G1 Large Crate - Escape-Proof, Heavy-Duty Pet Box for Large Breed Dogs, Durable and Secure Kennel, Ideal for Dogs with Anxiety, Phobias, and Travel Needs

I've been researching kennels and crates for a few years to try and move away from the cargo area barrier which my dog pushed through easily. I was debating a variocage but then discovered the Center for Pet Safety and learned about the Gunner Kennel test results. I watched all the safety videos and then the additional videos on the Gunner Kennels website. The sheer strength of the double walled plastic is AMAZING!! Impacts and falls barely do any damage to it. I knew I wanted this for my White Shepherd [Berger Blanc Suisse], Fenrir, so that he'd be safe.I have a Toyota RAV4 so I was unsure about which size would be best. He is about 26 inches at the shoulders and between 77-83lbs. I did some measuring and realized that I would have to keep the back seats down if I have the kennel strapped in as the G1 Large is huge... but that is what I need in order to make sure my big guy is comfortable. My friends can find another ride up the mountain if we go hiking. Lol.Shipping was quick. The kennel comes in 2 huge and sort of heavy boxes... but that makes sense as the kennel is made of so much plastic with its double walls. I also ordered the SeaDek Kennel Padding - Large, 8' Tie-Down Straps and Name Plate.At first I was going to put it together on the grass but wasn't sure I'd be able to lift it into the back of my RAV4, so I took the parts and assembled it inside the car.Instructions were easy to follow. The hex key was easy to use and the door was easy to mount; there are extra holes in the frame to make screwing it into place a breeze. I did choose to flip the kennel door around because of the way my cargo door opens, but that wasn't a problem. I did have to get creative as to how to attach the straps to the rings in the cargo area, but I have made sure that it is pulled tight.After checking with Fenrir that he approves of being inside, I decided to add a folded yoga mat for added comfort. I may still add a towel...I'm excited and relieved to know that my dog will have a better chance in case of an accident. *knocks on wood*---> One thing to note is that the wrong screws were in the plastic bag/packet. Technically the screws for the handles and the door are the same size, you are supposed to receive 6 hex key door screws and 4 Phillips Head handle screws. I received 8 hex key screws and only 2 Phillips Head screws... so I used what I had to attach the handles for now, as I don't have to lift the kennel out of my car for a while and can contact Gunner Kennels for replacement parts/advice.

Gunner are remarkable crates for keeping our beloved pets safe. I purchased two smalls for our terrier and french bulldog. Unfortunately, the small version has a flaw in the design, it prevents the use of the anti-chew kits and exposes a very tempting pillar to chew on. As you can see, my french bulldog has discovered this area and not much I can do about it. After contacting Gunner, they were unwilling to help remedy and after first recommending the anti-chew kit in chat, they quickly realized that this kit does not fit the small version. Why would they design the small this way. Do small-ish dogs not chew? They would rather lose a repeat customer than solve my problem. I'm sure if I asked about buying a new replacement crate, they would have happily assisted. I will now consider Impact for all new vehicle crates.

First, the construction of the body of this crate is very sturdy and heavy as advertised. It's very well made in this regard. However, the door assembly, which is advertised as "escape proof" on the Gunner website, is the weak point in the design. The construction of the door is not as sturdy as the rest of the Kennel, and after only a few months of use, it no longer closes smoothly into place. The door frame is a thin sheet metal construction that has not stood up well to daily use.More importantly, the door does not keep the dog in! The two "safety" latches on the top and bottom of the door are easy to manipulate from the inside, and our dog figured them out in a few weeks. More recently, she has figured out how to manipulate the main paddle latch from the inside (the latch bolt can be depressed from inside the crate). We are experimenting with locking the crate shut when the dog is in there (presumably this will keep her from opening the main latch), but we obviously don't prefer to lock the crate shut in case of an emergency, etc.If your dog has no interest in leaving its crate, then this kennel is probably a good choice for its other features. However, I would not recommend taking the website claims about it being "escape-proof, " and containing "even the greatest escape artist" at face value. It has not lived up to those claims in our experience. Two stars because at the premium price point, the features should all deliver as promised.

Heavy, but built to last, EXCEPT THE DOOR. Dog chewed off door parts and it no longer closes. New door cost $175 plus shipping. Pretty ridiculous.