soft crates

[Miabella]

I have an It'z a Breeze soft crate for Ilsa. I agree, it's only for dogs who are very good in their crate. I've had it about 3 years now and it has held up well, and I use it quite a bit. In fact, I keep it in my SUV folded up and slipped next to her wire crate that she travels in. That way I can pull it out whenever the need arises.

I will echo what laurlitt said about size. If you plan to use for shows and such, get the smallest size your dog can comfortably fit into. I originally bought a 48" crate, used it once, and donated it to the RS auction. It was way too big for the crating areas at trials. Ilsa now uses a 36" soft crate.

[macho rottie]

I will use it again so I can allow myself a bit of freedom at next year's Rottstock but I won't ever leave him completely unattended in it.

I was about 5 to7 ft away from the crate watching some rotties in the ring. So...next time the metal or plastic crate will come along.

And Miabella is right. I bought the largest soft crate and it was way too big. Could have fit great danes in it.

Phoebe is a sweetheart too!

Thank you! She loved you too.

[Mochasmom]

For those of you that have one that is too big what size is it and what size do you recommend? Please give dimensions if you have.

I am looking at getting one and I don't want it to be ginormous like our wire crate is!

[frontierrots]

Bea's Midwest Canine Camper is 24 X 36 and is just right. She's 24" and 83lbs Her Midwest folding crate is the same size and has the Petedge crate cover that makes it look like a softcrate (so much so that at a trial where soft crates were banned - oh yea be sure to read all the fine print on the show entry info!- a show steward tried to get me kicked out. ha ha I fooled them, he was pretty embarrassed to find a black wire crate under there :) )

[macho rottie]

The soft crate I bought was 35" high, 48" long and 31" wide. It's too big to lug to show.

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by Bucky's Mom

I always envision a GIANT Rottweiler Hamster Ball - with Bucky rolling himself along.

Actually...a friend of mine got a kid pop up tnet at a garage sale to use as a "crate". Seems there was this sudden roar of laughter as the dog rolled along behind mom at an agility trial.

So far, I only have the metal crates. But I have toyed with the soft sided idea.

[Judi W]

I have three of the Homestretch. I've had them for about 5 years, used often. I like the extra wide floor space for the dog to lie comfortable without having such a large crate if the square style. They are also much lighter than the others to carry. I can carry a crate, my chair, my articles and take the dog on lead in one trip without bothering with a dolly.

http://www.homestretchcrate.com/popups/largecrate.htm

[Rottlva]

For those of you who show, if there is a ban on soft crates, do you find that they are very clear in listing the rules on the premium list and the judging list???

Diane, which show around here had the ban on soft crates??

[frontierrots]

It was the trial in Springfield at the Mallory building. The one that lasted til 10 pm in a huge thunderstorm. Can't remember the date. It MAY have been our first Rally trial

Anyhow NO it was not clear. It was in teensy type way at the backunder attention exhibitors. You know that looong page of teensy type where they say no generatorsx feet from the building, no ex pens etc.... I missed it the first 3 times I read it. I had the truck all packed and reread it again for no reason I can come up with and there it was NO soft crates/tent crates

There were quite a few soft crates because most people did not see the notice. All the ones in the building before 2 pm got kicked out. Those that came late got ignored :(

[hcelsa]

I've used soft crates for at least 8 years now (maybe longer...Elsa was quite young and is 10+ now). None of my dogs have ever had a problem in them (BUT we do extensive work on not "bellowing" in crates while in the van at herding so they all understand that while crated one is to ignore the stuff/dogs/people on the outside of the crate). I probably wouldn't use one if I was spending a lot of time in the conformation area of a dog show, but for herding/agility/obedience I've never had any sort of problem. I have a Doggone Good Cabana crate (Crates/Tents) that has had it's cover replaced once (much cheaper than buying a new one...and I like the mesh used on these better than other brands...it feels more wirelike and less plastic). After about 6 years of very regular use (including serving as a cool play room for a litter of puppies) the seams started coming apart, and it just started to look really ratty in general. I recently bought a ItzABreez crate in a smaller size (Roca/Breve size) so that I could take two dogs to a trial and have fabric crates for both, but I wish I would have just ordered another Cabana. My friend has one of their "Pack a Pup" tents for her Malinois, and she loves it, so I may try one of them when I'm ready for another one. Out here in the NW I've never heard of them being banned, and I've never seen anyone have a problem with them at a performance event.

[majicka]

I'm looking into the softcrates myself since Happy and I will hopefully be going to shows soon. He's 27 1/2 inches tall, his wire crate is a 42" and he's almost at the top. I've been looking at the 48" do you think they will be too big?

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by majicka

I'm looking into the softcrates myself since Happy and I will hopefully be going to shows soon. He's 27 1/2 inches tall, his wire crate is a 42" and he's almost at the top. I've been looking at the 48" do you think they will be too big?

We have the 48" & the 42" for Julius. The 48" crate is HUUUUGE...but we like it for when we're travelling.

When we go to agility shows, we always take the 42". They're pretty much rural shows & there's always room for it outside.

[majicka]

Originally Posted by Brooke&Ryan

We have the 48" & the 42" for Julius. The 48" crate is HUUUUGE...but we like it for when we're travelling.

When we go to agility shows, we always take the 42". They're pretty much rural shows & there's always room for it outside.

Cool thanks..I think the 42" should be tall enough for him, our shows are fairly rural as well..well as you know, your only about an hour from me.