A crate question for those who like/ use them. I need new ones!

[jenn D]

Ok wise doodlers......

The PB&J gang are getting big. Seriously I currently have 140 lbs of doodle running around on 12 legs and the poundage is only going to grow as Pickles gets bigger. while the doods have runof the house during the day they all sleep in crates. They even go into their specific crates when they take naps with the door wide open. They also go in if they want a break from the other two rough housing. Currently I have Brisby in a XL plastic crate that I used many years ago for my rottie mix before went to the rainbow bridge. Jake is in a plastic crate that is a Large which worked when we got him at 8 months but at almost a year he has outgrown it. Pickles is in a medium plastic crate that I used for my beagles before they passed. But at 13 weeks, pickles is now 24 lbs and 16.5 inches at the withers so I'm thinking he won't be a medium size when he is full grown (1 parent was a standard and 1 was a medium) but probably closer to Jake or Brisby. So I'll have three big boys.
Last night the latch on Brisby's XL crate broke. So I need to get something new for him, a bigger one for jake probably the same size as Brisby's since he's only an inch shorter and then I need to upgrade Pickles.

Ok do I go with Plastic or Metal crates? For those who like and use crates what do you prefer and why? I am cringing thinking of 3 XL sized plastic crates in hubby and my bedroom but honestly metal or plastic it's gonna be big. I'm going to need to invest in 3 XL crates of some kind. I can get nice covers for the wire crates if I need but I want something secure and comfortable for my dogs.

I want to make a decent decision here.

Thanks for your input.

I and PB&J greatly appreciate it.

:)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have 3 wire crates. To me that seem less intrusive , better ventilated and let the doodles have a better view of the world. The two gigantic ones take up much of my dining room and mostly are used when I'm out. I have one upstairs mainly used for Luca if he attacks the Tv. Sometimes my visiting grand dog uses it.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We have Vari-Kennels. Sturdy, easy to clean and keep clean....and have never had any complaints from the furbutts.

[Christy&Riley]

Love our wire Kong crate. It has "garage doors" on the end and side so it sits on top when open. Great space saver and no latches for them to figure out. :-) just a heads up that it weighs a ton.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I always and only use metal crates. I agree with F, they seem less intrusive and better ventilated, I find them easier to clean and to disinfect if needed,  they can be collapsed much more quickly and easily than the plastic kennels, and take up much less room when storing them, and I believe that most dogs prefer the increased visibility. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And, we recently had a post here by someone whose doodle actually was able to pry or chew the metal bars of a plastic kennel out of the plastic and get out of the crate. That could never happen with the metal crate, those bars are welded together, not inserted into plastic. 

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

We have a wire crate. It's a Midwest 42 inch, came with a divider and we got it on chewy. It was half the price of anybody local and cheaper than anywhere else we could find. A queen size quilt fits perfectly over it. I have plenty of extra quilts (haven't needed to use them) and they literally wrap perfectly like a present, I just secure it with a few oversized safety pins. She has a west paw nature napper inside and she loves it in there.

[jenn D]

Karen,
Do the wire ones not make it feel like a "den" though? Or is that just a wives tale. Also, the boys crates are right next to each other so would they be bothered "seeing" each other right next to them? Does any of this make sense? Lol!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My dogs always used their wire crates as "dens". For them, it seemed to be more about a place where nobody could step on them or disturb them if they napped or chewed a bone. It really didn't seem to have much to do with being dark or cavelike. In fact, most dogs want to be able to see what's going on around them. But some people place a blanket over them if the dog prefers a "den-like" setting. 

[Leslie J]

I like my metal crate as well. I have a piece of wood with a nice finish on top of it and use it as an end table by my sofa in the family room. Maybe you could get 3 crates the same size and put something on top so you could use it as a table in your room.

[jenn D]

That's a great idea although with 3 XL crates, that would be a giant table. :)

[Leslie J]

LOL! I guess you're right!

[Rose Coward]

I like our wire crate we keep that one in the foyer for when we need to go out and leave the dog at home alone, with Molly being part of a two family household in the same building, she isn't alone much, usually just Sunday mornings, while we're all at Church.  We also invested in a water resistant canvas one for when we go camping or for out of town trips where she might not be welcome inside.  I really like them both.