeaway |
| Wire | Thin rods held together at welded joints that flex under repeated leaning and pushing. When a rod bends or a joint opens, the gap left behind can catch a toenail, a jaw, or a leg. | Not a good primary crate for a strong, bouncy dog. |
| Plastic (airline-style) | Built for travel, not for living in. Airflow is limited, which matters for a breed with a short muzzle. | Fine as an airline-approved travel crate, not as everyday housing. |
| Soft-sided | Not made for a strong, energetic dog. A Boxer can push through the frame or tear the fabric. | Skip it for a Boxer at any age. |
| Aluminum panel | Panels that don’t flex and spread the way a wire frame does. The tradeoff is a higher upfront cost, in exchange for a crate that holds. | Built to hold up to strength and staying power. |
Our Boxer reviews read like a catalog of crates that didn’t hold: a Boxer who “went through two crates,” a rescue who “absolutely destroyed other cages,” and a Boxer one owner described simply as “a Houdini” who could escape everything. These aren’t bad dogs. They’re athletic dogs in crates that weren’t built for them. One owner chose the High Anxiety Crate instead of spending “a couple hundred each time we tried another.”
That’s where the Collapsible Dog Crate and the Stationary Dog Crate earn the difference in price, and where the High Anxiety Crate is the step up for a Boxer who has already beaten a standard crate. It’s a real jump over a wire crate, and it’s a crate you buy once instead of replacing.
Not sure which model fits your dog? The comparison chart puts security, portability and interior dimensions for every line side by side. No email needed.
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Why Do Boxers Escape Crates?
Because they’re strong, energetic, and attached to their people. A Boxer wants to be wherever you are, and time alone is hard on him. A powerful, people-loving dog who hasn’t burned off his energy will put real effort into getting to you, and the door is the only thing in the way.
Are Boxers Easy to Crate Train?
Yes, if you plan for the energy. Boxers respond best to consistent, positive training, and they need real exercise every day. A Boxer who has had a good run and some attention will take to a crate far more easily than one who is full of unspent energy.
Do Boxers Overheat in a Crate?
They can run warm, so plan around it. A Boxer’s short muzzle can affect his breathing and how well he handles heat. Put the crate in a cool room out of direct sun, keep water available when you’re home, and never leave a Boxer crated in a parked car. If you see heavy, labored breathing, take it seriously and call your vet.
Should You Buy the Adult-Size Crate for a Boxer Puppy?
Yes. A Boxer puppy grows fast, so a puppy-sized crate is a purchase you’d make twice. Buy for the adult, and use bedding to make the space cozy while he’s small.
Thinking about a new crate but not sure what is best for your dog? Our free crate quiz asks a few questions about size, temperament and where the crate will live, then sends your match straight to your inbox. Take the crate quiz.
How to Crate Train a Boxer, Step by Step
The fundamentals are the same for every breed, and our walkthrough on what crate training involves covers them in detail. With a Boxer it’s about wearing him out first and keeping the mood calm.
- Wear him out first, then crate. A run, a game of fetch, or a long walk before crate time turns the crate into the place he flops afterward.
- Put meals and a few treats in the crate with the door open. Let him walk in on his own, and make it a game. Boxers love a party.
- Close the door for short stretches while you’re in the room. Build from seconds to minutes, and keep arrivals and departures calm, since a Boxer will happily turn a hello into a party.
- Give him something to do. A stuffed food toy or a durable chew gives him an outlet for all that energy.
- Keep time alone reasonable. Our guide to how long a dog can stay in a crate lays out the guidelines, and since Boxers hate being left out, start at the low end and build.
- If you see real panic, call your vet or a certified behaviorist. Torn-up paws, soaked bedding, or a dog hurting himself to get out is a problem to work on with a professional. The crate keeps him safe in the meantime.
Which Impact Crate Is Right for a Boxer?
It comes down to what your dog actually does. A Boxer who escapes, panics when you leave, or has already beaten a standard crate belongs in the High Anxiety Crate, which is backed by a Lifetime Dog Damage Guarantee. A settled Boxer who needs a secure, permanent spot at home does well in the Stationary Dog Crate. And if the crate has to travel, from a car trip to a motorhome, the Collapsible Dog Crate folds flat and has the same aluminum construction.
A 40” Aluminum Crate Handles a Boxer’s Strength and Staying Power
A Boxer stays a playful, powerful puppy for years, and the crate for him has to be built to keep up. Measure him, add a little room, and start at the 40”. Choose a construction that doesn’t bend to a strong, bouncy dog, keep the crate cool, and wear him out before crate time. Do that and you’ve bought a crate for the life of the dog.
What Boxer Owners Are Saying
Frequently Asked Questions
How big of a crate does a Boxer need?
Most adult Boxers need a 40” crate. The Collapsible, Stationary, and High Anxiety lines all name Boxer at that size.
Why do Boxers escape crates?
Boxers are strong, energetic dogs who bond hard with their families and find time alone difficult. Without enough exercise they can become restless and test the door.
Are Boxers easy to crate train?
Yes, with exercise first. Boxers respond best to consistent, positive training and need daily exercise to manage their energy.
Can a Boxer use a wire crate?
It isn’t a good fit. Wire flexes under repeated pressure, and a strong Boxer can bend a rod or open a joint, leaving gaps that can injure him.
Keep reading
- The best dog crate for escape artist pups Why flimsy crates fail dogs that escape, and what a secure crate is built to do.
- How to introduce your dog to the High Anxiety Crate Practical tips for helping an anxious dog settle into an escape-proof crate.
- Crate placement hacks for comfort and home flow Where to put a big crate so it fits the room instead of taking it over.