I was asked today about what kennels I recommended. There are a lot out there, from super cheap to very expensive. My answer is the best kennel depends on what you are doing with your dog, and what is your goal.
I use kennels for a variety of reasons. I believe in crate training for all dogs. We make crates available to our dogs in most of our main living areas. The crate has become a safe place for my dogs to rest or get away from the commotion of everyday living. When my kids were young, this was an off-limits area for them. Dogs could safely get away when the kids became annoying. The crate doors are always open and dogs are free to come and go. While some crates may have names on them, others are understood used for all dogs.
I try to feed my dogs in their kennels. This helps the smaller ones keep their food, and prevents the bigger ones from over-eating. I can also tell when a dog is off their food and watch for potential health issues. It also prevents dogs from resource guarding their food. They know they are safe to eat in a crate.
When I leave home or go to bed, the dogs expect to be locked in their crate. I don't even have to ask them- they usually go of their own accord, and I only need to closed the door before we go. I like to have my dogs locked up because I know they can not get into garbage, or get hurt somehow. I also had a friend have a house fire and one of their dogs ran and hid and died because the firemen could not find him. In the event of a fire or other accident, emergency personnel will remove the dog while still crated- which is a lot safer for the dog. Crates give me peace of mind.
So what crates do I use? In the house I buy the inexpensive metal crates from my local farm store. They are relatively inexpensive. The larger ones come with a divider as well. This can be used for a puppy. You can buy a large crate and then put the divider in the crate to allow the puppy to have a smaller space until they grow into the crate.
For travel some people also use the metal crates. I dislike them for a couple reasons. First of all they rattle and squeak in the car. It's annoying! The second and most important reason is safety. Your dog should always be confined in a car. Doggie seat belts do not work- these labs will be able to chew through it before you leave the driveway.
Impact kennels are the safest kennel for the car. You want one of these to be rather tight- just enough room for your dog to turn around. The more room you dog can move in a traveling crate, the more injury they can receive if you have an accident.
Impact crates protect your dog in case of an accident. The wire crates like I use in the house can easily break and impale your dog with the bars. You want a crate that is tested and proven to survive accidents. There are several on the market- and they vary in price and construction.
Some of the best ones are Gunner Kennels or Lucky Duck Kennels. These kennels are monsters. If you are transporting your lab in the back of a pick up truck, these are made of metal and strap down nicely. They are insulated, and can be temperature controlled. If your truck rolls over and the truck lands on it, or it takes a direct hit, your dog will survive. The down side of these kennels is that they are all metal and very heavy. They are not easily moved in and out. They are also large- if you have an SUV, they will only fit in a Yukon or Escalade size vehicle. They can also be locked, giving you security when you are on trips with your dog.
Another type of impact kennel is made by Ruffland. This is what I use. It's made from one piece of rotomolded polyethylene. This is the same technology that they use to make racecars. It's light weight but has a technology in it that allows the material to absorb and dissipate the energy from the impact. I like them because they are easy to move and have a lot of options as far as the doors. I have heard people complain they don't like the doors- it's very easy to remove and you need to make sure the pegs are seated correctly. A bigger complaint that I have is that they are so popular that it takes months to get one. If you order one when you pick up your pup, you may have it by late spring or summer. But it is worth the wait.
The picture above in of Jynx in my son's Field Spaniel's kennel. This is an intermediate size. She sort of fits, but not real comfortable. For her I have a Large size, and she has plenty of room. The large is a bit too big, but the intermediate a bit too small. Raven fits better in the intermediate, but I have a large for her too. This crate would be a bad idea to use for a small pup- it's just too big and you'll need to let them grow into it. Labs grow quickly so by the time your pup is 5 or 6 months, it will probably be a great fit. I put a pup in just to see how bad it looks and you can see it's way too big. Initially you'll want to use a small pet carrier when you pick up your pup. Borrow one from a friend, and it will make your ride easier and safer for your pup.
