My dog will never ride in anything but a gunner. Yes, it's heavy but that's a good thing when traveling, I'd love to see a thief try to carry off a 76lb locked kennel with an 80lb dog in it lol
As a professional dog trainer, I agree with your assessment. Inside the house, all of the kennels I use are the Ruffland Kennels. Light weight, easy to clean, stackable, and a door that opens any way I need it to, in addition to being secure. They also (and I think are the only one) sell a metal sheet insert for the back of the door in case you have a dog that tries to break out of it. On any of the others, a dog that wants to break out or is prone to chew will chew those air vent holes, esp the gunner due to the double wall construction. For inside the house, the Ruffland is probably the best kennel that a dog is going to live in. The interior dimensions for the size of the kennel provide a lot of room in any of the sizes. I have the backseat riders, intermediate, large and extra large. You can’t beat the value for money. Wire frame kennels and doors are dangerous. I never use them and warn everyone away from them. For transportation of a hunting dog to and from the field, the Gunner is the premium for sure, however, one of my dogs refuses to get into the size of gunner recommended on their website - and the size that would offer optimum safety during transportation. I did train him to get in it, but as soon as I closed the door he was terrified to be in it, so a lot of work on normalization was needed. For the size of the exterior on a Gunner, the interior is quite a bit smaller than you may expect. People looking to buy one may want to go up a size if they think they will have any issues with their dog and having enough room.
I've kenneled 5 dogs over the years in steel frame kennels without any issues. That being said could you explain why you say they are dangerous? I'm not disagreeing with you but I like to know the why behind something that I'm being told. What exactly makes them dangerous. Thanks
@@celtjim994 Dogs that are motivated to escape from a kennel, will end up bending the bars, breaking the welds and mutilating themselves getting out. Dogs who try to do that as often as not, end up dying or critically injured. You'd think it was a very rare occurrence, but it happens more than you would think. Some dogs are fine and will never try to break out of a kennel, but sometimes you just don't know what your dog is going to do until they do it. Better to be safe than sorry. Also, with wireframe kennels, their collar (flat or chain) can get caught and they can end up strangling themselves. You can see a couple of examples on my website centraltexas dot dog then go under Owner Resources and Kennel Recommendations.
@@celtjim994 Can confirm. Often see dogs of various breeds escape wire crates and incur nasty injuries. Sadly once saw a death result from a wire crate strangulation. I don't use crates but if I did I would never use the wire ones after what I've witnessed.
Gunner do sell chew guard on all openings for $200, I do agree that gunner ID are considerably small due to its double wall design. I was looking at the Impact dog crate brand but it cost $1400 plus tax and shipping.
Im running a large Gunner Kennel and love it. Yes its heavy but extremely durable and really seems to keep my dog comfortable in the gulf of Texas heat and humidity.
I carry my 50 lb Siberian husky truck buddy around in a Large size Ruffland, with a custom sized cushion by Primo Pads. It's lightweight, easy to handle if and when I need to remove it, but it's heavy duty enough (and a little bit flexible) so that if there was an accident, it won't shatter into pieces that could be sharp. Customer service at Ruffland has been responsive and positive. Definitely happy with my Ruffland.
People beware i agree with this guy 100% order a dakota xl 283 kennel got it & the door would not close properly sent that one back i went with the dakota hero kennel got it in the door was off set & you had to use your fist to get it to shut . So that was 800.00 down the drain next time i will go with another ruffland or a gunner kennel
I run two Intermediate Rufflands stacked like bunk beds in the back of an F150 crew cab. If your crate is within the frame of your vehicle, to me, a single wall is all you need. In the bed? Different story, I’d probably opt for a Gunner. But too true about how easy the Rufflands are to hose out and clean, they’re convenient enough I’m swapping to Rufflands for the house as well. Easy to move around, to stack, to clean, it’s a no brainer. My number one complaint for Gunner is their size range, Gunner tries to sell you on a smaller fit being better but for the time a working or sport dog might spend in their crate versus the few times they’ll ever be in an intense crash…there’s probably more damage being done to their body cramming them in a tiny crate than having a couple of extra inches of room. I used to do facility design work for livestock and other species, all the other bells and whistles Gunner offers as apart of their designs appeal to me…but the sizes and weight don’t make them practical options for me.
This will be one of your top viewed videos ever! I bought a ruff land 6 months ago after lots of research. I know this video took a lot of work to put together. Also my dog is verification of “if it can be chewed on it will be” but the ruff land has stood the test.
Agree. I have all wire collapsible kennels now which for AZ are max air flow, but those lucky kennels sure do look nice. This is like an accidental commercial prompting a purchase I wasn't looking for HA!
Your dog really didn't destroy it? I can't afford and impact so I'm trying to look for something else but he's so destructive in afraid he will chew this 😭
I enjoyed your reviews. I use Ruffland large kennels, secured to my DIY drawer system. Underneath my truck cap, I hunt and trust these crates. Yes, I agree, they might be the least expensive, however the “accessories add up. Currently I have the fan, tie down, handles, and crate cover. I believe I’m about $550 all in.
I have a Dakota 283 medium kennel for my Brittany and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Haven’t had any chewing issues or issues with the door. I’ve had to clean a couple of accidents out of it and it was really easy with the drain in the back. My dog does great in it. One thing that sticks out to me is the durability of the shell. Even though it is single walled it honestly feels sturdier than the ruff land kennels. Overall, it’s a solid kennel.
