Dogs like to have their space to roam. When traveling, you want to give them a safe space that’s familiar to them, but also give them space to move around. A travel dog pen can provide your large breed dog with a safe area to stay in.
What Is A Travel Dog Pen?
A travel dog pen provides your dog with a confined space to keep them safe when you are home or traveling.
Use these pens at RV camps, parks, campsites, or even in your own backyard. Most can be used indoors as well, giving your dog their own space at home, in a hotel, or vacation home.
What Are The Types Of Travel Dog Pens?
There are several types of travel pens you can choose from.
- Material Pop Up Pen. This type of travel pen is made of a strong material (usually an Oxford polyester). It has an attached floor, so your dog is kept in the confines of the pen.
- Pop Up Tent. These are also made of strong Oxford material and provide your dog with a safe space to lay their head.
- Metal Fence. This is a pen that you can configure however you want. There are metal stakes you can put into the ground to hold it in place.
- Plastic Fence. Similar to the metal fence, but does not have stakes to secure it into the ground.
Who Is A Travel Dog Pen Good For?
Travel pens are good for anyone who needs to keep their dog in a confined space.
- When potty training your dog to go in a specific area.
- To give your dog their own space inside your home.
- When RVing or at a campsite to keep your dog from running off.
- If you are having people at your home in the backyard, a travel pen can keep them away from guests but still be out with everyone.
- To provide a dog run at home or when traveling.
- They can give your dog a shaded spot to lay their head when outdoors.
- To give your dog a safe space when recovering from an injury or surgery.
- When you want to have a cordoned off space for a dog giving birth or for a mom and her puppies.
- If your not allowed to install a fence where you live, this can provide temporary fencing.
Who Is A Travel Pen NOT Good For?
Travel pens are not good for heavy chewers if you get a material pen.
They are not good for jumpers if you opt for a fence type pen, as they may not be high enough to contain your dog.
How Do I Choose The Right Travel Pen?
Choosing the right travel pen depends on your dog and your needs.
Consider the pros and cons of each type of travel pen and ask yourself:
- Is the space big enough for my dog?
- Will my dog try to chew through it?
- Is it high enough to contain my dog?
- How much money am I willing to spend (some can be very costly)?
- Can I easily set the pen up and take it down?
- Is the travel pen easy to transport?
The Best Travel Pens For Large Breed Dogs
The following are some of the highest rated travel pens for large dogs. We will discuss the pros and cons of each type to help you make a decision on which type is best for you, your dog, and your needs. The information on each product is provided by the manufacturer.
Material Pop Up Travel Dog Pen
As stated above, these travel pens are made of a heavy Oxford material. This is to prevent your dog from scratching or biting through the pen.
They pop open to give your dog a round space to go in.
Attached to the sides by Velcro is the floor. Easily remove and wash the floor if your dog has an “accident” while inside.
This type of travel pen has a roll up mesh door for your dog to walk in and out of the pen and mesh windows for increased air flow.
These also come with a removable roof attached by a zipper. This provides your dog with shade while inside the travel pen. Usually half of the roof is material while the other half is mesh to increase ventilation in the pen.
Pros
- Set up quickly in seconds.
- Provides a shaded, confined space.
- Removable, washable floor.
- Roof is removable for easy access to your dog.
- Easy to transport when traveling.
- Use indoors and outdoors.
Cons
- Easy to chew through it.
- Floor is only attached by Velcro. If your dog is determined enough, they may figure out they can crawl underneath to get out.
- Available space for your dog to move around in is only a few feet.
- Lightweight. If your dog moves around a lot, they may tip it over while inside.
- This type of pen may be difficult to fold back up.
The following pop up pens are the largest we could find to accommodate large breed dogs.
X-ZONE PET Portable Foldable Dog Playpen
- 55” diameter x 30” high.
- Folds flat for storage and portability.
- 8 mesh panels for ventilation.
- Zippered door.
- Removable top.
- Anti-scratch mesh.
- 600D Oxford material.
- Polyester lining.
- Lockable zipper.
- Waterproof bottom.
WARE Deluxe Pop Up Playpen
- 50” x 50” x 32”.
- Removable, washable floor mat.
- Zippered screen cover.
- Roll-up door.
- Storage pocket.
- Comes with a storage bag.
Pop Up Travel Tent
A pop up travel tent is another way to provide your pup with a safe space while traveling. This works in a similar fashion to the pop up travel pen.
