Crate recommendations for the car?

[remy]

I need to buy a crate for the car, so I’m curious to see what your recommendations are! I hear a lot about the Ruffland kennels, but I am open to all suggestions. I do not want a fabric crate since I have a feeling it will get chewed up lol.

As far as sizing goes, would it be the same size that I use in the house? I believe the size I have is 42x28x30.

 

[JanS]

I think @Rits @Doberman Gang and a few others can give you some good suggestions on them.

 

[Rits]

I have a Ruffland XL for Ripley. Hoping to pick up another XL sometime this summer. I also have a TNC but am considering selling it since the Rufflands are easier to move around as we do drive two different vehicles depending on what we need for the trip. One saves more on fuel and the other is roomy for longer trips. The Ruffland is half the price of the TNC. If you drive with your dog a lot I wouldn't consider any less than a Ruffland! So many instances and pics of them saving dogs lives in crashes. Wire crates work to contain your dog but in a crash they crumple like a tuna can and sometimes can impale the dogs if a wire bends the right way. I wouldn't go with a soft crate either as that won't do anything to protect.

Size wise I wouldn't get smaller than an XL unless you have a small female. I was fine with an XL for Ripley since we crate out of the car a lot too so I don't want her to be cramped up or uncomfortable before being pulled out to perform. They say car crate size the dog should be touching 3 sides, so often times smaller than house crate. That way they don't slam from side to side in case of an accident. But if your dogs are in the crate for a long time I'd opt for a little bigger.

Ripley in an XL Ruffland. Interior dimensions are 39" (L) x 21 5/8 (W) (in middle) x 28 (H). I believe she's 25.5" at the withers and is equally as long. 65lbs. She does not touch 3 sides unless she rolls on her hip so she probably could fit in a L but I wanted her to be comfortable for all day crating. I'll probably add a primo pad. If I were to go back and repurchase, I'd opt for a double door for better airflow. I think we will drill more ventilation in the back. Ruffland has instructions on how to on their site so it doesn't affect the integrity.a


Kind of hard to see but Revel a month ago when the crate first arrived. So 7 months old. He touches 3 sides.


Ripley's TNC. I absolutely love it. Very high quality. I would never fear for her in an accident, I love that it locks, great ventilation. But it is slightly heavier than the Ruffland so better as a permanent kennel in the vehicle. The measurements are 42" (L) x 24 (W) x 30 (H). You can customize TNCs to be any size you want and tailored just for your vehicle so the price reflects that plus the quality of the materials and custom paint.





Revel in the TNC now. Don't mind the paint peeling... fostered a dog that had separation anxiety and liked to use her teeth on the crate. I was kicking myself for letting her destroy the crate but she came to me that way and was able to break out of wire crates so it was the safest option. I probably could go more narrow but I wouldn't go much shorter on height or length.

 

[remy]

I have a Ruffland XL for Ripley. Hoping to pick up another XL sometime this summer. I also have a TNC but am considering selling it since the Rufflands are easier to move around as we do drive two different vehicles depending on what we need for the trip. One saves more on fuel and the other is roomy for longer trips. The Ruffland is half the price of the TNC. If you drive with your dog a lot I wouldn't consider any less than a Ruffland! So many instances and pics of them saving dogs lives in crashes. Wire crates work to contain your dog but in a crash they crumple like a tuna can and sometimes can impale the dogs if a wire bends the right way. I wouldn't go with a soft crate either as that won't do anything to protect.

Size wise I wouldn't get smaller than an XL unless you have a small female. I was fine with an XL for Ripley since we crate out of the car a lot too so I don't want her to be cramped up or uncomfortable before being pulled out to perform. They say car crate size the dog should be touching 3 sides, so often times smaller than house crate. That way they don't slam from side to side in case of an accident. But if your dogs are in the crate for a long time I'd opt for a little bigger.

