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Definitely not! As long as the crate is big enough for the dog to stand up in and to be able to turn around, then, it is not cruel. The crate becomes the equivalent of their den.

The less space a dog has to defend the safer and more secure it will feel.

Remember, all dogs are descended from the wolf, wolves inhabit dens, this is where their young are born and raised, for example: in caves, hollows under trees, nooks and crannies in rocks etc. Wolf pups feel safe in their den and so similarly dogs feel safe in confined spaces, particularly where they are enclosed on at least three sides. A dog will even be comfortable if you cover the fourth side it will prevent the dog from getting over excited by spying things chaseable.

Dogs sleep on and off for around 13 to 14 hours a day. If the dog uses a standard doggy bed he/she will inevitably curl themselves up into a small ball. Sometimes they will even try and make a bed for themselves by scraping blankets into a protective barrier. Have you ever noticed how a dog will sometimes turn around three times before lying down in a bed. Again this goes back to its wild roots. The dog is mimicking trampling down long grass so that it can sleep hidden from the gaze of others. From my own experience if an open crate is available, a dog will often wander in and lie down - they seem to know, or think that they are protected.

An injured dog does not know that it needs to take things easy in order to speed up recovery - it will still try to chase birds and squirrels and run to the letterbox when the mail arrives. What better place for it to recover from muscle damage or the likes than in the safety of a comfortable crate as recommended by vetinary surgeons. One of our dogs required a cruciate implant - recovery was in a crate with light exercise. Gradually we left the crate open as he got better, he would come out and have a wander around, and then of his own accord would return to the crate and go to sleep. Even the fit dogs would go into the crate for a rest

I have three dogs, travelling with all three in a car is nigh impossible. Two of them will sit reasonably well, while one of them is all over the place - he would even try and drive the car if allowed. Whenever he sees grass he starts whining to get out, but if he is in a crate, he remains calm and unexcited, I have a quiet trip, and the other two dogs sit comfortably in their harnesses.

Dogs in crates is an acceptable practice - however, at all times the dog must have access to water and the area surrounding the crate should be well ventilated.

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