Protect your dog from the sun and elements of nature with a travel tent.
These are made of strong material with a fiberglass frame and can be set up in seconds.
This is more like a crate for your dog, giving them space to sleep but also big enough for them to stand up and turn around in.
Pros
- Easy to set up and take down.
- Gives your dog a safe place to lay their head.
- Folds small for transport.
- Allows for good airflow.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Easy to chew through it.
- Small space. Your dog won’t be able to walk around.
These are the top rated pop up tents for large dogs. Each one is big enough for a dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down in.
NTK MYPET Tent
- Large: 39” x 39” x 27”.
- Fiberglass frame.
- Storage bag.
- UV Shade cover.
- Removable rain cover.
- Comes with anchoring stakes if used outdoors.
- Reinforced zippers.
Pop ‘N Go Pet Playpen
- 39″W x 33″ H.
- Includes a travel bag.
- Fiberglass and aluminum frame.
- Removable UV shade cover.
- Comes with a washable mattress.
Metal Fence Travel Dog Pen
A metal fence dog travel pen is made of a coated metal to prevent rusting.
They come in various packs of “panels” for which you can choose the number you want. Customize your pen to the size you want based on how many panels you buy. You can even combine different amounts to create the size and shape you want for your dog. One of the panels is usually a door for your dog to get into and out of the pen.
These are more expensive than other types of travel pens.
Use these travel pens both indoors and outdoors. Metal stakes are provided to keep them secure in the ground.
Pros
- These are more durable than material travel pens.
- Your dog can’t chew through these.
- Secure into the ground for increased stability.
- Customizable. You choose the size and shape you want it to be.
- Easy to set up and take down.
- Easily moved if you want to mow the lawn in the area you have it set up.
Cons
- They can rust easily.
- Have to take it apart to travel with it.
- May not be tall enough if your dog is a jumper.
- This type may scratch your floor if using it indoors. Use it on carpet or buy rubber bottoms to protect your floor.
- The metal dog pen will slide around on the floor if you are using this type indoors and you do not have it on carpet or buy rubber bottoms for it.
- Dog has to step through the door to get in and out. It may be too high for some dogs to step through.
- Does not come with a carrying case.
- Expensive.
Here are some of the highest rated metal travel pens for large dogs. These were the tallest travel pens we could find to help keep your dog secure in the space the pen provides.
FXW Dog Playpen
- Available in 40” H with 8 (27.56 square feet of space), 16 (110 square ft. of space), 24 (248 square ft. of space), 32 (441 square ft. of space), and 48 (992.25 square ft. of space) panels and measures 39.4” x 31.5” x 0.6”.
- This is also available in 50”H with 8 (25 square feet of space) and 16 panels (100 square ft. of space) and measures 50” x 30” x 0.6”.
- One of the panels includes a door to get into and out of the fenced area.
- Made of metal with a powder coating to protect against rust.
- Steel wire makes up the fence portion.
- Automatic gravity action lock.
- Assemble in multiple configurations.
- Includes metal stakes to secure it into the ground.
- Folds flat for transportation.
Yaheetech Pet Playpen
- 40” H available with 8, 16, 24, or 32 panels.
- Each panel is 31.5” x 39”.
- J shaped latch on the door.
- Rounded edges.
- Made of iron with black finish.
- Stores flat.
- Configure into different shapes depending on how many panels your buy.
Midwest Black E Coat Exercise Pen
- 8 panels.
- 24” x 48”.
- Provides 16 square ft. of space for your dog.
- Configure how you want.
- Folds flat.
- No door.
Plastic Travel Dog Pen
A plastic travel pen is similar to the metal fence type pen. It comes in a set of “panels” that you can arrange to form a fence for your dog.
For use indoors or outdoors.
Pros
- Easy to set up and take down.
- Sturdy
- Moves to different areas easily.
- Easily cleaned.
Cons
- Cannot be secured into the ground.
- Expensive.
- Limited in your configurations.
- Can scratch your floor if you don’t buy accessories or have it on carpet.
This is a plastic travel pen we found that is suitable for large dogs.
Richell Convertible Indoor Outdoor Playpen
- 63.8” x 33.1” x 36”.
- 6 panels.
- Made of plastic.
- Lockable gate door.
- For pets up to 88 lbs.
- Floor tray sold separately to avoid scratching your floor.
It is great to be able to take your dog on adventures with you and a travel dog pen is a great way to keep them safe and secure.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.