Hello all the handlers out there--does anyone have advice on buying a soft crate? I am hoping to show two Welshies and while I can sit with one all day, I haven't got anyone to hold onto the other dog while we're in puppy class, or the puppy when the older dog is in his class. I thought a soft crate would be a good idea since the home crate is huge and cumbersome. Or is there another option (that doesn't involve buying a slave)
:-)?

We bought one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Folding-Pet-Transporter-Cat-or-Dog-Top-Quality-3-Sizes_W0QQitemZ310204204267QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs?var=&hash=item8e06f2f435

when Mason was a tiny pup and thought it was great. It folds flat and the fabric is washable. Ours is still brand new as he out grew it so quickly.

ETA: not sure if they do the size you are after though?

I have two, the Light and Easy, it is the lightest and airiest, and the largest of mine (42 inches long) and I can easily get 3 inside it.  It is mainly mesh and is erected using two poles

I also have one that is heavier/stronger, and can even be stacked, and this is 36 inches long and will take two, but is heavier than the other. It has a folding frame, hence the weight and has more canvas, and a top opening too.

I have this Lazy Bones one.  Size 4

We use it when travelling to stop our boy from bed surfing in hotel rooms.  I haven't ever needed to crate at a show but would be happy to use this one if necessary as I can put it up very easily - always a bonus - it's a pop and zip type.

One of the advantages as a sleeping crate is that you have roll down window flaps - great for use as doggy blackout blinds, but also ideal if you need to stash your valuables in it too.

Do shop around though - I'm sure I only paid £34 ish for mine at Bath show.

I did have a look at Crufts on Sunday and found that the cheapest I could see was well over £50, and at the other end of the spectrum a whopping £108 for the Maelson soft crate, which looked great but I'm afraid we would all be saving our pocket money for years for that one! Most of what I've seen online is £45-55 plus pp, but I am always a litle leery of buying something like this online and then find it's not quite right :-(

I like my Light ' Easys too.  They do what it says on the tin! :)

We bought one from croft at crufts last year, we got it for the show, our male GSD chewed his way out of it after only 20 minutes. £60 down the drain lol x, if your dog is a chewer i wouldnt buy one.

I've got a couple of Croft soft crates: http://www.croftonline.co.uk/mcp/Soft_fabric_dog_crates.html
I've got a Twist Tent - very light and folds very flat, however, if you've got a dog that likes to throw themselves against the side of the cage, the cage will roll! My girls are fine, but one of the lads gets bit spooked by his world suddently turning upside down! It's got a lightweight metal frame, allowing you to twist and fold it closed.
Also got the Tube Framed soft crate - tube all around so much more rigid. Doesn't pack down as flat as the Twist Tent, but is much more substantial whilst still being easily transportable.
I am pondering getting the Fabrikennel, something between the 2.
As someone else has said, if you've got a chewer don't bother ... the Argos metal crate is quite light (compared to other metal crates) if that's the case, nor any good if you've got a heavy floor digger!!

thanks annastasia, this crossed my mind. The puppy prefers expensive shoes and mobile phones so far, so for the short time he has to sit in the crate he should be ok. The other dog is a total gentleman and also loves a lie down, so he will be in his element ;)

bed surfing in hotel rooms
I love that phrase ... am going to work out how I can incorporate it next time I have to explain dog fluff on beds! :-D

This one on eBay is the same as mine - £31.99 (£37.98 inc delivery)

Interestingly if you go direct to the sellers home site the same crate is £29.99 (£34.98 inc delivery).  Not bad compared to the others you've seen so far.  I think this one is better than the Croft one I once borrowed but again it depends if your pup is ok to be left in there.

Hope this helps :)