Suggestions for Transition Crate?

[JDuff]

Hi, after some thought and advice from all of you...we are going to invest in a bigger crate for Layla, now 12 weeks. She hasn't grown out of the smaller one I have her in yet, but I am planning on using it to reduce the amount of mess she makes when confined in the kitchen. In addition, I am investing in a dog walker/play mate for her 3 times a week. I think it will be worth it.

Anyhoo, here's the question. We have seen some pretty fabulous looking crates for bigger dogs, but I figured I would inquire with my Boxer World experts first. Here are my questions, do we get her a metal, plastic, cloth version? How big should it be keeping in mind that right now she is 16 pounds and needs some space to have her newspaper and still have room to lay, play, etc? Any experiences with bad crates you can share? I am looking to invest, so price is not an issue right now. We are just looking for the best for our baby. I've seen some with connections to hang food/water bowls, etc.

Advice?

 

[DonieM]

Anyhoo, here's the question. We have seen some pretty fabulous looking crates for bigger dogs, but I figured I would inquire with my Boxer World experts first. Here are my questions, do we get her a metal, plastic, cloth version? How big should it be keeping in mind that right now she is 16 pounds and needs some space to have her newspaper and still have room to lay, play, etc? Any experiences with bad crates you can share? I am looking to invest, so price is not an issue right now. We are just looking for the best for our baby. I've seen some with connections to hang food/water bowls, etc.

Advice?

I personality would not get the cloth as boxer get pretty strong, as well as chew. She would more than likely destroy it. I have both the metal and plastic version. We keep the metal one at home as it is a pain to travel with, and the plastic one we take with us for trips. We bought the largest one we could find. Our dogs are not in the crate for longer than 8hr (during the night) so I do not have any food or water dishes in them. The crate only needs to be big enough for her to turn around, but I always felt that they should have more room. Some dogs will go to the bathroom in their crate if they have the room but mine never did.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mollie_T]

I've only ever dared to use the metal ones, my dogs are both so strong that they'd probably laugh at the plastic and cloth ones

 

[BoxerBubbles]

i have a metal one.you can buy the biggest one if it comes with a divider panel.that way you only have to buy one and she can always use it.as she
gets bigger,just move the divider panel back.

 

[sunbox]

speaking from experience

Okay, this is from total personal experience (good and bad)


PLASTIC (as in the thick kind) AIRLINE CRATES

pro: only takes about two seconds to assemble, just put the lid on and pop the black pins in. this crate was incredibly sturdy and bella could NOT for the life of him chew through it. bella loved it once he got used to it since it's like a little clubhouse... however

cons: we had a hard time getting him to go in at first because it was big and dark, and you cannot adjust their size. Also they are a bit heavier and harder to move, and most don't have a, ya know, a panel in the bottom to take out and clean.


WIRE METAL CRATES

pro: these come with divider panels to adjust size (but that adds some cost), more ventilation (for warmer climates especially), and your pup can see what's going on in the world around him. these usually have the pull out tray for easy cleaning, they do make ones that fold up into a briefcase size box

cons: Alright look, I just got done assembling one of these things. I don't think the "fold up" ones have this problem, but "some assembly required" means "read directions five times and invite two friends over" because this thing took me (by myself) two hours to get together right. It's just tricky. Plus, this wouldn't have worked with my friend's dog, Freemont, who is OVERLY rambunctious (as most boxers are), because they are a bit flimsier, and he would tear up pillows and toys and kick the mess out the bars in the back (along with food if he was fed in his crate). So if you're not totally potty trained, this may not be for you, because I have seen pups push their poop out the back through the wires! On the other hand, with an airline crate, the poop gets all over them. Either way, you have to clean.


ANYWAY, sorry about this long post. If you plan on doing ANY traveling, I wouldn't recommend a wire crate, even if it is collapsible. An airline crate comes apart into two pieces and folds in on itself, and it makes the perfect roofless bed in the car for your baby. However, if you have a calm boxer (laughs hysterically), get a wire crate... you'll be able to see your babies grow =D

 

[JDuff]

Canvas Crate

Well, I didn't buy either plastic or meetal, I bought a canvas crate with metal framing, sort of looks like a tent. It's kind of big and scary for her right now, but she'll grow into it. She was able to unzipper herself yesterday and got out and made a mess, because the dog walker left the zippers at her level and she is one smart boxer pup! So, we're hoping she doesn't chew through it, but we'll see and the canvas is replacable...wish us luck!