My 11 wk bulldog puppy loves his crate and as he was brought up in one by his breeder, when we first brought him home, he sought out places which had cover over his head so we decided to carry on with one. He is never forced into it - we don't want him to think it is a place of punishment. He goes in of his own accord. I think it really depends on how the dog reacts to them. He has had one accident in it but only because I got delayed getting home to him so it was my fault.
I must admit I would never have thought of a crate until I read websites on bulldogs and as they are chewers for quite a while it should be worth its weight in gold.