Wire or Plastic crate?

[RileyRoo]

I will be spaying Riley in about 3 weeks and I need a crate but unsure what type to get. She is a spaz and when she was younger she busted her lip up and hurt her paw in a wire crate so I am iffy.

any good advise?

[Dansgrizz]

There's more options like aluminum crates and if you keep an eye or on craigslist you can find a nice solid metal crate for a good price (rather than several hundred). Since your first experience was bad with a wire crate i'd say go with a plastic crate. Wire crates aren't very good for containment or for insulating. Once again search your local craigslist for a good deal! Get them for under $50 alot of times. Wash it with a bleach solution, rinse thoroughly, let it sun dry and you'll bs fine. If it's for an outside dog house. Try to find a place that sells blue 55gallon plastic barrells. The used ones used for food grade products are safe to house dogs in and can be got for $20 of less. They insulate well and with minor modification make a great outside dog house.

[RileyRoo]

Thanks! I will keep an eye out on craigslist.

[CHATNJACK]

Thanks! I will keep an eye out on craigslist.

craigslist is a gold mine for aluminum (crates) dog boxes. Just make sure that you change the plywood on the bottom. Most hunters who originally and 99% of the time use them buy them new and use green treated plywood for the bottom (floor) which contains arsenic that will eventually kill your dog of arsenic poisoning if the box is used on a regular basis like most APBT owners use them for. Also bleach the dog box (crate) with straight non diluted name brand Clorox bleach to kill any parasites such as coccidian, parvo, ect, ect that might be in there with it being a USED box. When changing the plywood on the bottom (floor) you can use regular CDX plywood but I use treated eastern white pine which doesn’t contain arsenic in it. Warning though, I’m in South Carolina and a 4X8 ¾ inch sheet cost around $200 depending on where you get it from. I have four 4X4 single boxes and two 4X6 doubles that I’ve bought off craigslist and probably somewhere around $300 invested in them totally not counting the plywood and a few minor parts like missing screws, latches, ect… but nothing big. Overall I’m very happy with all of my boxes considering what I have invested in them verses a brand new one. Also to make the boxes look brand new like I do just go to your local HVAC (heating & air supply) store and buy a gallon of aluminum coil cleaner but be very careful not to inhale it while your cleaning the box because it is a strong acid industrial cleaner. The aluminum coil cleaner is an oxidation remover and is originally made to clean the coils on your outside A/C unit. You can also save yourself a lot of money by spraying the coils on you outside central home unit once a year, spray it on the unit like you would spray windex on real dirty glass, let the cleaner sit about 2 to 3 minutes then thoroughly rinse with a water hose and you’ll be surprised of how much dirt you’ll wash out and of it how bright your unit will look. What ever you do though, wear gloves when handling it and eye wear protection. Good luck in your search.

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[chris mercer]

Dan's right, the aluminum crates are probably the best. You can get them insulated and with vents. Like the man says a used one would be the way to go as they tend to be a little pricey new, 400-500. Shipping is a big expense. For my money I'd look at some of the hunting dog transportation boxes. www.diamondddeluxe.com is a great start. The other plus is if you are traveling you have a place to secure them safely. Chris Mercer

[CHATNJACK]

I couldn't find any listed on http://www.walmart.com/ , funny though because our Summerville, Goose Creek and Moncks Corner stores all sell them. Singles, doubles and the ones with the cooler drops and tool boxes on top of them. I don't remember the rest of the prices but the Goose Creek, South Carolina store sells the single for $298. They have them in sporting goods hanging from the ceiling. Recently due to a family emergency, a good friend of mine didn’t have a choice and had to go their and buy one. He had to travel to in-laws and had to make sure his male couldn’t break out of his crate when he wasn’t there. Like me, he used brazing rods to tack the screws to the box, in other words welded the kit together.

[chris mercer]

The diamonddog boxes are all welded seams. No wood at all. Supposedly Godwin supply in Raeford NC carries a dog proof pad. I don't believe it but they are good people to deal with. 1-877 370 5942. Chris Mercer

[RileyRoo]

I don't think I need an aluminum pet crate, we will only be using it for her crate rest than storing it away when she heals.

