You just finished up a fantastic night at agility class. You leave feeling confident, knowing all the hard work has paid off and you and your dog are becoming the team you always dreamed of. It’s a beautiful summer night so you load your dog up in the car, open the windows and crank up the music. Visions of the upcoming national event race through your mind as your partner happily hangs his head out the window, wind whipping through his fur.
Then, without warning, a car runs a stoplight and plows into the side of your car. You watch helplessly as your car spins and flips, ejecting your dog from the vehicle. The American Humane Society reports that an estimated 100,000 dogs die from riding in truck beds alone each year. 100,000. That’s not including the dogs that are killed by escaping the vehicle and getting struck while fleeing the accident.
So what can you do to keep your dog safe in a vehicle? Utilizing a crate or car safe harness can help protect both your dog and your passengers in the event of a collision.
Not all crates are created equal
First let me start by saying using some kind of crate or harness is generally better than using nothing at all. Everyone has a different budget and need. However, not every crate is created equal.
In 2011, a non-profit safety science organization dedicated to consumer and companion animal safety called the Center for Pet Safety was created. This organization started testing some crates and harness and the results sent waves across the dog sport community. You can learn more about the Center for Pet Safety by clicking here https://www.centerforpetsafety.org/
Below I have listed a brief description of some of the crates that have been shown in tests or real life accidents to hold up better than traditional crates. Hopefully this information will help get you started on your research,
Variocage
Made in Sweden, Variocage is one of the only crash test certified and approved dog crates on the market. Made of steel with it’s own “crumple” zones, the crate was designed to not only protect your dog and keep them safely contained in the event of an accident but to also protect your passengers as well. It has been rigorously tested and shown to hold up well in even horrific accidents.
Variocage comes in both single dog and double dog versions. These crates have an “escape” hatch in case an accident leaves the main door unable to be opened. The doors can also be locked which is a nice feature for those who like to crate out of their cars at shows.
To find out more you can visit the manufacturer website at https://www.mimsafe.se/en/safety-products/variocage/
Here is a great website from a US distributor that has some wonderful videos to demonstrate how these crates work. http://www.mightymitedoggear.com/dog-supplies/mim-variocage-double
Ruff Tough / Ruff Land (RTK)
At first glance, Ruff Tough Kennels (RTKs) look like many other hard sided kennels. However, looks can be deceiving. RTKs are molded from high-density polyethylene. They are also one piece so there are no bolts or screws holding the kennels together. This makes for a very strong and durable crate. Ruff Tough Kennels have done some of their own testing to show just how strong these crates are. You can find more information on these test at the link listed below.
These crates are popular amongst dog sports competitors as they offer durability along with affordability. They also offer some nice safety options like crate couplers and tie down hooks. They are available in single, double and side door designs and feature several color options. If ordered direct from the manufacturer or select distributors there are also options for customizing the air holes on the crate.
To find out more you can visit the manufacturer website at https://rufflandkennels.com/
**It should be noted that Ruff Tough Kennels recently announced that they are changing the name of their crates to Ruff Land Performance Crates. They are the same kennels as before just the name change.**
Impact Crates
Made from high density aluminum with a powder coated finish these crates are durable, lightweight and will help reflect heat away from your dog. They have done in-house testing of their crates and results have been favorable even when stacking 600lbs of weight on top of them.
Impact has several crate styles available including stationary, collapsible, high anxiety and hybrid models. Double and side door options are also available. There are also several color colors to choose from.
To find out more you can visit the manufacturer website at https://www.impactdogcrates.com/
Gunner Crates
Gunner crates are designed with your dog’s safety and protection in mind. They are constructed of double wall rotomold and have earned a 5 star crash test rating from the Center for Pet Safety.
While this crate has been proven for safety, it does not have as many different style options as some of their competitors. However this crate does have some nice standard features such as built in tie down pins, non-slip rubber feet and doors that lock. Another note is when you are looking at sizes you will want to pay attention to the interior dimensions and not just the exterior. Since it is a double wall design the interior dimensions can be quite a bit smaller than the exterior.
To find out more you can visit the manufacturer website at https://gunnerkennels.com/
Custom Crates
If you have a vehicle that regular sized crates don’t work well in, or you just would like more control over the design, there are several custom crate companies that can build a crate to your needs. Two of the companies I have researched and received good feedback on are:
TNC Fabricating https://www.tncfab.com/
Rogue Crates http://roguecustomcrates.com/