Thank you for such a straight forward comparison. Yeah, the video is a couple of years old. I know Ruffland has changed their kennels considerably. But it was a help to see them side by side. Watching you move them also spoke to their weight and handling. Solid video. 👍🏻🇺🇸
gunner with no doubt they are expensive but so is everything else and when you think about how much time invested in your dog and money what’s 1k to keep your dog safe and comfortable
This was super helpful! The overview of door security is something I just can't find on each brands site but SO SO important to the dogs I need to transport. Thank you!
Great review! I have a Large ruffland and an XL Dakota and noticed the door issue on the Dakota when my dog popped it completely open one day. I have since installed a slide bolt to the upper side of the door which solved the issue but shouldn't be happening with the kennel in the first place. The ruffland is nice, but in comparison to the thickness of the Dakota I feel like it wouldn't hold up to as strong of a force as the Dakota. Plus Ruffland customer service, shipping, color run situation, and dealer system is annoying at best. .
One thing I really like about our Ruffland is the bi-directional door. Crate ride horizontally in the back seat of the pickup, and if you're parked on a slope at all you can let gravity do it's thing to hold the door open for you while loading/unloading - regardless of if you're parked up or downhill. The flat top is nice as well, I plan on a melamine topper with edges for gear storage, and I'll use their pre existing handle holes to secure it (with handles)
Great review, I really enjoyed it. My two cents: A dog can easily chew on the gunner’s vents. I bought two gunners and they have been chewed hard, plus they take up too much space. A large Dakota is smaller than an intermediate gunner. I wouldn’t buy my gunners over again.
Great review! Just one comment to add. An excellent point was made about the concern of the weakness at the edge of the door of the Dakota 283 LARGE. Once I saw this review I had to go look at my own kennel the Dakota 283 G3 MEDIUM, as I hadn't noticed this issue at all before.. I checked the door and although it is a valid point with the large kennel it is a non-issue with the medium. I assume the travel distance from the lock to the outer corner of the door makes a tremendous difference? Smaller door, less travel no issue. Just wanted to post this incase someone was looking at the Dakota G3 medium. However after seeing this review I might opt out of purchasing a large.
I have both the Gunner Kennel & Lucky Duck kennel in sz Intermediate. I initially had the Gunner Kennel first but had to downsize to a slightly small kennel to retain the rear seats of my Grand Cherokee. The Lucky Duck fit in perfectly. Either or, they’re both 5-star crash rated kennels, premium design, and I’m happy with my new purchase. You really get the best bang for your buck for a Lucky Duck Kennel. However, if you don’t care enough for your rear seats of your SUV, and want to splurge a couple more bucks, then go for the Gunner!
you also didnt mention the fact that Ruff land Kennels offer a side door entry option...That made the difference for me with a jku. I can have the crate in the back and have the back seats in the up position.
I have 11 ruffland crates for various vehicle set ups and love them. My big hang up with ruffland is their customer service and failures in production. The limited release colors has really messed up their company to the point you can even just get the regular run Whitestone consistently and their shipping is insane. I love the crates but just based on that I may be switching to Dakota’s for future crates.
I have a cockapoo that has bad separation anxiety and has torn apart heavy duty wired kennels, a gunner kennel is out of the question, the kennel plus 200 is just not feasible, I saw the ruffland kennel and wondering if he would chew through that too
You really cant go wrong with a gunner if your pockets are deep enough. Just got one and it is beefy! I feel good about the dog riding in the bed of the truck knowing he is as safe as he can be.
Great info, especially when most people can't put hands on these kennels before purchasing. I purchased the Dakota a couple weeks ago with several personal recommendations , but can't say I would have if I had known the information about the door. I am happy with the kennel otherwise, it's a great fit for the truck and I do trust in the dogs safety in an accident.
@Andrew Jones Sufficient thickness of the plastic, overall sturdiness as compared to other roto-molded products. The part I would question without testing would be the door not being forced open, but that slam latch is solid. I still position the kennel either sideways in the backseat or flush against the tailgate to minimize risk if the door were to fail.
Got my Dakota like a week ago… I wanted the ruff land but they were out of stock at most places and I would have to get a few add ons, so like you say price at that point is negligible. I wasn’t gonna shell out the money for Gunner or lucky duck. The Dakota is a great looking kennel and doesn’t look out of place inside the house. The door flex is concerning. I also wish there were better tie down attachments. My pup has chewed a bit on that bottom portion behind the door but it’s not too bad. All in all I’m happy so far, but a bit perturbed at the shotgun logo at the top being slightly askew. You think for ~$500 they’d get the details right. The M/L mud river crate pad fits perfect inside.
I have a Brittany and use an intermediate Ruffland and she fits great. FYI if you have a Jeep JLU the Ruffland intermediate with the SUV slant back fits in the back with your seats in the normal up position.
Wish I found your video before I bought the Dakota 283 for my Boxer. He suffers from separation anxiety and has chewed the crap out of the ledge you mentioned and has chipped his canine from chewing on the metal frame. I'm definitely looking into getting a replacement with something like the Ruffland that is better for his chewing.
The Ruffland kennel door comes off in accidents, so it seems unreasonable to recommend them. It was crash tested and failed. As a house kennel, sure. If you put it in a vehicle, though, it is not safe.
