Poodle wrangler Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) Are soft crates lighter and easier to transport than a wire one? Currently have a wire type with metal tray: XL 42" Regularly stay / travel to friends places with no fences. Crates are great. Any recommendations, please? Is for a standard poodle who's nearly 12 months old: :) LOTS bigger than avatar Looking at this: http://www.oo.com.au...135997C1591.cfm and (bigger): http://www.crazysales.com.au/online-portable-pet-soft-crate-carrier-102cm-xxxl-waterproof-red-51497.html thanks Edited July 25, 2014 by Poodle wrangler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I have soft crates which my dogs are fine in BUT i prefer the safety factor of my wire crates & go back to them most times as there more air flowmeasier to attach water bowl & simply can't destroy them unexpectedly. Weight wise i don't believe there much lighter ,well certainly not my good quality ones . I have a very light weight one my dog won fro BIS the first time used he laid down & rolled out the side as the mesh was crap & not sewn into the fabric well enough luckily he was a dog that just sat there & went WTF . That crate has had all 4 mesh walls replaced as they just fall out & fray / I have the Noz to Noz so can only speak of them but mine are 15 yrs old now & still going strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I use soft crates from http://www.k9softdogcrates.com.au/ The owner of the business is also a DOLer and has Rottweilers so the crates definitely stand up to hard use! I have a large one and love it, easy to transport, super sturdy and high quality. Mine has lasted me the lifespan of one Rottie and now being used by my Aussie Shepherd - still no signs of wear and tear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) Are soft crates lighter and easier to transport than a wire one? Currently have a wire type with metal tray: XL 42" thanks They are lighter and easier However two different friends with similar crates had both dogs roll them over. There is a problem with sturdiness too. ETA: crates were purchased from online shops not specialising in quality dog equipment. Edited July 25, 2014 by VizslaMomma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) I use soft crates specifically for training and camping and at home. Wire crate for trialling as they are cooler and more secure. My dogs are super relaxed in the crate except when I'm training the other one....which is also why I'm cautious at trials. Highly recommend K9 soft crates too. I want another (smaller one) but really can't justify it at the moment! Edited July 25, 2014 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Regularly stay / travel to friends places with no fences. Crates are great. I would use a wire crate in that situation. I only use my soft crates if there is a second barrier, inside a house or if I am with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Thanks for the help. Am thinking the wire crate will be the go, for now? Not sure I can justify $185 atm for soft crate- though the K9 ones look like they're worth it. Dog's rarely kept outside in crate. BUT last time he was outside in wire crate, he saw a cat & lunged & barked. Sounds like a cheapie soft crate would collapse under those circumstances. Have to say the wire crate we still have was ~$100 and has lasted for a trip around Oz- with 2 dogs- (since 2010)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I haven't had a crate collapse but the canvas and mesh is quite easy to rip through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I use soft crates from http://www.k9softdogcrates.com.au/ The owner of the business is also a DOLer and has Rottweilers so the crates definitely stand up to hard use! I have a large one and love it, easy to transport, super sturdy and high quality. Mine has lasted me the lifespan of one Rottie and now being used by my Aussie Shepherd - still no signs of wear and tear! These are the ones I have got & I would never bother buying a cheap imitation.....poor man pays twice :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 My Dally learnt to undo padlocked zips in his soft crate! At the Agility Nationals in Sydney no less whilst I was walking a course I was really trying to lighten the load of stuff in the car as I was travelling interstate but I ended up having to borrow a wire crate from a very kind DOLer for the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I like the security of wire crates for training/trialling/travelling, but I would love to get a soft crate or two for playing extensions of Crate Games! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 My Dally learnt to undo padlocked zips in his soft crate! At the Agility Nationals in Sydney no less whilst I was walking a course I was really trying to lighten the load of stuff in the car as I was travelling interstate but I ended up having to borrow a wire crate from a very kind DOLer for the week. Miss Kirra can open her zip on her K9 soft crate too -- I have to remember to have the zips meet at the bottom - she hasn't worked that out ... yet. To the OP - I'd say wire crates are the way to go if there's a risk of over excitement and/or anxiety. They are heavier and a bit more awkward, but you can get a nice light trolley to help transport them. And you can get/make a waterproof cover. Another happy customer here for K9 soft crates. And not that I'm enabling or anything, but you can quite cheaply add your dog's name embroidered on the crate - as I did on Kirra's new one - finally got her a new one - the old one is still going after 10 or so years, but a little bit the worse for wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Well may you laugh, Tassie! Huge indoor arena and people are calling out "Who's Dalmatian?" Well, there weren't many of us so I looked up to see Zig's head peering through the TOP of the crate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddy Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I use soft crates from http://www.k9softdogcrates.com.au/ The owner of the business is also a DOLer and has Rottweilers so the crates definitely stand up to hard use! I have a large one and love it, easy to transport, super sturdy and high quality. Mine has lasted me the lifespan of one Rottie and now being used by my Aussie Shepherd - still no signs of wear and tear! I'd second this. We had one for the GooberDog and it was great, looked really comfy. One thing though.. don't put things on top of them. Ours ended up breaking after the little plastic bits that basically hold the whole roof up cracked and split under the weight of some junk that was sitting on top of the crate. We ended up going back to a wire crate for the lounge room because the temptation to pile junk on top was too great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I use soft crates from http://www.k9softdogcrates.com.au/ The owner of the business is also a DOLer and has Rottweilers so the crates definitely stand up to hard use! I have a large one and love it, easy to transport, super sturdy and high quality. Mine has lasted me the lifespan of one Rottie and now being used by my Aussie Shepherd - still no signs of wear and tear! I'd second this. We had one for the GooberDog and it was great, looked really comfy. One thing though.. don't put things on top of them. Ours ended up breaking after the little plastic bits that basically hold the whole roof up cracked and split under the weight of some junk that was sitting on top of the crate. We ended up going back to a wire crate for the lounge room because the temptation to pile junk on top was too great Do you mean like this…? