crates
- Thread starter susan
- Start date
A 48x30x35 crate is a BIG crate. My females all fit comfortably in a 42 x 24 x 36 size. My male (30-31" at the shoulders) did fine in a 48 x 28 x 36. If you plan on crating the dog most of the day or night then go with the biggest you can find. Cherrybrook (www.cherrybrook.com) does have one that is 54 x 37 x 45 (item #15-034 $193.95 not including the pan or shipping costs).
Linda
Linda
Annie Milliron
Alpha Goddess
Ummmmm.... welll..... when Sailor came to us in May (weighing 204 pounds)... we tried crating him. He wouldn't even fit through the door. So, since we didn't know whether or not he was trustworthy, we set up our X pen in the kitchen. That worked just fine, but he was quite insulted!!!! So, after we were certain that he would be ok while we were gone, the X pen came down. He still hangs in the kitchen.. he likes the linoleum floor... it's very cool. Russell calls it his fortress of solitude!
As for the girls, they're both in Midwest Crates... 30x36x48 and they have plenty of room. We also have crates in our car... They are 24x36x48, and work fine too.
As for the girls, they're both in Midwest Crates... 30x36x48 and they have plenty of room. We also have crates in our car... They are 24x36x48, and work fine too.
Elizabeth
New member
No, I don't think that's too small : )
My Gracie has that size.
If your going to be crating your pup while traveling, I would recommend a plastic vari kennel. I have heard that wire crates can come apart with horrifying results in accidents.
Gracie was in the largest available vari kennel for a long time, and then I bought the wire midwest crate. She loves it
Better airflow and more actual space.
It's the folding kind so we can take it with if we go anywhere. I got mine from Care A Lot. They had the best price.
Elizabeth
My Gracie has that size.
If your going to be crating your pup while traveling, I would recommend a plastic vari kennel. I have heard that wire crates can come apart with horrifying results in accidents.
Gracie was in the largest available vari kennel for a long time, and then I bought the wire midwest crate. She loves it
It's the folding kind so we can take it with if we go anywhere. I got mine from Care A Lot. They had the best price.
Elizabeth
The varikennels can be just as dangerous as the wire crates. A member of another forum was involved in an accident and her car flipped. The varikennel bolts broke and the two halves went flying. Good thing she didn't have her dogs with her. She was ok but shaken up badly.
As Elizabeth pointed out, the wire crates do have better air circulation. A friend, many years ago, had her Newf in her air conditioned van in a vari-kennel. She was freezing but almost lost the Newf to heat stroke since the cold air was not getting to the dog. He was riding in the varikennel in the back of the van with the sun coming in the rear window. Don't mean to scare anyone but this can happen in a closed crate such as the varikennel.
As Elizabeth pointed out, the wire crates do have better air circulation. A friend, many years ago, had her Newf in her air conditioned van in a vari-kennel. She was freezing but almost lost the Newf to heat stroke since the cold air was not getting to the dog. He was riding in the varikennel in the back of the van with the sun coming in the rear window. Don't mean to scare anyone but this can happen in a closed crate such as the varikennel.
mudji
New member
If you plan to travel with the crate, you might want to think about what size crate will fit in your vehicle. We have a 36x24x? crate that worked for Mudji until about 6 months. It fit in the Explorer and in the VW Passat wagon. If we travel now, we will use Ruff Rider seat belts for all the boys. They attach to the human seat belts or to the tie down bolts in the rear cargo area.
If your crate won't fit in the car, chances are you won't use it.
just my thoughts
hannah
If your crate won't fit in the car, chances are you won't use it.
just my thoughts
hannah
Annie Milliron
Alpha Goddess
I too have heard bad things about newfs and varikennels... namely that they don't allow for enough ventilation, and that the Newfs get too hot in them.
As for crates in our vehicle, we have a Ford Windstar and a Ford Explorer. The Explorer is now our "dog free" car, because we can't get all three in at the same time.
So, we use the Windstar... Cora & Kira both ride in crates, that measure 36"H by 48"L by 24"W. Sailor won't "fit" into a crate, so he rides behind us, and usually helps navigate. I would be more comfortable if he was in a crate, but it's just not possible.
We were in a very serious car accident years ago... Cora was with us. We were traveling down a state highway, going around 55 mph, when a car ran a stop sign and hit us. The car that hit us Geo Metro, which was also going about 55mph. The driver was only 16. He had 3 passengers, a 14 year old boy who lost a kidney, and two 15 year old girls who were riding in the back, without seatbelts. They were both killed instantly.
Neither Russell or I had our seat belts on... I credit airbags with saving our lives. Cora was loose in the back, and was the only one not hurt... physically anyway... she was really nervous for a couple of weeks.
The reason I'm sharing this is that there is a big debate on whether or not dogs are safer crated in a car. Cora wasn't crated, but.... I think we were lucky... I think they're safer in a crate.
