Concerning wire crates, here are a few of my thoughts.
Different gauge/wire are used for the crates. Some catalogs list the gauge of wire. If a catalog doesn't list it, it may be found on the manufacturer's website or by calling the company. If those options fail, compare the (shipping) weight of the crates. The lower the number for the gauge, the bigger the diameter of the wire and often hence more strenghth and a heavier weight. A caveat of a manufacturer stating gauge is that sometimes only the corners are of a heavy gauge and then the sides are made of 5 or 6 gauges less so make sure to get all the facts
. You may also be able to go to a pet store and actually see the different brands side by side.
If you have trouble deciding what size to buy, I have taken dogs to the store and put them in the different crates to help me make the decision
. All but one of our crates are the double door models and have found that option to be a nice bonus. Some dogs prefer the plastic crates and seem to feel more secure in them since they are more 'den like.' I also have known some dogs to chew their way out of plastic crates
.
Electroplating doesn't seem to last as long as electro-coating. Putting a piece of carpet or even just a towel or blanket under the wire crates can help prevent the plastic pans from cracking. Placing a rubber mat (like Skip mentioned in his post with plastic crates) that fits snugly in the wire crates helps keep the dog from slipping on the plastic pan. In a pinch, I have also put a sheet/towel/blanket over the pan and tucked the edges under it to help give a dog better traction. Obviously, there is a chance the dog may chew or swallow the material so it isn't appropriate for all dogs.
I feel the wire crates are easier to lock with a lock if you ever feel the need to. I love their portability, but wish they were lighter,
The option of putting a divider in them to change the size as the pup grows is an advantage. With the double door models, I've known folks with small dogs to use one crate instead of two by utilizing the divider. We have plastic crates too, but do like the better ventilation provided by the wire crates in hot weather. Also, there are more options of where to hang a water bucket in the wire crates than the plastic ones.
Hopefully, this info will help you.