[chris mercer]

I understand, I just got excited. I have a dog transportation box that is diamond plated aluminum, insulated,has storage in the top for equipment ( leads,tracking equipment,etc). Mines a little old and heavy, the newer ones are all of the above and lighter. The single dog unit will fit in a small SUV doubles on trips,safe car rides and if there is an injury an area to recoupe in. I leave mine open and often times they hang out in their open crate. You can store books or flowers on top. Just kidding, but if you show they make a handy bench, just a piece of carpet is all you need. Chris Mercer

[PackMom]

We've had good luck with plastic crates. Since our old dog was deathly afraid of crates when we got her at 9 y.o. we kind of went overboard with making the crates a happy place and it's worked out well. We always give high-value treats when the kennel-up before we go out.

[CHATNJACK]

I don't think I need an aluminum pet crate, we will only be using it for her crate rest than storing it away when she heals.

Oh, if it's for temporary use only I’d go with a plastic one. Wal-Mart sell’s them cheaper than anyone else around here. They have a large breed (Buckshot’s size) crate, blue in color heavy duty one that cost around $69. A small dog or cat crate cost about if not more than that at superpetz around here.



The diamonddog boxes are all welded seams. No wood at all. Supposedly Godwin supply in Raeford NC carries a dog proof pad. I don't believe it but they are good people to deal with. 1-877 370 5942. Chris Mercer

That specific manufacture "diamond dog boxes" may indeed weld all there seems together as I have no personal first hand knowledge about that particular company or how there boxes are manufactured but, most manufacture's of the diamond plate (style) dog boxes are nothing but kit's! You may not be able to walk in to your local tractor supply company or local feed and seed store and purchase it as a kit but most of them are kit's. I know first hand because one of my Dad's best friends owns several feed and seed supply stores and I have personally put more than my share of them together come hunting season in exchange for store credit. Everyone that I’ve ever bought one off of craigslist, the Flea- Market or at a yard sale they have all been kit’s. I wish I could find some good used cheap boxes with solid welds. Brazing rods, gas and a plasma cutter aren’t cheap. My father-in-law welds for the Charleston Naval Weapons Station and has access to that type of equipment and has gotten permission before to cut and weld some aluminum for me before. I thought he (my father-in-law) was crazy when he told me what I would have paid a regular shop to do what he did so, I took one of the boxes to several shop’s around here and got estimates on them making one just like it and JESUS CHRIST! See, a buddy of mine gave me some square 4X4 aluminum boxes (they were used as some type of vent covers on hospitals) I had expanded metal put in as floors and aluminum doors built for the front then I mounted them on those little 4X4 red utility trailers with 8 inch tires that you can buy from Harbor Freight for $129 and bolt together, then I sold them all during hunting season. I wish I could have made 100 more of them.

[chris mercer]

I just got off of the Owens dog box web site, they don't give prices do to the liability for heart attacks. www.OwensProducts.com. Seeing as you are in Low country I'd think it might pay you to go to coondawgs.com. Also, next year's Orangegurg event the second weekend in January ( the Grand American) is loaded with dog vendors. They are mostly hunting dogs but there are plenty of people selling dog boxes. How far south are you? I'm four or five hours north from Charleston if you need some used,good equipment. I'm not a dealer but I usually have my eyes open at hunts. Chris Mercer/ Swnsboro NC

[CHATNJACK]

I just got off of the Owens dog box web site, they don't give prices do to the liability for heart attacks. www.OwensProducts.com. Seeing as you are in Low country I'd think it might pay you to go to coondawgs.com. Also, next year's Orangegurg event the second weekend in January ( the Grand American) is loaded with dog vendors. They are mostly hunting dogs but there are plenty of people selling dog boxes. How far south are you? I'm four or five hours north from Charleston if you need some used,good equipment. I'm not a dealer but I usually have my eyes open at hunts. Chris Mercer/ Swnsboro NC