I have both the Gunner and RTK, I rotate them in and out of my Wrangler. I prefer the RTK in the winter because they have really nice, warm covers for the kennel (got cover at Elite K9. The cover for the Gunner is not that great IMO. I use the Gunner in the summer time and the RTK in the winter. I also use a Dewalt fan with rechargeable batteries to keep it cool in warmer temps (it latches on to kennel with no issues. I also added door guards to my RTK since I have a Dutch shepherd. Honestly my dog is so good in the kennel that I probably didn't even need to buy the door guards. I do recommend them if you have a more anxious dog or one that doesn't like the kennel.
I have 2 dakota283 g3 kennels. i havent had a problem with the door in either one. the gunner is out of my price range. but if i was going to spend the money to by a gunner i would buy a dakota283 hero or have an aluminum one made. the gunner is nice with its fancy 5* rating but its just to big especially if your trying to put multiple kennels in something. if your planning on going to a multi day hunt or test and you want to take 2 kennels even in a suburban once you put those 2 gunner kennels in there you have no room for anything else.
I have a lucky. I agree with all of what you said. My pup does well in it and it’s deceptively small from the outside but has quite a bit of room. Probably a little small on the intermediate size though. One thing I wish lucky offered was custom name plates. I think the added personal touch of a name or something on the front of the kennel would be nice lol. Not very important to the kennel but just a stamped aluminum with a colored plastic back would be very nice and it’s something they don’t offer… but no complaints about the kennel
I’ve had two intermediate gunner kennels since they came out for my labs. I also have 1 chew kit for puppies. Love the kennels and they are the best on the market.
@@SouthernSierraNevada most labs owners run intermediate kennels. I would not be able to fit two large kennels in bed of truck with out blocking them up or getting a high canopy after adding deck system
@@SouthernSierraNevada I have an 80 pound dog that does fine in the intermediate. I don’t leave the dogs in the kennels for long sessions. A few hours at a time.
I get this is a year old but I found it while searching for comparisons. The overview and comparison was helpful, but I have to comment on the cost aspect. In your review, you state that by adding functions to the ruff land to get it where the others are it would be about the same price. Obviously prices have changed quite a bit, but the only two items "missing" vs the others that can be added are a pair of handles, and a tie down ring/bracket. Both of which can be added for about $50 todays cost. So that would put the ruffland, with accessories, at a price of $350 on the high end as of the time of this video. That is 30% cheaper than the cheapest competitor (dakota, which you wouldn't recommend) and over 50% cheaper than the highest priced one. Now, I'm not claiming a quality, value, or feature set argument here. I'm strictly saying that the RuffLand appears to absolutely blow away the competition in terms of pricing, and I feel like that clear win was sort of taken away from it. On the flip side, it's the only kennel that isn't lockable, and it doesn't appear there is an easy way to add one, so it's not all wins.
Thanks for posting this. I've been looking for a new kennel and have been trying to decide between these very brands (only difference being the hero kennel from dakota vs the g3) and you have answered many of the questions I personally had regarding each one.
@@StandingStoneKennels that would be awesome, the hero looks to be dakotas true competitor to the gunnar kennel and I'd be very curious to see how their door design holds up.
The one thing about the Lucky Duck Large Kennel that isn't pointed out (because it would probably actually having it there to even notice it) is that the size Large kennel uses the same size door as the Intermediate. I'm sure they did that to save money - one less door to make - but it's not optimal for a taller dog. My pup is about to outgrow the Intermediate, and the way I have it oriented in my car (facing the side, right behind the Driver's seat (in a 4Runner), he scrapes his back on the upper side of the door. It's a shame, because I would go with that one but for this fact.
Good video as looking to find good fit for my rescue weim just got who destroyed the plastic tray in wire crate. Nice to see good and bad of each with out looking at them
I was thinking about taking the door I had form an old kennel going to my local low bridge picking up all pieces of busted fiberglass from from tractor trailers and trucks that don't fit panels which are pretty big size and finished on the outside get some two-part epoxy making my own kennel
@@StandingStoneKennels That’s okay I’m just using it for my Labrador in my Subaru Outback. Plus it’s the only one of these kennels that comes in pink so 🤷🏻♀️ 😂
Gunner suggests the intermediate for a full Grown GSP, do you disagree? Our male fully grown should be around 55 lbs so they stated the large would be too big for one dog.
Sometimes you need to clean either the debris that gets trapped in the hole or the plastic around the hole has frayed. If its the plastic just take a blade or sandpaper to clean up the edges.
Great video, thanks! I have a 60lb Foxhound, 22" tall and 24" long base of neck to base of tail. Would the Intermediate Lucky Duck kennel work or do I need to get a Large?
Partitions don’t often work the way we all would hope. We recommend buying crates that fit along the way. You don’t need to brake the bank with each and can often by 6 months move the pup to it’s final crate size :) thanks for watching.
Have you ever tried the Dakota Hero? Seems to address the door issue and is very well built. I lean towards the Gunner, but I need a large for my Labrador, and that thing is huge. Do you think you’re giving up much by going with a Lucky instead? Thanks!
I've dealt with atrocious & designer flawed doors of the Dakota 283 from caught paws in the rungs, bent to trapped paws in the door corners to all out escape & the manufacturer has no mercy in making things right like a full refund.
Thanks for the video. I have 2 Mastiffs and I'm in the market for a durable travel kennel. My choices were between a Gunner and the Dakota Hero. Have you done a comparison using that style?
