Dog Crate – Mostly 4 Pets

Samoyeds are known for being gentle and intelligent, and for their devotion to the pack. Unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that they sometimes need confining. Most people don't like to put their dog in a crate, but it will occasionally be needed. As such, it is worth a little money to have a high-quality dog crate. With that in mind, let's look at six of the best dog crates that we could find online. Best Overall: PawHut Wooden Decorative Dog Cage This isn't a heavy-duty option, but it is a high-quality one. It looks like a medium-sized end table with a cage in the bottom, and that's exactly how it is used. Its main selling point is the fact that it saves space by doubling as a piece of attractive furniture. This thing consists of four hinged panels when you remove the top, and these can be folded up for easy carrying. You can also use it as a gate when necessary, with minimal time and trouble. We also like the fact that all of the wire ends are embedded in the wood frame, giving this one a high safety factor. However, it isn't secure enough to confine a dedicated escapist. Pros Doubles as a nice-looking piece of furnitureVery light and easy to moveCan be used as a gateWood planks cover all wire ends Cons Not the most secure in the worldNo attached bottom Best Budget Option: MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate This is a pretty standard wire crate, and you've probably used one much like it in the past. Overall, it's a great budget option because it costs about half of what a high-end crate will. It's a simple, effective, and time-tested solution. This one has two doors, and that can be a handy thing. It gives you more than one way to put them in and let them out and gives you more options as to where you can place the cage. Sometimes, turning the crate to another angle can help to save a lot of floor space in your home. Like most traditional wire cages, this one can be folded flat and carried with ease. Unfortunately, there are some potential safety issues with these crates. It is possible for the dog to get snagged or caught in those tiny gaps. Those little hooks that help to hold the walls together are also places where a collar can potentially get hung, so never put a collared dog in this crate. Still, it should be safe if used correctly. Pros Simple and effectiveDual doors offer more optionsVery inexpensiveEasily folds up for travel Cons Potential safety issues The Runner-Up: Pupzo Heavy-Duty Dog Cage Crate If you are dealing with a dedicated escape artist, this cage might be just the thing for you. It is made of thick steel bars, each of which is welded to another. From first glance, you can tell that this one is made for extreme security. Although there will be many dogs that don't require this level of security, it's good to have this option on the table. The bottom of this cage is slotted so that waste can drop through the gaps and collect on the trays below. Obviously, you need to give your dog a cushion or blanket with this cage, but the design is pretty handy. Cleaning becomes a lot easier when the filth has somewhere to collect. We also like the caster wheels, which make it much easier to move this big, heavy thing around. Pros Extreme securityDesigned for easy cleaningWheels make it easy to moveNot much potential for snagging Cons Pretty heavyNot necessary for most dogs Honorable Mention: Simply Plus Wood & Wire Dog Crate This one is similar to our first choice, but it's a little thicker and heavier. As such, it is a more durable option, but it suffers somewhat in the portability department. The whole thing weighs almost fifty pounds, making it problematic for many people to carry. Still, it shines in every other important aspect. This is a very nice-looking piece of furniture and will probably blend seamlessly into your home. Many people won't even notice that it is also a dog crate, and its simple wood-grain look should match anything. The whole thing also appears to be pretty strong and solid, so it would take some serious effort for your Samoyed to get out. Pros No visible safety issuesMatches with most home decorThe tray is held firmly in placeFairly strong construction Cons Pretty expensivePretty heavy and non-portable Alternate Product 1: Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate This is another minimum-security option, and it's one of the best that we have found. Unlike our other choices, this one does not include any steel wire. That gives it a high safety factor just because steel wire can cause some serious issues. You won't have to worry about sharp points, snagging, or choking with this one. This pen is suited to a dog that is calm and obedient, as it gives them a little bit more freedom. It's great for camping trips and other outings, as it is also the lightest and most portable option on our list. The mesh sides also keep things ventilated, so it helps the dog to deal with those hot days. Pros Very high safety factorVery lightweight and portableExcellent ventilationAvailable in multiple sizes Cons Not very secure Alternate Product 2: EcoFlex Pet Crate/End Table This is another end-table crate, and it's one of the nicest ones we have seen. It