After reading all the input on my last crate thread, here is what I came up with. I tried a few different crates that friends had around. I want to go with a wire crate, 36". This is mainly going to be used at trials and when she must be crated during agility classes as well.

So between these 3 crates, what would you choose, and why?

This is one our club purchased to use in the clubhouse:

http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Life-Stages-Double-Door-Folding/dp/B0002AT3M4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I like the double doors, although I could get it with one door I am guessing 2 would be more convenient, right? This one is 36 by 24 by 27H.

This is one I liked from the other thread and a good price:

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

I like that it has a metal pan instead of plastic (the other one has a plastic pan) so I am guessing metal is better. Also like the top door. However there is not much info on the wires so I dunno if it is as sturdy as the first one, how heavy duty it is etc or which one is better quality. It is one inch shorter than the first one. What do you think, Vinnie? This is the one you have, right?

The third one, I was looking for the folding crate Lies mentioned and put a picture of and found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Pet-Suitcase-Crate-Chrome/dp/B00028HNT6

A bit more expensive but I would pay for a better crate. I couldn't find it in black. Is this the one, Lies? This one is about 2" shorter and 1.5" narrower than the first one.

Any thoughts? I wish I knew if they are all easy to put up and down.

I went back and read your other tread, I had not seen it before (did not look I guess!)

Any of those crates would be okay. I doubt you would ever use the top opening with Saber. You might if you use it for Speedy for some reason.

You will get very tired of hauling the wire crate. I would not automatically assume Saber will destroy a soft side. Havoc has used a soft side since his first class, never chewed one and he would be the one to do it.

I would consider buying a less expensive wire crate and then go to a soft side in another 6 months or so as she matures more. Honest, you will hate hauling the wire crate nless you buy a set of wheels for it too.

I have a noz to noz like Cassidy's Mom's and I like it alot. I also have a canine camper that someone else posted a picture of. Also a nice soft side crate.

Keep it in the back of your mind......

I only buy Precision crates now if I can help it. I used to be only Midwest because they were cheaper but my big lugs kept cracking the trays and they were a nuisance to constantly replace. The Precision crates I have now (I'm not sure if it's a certain "kind" of Precision crate or not...) have a more rubbery tray than a hard plastic tray and they don't crack - I love that.

That's it. They are easy for me to put up and down by myself! Hell that crate is ten times easier than my old soft-sided crate (which had these poles like tent poles that were super tight and always pinching my fingers). I can explain how I pop up that crate if you want. And yes, the crate pans are better (IMO). Only one I've never had to replace and the edges are higher/deeper than my cheaper Midwest crates. I use a 36" suitcase crate and got mine of Amazon for less than $100 but that was 4 years ago.

I know that crate I think Lies, I had one too and hated it! "It's Breeze Too" or something like that? Had to lay on my back and be acontortionist to get the poles in and broke my nails every time which pissed me off. I like my manicure not being messed up.

A soft one might work when she is more mature. Right now she stresses too much. She LOVES her crate at home and in the car (Vari kennels) but at the club when I put her in a crate she flips. She whines a lot, paws at the bars, stares at me unflinchingly if I am in the room. The way she paws the bars I am pretty sure mesh would be history!

Do you have to use a tray in crates or can you just throw a blanket in there if the tray gets broken?

I like the Precision crates as well. That's what I have for Risa. It also folds up nicely to carry around (though it swings out to the side rather than flattening in on itself like the one Lies has). I had a regular wire crate before that was held together with long pins at the corners. Fine if you're just going to set it up and leave it but it's a MAJOR pita if you need to flatten it, carry it, and reassemble it. The Precision crate has been great. I always put a carpet or pad on top of the plastic pan when we trial. Even with crazy dog in there during lure coursing, it hasn't even cracked. I've had it for almost 4 years now.

I would be afraid of paws getting stuck without the tray? I don't use wire crates so I am not picturing them well. I do use old bath or kitchen rugs in my crates they are thicker and offer a little more cushioning.

I used wire crates many times without the tray without a problem. It's fine as long as there she has a mattress/pad in there a) thick enough to cushion the floor wire grid and b) thick enough to cover the area where the tray would be and the spacing is wider (iff she still claws at the wire). And as long as she doesn't rip the pad

The tray is there mostly to contain accidents, and to provide even flooring for a puppy/dog who is a mattress shredder.

I like the pop-up wire crate that Lies posted. It should take up less space when you put it up and when you fold it down, important if there are space constraints at a venue site. I have one pop-up two door soft crate that I use for travel with my own dogs, got it from Sierra Trading, and have never seen it offered again, or I would have posted it.

As others already said, wire crates are a PITA to lug around!

Still haven't ordered... going to OB class here shortly and will be looking at some crates there too. Will probably decide tomorrow.

I just thought to look at the shipping weights on the crates to see if any are heavier. Also total costs with shipping.
#1 Midwest is 33.4 lbs / $57.95
#2 3-door is 28 lbs / $51.22
#3 Precision is 26.8 pounds / $113.49

Can you tell I am a research biologist? lol... have to explore every angle!

I am leaning towards one of the first two just because they are half the price of a Precision. Unless they are total garbage that break and won't contain the dog, I think the price difference is enough to go that way.