I need to get an x-pen but they don't have any here in the pet stores so I'll have to order online. Since I won't be able to see it in person, any suggestions on which ones to get would be appreciated. I plan to use it to keep the puppy in during the day with a small crate. Maybe they all do this, but I'd like to get a top for it too in case the puppy is climber like her mother.
Thanks,
Clay
This is mostly what I have and I love it! Midwest gold series w/ door. I use the 42" for a little extra stability and barrier for the jumpers/climbers.
But I also use a top! lol Here is the matching lid.
If you'd like, I can go through and pull out a few pictures of mine that show what it looks like and how I use it.
There are probably a couple other xpens out there that are nicer, if you want to spend the BIG bucks. lol But I have come to like the Midwest a lot, and I prefer the door these days. At least when you're constantly shuffling babies and/or racing dogs in and out all day. 
If you'd like, I can go through and pull out a few pictures of mine that show what it looks like and how I use it.
There are probably a couple other xpens out there that are nicer, if you want to spend the BIG bucks. lol But I have come to like the Midwest a lot, and I prefer the door these days. At least when you're constantly shuffling babies and/or racing dogs in and out all day.
Thanks, but you don't have to pull out pictures. I remember the picture with your dogs in the xpen next to the horse. Is that a 42"? That's so tall! I'll have to get a bigger car to carry that in. lol I was just mainly concerned that I might end up with a really flimsy one since I can't see them in person online. I've seen some pretty flimsy wire crates so I figured the same goes for xpens.
I have the pro-select gold one from Petedge as well…42" and a top...not flimsy at all. I got it and set it up for Ruby because of her separation anxiety (only once I added Brando, she no longer had SA). Had I seen the one with the door, I would have purchased that one only because I might actually remember to close the door. :rolleyes: I had planned on putting it away, but now that I'm adding a pup this year after all, I'll keep it set up with the pup's new crate for when I'm at work.
I got my xpens from JB Wholesale, they don't charge extra to ship them like most other places online. So although they cost a little more they were actually cheaper once I factored in shipping.
http://www.jbpet.com/J-B-Standard-Exercise-Pen,593.html
Here are the tops, and I would definitely use a top. It took nothing for Piper to climb over one as a puppy.
http://www.jbpet.com/Wire-Top-for-J-B-Exercise-Pen,739.html
But you can't go wrong with any of the other xpens either, if I could have found them in town I probably would have used the midwest. But I have no complaints with mine. Whatever you get though definitely make sure it has a door, they are a huge convenience.
I have used Precision, Pro-Select, and Midwest ex-pens. I have Precision and Pro-Select, my mom has a Midwest. We both still have all our ex-pens. I use a 48 inch tall one and we have inserted extra panels in our Pro-Select one so it is big enough for all 4 of our basenjis when we are at lure trials. We also use a top and a bottom since many of the places we have been going to for trials do not have a place for us to stake down.
I will add that in all three brands my boy has been able to bend bars when truly determined to do so.
You can also get Kennel-aire exercise pens and crates on ebay.
Thanks everyone. You've been a big help. Now I just have to get another travel crate and another wire crate and all the the other little things before the end of the month. :p I'm pretty sure I can find most everything else locally.
As far as stability they're pretty good. I have had one set up outside in the past (didn't have a yard) in an octagon shape, and it tolerated older puppies/young adults jumping and banging around in it. I even had one puppy who would jump up and "hang" from the top with his armpits over the edge while he watched me work outside. lol And he was a big boy. He knew how to climb out easily, but would only do so if I left him alone outside for more than a few minutes or if I was walking away and looked like I was going to go somewhere special and have a lot of fun. lol He just liked to hang there though a lot and remind me that he DID know how to get out. And yes, all my xpens are 42".
The tops add a significant amount of stability, but limit your shape choice to only a square. I like the midwest top because it has wire that comes down and around the top edge of the pen, unlike some other tops that are just a flat grid that hooks on. The Midwest top has about a 1" lip around all the sides that help keep in on nicely. I'm not sure if any others have the lid like that? It looks like the JB one does.
Regarding the size, if you're worried about cramming it in a car, I wouldn't go any bigger than the 42. I used to have a T-Bird when I still had 2 dogs and could fit the pens in my trunk just fine. However the tops are 48" and those would not have fit. I had to pin tarps across the top until I got a van. You could certainly get by with a 36 if you're worried about portability, as long as you don't have escape artists. With a 36 they can get their feet on the top row while still standing on the ground. But I know of a lot of folks that use a 36 for Basenjis. Also keep in mind the taller they are, the HEAVIER they get to lug around! lol
Regarding the size, if you're worried about cramming it in a car, I wouldn't go any bigger than the 42. I used to have a T-Bird when I still had 2 dogs and could fit the pens in my trunk just fine. However the tops are 48" and those would not have fit. I had to pin tarps across the top until I got a van.
I've already started to realize that I need a bigger car if I'm going to start driving dogs around the Midwest. Guess I'll have to get a station wagon or an SUV. I'm not to the "van" stage yet. lol. I think I'll go with the 42", Nemo is pretty crafty at escaping from kennels and I'm sure the puppy will be up to no good when she grows up.
