Anyone own a Gunner Kennel? Crash tested kennel recommendations!

[ArdynBane]

Hi everyone! It's been awhile.

I'm looking at investing into a crash-tested dog crate, as I'm on the road a lot with my guy, so I'm constantly worried about his safety in case we ever get into an accident. So far the ones I've looked at are:

- Gunner Kennels
- Ruffland Kennels (Though I'm not sure if they are crash tested?)
-TransK9
-Variocage (Heard they're known for rattling)

I'm in Ontario, Canada so unfortunately at least half of these options are real pricey due to importing, taxes, dues, etc... especially the Transk9 as nice as they look with a back door for emergency exits.

Realistically, I have the most access to either Ruffland and Gunner. Ruffland is half the price, but I question if they are crash tested? I know Gunner is. My only concern about Gunner is the ventilation, especially with the summer heat coming up... Anyone own a Gunner Kennel that can give some insight? Judging by the photos, there doesn't look to be much for ventilation and a 2 layered stainless steel door, so curious on how cooling a dog down with a Ryobi fan and ventilation would do?

I'm also totally open to any other suggestions!

 

[Ravenbird]

I don't have any input, but I think the ventilation question would have a lot to do with your vehicle shape/size and howl long your dog might have to be left in it without the air conditioning running. If it's just for traveling from one place to another, short stops for fuel or a bite to eat, I wouldn't worry about ventilation too much. For sure it would be a concern if you are going to have extended time parked with the dog waiting in the kennel.

 

[ArdynBane]

I don't have any input, but I think the ventilation question would have a lot to do with your vehicle shape/size and howl long your dog might have to be left in it without the air conditioning running. If it's just for traveling from one place to another, short stops for fuel or a bite to eat, I wouldn't worry about ventilation too much. For sure it would be a concern if you are going to have extended time parked with the dog waiting in the kennel.

I forgot to mention that we train Schutzhund so he is in the crate for long periods of time. The dogs must be in crates until it is their turn to work, and then also trials they are in crates. He has his own fan constantly going and a solar blanket to keep the heat down. Right now he's in a regular plastic dog crate which he does fine in, heat doesn't bother him in there, just looking for something more durable for the worst case scenario! The Gunner came highly recommended but looking at it makes me worried about ventilation, especially with heat...

 

[Rits]

Don't have any personal experience with those kennels. I went with a fabricated kennel by TNC. I wanted a sturdy long lasting kennel that looked nice too to protect Ripley in the case of an accident. I liked that I could give them any kind of measurement and they would make it. Double doors, fan attachment on one, whatever vent style, paint etc. Started at $600... Cost more than that once I added extras like the show dolly, water bucket hook, tie straps, double doors, fancy paint etc but it was hard money earned well spent on "myself" and my hobby. It'll be around forever with my mind at ease for travel. Doesn't rattle a bit! I like that I can lock the doors to keep someone from trying to "save" her or worse, steal her.

If I wasn't going to go for TNC I was going to choose Ruffland but I've seen too many personal stories where the plastic doors pop off in accidents and I felt like that defeated the entire purpose of trying to keep my dog contained. A lot of dogs go into flight mode after a crash and I didn't even want to think about the heartache of losing Ripley, possibly in some other state, and the costs and strain to search for her or worse... so I splurged for the door that would stay shut. I would definitely get double doors whatever your choice to pull air through the kennel.

TNC has GREAT customer service! I got it a little roomier than needed since I knew we would be using it on long trips and long days at shows. I wanted it to be just right for a male doberman too so I opted larger than I would get for traveling short trips. The next one I get will go beside it and will be a tad smaller for a female.

TNC Custom Dog Crates - Made in the USA

TNC Custom Dog Crates are designed and fabricated in Minnesota. Our custom dog crates offer the safety and security that owners demand for their pets.

tnccrates.com

 

[Cferg]

I just purchased a Dakota hero kennel. Added some weatherstripping around the door to help with the rattle when inside the cab. Really nice crate.Hero Kennel and Crate - Aggressive Dogs, Police, and Military

 

[Ravenbird]

I forgot to mention that we train Schutzhund so he is in the crate for long periods of time.

