What's the best crate for SchH?

[Maxxx]

LOL just thought I'd try Ayoka!

[Maxxx]

One more question

I just got home from visiting PetSmart, WalMart and CT. PetSmart was the cheapest and the local CT didn't even have a pet section!

I noticed there's a big difference in prices for plastic crates (between $50-$80) and I was wondering if I can get away with the cheap one? The plastic is kinda flimsy and I don't want Max potentially getting hurt if he gets too excited. Should I spend the extra money for a thicker, sturdier, plastic one? Or I'm I just being a worry wort?

[Mattweiser]

if money is no issue (yeah right!!), these crates cannot be beat!

Kustom Krates home page

I bought a pair 3 years ago, and love every minute... granted, I am still paying my credit card off!!

M

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by Maxxx

One more question

I just got home from visiting PetSmart, WalMart and CT. PetSmart was the cheapest and the local CT didn't even have a pet section!

I noticed there's a big difference in prices for plastic crates (between $50-$80) and I was wondering if I can get away with the cheap one? The plastic is kinda flimsy and I don't want Max potentially getting hurt if he gets too excited. Should I spend the extra money for a thicker, sturdier, plastic one? Or I'm I just being a worry wort?

I would make sure you get the petmate or vari kennell brand....they have a warranty...and if you can look around for another CT I see their giant crate are on for 97$ down from 139 at least they are uteast.

[makjamz]

Originally Posted by Mattweiser

if money is no issue (yeah right!!), these crates cannot be beat!

Kustom Krates home page

I bought a pair 3 years ago, and love every minute... granted, I am still paying my credit card off!!

M

Those are nice.

If money is an object - I would gowith the Petmate/Varikennel brands.

The best Petmate crate I have - is one I got in Europe. It is a Petmate Pet Keeper - has ventilation slots all around the crate.
The Petmate Pet Porter is a good one The window are cut slots or circles (newer).
Or you might consider Petmate Varikennel. Has metal wire window
The Petmate Varikennel Ultra has a extra plastic window.
Furrari, although it looks nice, I do not like as well for airline travel as you need to put in 12 extra screws as the large clips can pop open - or off.

The probem I have had with other brands is the door catch can be popped. Not something one would want in the plane - or elsewhere.

If/When money becomes no object to me - I am going to get some of these.
http://www.eastcoastcrates.com/folding.html

Have fun w/your SchH training
m-a

[s1960]

Maxxx, crates are like everything else. You get what you pay for. A cheap wire crate can have poor welds, a cheap plastic kennel can be so flexible that he can force the door open. I'm not sure why a dog would bite the wire side of a crate but not the wire door on a plastic crate. Either way buy a decent quality crate. I have both and they both have worked fine.

[Karla]

I'm glad Skip has had good luck with the Pro-Select fans. I bought them too as well as the cooler ring and they didn't move as much air as I would have liked.

I found fans that were about 8" in diameter that run off batteries in the camping section of Wal-Mart. They can either be hung or stand up on their own base. I have used them for myself when camping in a tent and every time they worked great. The dogs seem to like them too. I went to a I. Balabanov clinic a few years ago at the end of July and even in that heat my Rottie was comfortable. I believe I paid around $10.00 for them. They have a high and low setting and the batteries last several days even when the fan was run on high.

[Maxxx]

Ayoka - I went to another CT today and picked up the PetMate Pet Porter XL. It was on sale for $97 here too, so it was a great deal! Thanks for letting me know about the sale!! :)

Karla - I'll take a look at WalMart for those fans. They sound like a great idea for $10.00!

Unfortunately I don't have lots and lots of money to spend, so for now, the PetMate will do. If I end up really getting into SchH and winning the lottery, I'll definitely consider a Kustom Krate. Those things look amazing! LOL

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by Maxxx

Ayoka - I went to another CT today and picked up the PetMate Pet Porter XL. It was on sale for $97 here too, so it was a great deal! Thanks for letting me know about the sale!! :)

Excellent, I'm all about the sales...and crates...

[Karla]

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.

[makjamz]

It is easier for a dog to 'bust" out of a wire crate - so I prefer to use them in the conformation setting. At the training field a heavy plastic or custom Aluminium crate is my preference.

Good Info on the crates. I bought a few at Big Lots, but they had cheap light plastic pans - and broke pretty quick. Midwest are decent.

At Palm Springs 01/2005, 3 of my best wire crates were stolen - those nice spring locking, single action handle ones, with crate pads 'n covers - they knew the good stuff.

[jazzking1971]

Originally Posted by makjamz

It is easier for a dog to 'bust" out of a wire crate - so I prefer to use them in the conformation setting. At the training field a heavy plastic or custom Aluminium crate is my preference.

I concur with that!! I still use my wire crate but I have it fortified with clasps on the ends while I wait for an aluminum crate. In Feb, I was at the SchH USA regional trials, my dog was in the back of my truck and four kids thought it was funny to agitate my dog in the crate. He nearly broke out after them and what saved those kids is the fact that my dog got his back leg stuck in the crate. If it wasn't for the lip of my bumper for him to support himself my dog could have been seriously hurt.

Be careful with the wire crates. I never imagined my dog would get razed enough to bust out after a few kids. Btw- the kids were kicked out of the event before I was alerted to what had happened.

[Mattweiser]

Originally Posted by makjamz

If/When money becomes no object to me - I am going to get some of these.
Folding

Have fun w/your SchH training
m-a

I am not a KustomKrates salesman, but... if you have you ever had an aluminum crate, you know how tough they are to clean on the inside (those corners are a killer)... The kustom krates, have a removable tray, so that the clean up is a cinch.

Also, since we are talking about working Rotts... they guy is a SchH guy, who specifically made his crates to hold higher-end SchH dogs (GSD, Rotts, Mals, etc)... not show dogs!!

[makjamz]

Originally Posted by Mattweiser

I am not a KustomKrates salesman, but... if you have you ever had an aluminum crate, you know how tough they are to clean on the inside (those corners are a killer)... The kustom krates, have a removable tray, so that the clean up is a cinch.

Also, since we are talking about working Rotts... they guy is a SchH guy, who specifically made his crates to hold higher-end SchH dogs (GSD, Rotts, Mals, etc)... not show dogs!!

I know. HOWEVER, I fly with my dogs - not on my broom - but in the plane. Those East Coast crates would be mighty better than the Plastic Pet Porter/Varikennel crates I am using.