I live 1/2 of a block off EXIT 203 on I-26 on the opposite side of the Interstate where the exchange park (fair grounds) and flea market are. Technically I live in Ladson, which is half way between Summerville and North Charleston. I've been to the show in Orangeburg and no offence but they’ve had less advertised and publicly marketed events at the exchange park that are always larger and better than the one’s in Orangeburg. Thanks for the offer to look out for me some good used equipment but really I have more than I need right now. I used to feral hog hunt but now due to health issues have retired. As for making the boxes, they were just a passing thing. Oh I made some good money on them (on the ones I sold) and ended up with keeping some real nice ones on trailers that if I had to buy from a vendor, I’d of probably ended up paying several grand for them each. I’ve been at gas stations and had one behind my truck and had hunters complement me on it and ask me where I purchased it and what I paid for it. They can’t believe I had family or friends make it and always try to buy it but nope. Not for sale. Next time you go to a show in Orangeburg, Greenville, or Ladson give me a call so we can hook up and scourer around for some good deals, lol!

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[chris mercer]

My wife was the manager of pet smart in North Charleston when it first opened, she was there a year and a half. We used to eat at the noisy oyster. I love some grits and shrimp, y'all make the best. Sorry you can't hunt any more I'm in the same boat, I hate falling down. I'm down and can't get up has a new meaning in a swamp at night. You all do have plenty of feral hogs. Some folks have introduced the european strain in the Croatan Nat. Forest. I hope they don't take hold. Chris Mercer

[CHATNJACK]

My wife was the manager of pet smart in North Charleston when it first opened, she was there a year and a half. We used to eat at the noisy oyster. I love some grits and shrimp, y'all make the best. Sorry you can't hunt any more I'm in the same boat, I hate falling down. I'm down and can't get up has a new meaning in a swamp at night. You all do have plenty of feral hogs. Some folks have introduced the european strain in the Croatan Nat. Forest. I hope they don't take hold. Chris Mercer

Cool. The pet smart is still there in Aviation Square on Rivers Ave. The rest of the center has changed vendors. For a while it looked like a ghost town. Now there’s a Northern Tool (BIG BOY TOY STORE, lol) my son’s and my favorite place to go on the weekends. lol. There’s also a brand new Chinese restaurant where two or three places used to be, its pretty big. With Boeing coming in they’re giving the whole place a face lift so maybe it’ll bring it back to life again. Because of the economy North Charleston has gone way down hill. I have family who live in Goose Creek and Summerville that still have old property in North Charleston that can’t wait for Boeing to get here because right now there property value is crap and they can’t even get their equity out of them. Even there rentals, are only getting about half of what they were two years ago. Boeing is going to boost the entire Lowcountry economy, and it needs it! My Dad owns several dump trucks and has already signed a contract with Boeing plus several others that sprung off the Boeing contract. I missed the February hunt at North Island in Georgetown County this year. For those who don’t know, North Island is only accessible after crossing Winyah Bay by boat and contains 1,410 acres of uplands and 1,703 acres of marsh. South Carolina is home to the nation's sixth-largest population of wild hogs, many of which are hybrids of domestic pigs released into the wild and Eurasian wild boars released by hunters in the early 1900s. One of the hottest hotbeds for wild hogs in South Carolina is the Congaree National Park, where they have become a major problem. The hogs root for food along the edges of creeks running through the flood plain forest, leading to an unnatural erosion problem. The National Park Service is working with the Department of Agriculture to document the size and impact of the wild hog population at the park and once the study is complete, park officials will come up with a plan to actively manage the hog population. Hunting wild hogs is legal on private property year-round, A recent DNR study found that wild boar in the Savannah River drainage, particularly those on Lakeview Plantation date back to the mid-1500’s. The study found that they are truly wild and are not modern feral farm hogs that have been released into the area for hunting purposes. On the other hand, there was evidence that there has been cross breeding with wild Russian boars that were released on a neighboring 22,800-acre plantation in 1984 which adds to their ferocity as well as the size of what is called the “colonial feral hog”. My favorite hunts were always on Sheep Island Preserve. My Loposay bitch (as far as I know) still holds the State record for taking down the largest sow off the island at a live kill only event. Sounds like we have a lot in common in hog hunting. If you ever get back down this way like I said, give me a call. I have some property near the Savanna river. My neighbor has over 4,500 acres, about 1,000 of them marsh land and full of PIG! Maybe we can take a little trip down there when my health gets better. My numbers on here if not… here 843-926-8355. I don’t have anything to hide bro! lol.

