soft crate- is this the right size for alfie?

[xerospin]

It's 38" long soft crate from guardian gear. I feel like it may be too big for him.He likes to spread out as much as possible when he sleeps, I measure he needed about 34inches from nose to tail. However the medium size crate is only 31'', can I have some opinions about whether I should return this large size crate in exchange for a medium or not?

Its going to be his sleeping crate during the night, and also travelling crate in case we stay over at a hostel/hotel. But I just feel like at this size it's not going to fit in too many hotel rooms ==

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[HopeShelties]

It'll be fine in a hotel room. A friend and I would bring two soft ex-pens for hotels at dog shows, which was the easiest option for the number of dogs we had, and somehow we managed to make them both fit.

[dmeyer123]

He's adorable!! The crate is bigger than it needs to be, but I don't think there's any problem with having extra space. As long as he's happy and it's not too big for your space or carrying around....it's OK.

[xerospin]

He doesn't mind going in there for sure. But I read if the crate is too big they won't feel secure in it? I need to try fit it in our car Later. I'm sure it'll fit but I'll believe it when I see it :p

I guess I just don't like how tall the crate is. It just looks really big to me and I don't know if it is necessary.

[Justicemom]

That crate would be too be for me. It wouldn't fit in my car well with all the other gear. We used to haul one that size around for a Rottweiler and it was a pain. A crate that size I could keep 3 of my dog in it and they would be happy campers.

However, if you have the room to haul it, you could make it work.

[xerospin]

Such a dilemma choosing the right size! Lol I think our car is big enough, it will have to be put into the trunk first that's all. But I agree even carrying it up one floor can be quite a pain... That's where boyfriends come in right? :p right now I'm inclined to keep it, since medium is out of stock til April-ish. Plus we will have two shelties eventually, I guess this one will fit both of them well during travels. But every dog should have their own sleeping space right? If that's the case I'll have to shop for ANOTHER crate when Ajax comes.... Seriously where does it all end?!! Lol

[Justicemom]

Originally Posted by xerospin

Such a dilemma choosing the right size! Lol I think our car is big enough, it will have to be put into the trunk first that's all. But I agree even carrying it up one floor can be quite a pain... That's where boyfriends come in right? :p right now I'm inclined to keep it, since medium is out of stock til April-ish. Plus we will have two shelties eventually, I guess this one will fit both of them well during travels. But every dog should have their own sleeping space right? If that's the case I'll have to shop for ANOTHER crate when Ajax comes.... Seriously where does it all end?!! Lol

You do not want to know how much crates I have. Off the top of my head I have:

5 soft sized crates(4 are 26" and 1 is I think 21"), 3 vari kennels(1 small, 2 medium), 3 wire crates (2 24" and 1 huge 52"),and 2 pop up crates from Target.

I think that is all though I might have miss one. I haven't purchased any since I have gotten Birch.

[xerospin]

Where do you store all those crates?! :p your shelties must all be in size because I'm skeptical Alfie will fit in a 30" crate,let alone 24"!

Well I just wento to try fitting it in the car... It managed to just NOT fit(the sides can't be placed all the way down) so I have to return this crate. Alfie kept on standing on it when I was unfolding it lol he likes it I can tell.

Since guardian gear is out of stock for medium here, would anyone recommend pet gears soft crates? It's cheaper, but at what cost?

[k9kreationz]

IMHO, it just depends on what you want to do with it and what you feel comfortable with. I'm told the smaller it is, the more secure they feel and safer they are in a car (who knows the truth though).

In another thread we talked about how long the dogs are lying down. Koji is about 33" from head to butt. Maybe a bit more for his nose. So, IMHO, if you want Alfie to stretch out and have room, what you have is perfect.

Here's a link to a photo of Koji in his ginormous crate: http://sheltieforums.com/attachment....4&d=1296771660
And another one:
http://www.sheltieforums.com/attachm...&d=1296160309&

I believe it's 36" and he's a 17.5" dog. As you can see, I put their donut bed in it so it's pretty darn big. But, I use it for agility trials. I figured when it's hot, he can stretch out (and he's super long). And height wise, he doesn't have to bend his head down. which I liked.

30" crates were about the size for "travel". Enough room to turn around in, but not much else. Even the car crate I have is too small. He can't even lie down in a typical "down" position. lol. But I don't put him in it for hours.

Lastly, at home, when I crated him, I used a metal one. I believe it was a 36". I figured he was house trained, so the room shouldn't be a problem. AND I wanted him to be able to stretch out in it since he'd be in it for hours on end.

[BarbV]

OMG that crate is HUGE!

You definitely don't need one that big. And it won't fit nicely in a car, and cumbersome as anything to jockey around, even if its lightweight.

This the brand that I have - and I think I have the size with the Sheltie in it - 30" . And yes, I shove both my big boys into the one crate when we go over on the boat to our island cottage. Granted its only a 10 minute trip, but they both do fit.

http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/cat...enu=2&catid=21