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 My Dally learnt to undo padlocked zips in his soft crate! At the Agility Nationals in Sydney no less whilst I was walking a course I was really trying to lighten the load of stuff in the car as I was travelling interstate but I ended up having to borrow a wire crate from a very kind DOLer for the week. Miss Kirra can open her zip on her K9 soft crate too -- I have to remember to have the zips meet at the bottom - she hasn't worked that out ... yet. To the OP - I'd say wire crates are the way to go if there's a risk of over excitement and/or anxiety. They are heavier and a bit more awkward, but you can get a nice light trolley to help transport them. And you can get/make a waterproof cover. Another happy customer here for K9 soft crates. And not that I'm enabling or anything, but you can quite cheaply add your dog's name embroidered on the crate - as I did on Kirra's new one - finally got her a new one - the old one is still going after 10 or so years, but a little bit the worse for wear. Hi Tassie, Just a quick tip to prevent Miss Kira from opening her zippers on the crate doors... unless the crate is over 6 years old (or a factory second) it should have zip locks both the front and side doors. Both zip tags on each door should meet together at the top on the side of the zip lock and can be secured there if you have an escape artist :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) I use soft crates from http://www.k9softdogcrates.com.au/ The owner of the business is also a DOLer and has Rottweilers so the crates definitely stand up to hard use! I have a large one and love it, easy to transport, super sturdy and high quality. Mine has lasted me the lifespan of one Rottie and now being used by my Aussie Shepherd - still no signs of wear and tear! I'd second this. We had one for the GooberDog and it was great, looked really comfy. One thing though.. don't put things on top of them. Ours ended up breaking after the little plastic bits that basically hold the whole roof up cracked and split under the weight of some junk that was sitting on top of the crate. We ended up going back to a wire crate for the lounge room because the temptation to pile junk on top was too great Do you mean like this…? Maddy and TSD, you are quite right, all brands of soft crates are designed to have the strength from the inside where it is needed. The skin of the crate will hold the frame in place and prevent damage to the frame from movement from the dog. The crates are not designed to withhold excessive weight from the top or inwards from the side. That said, accidents can happen from time to time where crate frame components can get broken and this is why at K9+ we stock a full range of crate frame components to replace broken parts. These parts can be ordered and posted out very inexpensively. We also offer frame servicing, repairs, change overs, or whole units if people do not wish to do their own repairs. Rarely do frames ever become so damaged that they require replacing the full crate (skin and frame). Hope this is helpful :) Edited July 25, 2014 by Starkehre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Big vote for these from me too - awesome service and a great quality product. I wouldn't go anywhere else for a soft crate. I use soft crates from http://www.k9softdogcrates.com.au/ The owner of the business is also a DOLer and has Rottweilers so the crates definitely stand up to hard use! I have a large one and love it, easy to transport, super sturdy and high quality. Mine has lasted me the lifespan of one Rottie and now being used by my Aussie Shepherd - still no signs of wear and tear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I use soft crates from http://www.k9softdogcrates.com.au/ The owner of the business is also a DOLer and has Rottweilers so the crates definitely stand up to hard use! I have a large one and love it, easy to transport, super sturdy and high quality. Mine has lasted me the lifespan of one Rottie and now being used by my Aussie Shepherd - still no signs of wear and tear! I'd second this. We had one for the GooberDog and it was great, looked really comfy. One thing though.. don't put things on top of them. Ours ended up breaking after the little plastic bits that basically hold the whole roof up cracked and split under the weight of some junk that was sitting on top of the crate. We ended up going back to a wire crate for the lounge room because the temptation to pile junk on top was too great Do you mean like this…? :laugh: This is a familiar sight in my house... only replace Em with a cat!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 My Dally learnt to undo padlocked zips in his soft crate! At the Agility Nationals in Sydney no less whilst I was walking a course I was really trying to lighten the load of stuff in the car as I was travelling interstate but I ended up having to borrow a wire crate from a very kind DOLer for the week. Miss Kirra can open her zip on her K9 soft crate too -- I have to remember to have the zips meet at the bottom - she hasn't worked that out ... yet. To the OP - I'd say wire crates are the way to go if there's a risk of over excitement and/or anxiety. They are heavier and a bit more awkward, but you can get a nice light trolley to help transport them. And you can get/make a waterproof cover. Another happy customer here for K9 soft crates. And not that I'm enabling or anything, but you can quite cheaply add your dog's name embroidered on the crate - as I did on Kirra's new one - finally got her a new one - the old one is still going after 10 or so years, but a little bit the worse for wear. Hi Tassie, Just a quick tip to prevent Miss Kira from opening her zippers on the crate doors... unless the crate is over 6 years old (or a factory second) it should have zip locks both the front and side doors. Both zip tags on each door should meet together at the top on the side of the zip lock and can be secured there if you have an escape artist :D Awesome -- thanks so much for that tip. I'll have to go and investigate. She normally doesn't bother, but I think she could see a way of getting to some food . She absolutely loves her crate - makes a beeline for it as soon as she's done with whatever she was doing in the ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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