Ripley in an XL Ruffland. Interior dimensions are 39" (L) x 21 5/8 (W) (in middle) x 28 (H). I believe she's 25.5" at the withers and is equally as long. 65lbs. She does not touch 3 sides unless she rolls on her hip so she probably could fit in a L but I wanted her to be comfortable for all day crating. I'll probably add a primo pad. If I were to go back and repurchase, I'd opt for a double door for better airflow. I think we will drill more ventilation in the back. Ruffland has instructions on how to on their site so it doesn't affect the integrity.a
View attachment 134842

Kind of hard to see but Revel a month ago when the crate first arrived. So 7 months old. He touches 3 sides.
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Ripley's TNC. I absolutely love it. Very high quality. I would never fear for her in an accident, I love that it locks, great ventilation. But it is slightly heavier than the Ruffland so better as a permanent kennel in the vehicle. The measurements are 42" (L) x 24 (W) x 30 (H). You can customize TNCs to be any size you want and tailored just for your vehicle so the price reflects that plus the quality of the materials and custom paint.
View attachment 134845

View attachment 134846
View attachment 134847

Revel in the TNC now. Don't mind the paint peeling... fostered a dog that had separation anxiety and liked to use her teeth on the crate. I was kicking myself for letting her destroy the crate but she came to me that way and was able to break out of wire crates so it was the safest option. I probably could go more narrow but I wouldn't go much shorter on height or length.
View attachment 134848View attachment 134849

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Thank you SO much for the detailed response and the pictures! The Ruffland seems like a better choice for me since I would have to move it in and out of the car. Do you think Revel would outgrow the XL? I would mostly be using the crate for short distances (30 mins or less), but once he is bigger I would be taking him camping, so it would be about 4-5 hours in the car. I wondering if it would get too cramped for longer periods of time?

 

[Cferg]

I have a ruffland large it fits in the backseat of my pickup. My female is the same size as Rits female and she can jump in there, turn around and lay down. She has no problem staying in there for extended periods. I have a Dakota hero kennel as well, I just hate lugging it in and out. I feel the ruffland should be priced around $300 but there aren’t many options in that medium price point. Although the Dakota is twice the price, it is 3x the crate. If the ruffland came with the metal door standard I would feel better about the price.

 

[Rits]

Do you think Revel would outgrow the XL?

You're very welcome! No I don't think he will. He will put more weight on and maybe a little more height (.5 - 1") but I think for the most part he is where he'll be besides filling out. I just roughly measured him and he's 28" but that could be off by an inch without an actual wicket and a maybe more than one person to measure

 

[remy]

You're very welcome! No I don't think he will. He will put more weight on and maybe a little more height (.5 - 1") but I think for the most part he is where he'll be besides filling out. I just roughly measured him and he's 28" but that could be off by an inch without an actual wicket and a maybe more than one person to measure

Thanks again! That will most likely be the crate I go with!

I relate to the measuring, I tried that myself the other day and it was not successful

 

[remy]

I have a ruffland large it fits in the backseat of my pickup. My female is the same size as Rits female and she can jump in there, turn around and lay down. She has no problem staying in there for extended periods. I have a Dakota hero kennel as well, I just hate lugging it in and out. I feel the ruffland should be priced around $300 but there aren’t many options in that medium price point. Although the Dakota is twice the price, it is 3x the crate. If the ruffland came with the metal door standard I would feel better about the price.

Thanks for the response! I think I’ll go with the Ruffland. I agree it’s probably a bit overpriced, but like you said there isn’t many options!

 

[Doberman Gang]

Most is the people training in my club either use Ruffland, variocage or impact crates. Ruffland definitely the most affordable of these safety and crash tested crates. I would think a large but that’s just me. My dog rides in a 36” long 22” wide 26” tall crate if he is in my truck. My dog trailer has a little more room with 4 stalls 42”L x 22” W x 28” T. Depending on you vehicle size and room. I like a little smaller truck n the vehicle due to room needed. They only need room to lay down in them.

 

[KerrantOr]

Look for crates that are crash-tested and secure, ensuring your pet's well-being during travel. Brands like Variocage and Gunner Kennels offer excellent options. Make sure the crate fits your car's dimensions and provides comfort for your furry friend.

 

[MichiH]

Thanks for the response! I think I’ll go with the Ruffland. I agree it’s probably a bit overpriced, but like you said there isn’t many options!

What size did you get? Idk what size to get Pepper. She’s not very big for her age now.