I'm hungry for more SchH talk, I'm just getting started, share some stories over on that forum subject!

I don't have a heavy duty wreck proof crate, just the large wire kennel. Training in NM and AZ it's just too freaking hot and all the sports I'm doing so far you're crated in the car, not at a show ring. (Training SchH, training nose work, have done Fast Cat & want to do that whenever it comes up. Some interesting links for other brand crates, I may look into a heavy duty one some day.

 

[Rits]

all the sports I'm doing so far you're crated in the car, not at a show ring

Because of Covid, most shows don't let us crate inside either have crated in the 80s with doors open and fan going no problem... Will let you know how 90s go this summer. Most likely will move the crate outside under a canopy to get more airflow!

 

[ArdynBane]

I'm hungry for more SchH talk, I'm just getting started, share some stories over on that forum subject!

I don't have a heavy duty wreck proof crate, just the large wire kennel. Training in NM and AZ it's just too freaking hot and all the sports I'm doing so far you're crated in the car, not at a show ring. (Training SchH, training nose work, have done Fast Cat & want to do that whenever it comes up. Some interesting links for other brand crates, I may look into a heavy duty one some day.

Haha we are first-timers... Hopefully go for a BH this year, depending on COVID.

I think I may just place a custom order with TNC Crates... A single crate to ship to Canada is only $100-$150 USD, but a double would cost $300 via freight. My only concern now is the custom duties and taxes that I may get pegged with at the border.... USD to CAD is never friendly LOL

 

[fydbac]

Don't have any personal experience with those kennels. I went with a fabricated kennel by TNC. I wanted a sturdy long lasting kennel that looked nice too to protect Ripley in the case of an accident. I liked that I could give them any kind of measurement and they would make it. Double doors, fan attachment on one, whatever vent style, paint etc. Started at $600... Cost more than that once I added extras like the show dolly, water bucket hook, tie straps, double doors, fancy paint etc but it was hard money earned well spent on "myself" and my hobby. It'll be around forever with my mind at ease for travel. Doesn't rattle a bit! I like that I can lock the doors to keep someone from trying to "save" her or worse, steal her.

If I wasn't going to go for TNC I was going to choose Ruffland but I've seen too many personal stories where the plastic doors pop off in accidents and I felt like that defeated the entire purpose of trying to keep my dog contained. A lot of dogs go into flight mode after a crash and I didn't even want to think about the heartache of losing Ripley, possibly in some other state, and the costs and strain to search for her or worse... so I splurged for the door that would stay shut. I would definitely get double doors whatever your choice to pull air through the kennel.

TNC has GREAT customer service! I got it a little roomier than needed since I knew we would be using it on long trips and long days at shows. I wanted it to be just right for a male doberman too so I opted larger than I would get for traveling short trips. The next one I get will go beside it and will be a tad smaller for a female.

TNC Custom Dog Crates - Made in the USA

TNC Custom Dog Crates are designed and fabricated in Minnesota. Our custom dog crates offer the safety and security that owners demand for their pets.

tnccrates.com

Thank you for sharing! Haven't heard of TNC till now (have gunner, ruffland, and dakota 283 in my consideration list tho), I do really love the customization. And also love your care set up! You made that raised level yourself? Very cool either way.

Now that you've had it a while (what size, 45? height?), how is it? I was considering it for the indoor crate. But having looked up if it's crash tested, I'm thinking of having it for my future suv.

Thank you very much for your time! I hope my pup will be born next spring! Been waiting years, and am finally ready!

 

[Gelcoater]

Don't have any personal experience with those kennels. I went with a fabricated kennel by TNC. I wanted a sturdy long lasting kennel that looked nice too to protect Ripley in the case of an accident. I liked that I could give them any kind of measurement and they would make it. Double doors, fan attachment on one, whatever vent style, paint etc. Started at $600... Cost more than that once I added extras like the show dolly, water bucket hook, tie straps, double doors, fancy paint etc but it was hard money earned well spent on "myself" and my hobby. It'll be around forever with my mind at ease for travel. Doesn't rattle a bit! I like that I can lock the doors to keep someone from trying to "save" her or worse, steal her.

