I want to get Fagan one of those fabric type crates for when we go camping (his metal one wont fit in the car along with all the clothes I HAVE to take ;) )  He is only 12 weeks old at the moment, what size do people think I should get him so it still does him as an adult ?  The ones im looking at are 48x28x36 which I thought might be a bit too big or there is one which is 42x27x30 which I thought might be just right but im not sure its only for when we go camping and maybe if I ever had the luxury of staying in a hotel or something with him

Also does anyone have experience of these fabric crates ?  I looked at the dog bag but thought it looked a bit enclosed, the one I like the look of is on www.doghealth.co.uk it seems to have more mesh on it.

Claire :)

Edit to say :  http://www.firstrax.net/noztonoz/nseries.html - these ones look better, what do others think ?

The 42 inch one should be plenty big enough as that is what freinds in dobes use, and I use one that size and comfortably get 3 Elkhounds inside it.

I tried one of these with Louis - my male Groenendael- it lasted exactly 3 days - I was at a show he was in the crate-.I was in the ring with our bitch - Louis decided he wanted his mum and just ATE through the mesh in the front of the crate. Luckily my hubby was nearby and managed to grab him before he'd got completely out but I would NEVER leave a dog in a fabric crate without constant supervision. I complained to the manufacturers but got no refund of replacement. I know that the metal crates are heavier and more awkward to carry but at least I know my dog will be secure in one.

Yvonne

I would also add that fabric crates are no good for any dog that is likely to want to escape from it.  My lot are very mellow, and once parkied somwhere be it tied up or crated will happily stay there.  the only time I have left them out of sight is asleep in a hotel room, but again they had been crated in a hotel before in metal crates.

So it is important to get your pups happy in a crate before using one of these light ones.  when you first start using it watch him all the time to see how he reacts.

I find them an absolute boon for showws, like Exemption or Open where there is no benching.  I don't drive and find them easy to fit behind the seat or under the dogs in a freinds cart, where the metal crate would be just too much.

Of course there is also the issue that fabric willwear out more quickly, and I already have the corners a little frayed from their trip in the bowels of a coach :D

Does anyone know where I can get a sort of rubger coating stuff to repair these scrapes to the canvas so they don't get worse, maybe something used to repair tent canvas???

Hi Brainless,  you could try one of the camping or caravanning type shops.  I went to the local Caravan sales place, where they have a big showroom for all sorts of accessories, and got a repair kit to use on my umbrella thingy (you know, one of the big green fishing ones, with side, invaluabloe for summer outdoor shows with no marquee incase of rain!   It came with several canvas patches, and a sort of rubbery glue compound to stick them on with.  worked a treat.
bye
Gwen
ps I love my fabric crates, but only use them at open shows where I am on hand all the time, I wouldnt feel safe leaving a dog in them and going out of sight.

Hi

I had a fabric type crate you described for my 8 month beagle, now his proper teeth are through I started having problems.

  I had this fabric crate n in my car as a 2nd crate  ( dog normally goes in a proper metal one from Rosewood).  I am a petsitter/dogwalker by trade and I had a bigger dog in the metal crate no probs.  So I popped my boy in the fabric one.

Dropped off the other dog and was on my way home in the car just turned into my street (my boy still in the fabric crate) when    I look in the mirror and I see a self satisfied beagle grinning at me.  He chewed a huge hole in about a minute flat and escaped.and was bouncing around the car.

Imagine if I had been at a show and he had done that and escaped, does not bear thinking about.

So use one by all means but be aware that they can be destoyed/chewed through with ease and I echo others sentiments about not leaving a dog unattended in one at a show  unless you know they will lie perfectly still and not attempt to escape.

thanks for your replies, I did only want the crate for camping when we will be on hand if he tries to escape and it shouldnt be a problem as he loves sleeping in his crate at home.  I think I will give one a go - but wont replace it if he eats it ;)

Have a look at the ones on http://www.marlinpetproducts.com  I have one of those with the rounded top and feel it is a bit stronger then the square ones, there are no poles to fiddle with either.

I wouldn't be without it, put none of them would cope with a dog trying to chew his way out.

Sandra

We have a dog bag and used it in the car initially but it did significantly restrict one's rear view. You can see through the black mesh but not clearly. It's now become an extra bed in the kitchen, and Luke loves it but it's always open so he can come and go as he pleases.
Cathy.