Wow I had no idea that these style crates cost so much. I’ll definitely get a wire crate for house and look for a decent one like this down the road. Maybe I can find a used one.
Or a sleepy pod harness. that is what I bought after much research. you must restrain your pet. cheap kennels in the car will explode on impact. watch the safety videos. they are horrible. at least grab a used ruffland kennel if you can find one.
Don't get the wire crates. Expensive (they'll be chewed up) and dangerous. I've personally seen horrific injuries and one death from wire. They just aren't made fit for purpose.
I have an 80lb lab that acts like a Tasmanian devil once he's inside. Which size of Gunner would you recommend? I wanted the option of putting in the back of a ram crew cab and just looking at the one in the video, it seems like it might be a tight fit. Thanks for the awesome video man!
Our3 labs have intermediates one is a 80lbs female & she fits just fine.however they won’t fit in your cab. My intermediates are a tight fit in my super crew
Yes. Because I have one with anxiety. Broke through 2 wire crates. Got this for him… tried scratching his way through and couldn’t. He gave up lol but yes it’s worth the money.
@@StandingStoneKennels is there any travel crate options that you would recommend for giant breeds? I’m thinking our St Bernard and 85lbs Pyrenees mix are gonna be a little too big for the back seat of our truck. Looking for crate options so the can travel in the back of the truck, within secured crates under a canopy/camper shell
Hi, my breeds are SBT and Swedish Vallhund. We travel for sports, and I'm needing to get them kennels for an SVU setup. What size in ruffland would i go with, intermediate? Technically they're medium dogs but I add cushion mats and prefer a little extra room then not enough. Thanks!
I have a 2 month old GSP I’ve been working with to hunt pheasants, I was thinking about training her to track deer as well, is that asking too much out of one dog? Could it affect her bird hunting?
Also have a weimaraner and here looking for suggestions as well....she doesn't like being alone at all. If you are in the bathroom doing ur business she wants to sit on ur lap.... awesome breed but static cling is definitely a thing with them lol
Thoughts on the dakota vs lucky for crash protection? Basically looking for a do all kennel. Short trips and long trips so having to go with a larger kennel which puts gunner out. Leaning towards a lucky large at the moment
Does anyone know anyone who has a small used gunner for a puppy? I don’t want to buy two new ones. At a $1000 for the intermediate and another $600 for a small for 2-3 months. Thats way too much. Anyway used small anyone?
You throw that gunner kennel in the box of the truck and the insulation means nothing. To me those kennels have always been over priced, as soon as your buying more than 1 you may as well go to an aluminum dog box and pick up a Vari-Kennel for in the house.
My dog will never ride in anything but a gunner. Yes, it's heavy but that's a good thing when traveling, I'd love to see a thief try to carry off a 76lb locked kennel with an 80lb dog in it lol
Also nicely insulated
As a professional dog trainer, I agree with your assessment. Inside the house, all of the kennels I use are the Ruffland Kennels. Light weight, easy to clean, stackable, and a door that opens any way I need it to, in addition to being secure. They also (and I think are the only one) sell a metal sheet insert for the back of the door in case you have a dog that tries to break out of it. On any of the others, a dog that wants to break out or is prone to chew will chew those air vent holes, esp the gunner due to the double wall construction. For inside the house, the Ruffland is probably the best kennel that a dog is going to live in. The interior dimensions for the size of the kennel provide a lot of room in any of the sizes. I have the backseat riders, intermediate, large and extra large. You can’t beat the value for money.
Wire frame kennels and doors are dangerous. I never use them and warn everyone away from them.
For transportation of a hunting dog to and from the field, the Gunner is the premium for sure, however, one of my dogs refuses to get into the size of gunner recommended on their website - and the size that would offer optimum safety during transportation. I did train him to get in it, but as soon as I closed the door he was terrified to be in it, so a lot of work on normalization was needed. For the size of the exterior on a Gunner, the interior is quite a bit smaller than you may expect. People looking to buy one may want to go up a size if they think they will have any issues with their dog and having enough room.
I've kenneled 5 dogs over the years in steel frame kennels without any issues. That being said could you explain why you say they are dangerous? I'm not disagreeing with you but I like to know the why behind something that I'm being told. What exactly makes them dangerous.
Thanks
@@celtjim994 Dogs that are motivated to escape from a kennel, will end up bending the bars, breaking the welds and mutilating themselves getting out. Dogs who try to do that as often as not, end up dying or critically injured. You'd think it was a very rare occurrence, but it happens more than you would think. Some dogs are fine and will never try to break out of a kennel, but sometimes you just don't know what your dog is going to do until they do it. Better to be safe than sorry. Also, with wireframe kennels, their collar (flat or chain) can get caught and they can end up strangling themselves. You can see a couple of examples on my website centraltexas dot dog then go under Owner Resources and Kennel Recommendations.
@@celtjim994 Can confirm. Often see dogs of various breeds escape wire crates and incur nasty injuries. Sadly once saw a death result from a wire crate strangulation. I don't use crates but if I did I would never use the wire ones after what I've witnessed.
Gunner do sell chew guard on all openings for $200, I do agree that gunner ID are considerably small due to its double wall design. I was looking at the Impact dog crate brand but it cost $1400 plus tax and shipping.
Thank you so much for mentioning the door guards. That is what I been looking for in a kennel.
