echo44 Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Looking for the best option to crate my bordercollies in the back of my suv any body try the soft crates? I have a regular crate now but it is very clanky what is you favorite brand? Where is the best place to buy? Both my BC's are around 45lbs what is the best size thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaisingRiver Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 I don't crate my dogs in the car in general (though have on occasion). I have both the pop-up crates and the plastic Petmate Petporters. I wouldn't use the pop-ups while the car is moving - I've only used them when crating in the car while parked. I would definitely go to a pet store and have your BCs try the crates out. Your BC might be 45lbs which would probably put them in a large or medium, but they might have long legs and require more room. Also it depends if you want them to have a bit of lounging room or a snug fit (ie what you might use for potty training w/ crate). Also keep in mind how the crates will fit in your SUV. If you go to a pet store they will probably let you take the crates out to your car and see how they fit before you buy them. That doesn't mean you have to buy the crates from that place though I do find that Petsmart (not Petco) has the largest variety of crate brands and sizes to try out. They are equivically priced to what I found both in other stores and online. The gates of my plastic crates do rumble a bit. I know others have recommended wraping a material around the offending noise parts. I would think having 2 'regular' metal crates would be more space productive then the more obtuse shape (gets wider in the middle) of a plastic crate. And you would have much more air ventilation. An airline approved plastic crate would serve as double duty if you ever needed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryP Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 I use wire crates in my car. All of my dogs fit nicely in 36' crates, though I do have one larger one that I don't normally ever use in the car. I have a small SUV and can fit two wire crates in it with no problem. I've used a soft-sided crate in the car before (when all the wire ones were being used) and my dog has tipped it over. My soft-sided is generally only used to crate my dog temporarily, like when we are at agility practice. I like the Lifestages wire crates best. I bought one from Dog.com that was fairly inexpensive, but it is noticeably more flimsy than the Lifestages ones. I also like that the Lifestages crates have front and side doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echo44 Posted April 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 well i got two noz to noz crates each 21" wide. They worked out great until: We went sheep herding today for the second time since i got the soft crates. The first time all went well. I herded with Mikey first since he is the crazy one in the car and i figured if i drained all his energyeverything would be ok It worked he herded put him in the car when it was lucy's turn and he behaved. Today tried the same thing. Mikey first(interesting he was being a bratt during the whole herding session not lying down when asked etc.) Put him in the crate in the suv so Lucy could have her turn. 5 min later along comes Mike flying onto the field out of nowhere. He somehow opened the zipper on the crate jumped the tail gate in order to get to the sheep. So being human i figured time to out smart him. So The crate has a way to lock the zippers with a clip. This time also closed the back door of the suv since it still not hot in the Chicago area (29 today). Lucy had a great session. when i returned to the suv the new crate was demolished chewed to pieces and Mikey had a glazed look in his eyes. Back to the drawing board. Just curious for those who use either metal or those plastic flight crates what size you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 I have a 36x24x28 wire crate for 38#, 22" tall Missy. She fits in it with plenty of room to spare, so I think that size would probably work just fine for your two. 28#, 19" tall Kipp has a 30x21x24 crate. It is a good size for him. Missy can fit into that crate, but it is a bit snug for her. I have Kipp's wire crate in the back of my (smaller) SUV. The back of the seat and the door wedge it in quite snugly so it can't move, otherwise I would have used bungee cords to secure it. One thing I would reccomend doing is taking off Mikey's collar before leaving him in a plastic or wire crate. If he is trying to get out, he may get it caught on the crate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Thanks, Maralynn, for the advice on removing collars with tags. My daughter's dog strangled himself when his tag caught on the wire of his crate and only her fast reactions and first aid, and the very nearby emergency vet clinic, saved him. I use wire crates at home and in the car. Excellent ventilation (we don't have A/C so we use a small fan in summer if we want more air circulation), easy to fold down and move (well, they aren't light in weight but they are easy to stack and stow when collapsed), easy to cover if a dog needs more "privacy", etc. With the aid of bungees or other fasteners, they can be stacked, as well. Most triallists I've met use the plastic, and the wire and soft crates are more popular with the KC crowd. I figure that whatever works for me is what I'll use. I use the 36" at home for my dogs but even 42#Celt fits comfortably in the 30" that I usually have in the car. I started with the MidWest Lifestyles in the basic black, lighter-weight, and less expensive style but it only has one door (it opens out) on one end and they rusted easily. I upgraded to the MidWest Ultima, which doesn't seem to rust (so far), and has three doors, with the two end doors that swing in (a big help in my small Subaru). The multiple doors are excellent for arranging the crates in the car or at home, in whatever configuration I need. I got them from KV Vet, where they are very affordable, the shipping isn't excessive, and the service is quick. Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest amylobdell24 Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Ditto for the LifeStages crates - I can fit two comfortably in my Nissan Pathfinder - and the front and side doors make all the difference in accessability. Yes, they can rattle.....but I have two words...bungi cords! They work great at keeping the latches from jiggling, which is where 95% of the rattling comes from. I'm pretty OCD about things making noise in the car, but I can handle those crates. FWIW, I did have the nylon pop-up version for awhile and used it both at home & in the car - Ceana figured out very quickly that it could be used as a giant hampster ball, and I would find her wedged between the toilet & shower, up against a window, stuck in the pantry door, etc. when I got home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Anne Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I just bought the "Canine Camper", heavy canvass, collapsable-zip up I think medium (I will have to go take a look). I used it both in the car while travelling and at our clinic last weekend. I sat it in the back seat actually and it worked pretty good. I like it outside because it also has ground stakes and loops on the crate to tether it to the ground so it won't tip over. Phoenix is 40 lbs. and about 23-24" tall, and it is an ok size for short durations, such as settle breaks at clinics, outings etc. It is very easy to carry, with a carrying case too. Lite weight. HOWEVER... I will keep my wire crate and always take that with me (collapsed), just in case for what ever reason I want to switch to it. I am thinking the wire crate will actually be better in warmer weather, due to the fact it is entirely open as opposed to the canvass, which has "windows" on all sided but is still not as ventilated. My wire crate is bigger to, giving him a little more room. They both have there pros and cons..so now I have just added to my load! Great! Huh... anyway I do like the new canine camper, and it will definately be used for cooler days during outings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Anne Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 ooooops!!! ok.... my spelling and grammer on this post is pretty bad...that is what I get for typing and posting, without re-reading... It is definately time to "recharge", with a cup of full leaded coffee!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossie Posted April 8, 2007 Report Share Posted April 8, 2007 I have a plastic airline-style crate in my car. The wire ones make too much noise for my taste. Since I sometimes expect the dog to be in the car crate for long periods of time, I made sure that it was long enough that he could really stretch out, so he has a 36" long one. He's about 55# & 22" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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