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Variocage vs Gunner Kennels

17K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  Aspen726 
#1 ·
Hi everyone,

I'm looking into getting some crates for my guys, mainly for when we go to shows. There seem to be more and more shows without ample crating space (which I guess is good, means lots of people are getting into dog sports!), or dogs in a venue that are not pleased about being crated, and seem to stress my guys out. For that reason, I'm looking into crates for my car.

The two that seem the most highly recommended are the Variocage and Gunner Kennels

Price wise, they are about the same. I'd need two of the Gunners, since I currently have two dogs competing, but as I said, price wise they are fairly compatible.

Does anyone have any experience with either brand? Thanks so much!
 
#2 ·
I have never used either of these but that Variocage looks very good especially if you have two dogs going :) Positive lots of people are joining the sport lol
Maybe this will bump it up to where someone who has used one of this can give a good answer your looking for :):):)

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 
#6 ·
I don't think they ever appreciate the cost of anything. :rofl:

I feel like if I added the cost I've spent on my dogs since bringing them home I think my husband would drop dead. :D
@San - Thank you!
@jclark343 - Thanks!
 
#4 ·
We have a G1 intermediate Gunner kennel for our 58 lb Malinois. We've had it for a year and love it!

It is very sturdy. The only downside is that it is quite heavy (40-50 lbs or so). Not a problem during winter. In the summer, while we work, our car is parked in open space. So hubby has to take it out daily (we usually get out of work and head to a park right the way, don't want her to have to get into a hot crate).

Customer service is superb. We got it via Gun Dog supply, had a misunderstanding during our order process. They (Gun Dog supply and Gunner) went above and beyond to take care of us.
 
#5 ·
I personally don't have one (wouldn't fit in my little Honda Civic) but a girl I run agility with has a Vario cage and loves it. Her's fills the back of her SUV and I've seen her put 3 dogs comfortably in it as well as still have space in the backseat for a kennel if she needed it (she often fosters). They are nice because she can hang the water buckets on the inside with clips and clip fans to the front and the dogs are comfortable. Also nice because they are together. Also really sturdy and she said it was easy to install and can be removed easily if it needed to be.
 
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#10 ·
Wellll as you know I've been researching crates for... a while ;)

I play flyball with someone who has a Variocage. It's nice. She has nothing negative to say about.

Gunners have great safety ratings. I don't know anyone, personally, that uses them so can't really comment.


Curious - what drove you to those two options?
 
#11 ·
@Aspen726 - Those ones are just the two big ones I know. They've also performed pretty well in crash-tests.

I am definitely open to other options!
 
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#12 ·
@Shandula for me...

1) I considered the Variocage because I have a friend that has it and I could see it in person. I do want my dogs separated though. If they're together, they'll play... knock over water... things like that. Also, in an accident, I feel it's safer for them to not be banging into each other.

2) RTK's and Gunner's were kind of my last choice, honestly, just because I don't like plastic. (I don't use plastic dishes or tupperware either)... I just feel like it holds bacteria and since Aspen is a chewer of all things, that grosses me out. (Probably not a valid complaint for most non-OCD people)

3) I like Impacts but I'm concerned about fitting two in my car.

4) I like TNC Fabrication as they're completely custom so you can choose size, color, etc. I also know someone who has these and loves them. If we decide to get crates for the back of the pickup truck (in addition to my SUV), we'll probably have TNC make us a dog box.

5) TransK9... I THINK I have decided on these. Big purchases always take me a long time to decide and research but I like these for a few reasons:
a) They are made to conform to the vehicle.
b) They are made and shipped complete so no assembly required. This is safer and less stressful to me. Even though my bf can easily put it together... I like that it arrives and I stick it in my car.
c) Great customer service
They're expensive. I won't deny that.. and since they ship assembled, shipping is expensive... but since I will only be buying these once, I'm okay with spending the money.


Of course, these are all just my opinions/random thoughts in my head as I search haha


Are you in the Dog Sport Vehicle Ideas/Set-up group on FB? If not, let me know and I'll add you.
 
#13 ·
@Aspen726 - I am not in it, add me pleeeeease :)

I am also not a huge fan of the Gunners/Ruff Tuffs. I just don't think they look as nice, and if I'm spending a bunch, I want it to look nice too. :p
 
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