how big should the crate be?
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| If you can tell us how big he'll be, we can tell you what size to get! lol
Seriously though, a large (500, I believe) varikennel is good for up to a 90-95 pounder. Just big enough for them to lie down and turn around. You'll have to put a divider in now so that the space is smaller, and move the divider back as he grows. I think some here have used cardboard boxes successfully. I think successfully, anyway... I'm sure that others will chime in on what they did. Be sure to let us know what you decide, and how it works out! ...and Welcome to the forum! |
Welcome to the forum  The varikennel 500, or if you go with a wire kennel, the 24x30x36 is usually good. A cheap divider is a cardboard box put in the back. You want the kennel to be small enough that a puppy won;t pee in one end and sleep in the other, and you can remove the divider as the pup grows. With most kennels you can buy a divider for the crate and move it back as you want to. |
hehehe... I tested Lennon's kennel in a fun way. I weight around 120 pounds, so when we bought one, I decided it would be a good idea to see if I fit in there, that would be a good indicator of the size.... You can imagine the rest. 
When he was smaller, we had a cheap plastic carrier where he slept, he quickly outgrew it and was moved to the kennel. The suggestion of a the 24x30x36 kennel is a good size. Welcome to the Forum!!! |
Saul, that's so funny!! Danita should have taken a picture of you in there and made up a special design just for you (and everyone else who buys from your site!) 
Chris |
| All,
While the Vari-Kennel 500 is generally quoted as an adequate size for most OES I will express another opinion. While I agree that the Vari-kennel 500, and similarly sized "knock-off budget" models are good travel crates I don't think that they are large enough for sleeping comfort, especially if your OES is a larger male! Travel and sleep crates have vastly differing criteria and I really don't think that one size meets both very well. While travelling you don't want the crate to be so large and roomy that the dog can sleep at one end or the other and hence have enough room that in the worst case scenario of an accident the dog can be "bounced" around within the crate. The Vari-Kennel 500 is snug for most OES and hence meets this requirement very well. The near "solid" sides of the vari-kennel type crates are also good for preventing the dog's feet, hands, face, ears etc., from being caught in the mesh of a wire crate which also helps reduce secondary injuries. However for sleeping, dogs, like us, appreciate being able to stretch out and move around to "work out the night time kinks". Only the smallest of OES females can stretch out in a 500 size crate and even then they are bound to be restricted. For sleeping I recommend a much larger and "open" crate. We use the PetMate "giant size" wire mesh crates for our boys to sleep. They measure 48"l x 30"w x 34"h and afford plenty of room for stretching out and moving around at night. Sometimes the dogs, Martin especially, will tend to cram themselves into one corner of the crate for an hour or two and at other times they will lie with their back along the long side and stretch their front and back legs out at a 45 degree angle or so (Even with crates this size they can't stretch both front and back legs out fully but they seem predominantly comfortable and don't complain.) Note that Farouk Bashir, our tall Afghan Hound boy can stretch out to a length of almost 6 feet and take over our queen sized bed when given the chance. Michele warned me we should have gotten a king sized bed but I was stubborn. Now I'm looking to see if we can afford a new king bed when we move later in the year - maybe a California King for those weekend bed hop mornings! lol Yes I advocate dogs sleeping in their crates and being crated whenever they are left home alone. To us this is simply a matter of safety and comfort for the dogs and our peace of mind. While in the crate the dog's can't get into trouble chewing things - like power cords, can't get into spats and end up fighting and hurting each other and their cookies and any toys/water or food left in their crates goes to them alone. No one is short changed because even if one is a chow hound that will "steal" they don't have access to each other's food/drink/toys. And knowing that our boys are safe helps us complete/enjoy our outing without fretting over our kids. (The other concern we have as rental tenants under a "dificult" landlord is the possibility of the landlord or their agents would exercise unauthorized access to the unit in which case there would be a huge risk of the dogs getting out or defending their home "aggressively". More things we won't chance.) A few thoughts for consideration. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| I have the vari-kennel size large, but it is already too cozy for Max! I wish I would've gotten the xlarge in the first place. We're going to get the next size up because he needs the space to stretch when he sleeps! |
| I have the wire crates, I like them better than vari kennels. Dancer's is a medium, she is not a huge dog, and Sky's is the large, it seems to suit her well enough for now. I think if she were much bigger I'd have to go with the huge crate though.... |
| Personss,
If you want this new bigger crate for sleeping only I agree with Willowsprite and think a wire crate is better than the enclosed Vari-Kennel crate. Having the open wire grid allows Max to have his "own place" without being "cut-off" from the rest of the family. For those occassions when he "needs privacy" or he needs a time out to correct a bad behaviour you can drape a sheet or other material over the crate to isolate him a bit more. When at home our boys' sleeping crates are generally uncovered but when we go to shows they are arranged in a single row and then we will drape covers over the back of all the crates and the sides of the two end crates. It helps to quieten down the noises a bit and provides a refuge from the crowds. With two fully coated OES and two Afghan Hounds we tend to attract a good bit of attention so it is good for the boys to have a distinct place of their own. If Max can continue to travel in the current crate then buying a wire crate will result in you having both a travel and sleeping crate for him. If however the new the crate will have to serve double duty as both a sleeping a travel crate then the larger Vari-Kennel which is better for travel should be your choice (ie buy for the more severe service - in this case protection in case of an accident). Just a few opinions to consider. Hope this helps in your deliberations. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| Oh! If you do go with a wire crate, try to get the plastic tray, not metal! They are so much cleaner, quieter, and never rust. |
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