 

[Rits]

What size did you get? Idk what size to get Pepper. She’s not very big for her age now.

Get an XL for dobes. I have two and plan on a 3rd. Ripley is 26" square and probably could fit in a large but I knew she would be in there a lot for shows and sport trials so I wanted a little more room for comfort but not too much so that she's not jostled around in an accident. Plus, I don't then have to worry about my boys not fitting.

I would also recommend opting for the double door for better airflow. I got a single door on my first one and wish I just spent a little more and got the double door. My dad has a double door and its what I would go with. Fortunately , Rufflands hold their value by pretty much the original cost minus shipping so they are very easy to sell or trade with others!

 

[MichiH]

Get an XL for dobes. I have two and plan on a 3rd. Ripley is 26" square and probably could fit in a large but I knew she would be in there a lot for shows and sport trials so I wanted a little more room for comfort but not too much so that she's not jostled around in an accident. Plus, I don't then have to worry about my boys not fitting.

I would also recommend opting for the double door for better airflow. I got a single door on my first one and wish I just spent a little more and got the double door. My dad has a double door and its what I would go with. Fortunately , Rufflands hold their value by pretty much the original cost minus shipping so they are very easy to sell or trade with others!

Great thank you for this I need to get her something asap. I figured a nice crate for the car and when we travel I can remove it and place it in the home we stay at too.
Stinks I have to order it and can’t get it at Cabellas.
I found a place online with ten percent off
- double door, gen 2, XL. I’d prefer purple lol , but sold out, oh well, grey it is.

 

[Rits]

Great thank you for this I need to get her something asap. I figured a nice crate for the car and when we travel I can remove it and place it in the home we stay at too.
Stinks I have to order it and can’t get it at Cabellas.
I found a place online with ten percent off
- double door, gen 2, XL. I’d prefer purple lol , but sold out, oh well, grey it is.

Purple may come out in April. That's when I got mine! They do limited releases for the special colors. Also there are FB groups where people sell or trade theirs. I just picked up a lime at our last show that way! Another color that came out last spring but I didn't have the dog or money for at the time

 

[MichiH]

Purple may come out in April. That's when I got mine! They do limited releases for the special colors. Also there are FB groups where people sell or trade theirs. I just picked up a lime at our last show that way! Another color that came out last spring but I didn't have the dog or money for at the time

Ooh on FB I’m going to look! Thank you!!! Yes, I saw you have purple and Pepper is purple collar pup so I stuck with it I like lime too!

 

[remy]

What size did you get? Idk what size to get Pepper. She’s not very big for her age now.

I planned on getting the XL but unfortunately it was just slightly too big for my car. I’m hoping to get a bigger car soon then I’ll finally be able to get it.

 

[Rits]

Ooh on FB I’m going to look! Thank you!!! Yes, I saw you have purple and Pepper is purple collar pup so I stuck with it I like lime too!

Dog Crate Marketplace is the fb group. Purple just looks SO good on a black female doberman! That is Rip's color too. But yes I'd wait until April at least to see what the special color drops may be unless you find one on the fb group!

 

[MichiH]

I planned on getting the XL but unfortunately it was just slightly too big for my car. I’m hoping to get a bigger car soon then I’ll finally be able to get it.

I made the decision, I’m going to cabellas tomorrow, I just can’t order one not knowing.
Pepper is a mess in the car so I need to get a car one immediately.

Dog Crate Marketplace is the fb group. Purple just looks SO good on a black female doberman! That is Rip's color too. But yes I'd wait until April at least to see what the special color drops may be unless you find one on the fb group!

Agree I do love purple on a black Dobergirl! Yes, I’ve noticed that’s Ripleys color as well
I’ve been on a FB search now lol neurotic yes I am
Thanks again for all the advice!!!

 

[JanS]

Dog Crate Marketplace is the fb group.

I went to try to join that group and one of the questions was "what is the groups collective favorite coffee?" How would you possibly know the answer to that when you can't see the page when you're not a member?

 

[Rits]

I went to try to join that group and one of the questions was "what is the groups collective favorite coffee?" How would you possibly know the answer to that when you can't see the page when you're not a member?

Its just a question to filter out bots and people that can't read. Answer whatever coffee brand you want!