Im running a large Gunner Kennel and love it. Yes its heavy but extremely durable and really seems to keep my dog comfortable in the gulf of Texas heat and humidity.
How do you keep the temp down inside the bed with the camper shell on? I’m looking at similar set up.
But it comes in half so you can carry half and half right?
I carry my 50 lb Siberian husky truck buddy around in a Large size Ruffland, with a custom sized cushion by Primo Pads. It's lightweight, easy to handle if and when I need to remove it, but it's heavy duty enough (and a little bit flexible) so that if there was an accident, it won't shatter into pieces that could be sharp. Customer service at Ruffland has been responsive and positive. Definitely happy with my Ruffland.
People beware i agree with this guy 100% order a dakota xl 283 kennel got it & the door would not close properly sent that one back i went with the dakota hero kennel got it in the door was off set & you had to use your fist to get it to shut . So that was 800.00 down the drain next time i will go with another ruffland or a gunner kennel
I run two Intermediate Rufflands stacked like bunk beds in the back of an F150 crew cab. If your crate is within the frame of your vehicle, to me, a single wall is all you need. In the bed? Different story, I’d probably opt for a Gunner. But too true about how easy the Rufflands are to hose out and clean, they’re convenient enough I’m swapping to Rufflands for the house as well. Easy to move around, to stack, to clean, it’s a no brainer.
My number one complaint for Gunner is their size range, Gunner tries to sell you on a smaller fit being better but for the time a working or sport dog might spend in their crate versus the few times they’ll ever be in an intense crash…there’s probably more damage being done to their body cramming them in a tiny crate than having a couple of extra inches of room. I used to do facility design work for livestock and other species, all the other bells and whistles Gunner offers as apart of their designs appeal to me…but the sizes and weight don’t make them practical options for me.
Agree. If I buy a gunner it will be larger than they recommend.
This will be one of your top viewed videos ever! I bought a ruff land 6 months ago after lots of research. I know this video took a lot of work to put together. Also my dog is verification of “if it can be chewed on it will be” but the ruff land has stood the test.
Agree. I have all wire collapsible kennels now which for AZ are max air flow, but those lucky kennels sure do look nice. This is like an accidental commercial prompting a purchase I wasn't looking for HA!
Your dog really didn't destroy it? I can't afford and impact so I'm trying to look for something else but he's so destructive in afraid he will chew this 😭
Ruff land is still going. He hasn’t chewed on it. I’m still pleased with my decision.
I enjoyed your reviews. I use Ruffland large kennels, secured to my DIY drawer system. Underneath my truck cap, I hunt and trust these crates. Yes, I agree, they might be the least expensive, however the “accessories add up. Currently I have the fan, tie down, handles, and crate cover. I believe I’m about $550 all in.
I have a Dakota 283 medium kennel for my Brittany and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Haven’t had any chewing issues or issues with the door. I’ve had to clean a couple of accidents out of it and it was really easy with the drain in the back. My dog does great in it. One thing that sticks out to me is the durability of the shell. Even though it is single walled it honestly feels sturdier than the ruff land kennels. Overall, it’s a solid kennel.
Thank you for such a straight forward comparison. Yeah, the video is a couple of years old. I know Ruffland has changed their kennels considerably. But it was a help to see them side by side. Watching you move them also spoke to their weight and handling. Solid video. 👍🏻🇺🇸
Thanks! Maybe we will be able to do an update video soon with new crates and designs!
gunner with no doubt they are expensive but so is everything else and when you think about how much time invested in your dog and money what’s 1k to keep your dog safe and comfortable
This was super helpful! The overview of door security is something I just can't find on each brands site but SO SO important to the dogs I need to transport. Thank you!
Happy to help!
Great review! I have a Large ruffland and an XL Dakota and noticed the door issue on the Dakota when my dog popped it completely open one day. I have since installed a slide bolt to the upper side of the door which solved the issue but shouldn't be happening with the kennel in the first place. The ruffland is nice, but in comparison to the thickness of the Dakota I feel like it wouldn't hold up to as strong of a force as the Dakota. Plus Ruffland customer service, shipping, color run situation, and dealer system is annoying at best. .
One thing I really like about our Ruffland is the bi-directional door. Crate ride horizontally in the back seat of the pickup, and if you're parked on a slope at all you can let gravity do it's thing to hold the door open for you while loading/unloading - regardless of if you're parked up or downhill.
The flat top is nice as well, I plan on a melamine topper with edges for gear storage, and I'll use their pre existing handle holes to secure it (with handles)
Great review, I really enjoyed it. My two cents: A dog can easily chew on the gunner’s vents. I bought two gunners and they have been chewed hard, plus they take up too much space. A large Dakota is smaller than an intermediate gunner. I wouldn’t buy my gunners over again.
Gunner sells additional chew guards that can be installed, if you have a dog who chews.
I am running a gunner kennel and couldn’t be happier!!
Great review! Just one comment to add. An excellent point was made about the concern of the weakness at the edge of the door of the Dakota 283 LARGE. Once I saw this review I had to go look at my own kennel the Dakota 283 G3 MEDIUM, as I hadn't noticed this issue at all before.. I checked the door and although it is a valid point with the large kennel it is a non-issue with the medium. I assume the travel distance from the lock to the outer corner of the door makes a tremendous difference? Smaller door, less travel no issue. Just wanted to post this incase someone was looking at the Dakota G3 medium. However after seeing this review I might opt out of purchasing a large.