[chris mercer]

I've got to fess up I'm a coon hunter not a hog hunter. As I get older my drive to hog hunt has diminished. But I'd still like to go. The pigs released by our local Bear hunters may have unwanted results. Of course it was illegal but know one knows who did it. I'd much rather run into a bear than a bunch of pigs. When I traveled to see my wife it wasn't unusual to see pigs running along hwy 17 south of Georgetown. I would like to go and watch/help handle dogs if you go. Just give me a heads up. Chris Mercer I'll bring you a large plastic crate or wire.

[CHATNJACK]

I've got to fess up I'm a coon hunter not a hog hunter. As I get older my drive to hog hunt has diminished. But I'd still like to go. The pigs released by our local Bear hunters may have unwanted results. Of course it was illegal but know one knows who did it. I'd much rather run into a bear than a bunch of pigs. When I traveled to see my wife it wasn't unusual to see pigs running along hwy 17 south of Georgetown. I would like to go and watch/help handle dogs if you go. Just give me a heads up. Chris Mercer I'll bring you a large plastic crate or wire.

Its all good Chris. Believe it or not I’ve always wanted to go coon hunting but never have. My wife and I own property in Rocky Face, Georgia just outside Dalton, Ga. only about 5 to 10 minutes over the Tennessee State line at Chattanooga, Tennessee. My property in Georgia is right on the very top of Rocky Face Mountain adjacent to Mayfield Dairy. I let a good very friend of mine (actually the son in law of the man I bought the property from) who lives in Dalton and coon hunts, hunt the property for coon, deer and hogs. He’s an avid and trophy hunter so letting him hunt the land keeps it somewhat clean for me. I also lease a few hundred open acres to Mayfield for grazing on a year to year basis. The Dairy would love to buy the land but when I bought it I put it in a life estate for my children so even if I wanted to sell it, (which I don’t) I couldn’t. Georgetown, Jamestown and Mcclellanville, South Carolina or anywhere along that area on Hwy 17 is a hot bed for wild feral hogs. It’s not unusual to see them beside the road rooting near ditches for food even in the day time. Like I said Chris and I really mean it, thank you very much for the offer to look out for me some used boxes but I really have way more than I need right now and seriously doubt that I‘ll even ever use most of the ones I have right now ever again. Also, I mean what I said about hooking up if you go to the next show in Orangeburg or even if you make the one down here in Ladson, South Carolina which I think (don’t hold me to it because I’m not exactly sure of the date but will check on it) is in July the week after the big gun & knife show at the exchange park (the fair grounds) next to the flea market on Hwy 78 just ½ a block I-26 at Exit 203. Do you still actively coon hunt and if so what would you charge to send me two skins large enough to make my 11 & 13 year old son’s some real coon caps? I know a lady who can do it and all I’d need is a cured skin for her. She’d do them free to because I made her some tables last year free for her leather shop at the flea market, so see.. We kind of barter and are good friends. I have several wood lathes and used to make a lot of furniture for friends and to barter with. That last thing I made was two rocking chairs from patterns that my Grandfather made that are exactly like the two my Grandmother still has today that are older than my Dad who is 63. The rockers are made out of 200 year old plus reclaimed antique heart pine that my wife, children and I saved from and old house that was torn down on our Georgia property and the seating (bottom only) on the rockers is made out of a cured black and white holstein cow hide (courtesy of Mayfield Dairy). I made both rockers (with the help of my 11 & 13 year old son’s) except for attaching the cow hides which are woven underneath. No nails or staples were used on the hides and the rockers are all doweled & glued together, no nails, staples, braids, ect. An older African-American gentleman my family has know for over 60 years whose made things out of hides put the hides on them for me. My next wood working project will be to make a glider with a holstein cover over the bottom and back of the seat. It’ll have stainless steel bolts to ensure its longevity. I’m also thinking of covering the gliders arms too but, I haven’t even sat down and looked at plans and tried to figure out how to modify them yet but, that my goal… Oh yea, I have a friend who does iron work and said if I make it he’ll make me a stencil of Blade to Burn in the middle of the back (front really but where your back would be when you sit on it) of the glider. His son (R.I.P.) is who made the patch below. Since you’ve been to the show in Orangeburg, you might have met him or at least seen him. He used to be a vendor before he died. He etched patches for hunter’s hats and did embroidering too.

