[Alan]

What information and recomendations would you make to someone who is shoping for a crate? Do you choose a metal crate or a plastic crate? What brand should you buy? What about a collapseable crate? How big does the crate need to be? Can it be too big? Does it have to have a water dish built in?

[Rai_77]

The crate should be large enough for the dog to sit, stand, lie down, and turn around once.

My boy breaks crates, so I'm going to be getting a military style one asap.

I don't keep water *in* the crates because the dogs just knock the bowls over, but I will probably put buckets in attached to the sides one day. They just aren't in there for long enough for me to really worry about it now.

[Alyssa]

Get metal ones. Get them large enough to last their whole life, dividers will work for when they are small. You can get water bottles if you need to, but water ought to be limited while they are crated anyways. Use the crate - crates are your friend.

[jeoestreich]

Each of my pups have an airline plastic crate. I really do not like the metal collaspeable kind because Queen can chew through them. I usually buy them big enough when they are puppy so I can use them as an adult. But they should be big enough so that they can sit, stand, and turn around in. I do not keep water in their crate because it usually just ends up making a mess.

[Alyssa]

Originally Posted by jeoestreich Each of my pups have an airline plastic crate. I really do not like the metal collaspeable kind because Queen can chew through them. I usually buy them big enough when they are puppy so I can use them as an adult. But they should be big enough so that they can sit, stand, and turn around in. I do not keep water in their crate because it usually just ends up making a mess.

Even the super-thick super-strong metal ones? Not the lightweight ones, but the heavy duty ones? I have one of both that I'm using and there is a whole world of difference between the collapsible metal wire crates that are meant to be used for "escape artist" risks and the regular ones meant to be portable - especially in weight and types of metal used for construction.

She seriously chews through metal but not plastic? Wow, I'd think that usually it is the reverse hehe!

[fearlessknight]

Depends on what you need the crate for, I think.
Plastic ones are good for non chewers/eaters (LOL) and if they are to stay in the car at all times, unless it is winter.

The metal crates are great for going to shows or outside anywhere really, if you do a lot of outdoor activities and your side kick comes a long!

Water bowls INside the crate are not a must, because they tip and spill almost always...a responsible owner will take time to open the crat for potty breaks and water and food breaks.

As far as the size.....for transportation just to fit is always best, they should only be able to walk in (stand) and turn around in, thats it.

For the luxurious times, as in dog shows and what not, only speaking of metal crates by the way, they can be bigger in size allowing more room to move.

Plastic crates for winter and in car activities...
Metal crates for summer, outdoor activities and indoors (if you prefer)

Just My Opinion!

[DivineOblivion19]

I prefer the metal crates, I don't like the plastic ones at all. Both my dog's crates are light weight collapsible crates, but I don't have any heavy duty dogs. I am looking into a nice heavy duty one that I can take the top off of for when I get Q. He's never had a crate with a top on it, he stays in there just fine.

[Zoe]

I like the plastic ones for my personal dogs or dogs that have already become "part of the pack". For the newbies, I like the metal ones because while they are being incorporated into the pack, I can introduce dogs, desensitize them to each other in a safe way, all the while, being able to see all their body language, as well as the dogs being able to see each others body language. As well, when the fosters are crated in the early days, they can sit and watch all the house happenings to see how things are run around here.

[Purple]

I use the metal crates by Midwest. I get them from a company on ebay:

http://stores.ebay.com/For-Happy-Dogs

[JRSPITS]

I like the metal folding crates. They require less maintenance. I've found the crates you have to put together come apart quite easily and are a pain to put back together after years of use. Although, I must admit I have two escape artists at my house. They have broken out of every crate they've been in - I have resorted to pad locks, snaps, and zip ties LOL.

And before anyone asks my neighbors are NOT APBT friendly so I can't leave them outside on proper chain set ups.

[DieselDawg]

I have the ICrate or is it ECrate...metal cage type. I used about 30 black zip ties to secure it more...works great. It rides in the back of the Jeep all the time. Would be nice if someone designed a "quilt" that fit over 3 sides and the top!