I have both the Gunner Kennel & Lucky Duck kennel in sz Intermediate. I initially had the Gunner Kennel first but had to downsize to a slightly small kennel to retain the rear seats of my Grand Cherokee.
The Lucky Duck fit in perfectly. Either or, they’re both 5-star crash rated kennels, premium design, and I’m happy with my new purchase. You really get the best bang for your buck for a Lucky Duck Kennel.
However, if you don’t care enough for your rear seats of your SUV, and want to splurge a couple more bucks, then go for the Gunner!
you also didnt mention the fact that Ruff land Kennels offer a side door entry option...That made the difference for me with a jku. I can have the crate in the back and have the back seats in the up position.
I picked up a lucky duck “intermediate” for 20% off @ Hollywood feed for Memorial Day weekend sale today! Killer deal I couldn’t pass on
I have 11 ruffland crates for various vehicle set ups and love them. My big hang up with ruffland is their customer service and failures in production. The limited release colors has really messed up their company to the point you can even just get the regular run Whitestone consistently and their shipping is insane. I love the crates but just based on that I may be switching to Dakota’s for future crates.
I have a cockapoo that has bad separation anxiety and has torn apart heavy duty wired kennels, a gunner kennel is out of the question, the kennel plus 200 is just not feasible, I saw the ruffland kennel and wondering if he would chew through that too
You really cant go wrong with a gunner if your pockets are deep enough. Just got one and it is beefy! I feel good about the dog riding in the bed of the truck knowing he is as safe as he can be.
Great info, especially when most people can't put hands on these kennels before purchasing.
I purchased the Dakota a couple weeks ago with several personal recommendations , but can't say I would have if I had known the information about the door. I am happy with the kennel otherwise, it's a great fit for the truck and I do trust in the dogs safety in an accident.
@Andrew Jones Sufficient thickness of the plastic, overall sturdiness as compared to other roto-molded products. The part I would question without testing would be the door not being forced open, but that slam latch is solid. I still position the kennel either sideways in the backseat or flush against the tailgate to minimize risk if the door were to fail.
The company are defense contractors with the government and for storage systems. They have other kennels that are more robust.
Got my Dakota like a week ago… I wanted the ruff land but they were out of stock at most places and I would have to get a few add ons, so like you say price at that point is negligible.
I wasn’t gonna shell out the money for Gunner or lucky duck.
The Dakota is a great looking kennel and doesn’t look out of place inside the house. The door flex is concerning. I also wish there were better tie down attachments. My pup has chewed a bit on that bottom portion behind the door but it’s not too bad. All in all I’m happy so far, but a bit perturbed at the shotgun logo at the top being slightly askew. You think for ~$500 they’d get the details right. The M/L mud river crate pad fits perfect inside.
Thanks for watching!
Ruffland are currently back ordered by 16 weeks, as far as I recall.
I have a Brittany and use an intermediate Ruffland and she fits great. FYI if you have a Jeep JLU the Ruffland intermediate with the SUV slant back fits in the back with your seats in the normal up position.
saw these gunner kennels at Pheasant fest in KC many years ago, very impressive.
They are build very well
Great review I'm a proud owner of 4 gunnerkennals and 2 ruffland kennals 🐾
Wish I found your video before I bought the Dakota 283 for my Boxer. He suffers from separation anxiety and has chewed the crap out of the ledge you mentioned and has chipped his canine from chewing on the metal frame. I'm definitely looking into getting a replacement with something like the Ruffland that is better for his chewing.
The Ruffland kennel door comes off in accidents, so it seems unreasonable to recommend them. It was crash tested and failed. As a house kennel, sure. If you put it in a vehicle, though, it is not safe.
I have both the Gunner and RTK, I rotate them in and out of my Wrangler. I prefer the RTK in the winter because they have really nice, warm covers for the kennel (got cover at Elite K9. The cover for the Gunner is not that great IMO.
I use the Gunner in the summer time and the RTK in the winter. I also use a Dewalt fan with rechargeable batteries to keep it cool in warmer temps (it latches on to kennel with no issues. I also added door guards to my RTK since I have a Dutch shepherd. Honestly my dog is so good in the kennel that I probably didn't even need to buy the door guards. I do recommend them if you have a more anxious dog or one that doesn't like the kennel.
What size of each did you purchase for your DS?
I have 2 dakota283 g3 kennels. i havent had a problem with the door in either one. the gunner is out of my price range. but if i was going to spend the money to by a gunner i would buy a dakota283 hero or have an aluminum one made. the gunner is nice with its fancy 5* rating but its just to big especially if your trying to put multiple kennels in something. if your planning on going to a multi day hunt or test and you want to take 2 kennels even in a suburban once you put those 2 gunner kennels in there you have no room for anything else.
BEST REVIEW ON ALL OF THE MAJOR KENNELS- THANK YOU
Thank you!
I have a lucky. I agree with all of what you said. My pup does well in it and it’s deceptively small from the outside but has quite a bit of room. Probably a little small on the intermediate size though. One thing I wish lucky offered was custom name plates. I think the added personal touch of a name or something on the front of the kennel would be nice lol. Not very important to the kennel but just a stamped aluminum with a colored plastic back would be very nice and it’s something they don’t offer… but no complaints about the kennel
I have Pekes and a long coat Akita, I could care less about hair getting out into my house, I just care about max ventilation and crash test results
Yes! You have to choose the best option based on your top criteria!
