I am so sick of buying crates, hopefully this can be the last one!

I have several vari kennel type big heavy plastic crates. One in the car for travel. One she sleeps in at night. They are way too heavy and bulky for me to carry around for anything.

We started our second agility class and our advanced competition OB classes this week. For agility I have to have a crate for her to be in while we set up equipment. A lot of agility people have cloth/fabric crates that zip and have mesh 'windows.' I like that idea a lot but I have a feeling that would last about 2 seconds after I walked out of Saber's sight, as she a) shredded the mesh with her claws or teeth, or b) started running across the field in it like a hamster wheel.

The other option apparently is the wire crate. I guess I have to get that. I am told I need a crate for when we start competing in OB anyway so it is time.

Someone said maybe a 42" would be good. Saber is about 70 pounds and not a huge dog, and her varikennel is extra large 40" and seems ok for her although SHE might like it a bit bigger.

So for you folks who use crates for dog sports etc, can you please tell me what you use? What you recommend? Do you think I am right about the fabric type and am better off with wire? I want something I can carry and move myself, not terribly heavy I guess, not horrible to assemble (the easier the better) yet sturdy enough she won't break out at a show. Is there a brand or type you recommend or think is NOT good? Any features I should look for or avoid? If you have links to particular crates you think are good, or can give me an idea on size, or anything else, I'd appreciate it. I can look on Craigslist too, but would possible disease be an issue? I can buy new if that's best.

ANY help is appreciated!

For training days I use this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QX9NB2/ref=oh_o00_s00_i01_details

This size (36Lx24Wx26H) is plenty big for training days and fits in the back of our van but they do make larger. It folds up and comes with a handle which makes it easier for carrying. We have a shade that goes over it for summer and a fan to attach to the front.

I don't do competition, but we have 42" wire crates for our dogs at home. I think that's a comfortable size but transport can be a pain - we take them along with us when we take the dogs on vacation. I think a 36" like Vinnie linked to is a perfect size for your needs and that one is a fnatastic price for the size.

Oh good, thank you guys. I have not seen the crate sizes in person so wasn't sure. That is a great price!

I used the wire 42" crates for Ivy and Mason, when I crated them. (Both are no longer crated). When I did the dock diving competition over the summer I used a 36" wire crate and it worked just fine.
After that though, I did go out and buy a soft sided crate to use at future (agility) trials, instead of the wire, it works well for me, but Mason isnt a dog that is going to try to get out of it.

I think a 36" wire will work just fine for you and Saber!

I found that the 42" wire crate is perfect for Nadia at home. It is stationary and has a cover on it to make it 'den like'. Zisso is in a 36" wire at home with the same cover. I was very fortunate and "met" someone online, a lady in Virginia I believe, that offered to make them for us to try out in return for feedback and she did not charge us for the covers, which are waterproof.

For traveling to Dock Diving, training and vacation trips, I use the vari kennel plastic crates. For me, these are much lighter and easier to move in and out of the truck. The only thing I do not like about them is they are warmer-less air flow overall for the dogs and my coaties get too warm in them. I have a white canopy on the bed of the truck to protect them from the elements of weather, be it rain or hot sunshine, but they still get pretty hot in there, even with fans on them.

Get the smallest size crate that she can fit in. The reason is that crating space is usually extremely limited at trials, both agility and obedience. Chances are that if you walk in with a 42" crate, you will either not find room for it or make some people mad when you take up so much room. And wire crates get very heavy when you have a 10 minute walk from the parking lot.

I've always used soft crates at trials and I love my NoztoNoz. I have a 36" one that fits everyone from Kayto, my Husky, who is 57 lbs. and 22" tall up to Rio, my GSD, who is 88 lbs and 27" tall. They've changed the model a bit since I bought mine, this is it now:

http://www.cherrybrook.com/index.cfm/a/c...oz_N2_SofKrates

Great advice, thank you!

I have three GSDs and a million crates lol.

Sounds like you are right about the soft-sided crate, but I have always been lucky with my dogs being very respectful of the soft crates I have.

If you decide to try on out, these are very affordable:
http://www.petedge.com/product/Home-Kenn...c/891/46652.uts

I have three of the large ones & one extra large. Only problem I had is the zipper came detached from one of my very oldest ones...I just used a combination of fabric glue and sewing to fix it up.

I love the portability of soft crates...just used my extra large for a few weeks during Vigo's neuter recovery, so he could sleep in our room and be supervised.

I never lug a wire crate to an event. I love soft crates for events, travel, and even home. I currently have a seven months old foster in training, with some sep anx, and we are working on not pawing the crate when I am out of sight. Depending on when she looses it and how far away you are, it might work best with a second handler. The moment pup is quiet even for a split second, she gets rewarded, either by being let out, or with food. Start with a tired pup to set her up for success.

I agree, 36x24 works well for 70 lbs dog. Number of doors can matter, not at an event itself but for car travel to the event. I prefer two (or even better, three) doors, gives me options where to let the dog out of the car.

The best buy (63 $) for a soft crate that I found is this one from PetEdge, size Large (orange yellow) measures 38x26x29. It's higher than needed but still fits in my Subaru station wagon. One door. (I buy them for even less in the bargain section at the PetEdge outlet store)
http://www.petedge.com/product/Home-Kenn...c/891/46652.uts

I also had a soft one with two doors that was not tall from PetCo and loved it: http://www.petco.com/product/10028/Petco-Home-and-Travel-Portable-Canvas-Crate.aspx It came with a surprisingly good crate pad. And I had a NoztoNoz (2 doors) that I had bought in the bargain section at a SmartPak store http://www.amazon.com/Firstrax-NOZTONOZ-Sof-Krate-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B000P9TNLI
All very good.

I had this one (one door) in my office as it blends in well: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00061M...J4D17NDP606VTJQ

I found with the soft crates and the airline crates I had to air them out a bit as at first they had some plastic smell.