doesn't have any wire, which is quite nice. Instead, it has a series of steel bars that cover about half of the outside surface. The rest of the crate is made of a composite material, which is kind of nice. This material is stronger than wood, and safer than steel wire. Overall, we also like the large size of this crate, as well as the fact that it creates a darkened den-like environment that dogs find comforting. Our only real complaint comes from the door clasps. They are made of thin steel that could fail easily, so we would suggest reinforcing or replacing those. Pros Classic and stylish lookCreates a dark and den-like environmentLarger than most others on our listComposite material Cons Door clasps look a little weakMay not provide enough ventilation Best Crate For A Samoyed Buyer's Guide Here are a few of the most common questions that we receive on this subject: Do I need a crate cover? Many dog crates come with a thick cover that can be attached to the outside. The main purpose of this is to provide darkness and privacy, making the dog feel as if they are in a natural den. The idea behind this is sound, but not all dogs need a covering. We would say that you don't need a cover, but your dog may find it to be pleasant. To find out if your dog wants a covered crate, just drape a blanket on top and see if they respond favorably. How long should my Samoyed stay in the crate? Samoyeds are large and active dogs, so you shouldn't keep them in a crate any longer than necessary. Although they are calm enough to handle long periods of confinement, that doesn't mean they like the situation. Leaving a dog in the crate overnight is perfectly ok, however, since they will probably spend the time sleeping. What should I do if my Samoyed escapes the crate? Some dogs are natural escape artists, and your Samoyed may be smart enough to fit into this category. If so, you can reinforce most cages with steel fencing wire. Just be careful not to leave any sharp points sticking out, or your dog could hurt themselves. Let's go over some of the main things that you should look for when choosing a good dog crate. Any potential purchase should be evaluated using the following factors. Security The primary purpose of a dog crate is to confine the animal, and it must do so in a secure fashion. As such, a good dog crate should be secure enough to prevent escape. We have already mentioned the fact that most cages can be reinforced with wire, extra boards, etc. However, it's best to try and find a product that is already secure from the start. One thing to avoid is cages made of thin steel wire. It may be steel, but it isn't thick enough to prevent a large dog like a Samoyed from breaking the wire. Worse, they will tend to cut themselves as they attempt to squeeze through the hole they just made. Look for models with strong door hinges and clasps, as these can easily be weak points if substandard materials are used. Comfort Since your dog is likely to spend large amounts of time in this cage, you definitely want to make sure they will be comfortable. The addition of blankets and pillows is always helpful, so make sure that the crate has enough room to accommodate these things. You may want to fit the crate with a cooling dog bed for your Samoyed to keep her from overheating. Speaking of size, that's a big part of the comfort factor. Your dog needs to be able to stand up and turn around with no problem, at the very least. Convenience There are several things that can make a dog crate more (or less) convenient to the user. The biggest of these factors is portability, as dog crates are often used for travel. First of all, it should be light enough that one person can carry it with relative ease. Obviously, we are talking about picking up the crate without the dog inside. Second of all, it should be shaped and sized in a way that fits your vehicle. Having a great travel crate won't do you much good if you can't fit it in the back of your van. Ease of use is another thing to consider. For instance, how do the clasps on the door of the crate work? If they are awkward and stiff, this will be an aggravation down the road. How hard if the crate to assemble and break down? Did the manufacturer design this crate to be cleaned easily? All of these things have to be considered and examined. Safety This is the most important thing to consider when buying a crate. That's because the safety of your pet should always be the number one consideration. Thankfully, most commercially available crates do not present a hazard, but you need to be on the lookout for the following red flags: Sharp points anywhere on the cageAny gaps large enough for the dog to get stuckHooked areas that could snag a collarSoft materials that could present a choking hazardAttached rope toys (also a choking hazard) Conclusion After reading this article, you should be well-equipped to choose the best crate for your Samoyed. A loyal and loving pet deserves the best that its owner can provide, and that's why we chose to focus on high-end crates. We hope that this article will inspire you to show your canine friend all the affection that they also deserve. If so, please feel free to fill out the contact form below and learn more.