Purchasing the first crate

[ASYLUM 7]

I am going to purchase my first crate for the imminent arrival of my first pup!
Does anybody have a good opinion of any particular style, brand, size, fabric (what's the right word? I sew...)colour even? I don't know! I haven't really even checked pricing yet.
Considering I am in Australia, and I am sure many US brands won't be available here....any tips?
I will be housing a miniature if that helps!
Thanks!
Suzanne
www.asylum7.net

[minicooper]

I am also in Australia, and I have just purchased my first crate for my new puppy, Rover.
The one I bought is American made, "Petmate" brand, collapsible kennel. It is 40cm x 60cm and about 48cm high. My 11 year old mini fit's in it quite comfortably.
I also bought an Australian made pillow to fit. It is "Snooza" brand and the pillow and cover is fully washable, and guaranteed.
You can see their full range at www.snooza.com.au
They even use a dachsie in their advertising!
I made a cover for the pillow, out of fur fabric (blue with red pawprints on it) with a loose piece on the top so Rover can snuggle in it. I got the idea for the cover from the Snooza website...........they call it the "Snuggler"
I forgot to add the price. I paid about $100 Australian for the crate, and about $35 Australian for the pillow.

I hope you have fun with you new little one!

Also, for anyone who is interested, we have decided to leave Rover with his mummy and sister until he is 10 weeks old, so we have 14 days to go!

[dutchman]

I just go into some basics since like you stated brands may differ. Many people and dogs prefer the airline solid side style of kennel over a wire one. Supposidly the more solid sides give more of a den feeling to our little companions. A good pad is nice but especially with a pup you are likely to have a number of accidents. I find towels either old ones or inexpensive new ones make grest kennel pads. My boys like to roug them uo and arrange then rather than have them nice and neatly folded. If you go with a wire kennel make sure you look for one with a lipped plastic or metal bottom that can be easily slid out for cleaning. With the airline type kennel try to find one that can be taken apart with quick turn knobs or latches rather than one that requires assembly with bolts. All airline type kennels can have the two havles secured with bolts (required if an animal is hipped as baggage). If you are planning on trying to kennel train your companion make sure you do not byt too large a kennel. Given too much space they are quite happy to go in one end of the kennel and live in the other. Even my standard Frank Loves to get into the small kennel that I had for my mini girl. He can't lay down stretched out in that kennel but he loves to run into it or sit in it. Some times that is a problem becuase it is now used by my smallest 10.5# boy Dexter. With a pup I might suggest investing in a less expensive small kennek that you won't mind replacing with a larger one if they outgrow the first. Oh yes color I think that only matters if it makes a difference to you.

Tom and teh boys (Frank, Tanner and Dexter)

[doxunzX3]

:) I have this addiction besides food! Yah it is a rough one, I love to buy dog crates. :eek: Ok I have had al shapes and sizes of dogs over the years. But what can I say, when you have 4X's the crates as you do pets. In my favor it is nice to have the summer crates versus the winter crates. Then there is the Great Dane size that all the doxies fit into gether, or down to the small ones that the cavy's fit in. Plus there are crates in the dog room and always in my van. It's that time of year where I need to change those around. It is starting to get chilly here in Wisconsin.
I don't use anything in the crates that they can sleep on. Because my doxies love to rip everything apart. It isn't good if they eat it or wrap blankets around their necks.
The best place to buy for me has been rummage sales. When you can get a crate that at one time was $ 60 bucks for just $15 :bounce: I love a good deal.
In my defense though, I do lend them out when people get new puppies or dogs. Most of the time they buy there own. Only a few times did I not get them back.

[gabbysmom]

I've always heard to crate them in a small crate until they are housetrained. That way if they mess in their crate they're forced to do it on their own bedding which they are less likely to do. If you start out in a larger one than they have a place to pee and a place to sleep, not really teaching them too much :) I was keeping Gabby in a medium crate and my lab in a large one. Then I found an extra-large kennel at a garage sale for $25 and put the lab in that, now Gabby has the large one, she loves it! Good luck!

Val & Gabby