If I wasn't going to go for TNC I was going to choose Ruffland but I've seen too many personal stories where the plastic doors pop off in accidents and I felt like that defeated the entire purpose of trying to keep my dog contained. A lot of dogs go into flight mode after a crash and I didn't even want to think about the heartache of losing Ripley, possibly in some other state, and the costs and strain to search for her or worse... so I splurged for the door that would stay shut. I would definitely get double doors whatever your choice to pull air through the kennel.

TNC has GREAT customer service! I got it a little roomier than needed since I knew we would be using it on long trips and long days at shows. I wanted it to be just right for a male doberman too so I opted larger than I would get for traveling short trips. The next one I get will go beside it and will be a tad smaller for a female.

TNC Custom Dog Crates - Made in the USA

TNC Custom Dog Crates are designed and fabricated in Minnesota. Our custom dog crates offer the safety and security that owners demand for their pets.

tnccrates.com

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That looks really nice!
Door looks to be powdercoated aluminum?
What does this unit weigh and can it be broken down?
Looks very sturdy.

 

[Rits]

Door looks to be powdercoated aluminum?
What does this unit weigh and can it be broken down?

The entire crate is all powder coated aluminum to make it more light. This one weighs about 30-40lbs. It cannot be broken down like a wire crate, I did not want that for crash reasons and I hear the crates that fold rattle a lot when traveling. This one is quiet as a mouse which I love! It can be unscrewed. It comes shipped in panels and you put it together.

Training in NM and AZ it's just too freaking hot and all the sports I'm doing so far you're crated in the car, not at a show ring

I told you I would report back! Here I am On the HOTTEST days, with an aluminet over the entire vehicle, sunshades in the windshield and we have a sunshade along the rear window on Ripley's side, plus the ryobi fan moving air through the crate and windows down, never had any issues crating in the car this hot humid summer! I always took her for a walk around until she cooled down, offer some water, stand her feet on a cool wet towel etc. before putting her in the crate. Check on her in like 10-15 min and she would be sleeping, not even panting. The aluminet is really key, made the vehicle so much more bearable but all the other components helps a lot too to keep them cool.

You made that raised level yourself?

My husband did, thank you! We can take the middle seats out too and the platform folds down over the newly gained space, making the entire area flat. We did that just in case we needed more room or wanted to toss an air mattress in the back for on the go in/out camping

The crate is 42L x 30H x 24W. A bit roomier than a female dobe needs but I wanted to have two crates eventually and have them fit side by side in our suburban with no wiggle room between them and the wall of the vehicle. It could easily be shorter height wise so we will probably get a smaller one whenever we get a second puppy and use the current one for a male. It could also potentially be shorter length wise but we knew we'd have long trips in the car and sometimes all day crating so I wanted her to be able to stretch out a little. Ideally, for short distance traveling you would have it just large enough their body would be touching on all 3 sides. That is supposedly the safest when it comes to a crash because there is less room for them to move around inside the kennel during a crash. To combat this, I've attempted to take up some empty space via primo pad, a 4" memory foam pad and a big blanket. I figure in the end its much safer than being loose in the vehicle or in a wire crate. I've seen many pics of those on FB crumpled up like foil. But, you have to figure out what works best for you! My dogs have been loose for years but made to lay down, then I went to crating in a wire crate and now with Ripley I made the investment. Unfortunately, it does not fit in our other vehicle, which is easy on gas so the next one might also need to be sized to fit in BOTH or we're getting a new vehicle

We love the crate besides the mentioned lessons learned with the above. There are doors on both sides so we can easily get her out from the doors up front if needed (I was mostly worried about the event of being rear ended and not being able to get to her). We both rest easy knowing we can lock her in there and no one could steal her. Sometimes we have to walk away from the vehicle at shows so the door is always locked and we can leave the windows open with no worries.

