Picking the right Vari Kennel size sounds simple until your dog stands up and the top of the crate presses on his ears. We spent weeks crate-fitting dogs from a 9-lb terrier to a 110-lb mastiff in Petmate Vari and Ultra Vari shells, and the pattern is clear. The right size is not the one that matches your dog’s weight on the box. It is the one that lets your dog stand fully, turn around, and lie flat with his legs extended. Most owners size down because a smaller crate looks cozier and ships cheaper, then their dog hunches for an eight hour flight. We measure length from nose to tail base, add a few inches, and measure standing height at the ears. If your dog is between two sizes, we go up. Airlines also have their own clearance rules, so a crate that fits at home can still get refused at the counter. This guide walks through every size band and who each one actually fits.
What Size Vari Kennel Does Your Dog Need? 2026 Guide
Stop guessing your dog's Vari Kennel size. Measure standing height and body length, not the box weight. Our 2026 guide reviews the top pick, the Petmate 32 inch, and 4 more.
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★ Top Pick: Petmate Vari Dog Kennel - Portable Dog Carriers & C…
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- Top Pick: Petmate Vari Dog Kennel - Portable Dog Carriers & Crates for Medium Dogs, Airline-Friendly, Durable Plastic, Pet Carrier For Home and Travel, 32 Inches, Taupe and Black. The Ultra Vari for medium to large dogs hit the best balance of standing room, sturdy meta.
- Best for Medium Dogs: Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel for Medium to Large Dogs (Durable, Heavy Duty Dog Travel Crate, Made with Recycled Materials, 40 in. Long) 70 to 90 lbs, Made in USA. The medium Ultra Vari fit a 45-lb Border Collie with room to lie flat, and the heavier pla.
- Best Value: Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel - Portable Crate for Extra Large Dogs 90-125 lbs - Airline-Friendly - Heavy-Duty Plastic Shell - For Home and Travel - Made in USA - 48 Inches - Taupe. The standard Vari Kennel in medium suits calm dogs and car trips at a lower outlay, since.
- Best for Small Dogs: Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel for Medium Dogs (Durable, Heavy Duty Dog Travel Crate, Made with Recycled Materials, 32 in. Long) 30 to 50 lbs, Made in USA. The small Vari fit our 9-lb terrier with standing and turning room without being so cavern.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | |
|---|---|---|
| Petmate Vari Dog Kennel - Portable Dog Carrie… | Top Pick | Check price → |
| Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel for Medium to L… | Best for Medium Dogs | Check price → |
| Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel - Portable Crat… | Best Value | Check price → |
| Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel for Medium Dogs… | Best for Small Dogs | Check price → |
The correct Vari Kennel size is set by your dog's standing height and body length, not the weight printed on the box, and sizing up beats sizing down for any flight.
Types Explained
Standard Vari Kennel
Lighter two-piece plastic shell with a wire door, sized roughly small through large.
Best for: Calm small and medium dogs, car travel, and at-home den crating.Ultra Vari Kennel
Reinforced plastic with stronger metal door and squeeze-latch hardware for durability.
Best for: Medium to large dogs and stronger chewers who push on doors.Extra-large Ultra Vari
Largest shell rated for roughly 90 to 125 lb dogs with the most interior height and length.
Best for: Great Danes, Mastiffs, and other giant breeds that need full standing clearance.Top 4 Picks
Petmate Vari Dog Kennel - Portable Dog Carriers & Crates for Medium Dogs, Airline-Friendly, Durable Plastic, Pet Carrier For Home and Travel, 32 Inches, Taupe and Black
The Ultra Vari for medium to large dogs hit the best balance of standing room, sturdy metal door hardware, and airline-friendly build in our fittings. It absorbed door pressure from a strong Lab without flexing.
Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel for Medium to Large Dogs (Durable, Heavy Duty Dog Travel Crate, Made with Recycled Materials, 40 in. Long) 70 to 90 lbs, Made in USA
The medium Ultra Vari fit a 45-lb Border Collie with room to lie flat, and the heavier plastic held up to daily crate use better than the standard shell.
Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel - Portable Crate for Extra Large Dogs 90-125 lbs - Airline-Friendly - Heavy-Duty Plastic Shell - For Home and Travel - Made in USA - 48 Inches - Taupe
The standard Vari Kennel in medium suits calm dogs and car trips at a lower outlay, since you skip the reinforced hardware you only need for stronger or flight-bound dogs.
Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel for Medium Dogs (Durable, Heavy Duty Dog Travel Crate, Made with Recycled Materials, 32 in. Long) 30 to 50 lbs, Made in USA
The small Vari fit our 9-lb terrier with standing and turning room without being so cavernous that he felt unsettled, which is the trap of buying too big for a tiny dog.
Key Buying Factors
Standing height, not just weight
Your dog must stand with ears clear of the roof. A 60-lb Boxer and a 60-lb Whippet need different heights, so measure your dog at the shoulder and ears before trusting the weight band.
Nose-to-tail length plus turn room
Add three to four inches to your dog's body length so he can turn around and lie flat. Too short and he sleeps curled, which is fine for a nap but not for long travel.
Airline IATA compliance
If you fly, confirm the crate meets your carrier's live-animal container rules. Many airlines require the dog to stand and turn without touching the top, plus metal hardware rather than plastic fasteners.
Ultra vs standard shell
The Ultra Vari uses heavier plastic and metal door hardware aimed at larger or stronger dogs. The standard Vari is lighter and fine for calm small to medium dogs that ride in the car.
Care, Cost and Maintenance
Measure before you buy
Measure standing shoulder height and nose-to-tail length, then add a few inches to each. Compare to Petmate's interior dimensions, not the weight range on the carton.
Acclimate before travel
Let your dog eat and nap in the crate for a week or two before any trip so it feels like a den, not a trap. Rushing this causes panting and door scratching.
Check hardware regularly
Inspect the door latch and the bolts joining the top and bottom halves before every flight. A loose squeeze-latch is the most common reason a crate gets flagged at check-in.
Tape the crate together and have your dog stand inside at home a week before flying, because an airline can refuse a crate the moment your dog's ears touch the roof.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which Vari Kennel size my dog needs?
Are Vari Kennels airline approved?
What is the difference between the Vari and Ultra Vari?
Should I size up or down if my dog is between sizes?
How we made this guide
How we chose. We compared the options on the factors that matter most for Dogs, using manufacturer specifications, aggregated verified owner reviews and editorial comparison. We rank independently: no brand pays for placement, and affiliate commissions never influence our picks.
How it was written. This guide was researched, reviewed and edited by the ProPawPicks editorial team for accuracy and usefulness. We have not personally tested every product; where we have not, rankings rely on verified specs, owner feedback and expert comparison rather than a hands-on review.
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