Soft dog crates

[Sit Stay]

So my mom and I, with Quinn, are heading to Pennsylvania in June for an English Shepherd meet-up. I was thinking I'd like to pick up a crate for her for in the car - usually she's absolutely wonderful traveling but I thought it would be good to have and it would keep her safe and contained while we go across the border, etc.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
I don't want to spend a ton - it will be used very, very rarely. She isn't crated at home and usually we just put the back seats down in the SUV and she rides loose.
It doesn't need to be super durable, she won't chew through it or anything, but it should be capable of holding a 40 pound dog. Some of the ones I've seen are SO flimsy and the mesh is so fine I could probably rip it with a fingernail.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Anissa]

I haven't had any trouble with soft crates... then again, I've only ever used one, and it's for my six pound Pomeranian. It's been pretty good as far as staying together goes, except that it's several years old now and has suffered the typical wear and tear, but that's to be expected.

If the dog isn't a chewer, like you say, then I'd think that a soft crate is perfectly fine. I think the one I have is PetMate... but I'm not entirely sure. It's so nice to carry around, easy to hook into the car, and very comfortable for him.

 

[MPP]

Ask Laurelin how she made out using a soft crate with Mia. Somehow the term "hamster exercise wheel" comes to mind...

 

[Sekah]

I recently picked up one of these Port-A-Crates from Petsmart on sale, and am very happy with it. Cohen is about 35lbs and fits in the medium very nicely.

 

[Beanie]

I have an N2N for Auggie; it's what I use when we are in the car (there's a handle on it that I can put my seatbelt through to buckle the crate in) and it's also what I use when we stay at a hotel.
I believe Wal-Mart has a brand that is either just like the N2Ns, by which I mean the same company makes them, they are just re-badged so Wal-Mart can sell them cheaper, or they are very similar.

 

[Sit Stay]

Thanks Anissa!

LOL MPP - I just got the best mental picture. Typical Mia!

Sekah, that looks great! I like the fact that Petsmart has them so I won't have to pay shipping and I can even check it out in person. I even checked for a soft sided crate last time I was there but no dice, but that particular store is never well stocked so I may have to call around.

I also really like the look/sound of the Noz2Noz Sof-Krates but they're a little bit pricey for the amount I'll be using it.

eta: Didn't see your post Beanie, I had the window open for awhile! Glad to hear you like them, and that WalMart has similar ones. I thought they were a little pricey but ended up finding them cheaper on Amazon, so they're back in the running.

Just measured the dimensions of the Port-A-Crate one and it looks like the medium is a tad small for Quinn. She's just all legs and likes to lay a little sprawled out - plus she's only going to get bigger. I think we'll have to go with the Large - of course it's $30 more, UGH.

 

[BostonBanker]

For soft crates, I adore my Noz2Noz, but I do use it pretty regularly during trial season, so it was well worth the money for me.

For the car, I'd actually be inclined to go with a Vari-Kennel or something harder; the soft crate isn't going to be as much protection in an accident.

 

[Dekka]

Check your local JYSK. They sometimes have pretty decent soft crates for a VERY reasonable price. I got one for Bounce, only to find she chews too (the JRTs can't be left in one) when stressed.

 

[Sit Stay]

We used to travel with her Vari-Kennel when she was a pup and I have to say the rattling of the door was enough to drive you insane!

Glad to hear you like your Noz2Noz i'm reading reviews on Amazon and it seems like they're pretty generally well liked (other than not-so-smart people trying to crate train destructive puppies in them), although I've read several reviews complaining about a toxic/chemical smell to it. One reviewer even said that she's had the crate for several months and it still has the smell. That's the only thing making me hesitant about it - has anyone experienced that?

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Ask Laurelin how she made out using a soft crate with Mia. Somehow the term "hamster exercise wheel" comes to mind...

We have a JRt at flyball and this weekend they tried a soft crate... he hamster wheeled the thing across the park in no time flat. lol :rofl1:

 

[Sit Stay]

OK, I really need to stop tab-hopping while writing replies because I keep missing people.

Thanks Dekka!

And LOL Adrianne. Luckily it's not something I'm worried about with Quinn, but I can imagine Dally would have done the same as that JRT!

 

[Dekka]

the ones at JYSK are the same style as the noz2noz ones (though not quite as heavy duty) they do not have any smell that I know of. So not sure why the noz2noz ones would.

 

[BostonBanker]

I never noticed a smell from my Noz2Noz, and it basically lives in my car (folded flat) for most of the year.

 

[misfitz]

Those ones that Beanie posted do look nice! And reasonably priced. IME, though, chewing isn't the only issue. I had one of these from Precision Pet Products:

My 20 lb Sheltie mix clawed the door off in about 2 hours. She doesn't have SA or anything, and she's not a high energy dog. She just REALLY REALLY likes cat food. :doh:

Soft crates are great, but not for the determined dog.

 

[happyhound]

I have 3 kinds of soft crates

GoGo Pet Soft Crate - I have 2 of these (they used to be $65 on amazon, though) and they are really nice except one of the crates is really hard to get the top poles to lock (really tight fit).

Petnation Dog Port A Crate - I got this one from wally world and for the price and place I got it, it is surprisingly sturdy and well made for the price. I'll probably get another one of these if I ever need another soft crate.

I also have a soft crate that is the zipper kind. I use it for my small dog and it's nice but not all that sturdy.

ETA: I also had a soft crate with the "rubbery" type mesh and it SUCKED. My dog just stretched and drug his foot on the rubber mesh and tore it really easily. He can do that with the nylon mesh and it doesn't tear or fray. Make sure you get something with nylon mesh! It is this PetGear soft crate.

 

[Shai]

My N2N never smelled either...beyond a little "new crate" smell maybe, but I don't remember it so it must not have been strong.

I have three brands here -- 1 N2N, 2 Dog Digs, and 1 Guardian Gear.

The N2N is the only one with a rip in the mesh, but since then it's held well. I just don't put the terrier in that one...

The 2 Dog Digs are great and a real bargain compared to the others. 36" crate for $50 each. They fold in a handy way for fitting in the trunk of my car so they are the ones I've used most for trialing and they are holding up well. Only down side is that they only have 1 door and it's on the side, so crating arrangements can be creative. Also, unlike the others, you actually have to undo a couple screws to get the cloth cover off to throw in the washer, if you are so inclined. The others either just peel of or are held on with velcro.

The last is a Guardian Gear crate. Held up well and between the others in terms of cost. Less handy to set up and tear down though as the top frame bars are actually removed then put into a storage pocket on the underside. Not a bit deal but mine is only a 30" crate...and those bars are pretty tight to get in and out. On the other hand this crate has held up to The Terrier so it's pretty solid, as far as soft crates goes (he paws, doesn't chew).

Hope that helps...good luck.

Also, jealous that you are going to the Brandywine Extravaganza lol. I've been playing around with the idea of going, probably with Kim, but I doubt it'll happen.


ETA: Oh I also have one of those flimsy nylon crates that folds down in basically a thick dinner plate...but I'm guessing that's not the sort of soft crate you are interested in lol.