 

[Ravenbird]

The aluminet is really key

That stuff is worth every penny! I'm stretching funds right now, so no top shelf car crate in the near future.

so we will probably get a smaller one whenever we get a second puppy and use the current one for a male

WHAAAT?! Any time soon?

I hope my pup will be born next spring! Been waiting years, and am finally ready!

Welcome to the group. Is this going to be your first Dobe? Do you have show or sports (or both) in the plans? Go to the intro thread and tell us more! I introduced myself here while on my quest for a puppy.

 

[Rits]

I'm stretching funds right now, so no top shelf car crate in the near future.

I hear you there...it's a fine balance with everything and with moving into our new house soon we are having to drop certain hobbies in order to keep doing what we love. The rufflands was my back up option if I didn't opt for the TNC, a fair bit cheaper and a great option.

 

[Kaiser2016]

The crate is 42L x 30H x 24W. A bit roomier than a female dobe needs but I wanted to have two crates eventually and have them fit side by side in our suburban with no wiggle room between them and the wall of the vehicle. It could easily be shorter height wise so we will probably get a smaller one whenever we get a second puppy and use the current one for a male.

It's like a Great Dane crate, super roomy which is similar to what we have for Kaiser, only his is wire and we don't use it in the car. Also, isn't a Suburban just a perfect vehicle for Dobermans? I love them for all that space, but they are such gas guzzlers. I had one as a rental years ago and everytime we got into it I'd reach out my arm to my hb in the passenger seat and I could barely reach him lol. If money were no object, Kaiser would have a black Suburban with heavily tinted windows as his 'own car' - it would be like a giant stealth mobile - that, or a black Cadillac Escalade with blinged out rims and grill haha, no stealth on that look!

Second puppy?

 

[Rits]

It's like a Great Dane crate,

Looking at measurements for one, not quite THAT big! Lol but it probably feels like it to her. I made my measurements off of our house crate and of course a lot of it came into play with the car too. 2nd puppy one day! Not today

 

[Ravenbird]

If money were no object, Kaiser would have a black Suburban with heavily tinted windows as his 'own car' - it would be like a giant stealth mobile - that, or a black Cadillac Escalade with blinged out rims and grill haha, no stealth on that look!

Now, if you want plenty of room in the back and you want to turn heads, arrive at your event in this:

 

[luckybeemer]

Don't have any personal experience with those kennels. I went with a fabricated kennel by TNC. I wanted a sturdy long lasting kennel that looked nice too to protect Ripley in the case of an accident. I liked that I could give them any kind of measurement and they would make it. Double doors, fan attachment on one, whatever vent style, paint etc. Started at $600... Cost more than that once I added extras like the show dolly, water bucket hook, tie straps, double doors, fancy paint etc but it was hard money earned well spent on "myself" and my hobby. It'll be around forever with my mind at ease for travel. Doesn't rattle a bit! I like that I can lock the doors to keep someone from trying to "save" her or worse, steal her.

If I wasn't going to go for TNC I was going to choose Ruffland but I've seen too many personal stories where the plastic doors pop off in accidents and I felt like that defeated the entire purpose of trying to keep my dog contained. A lot of dogs go into flight mode after a crash and I didn't even want to think about the heartache of losing Ripley, possibly in some other state, and the costs and strain to search for her or worse... so I splurged for the door that would stay shut. I would definitely get double doors whatever your choice to pull air through the kennel.

TNC has GREAT customer service! I got it a little roomier than needed since I knew we would be using it on long trips and long days at shows. I wanted it to be just right for a male doberman too so I opted larger than I would get for traveling short trips. The next one I get will go beside it and will be a tad smaller for a female.

TNC Custom Dog Crates - Made in the USA

TNC Custom Dog Crates are designed and fabricated in Minnesota. Our custom dog crates offer the safety and security that owners demand for their pets.

tnccrates.com

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That's an awesome setup