As for crates in our vehicle, we have a Ford Windstar and a Ford Explorer. The Explorer is now our "dog free" car, because we can't get all three in at the same time.
So, we use the Windstar... Cora & Kira both ride in crates, that measure 36"H by 48"L by 24"W. Sailor won't "fit" into a crate, so he rides behind us, and usually helps navigate. I would be more comfortable if he was in a crate, but it's just not possible.
We were in a very serious car accident years ago... Cora was with us. We were traveling down a state highway, going around 55 mph, when a car ran a stop sign and hit us. The car that hit us Geo Metro, which was also going about 55mph. The driver was only 16. He had 3 passengers, a 14 year old boy who lost a kidney, and two 15 year old girls who were riding in the back, without seatbelts. They were both killed instantly.
Neither Russell or I had our seat belts on... I credit airbags with saving our lives. Cora was loose in the back, and was the only one not hurt... physically anyway... she was really nervous for a couple of weeks.
The reason I'm sharing this is that there is a big debate on whether or not dogs are safer crated in a car. Cora wasn't crated, but.... I think we were lucky... I think they're safer in a crate.
We have a HUGE crate in the house. My husband and I could sit in it and have tea
You'd never know that Tika was the runt of the litter.
As for travel, for the next year or more Tika will have to put up with riding in the backseat. There's no way a crate is going to fit into a Toyota Celica
As for travel, for the next year or more Tika will have to put up with riding in the backseat. There's no way a crate is going to fit into a Toyota Celica
Jeannie
Super Moderator
This probably will not be a popular reply but we do not put our newfs in crates except if we are at a show is the only time and then when it is necessary.I love my dogs and to me this is like putteng them in jail.If we have a bad accident some time maybe i will wish we had them in a crate but unless the crate is totally secured I am not sure it would make a difference.I have to say there is know way I could ever put Sara in a crate.I would not even let the vet put her in a crate when she stayed at the vet.Sorry for this but it is just my own personal feelings and not Jeannies by the way.Gary
Jeannie
Super Moderator
AS you all see my hubby is very much against crates. I don't like to see our girls in crates, but a puppy is a different story. To me to crate a puppy is safer than letting them run loose eating who knows what and pottying everywhere.
As far a crates in a vehicle. I am sure the dog is safer in a crate as Annie said, but I agree with Gary that the crate needs to be secured. I put Sam in a crate to take her to a show. As I was traveling I had to swerve to avoid an accident I was only traveling about 15 MPH and the crate flipped over every slowly. Had she not been in a crate, I don't think she would have even moved. The crate was top heavy and just flipped.
My opinion
As far a crates in a vehicle. I am sure the dog is safer in a crate as Annie said, but I agree with Gary that the crate needs to be secured. I put Sam in a crate to take her to a show. As I was traveling I had to swerve to avoid an accident I was only traveling about 15 MPH and the crate flipped over every slowly. Had she not been in a crate, I don't think she would have even moved. The crate was top heavy and just flipped.
My opinion
Annie Milliron
Alpha Goddess
I absolutely agree that crates in vehicles should be secured. The two crates in our van are wedged in so tight (side by side) that they won't budge. If they weren't, we'd secure them for sure. Another thing to think about, is that if you do use crates in a vehicle, you should have wire cutters with you, just in case something happens, and you can't get to the crate door, and you have to get the dog out from another side. It's a horrible horrible thought, but being prepared is the best plan.
Maggiesmom
New member
To crate or not to crate in a car can probably be debated as much as seat belt laws and helmet laws. I personally was in 2 roll over accidents (no pets invovled) and in both I was not wearing a seat belt. Had I been wearing one in the 1st accident it wouldnt have made much of a difference, but had I been wearing one in the 2nd accident I wouldnt have survived cuz the pickup cab collapsed down on us. The same can probably be said for dogs in crates in an accident depending on how the accident occured and the damage to the car is whether the crate would prevent injuries or cause them. I would agree in most slower accidents they would stop alot of bouncing around and getting banged up as long as the crate was secured. But in an accident that caused alot of damage to the car I dont know how they would with stand it. In our case we dont crate in the car, mainly cuz with 4 dogs and 3 being newfs even in my Chrysler Town & Country you cant fit in all that would be needed. I do get concerned cuz of the way others tend to drive we just do our best to be careful.
macgirl13ca
New member
We crate only when absolutely necessary, never in the house. I drive a 97 Dodge Dakota extended cab. When it's just me Joe and Bubba, he gets the back seat. However, we get the kids every second weekend. 2 kids and a newf just don't fit back there, so Bubba gets the crate in the back of the truck. He gets his blanket, 2 pillows and a chewy whenever he's in there and don't think he minds it. The crate is always secured. I'm thinking SUV for my next vehicle so everyone is happy inside.