Dakota's Hero series fixes your issue with the door, but does push it into the Gunner's price range.
I’ve had two intermediate gunner kennels since they came out for my labs. I also have 1 chew kit for puppies. Love the kennels and they are the best on the market.
Does the intermediate leave plenty of room for your lab to stand? I have an 80 pound lab and was wondering how they fit.
@@SouthernSierraNevada they can stand. It’s tight but you want tight fir safety. I travel a about two hours between stops to let them run.
@@jacobzirkle9153 is the large overkill?
@@SouthernSierraNevada most labs owners run intermediate kennels. I would not be able to fit two large kennels in bed of truck with out blocking them up or getting a high canopy after adding deck system
@@SouthernSierraNevada I have an 80 pound dog that does fine in the intermediate. I don’t leave the dogs in the kennels for long sessions. A few hours at a time.
I never noticed that about my Dakota 283. It’s never been a problem, but I’m glad you noticed it.
I get this is a year old but I found it while searching for comparisons. The overview and comparison was helpful, but I have to comment on the cost aspect. In your review, you state that by adding functions to the ruff land to get it where the others are it would be about the same price. Obviously prices have changed quite a bit, but the only two items "missing" vs the others that can be added are a pair of handles, and a tie down ring/bracket. Both of which can be added for about $50 todays cost. So that would put the ruffland, with accessories, at a price of $350 on the high end as of the time of this video. That is 30% cheaper than the cheapest competitor (dakota, which you wouldn't recommend) and over 50% cheaper than the highest priced one.
Now, I'm not claiming a quality, value, or feature set argument here. I'm strictly saying that the RuffLand appears to absolutely blow away the competition in terms of pricing, and I feel like that clear win was sort of taken away from it. On the flip side, it's the only kennel that isn't lockable, and it doesn't appear there is an easy way to add one, so it's not all wins.
My ruffland has been great almost never leaves my jeep
Thank you for the honest review!❤❤
Always!
Thanks for posting this. I've been looking for a new kennel and have been trying to decide between these very brands (only difference being the hero kennel from dakota vs the g3) and you have answered many of the questions I personally had regarding each one.
I may buy the hero to review it!
@@StandingStoneKennels that would be awesome, the hero looks to be dakotas true competitor to the gunnar kennel and I'd be very curious to see how their door design holds up.
EXCELLENT review! I'm currently checking out travel crates that may (or may not) compare to Gunner and you helped me a lot. Thank you!
The one thing about the Lucky Duck Large Kennel that isn't pointed out (because it would probably actually having it there to even notice it) is that the size Large kennel uses the same size door as the Intermediate. I'm sure they did that to save money - one less door to make - but it's not optimal for a taller dog. My pup is about to outgrow the Intermediate, and the way I have it oriented in my car (facing the side, right behind the Driver's seat (in a 4Runner), he scrapes his back on the upper side of the door. It's a shame, because I would go with that one but for this fact.
Thanks for pointing that out
Gunner is the way
What about IMPACT crates? I'm not a fan of molded - dogs have gotten out.
We haven’t tested them
Good video as looking to find good fit for my rescue weim just got who destroyed the plastic tray in wire crate. Nice to see good and bad of each with out looking at them
I have a Gunner Intermediate and a Primo Kennel Up Kennel and I honestly love both of them. They stay in my 2021 Ranger with a topper year round.
Is the gunner intermediate leave enough standing room for an 80lb lab?
I was thinking about taking the door I had form an old kennel going to my local low bridge picking up all pieces of busted fiberglass from from tractor trailers and trucks that don't fit panels which are pretty big size and finished on the outside get some two-part epoxy making my own kennel
Go for it!
This comes out the same day I receive my Dakota 283 kennel 😂
Dang timing anyway…
@@StandingStoneKennels That’s okay I’m just using it for my Labrador in my Subaru Outback. Plus it’s the only one of these kennels that comes in pink so 🤷🏻♀️ 😂
Great run down!
Could been a kennel salesman
Very informative. Love the disclosure at the start.
Love the lucky kennel
Gunner suggests the intermediate for a full Grown GSP, do you disagree? Our male fully grown should be around 55 lbs so they stated the large would be too big for one dog.
I would say intermediate.
Have you tested the Impact Crate? I like the Gunnar, but I don't think it's conveniently movable for me.
Very helpful - I'll be buying new boxes based on this.
This was great and really helped solidify my decision thank you!!!
Gunner G1! Great customer service
I have a metal one and am looking for a large size plastic
These would all be great options, but we recommend this one the most: www.standingstonesupply.com/store?store-page=G1-Kennel-p455958268
I see you, Gunner.
How would an Impact crate or Variocage compare to these ? Also do any of these kennels come in larger sizes , preferably for a 100+ Lb dog ?
Really liked this video. I'm in the market for a travel Kennel. Do you recommend a pad.
I like my ruffland but over time i have issues getting the latches to slide into the holes to close the doors
Sometimes you need to clean either the debris that gets trapped in the hole or the plastic around the hole has frayed. If its the plastic just take a blade or sandpaper to clean up the edges.
Thank you very helpful
You're welcome!
What’s best for separation anxiety and a chewer.
Company.
Pro Select is best
Thanks for watching!
Great info~ thanks!
Great video, thanks! I have a 60lb Foxhound, 22" tall and 24" long base of neck to base of tail. Would the Intermediate Lucky Duck kennel work or do I need to get a Large?