http://mypitbullpro.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=1036

P.S.
I'm not physically able to run the dogs or brake one off anymore, ect, ect and if I slipped or fell, that wouldn’t be safe for me or anyone else on my team, so as far as hunting I‘d love to go just to watch but there‘s no way I could ever again at this point in my life that I can see handle a dog on a hunt. To get straight down to the truth, fact is… TMI for the board but honestly I’m going through a really rough medical time right now in my life due to sever nerve damage in my right leg that happened during surgery because of a stroke when I received my Tracheostomy 12 years ago and I can barley walk as of now. Actually I’m down to using a walker which is absolutely the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever had to admit, especially publicly. On top of that I have an upper respiratory infection an pneumonia which I keep most of the time so I’m use to that but now it’s starting to take a toll on the one good lung I have left. My glory days as some would put it or as I look at it, the best days of my life in these dogs (hunting wise) are long and far behind me. Although, I would once able to again like to go, even if just as an observer. Keep in touch Chris. I’ve truly enjoyed our conversations and you have defiantly brought back some very fond memories of my youth. Thank you.

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[dixieland]

Rileyroo,if it's just a temp thing and you've had bad experiences with the metal ones,then I would definitely go with the plastic.Less areas for her to get stuff stuck in and as someone else mentioned,they are fairly cheap at walmart.

[RileyRoo]

Rileyroo,if it's just a temp thing and you've had bad experiences with the metal ones,then I would definitely go with the plastic.Less areas for her to get stuff stuck in and as someone else mentioned,they are fairly cheap at walmart.

Yeah, I don't see using it after the spay other than when we travel or are in the car. I was hoping to find a cheap-o on craigslist but I am scared of cooties from other dogs. I will recheck walmart cause lasttime I looked they actually were out of stock

[chris mercer]

Riley Roo, the yard sales will sometimes have them,cheap.
ChatnJack, I don't have any hides at present but I'm always on the look out for fresh RK to skin out for training pups. Any worth saving I'll send you for free. If I wouldn't take so much ribbing at our club I'd make one for myself. Sorry to hear about your disabilities. I have no reason to complain next time I go into the woods. Is your property in Ga. near the NC mountains. I have a good friend who lives in Franklin NC and it's close to Clayton Ga. I know they wouldn't mind you staying at the car and listening, he's 67 and one tough old hillbilly.
Oh yeah, good luck Roo gettiing a crate. Chris Mercer

[smith family kennels]

in my opinion it depends on your dog. I have some that that do better in wire crates (that have been modified meaning Nate has welded them so that they cant fold down or come lose) Then I have some that do better in plastic crates. Then I have some that NEED metal boxes cause they can tear wire and plastic crates to hell. My main problem with all crates wire, metal, or plastic has been Happy Tail which their isnt a crate that you can get that is going to take care of that unless its padded lol and if your dogs are like mine they will eat the padding. If you have had problems with wire crates before I would not get another one. And as far as plastic crates go just for safetly and to prevent them chewing through dont buy the cheap ones you can get at tractor supply. I really perfer the older ones which are hard to come by these days. Nothing is built like it use to be but if you can find those I have yet to have a dog get through them. I have had to fix latches but they havent chewed through them yet. If your going with plastic go ahead and spend the extra money and buy the best you can find they will usually last forever lol. I have two that are probably 20 years old and they are the best crates I have. And if doing metal yeah craigslist is the way to go.

[sw_df27]

We have both plastic and wire but I don't have chewers anymore and the one dog that broke out of all types of crates isn't with us anymore but I agree with SFK the old plastic ones are the best we have had our plastic one for years actually it was givin to me from my grandmother she used it when she was my age and it's still in tip top shape!