Crate Types
There are many kinds of crates - if you plan to use it for any length of time, get a good brand - the cheap ones are easy for dogs to break out of and they just don't hold up. Generally there are 3 kinds of dog crates.
Soft-sided crates which are only good for their portability - they are NOT allowed at most AKC dog shows and even a mild chewer can get out of them easily. They are lightweight and travel well, however.
Plastic airline crates are approved for travel on airlines. Most dogs like the airline crates because they are very cave-like, but airline crates take up more room when stored, tend to lose the little nuts that hold them together (for this I love zip ties) and the doors still tend to rust. They also don't hold up well if you have a very determined chewer. We've had escape artists that could only be contained by an airline type crate.
There are metal ones which are good for chewers and puppies. They usually have a removable pan and either fold or use a drop pin to hold it together. Repainting metal crates with lead free paint will extend the life of the crate. You can achieve the same cave-like effect with a metal crate by putting a blanket over it - though some Mals will work feverishly to pull the blanket inside. I've had them stuck so tightly you have to cut the blanket apart to get it out! . Many metal crates have dividers so that you can make it smaller for a young puppy, then remove the divider as the pup grows. Some of the more expensive metal crates have "extra" doors making them easier to get dogs in and out of.
There are of course, other kinds of crates - custom wooden ones that cost a couple of thousand dollars, and even something new - crates that double as furniture (end tables) in wicker, metal and wood. I'm getting one of those some day. Alumaden makes a very stylish metal, wood topped crate - still only made for little dogs, but I'm hoping the they will make bigger ones some day! (a dining room table crate!)
Last of all there are the things you need for in the crate - toys come to mind! Safe toys, a soft but not easily chewed dog bed, and perhaps a water bucket if the dog is to be crated for long periods. Always remove collars when the dog is in the crate for safety reasons (tags can get hung up and choke the dog). The crate is your dog's second home, make it safe and comfortable and he'll generally love hanging out in it!
Example of a soft-sided crate
Airline Style crate