Well, it's a MINI-van. lol Oh man you'd laugh at some of the travel adventures I've had over the years. The car lasted for a couple years, and was even able to take 2 dogs to nationals for a week. Somehow I fit everything in. I could only afford to rough it, so that meant tent, mattress, bedding, cooler, and other extra supplies to lug around. lol
Here we were after arriving at the lure field on day 1. Mojo says where's the bunny??!!!
And here's mid-week.
We were cuddling up under the stars with some friends for our ever so appropriate movie of the night, Best In Show! lol We may have been roughing it, but we sure had a good time doing it. We were grillin' burgers and watching movies. My friends were able to pack a bit more stuff than I could. And this was Wisconsin in late Sept. so it was down in the 40s at night, brrr!
Now that I have the van, it makes things a bit easier. I spent most of 2007 taking 7 dogs (8 when Tayda came too) around the Midwest. This is kinda the scene now.
I have two 300 size wire crates in the back where they pair up. This was after a race meet when Lenny was curling up with Mojo, and Roxie lounging with Cleo. The babies have 200 varis in the middle, and I can also get my other two 200 wire crates stacked with them. And I still have room to squeeze all the camping and lure supplies in too. Didn't take me long to fill this vehicle though!
And here's the gang waiting for their turn at the bunny. My little dangling monkey boy is the one with the wide blaze.
Well, it's a MINI-van. lol Oh man you'd laugh at some of the travel adventures I've had over the years.
Here we were after arriving at the lure field on day 1. Mojo says where's the bunny??!!!
This picture reminded me of this one I have of Nemo's father, Argus, when we were on a road trip.
Thanks for sharing your traveling pictures. I bet it was a lot of fun hanging out with everyone camping. Weren't Nationals in Manitowoc? I think they are coming back in a few years, that's going be so cool since that's just down the road a bit for me. I can't imagine 8 basenjis though. That must have been a lot of furry chaos. lol. I'm going to be lucky if I can handle two!
Yep, it was Manitowoc. Looking forward to another year there, it's not such a torturous drive. lol
Eight is definitely a handful by myself. But then again, most of the time they're getting walked and pottied all day for the events, so once the ordeal is over, there's not much extra to do. Getting them to settle down for bed can be a trip too.
Kelli…Great pics...thanks for posting them!!! I have a Mini (not a mini van, but a Mini Cooper - car). I've set it up with 2 - 300 wire crates in the back and last year I had to double up Ruby & Brando in one crate and carried another b in the other crate from Maine to CT for a health clinic. I was a little sad that Ruby and Brando couldn't have their usual space to themselves, but now after seeing your pic with 2 b's in each 300, I realize I was being a little ridiculous thinking they were in cramped quarters :rolleyes:. My kids did fine, and your kids look like they have plenty of room.
I have a show pup joining my kids in a couple of weeks and was trying to figure out what I'd do when I would take all 3 b's with me. I had been contemplating getting 200 size crates for the mini, because I could fit 3 crates in the car that way. But now after looking at your pics, I think I'll just run the 2 crates that I have...
Yes, mine actually prefer to have a roomie. Just be careful that you keep an eye on them to make sure they are happy with each other in close quarters. Sometimes when extra stressed, like at a show and such, you'll see tension between dogs when it doesn't normally exist. There is definitely enough room to double up in the 300. Although it's not ideal, it's good for traveling and such. Usually when we're on the road they're zonked out anyways, and they like to lay on top of each other. They don't really need a bunch of space. lol
Sounds like your set up will work just fine. Good luck, and looking forward to hearing about the new little one!
I recently purchased the JB Wholesale xpen (I thought it would be a good way to ease Gossy into having the run of the house when I'm gone) and was a bit disappointed. I only ordered the 36 inch one and the free shipping doesn't apply JSYK. What I was really disappointed in was the latches on the door - they are not at all secure. It was really easy to push against the door a couple of times and they come free.
I recently purchased the JB Wholesale xpen (I thought it would be a good way to ease Gossy into having the run of the house when I'm gone) and was a bit disappointed. I only ordered the 36 inch one and the free shipping doesn't apply JSYK. What I was really disappointed in was the latches on the door - they are not at all secure. It was really easy to push against the door a couple of times and they come free.
Sorry to hear that. Maybe you can use those "spring clips
(don't know what you call them but they came with mine) to secure the door? I got the Midwest one that kiroja suggested and the door seems reasonably secure.
Yup the next day I bought some of those – but see my thread about being home alone.
I recently purchased the JB Wholesale xpen (I thought it would be a good way to ease Gossy into having the run of the house when I'm gone) and was a bit disappointed. I only ordered the 36 inch one and the free shipping doesn't apply JSYK. What I was really disappointed in was the latches on the door - they are not at all secure. It was really easy to push against the door a couple of times and they come free.
Are you sure the xpen is right side up? There is a name plate that should be at the top of one of the panels, if it is setup upside down then the door latches will not work correctly and will open really easily. I have several of them and all the doors are just as secure as all the midwest pens I've used. I've never had to worry about the door, I don't think there is any way Piper could open them.
I'm sorry your not happy with it and I feel really bad since I recommended it. Also I never got charged an oversize fee just standard shipping, whereas most places charge extra for xpens and crates, but maybe they changed that recently.
I checked and I did have it upside down (:o) but I also discovered the door is a little warped. It doesn't matter right now (since Gossy climbs over anyway) but I'll remember that for future use – I plan on taking it along when we go camping.