Do these have partitions to allow a puppy to grow into it? If I'm looking at that kind of money, I'd like to buy once cry once.
Partitions don’t often work the way we all would hope. We recommend buying crates that fit along the way. You don’t need to brake the bank with each and can often by 6 months move the pup to it’s final crate size :) thanks for watching.
Have you ever tried the Dakota Hero? Seems to address the door issue and is very well built. I lean towards the Gunner, but I need a large for my Labrador, and that thing is huge. Do you think you’re giving up much by going with a Lucky instead? Thanks!
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Love this tyvm
great Review
We have a gsp 60 lbs with high anxiety in crates. He has broken out of several crates. Which one do you recommend?
This would be a great option for a dog with crate issues. www.standingstonesupply.com/store?store-page=G1-Kennel-p455958268
I've dealt with atrocious & designer flawed doors of the Dakota 283 from caught paws in the rungs, bent to trapped paws in the door corners to all out escape & the manufacturer has no mercy in making things right like a full refund.
Sorry for your troubles.
Thanks for the video. I have 2 Mastiffs and I'm in the market for a durable travel kennel. My choices were between a Gunner and the Dakota Hero. Have you done a comparison using that style?
We haven't
Wow I had no idea that these style crates cost so much. I’ll definitely get a wire crate for house and look for a decent one like this down the road. Maybe I can find a used one.
Or a sleepy pod harness. that is what I bought after much research. you must restrain your pet. cheap kennels in the car will explode on impact. watch the safety videos. they are horrible. at least grab a used ruffland kennel if you can find one.
Definitely do not recommend wire crates at all. Thousands of horror stories of dogs getting there jaws and paws caught in the wires and breaking them.
Don't get the wire crates. Expensive (they'll be chewed up) and dangerous. I've personally seen horrific injuries and one death from wire. They just aren't made fit for purpose.
Do you use and straw or shavings as padding or just bare crate?
I have an 80lb lab that acts like a Tasmanian devil once he's inside. Which size of Gunner would you recommend? I wanted the option of putting in the back of a ram crew cab and just looking at the one in the video, it seems like it might be a tight fit. Thanks for the awesome video man!
Large won’t fit in the back of your cab
Our3 labs have intermediates one is a 80lbs female & she fits just fine.however they won’t fit in your cab. My intermediates are a tight fit in my super crew
I have a 65 lb Labrador. I am leaning towrd the lucky duck kennel. Is the intermediate a good size for him or do I need to get the large?
Large!
I have a golden retriever with anxiety, would the gunner kennel be the best option to crate him when I’m not home?
Yes. Because I have one with anxiety. Broke through 2 wire crates. Got this for him… tried scratching his way through and couldn’t. He gave up lol but yes it’s worth the money.
Will any of these options fit a full grown male Saint Bernard for travel?
Probably not..
@@StandingStoneKennels is there any travel crate options that you would recommend for giant breeds? I’m thinking our St Bernard and 85lbs Pyrenees mix are gonna be a little too big for the back seat of our truck. Looking for crate options so the can travel in the back of the truck, within secured crates under a canopy/camper shell
Which kennel is best for a dog with anxiety? We have broken a tooth from him trying to chew out and I’m not sure which door would best prevent this
www.standingstonesupply.com/store?store-page=G1-Kennel-p455958268
Does anyone know how I can buy the Gunner kennel in Australia? 🇦🇺
800 bucks for a single hole box you can go buy a 2 hole box for the same if not much more money
Hi, my breeds are SBT and Swedish Vallhund. We travel for sports, and I'm needing to get them kennels for an SVU setup.
What size in ruffland would i go with, intermediate?
Technically they're medium dogs but I add cushion mats and prefer a little extra room then not enough.
Thanks!
Large
How long did you use those four kennels before you make this review video?
8 month was the shortest time and that was the gunner. We didn’t actually put a dog in the Dakota for the reasons mentioned.
I have a 2 month old GSP I’ve been working with to hunt pheasants, I was thinking about training her to track deer as well, is that asking too much out of one dog? Could it affect her bird hunting?
What does that have to do with kennels?
I have a Weimaraner pup and is hates the crate! I know the breed is subject to separation anxiety. Any one in particular you would recommend?
Also have a weimaraner and here looking for suggestions as well....she doesn't like being alone at all. If you are in the bathroom doing ur business she wants to sit on ur lap.... awesome breed but static cling is definitely a thing with them lol
I'd recommend 2 weimaraners. They are pack animals so it's not normal for them to be alone. It's not even normal for us to be alone!
Thoughts on the dakota vs lucky for crash protection? Basically looking for a do all kennel. Short trips and long trips so having to go with a larger kennel which puts gunner out. Leaning towards a lucky large at the moment
Why don't bird dog guys use dog boxs I all ways wondered why
The kennels can be moved back and forth from the field to the truck.
Now I need to go to my kennel cost more than my kayak sticker
thanks for watching
Does anyone know anyone who has a small used gunner for a puppy? I don’t want to buy two new ones. At a $1000 for the intermediate and another $600 for a small for 2-3 months. Thats way too much. Anyway used small anyone?
Hopefully the key hole doesn't have the key number on so many locks have the freaking key number on the hole
depends on the model
Lol how to get my puppy to quit hitting me 😂
You throw that gunner kennel in the box of the truck and the insulation means nothing. To me those kennels have always been over priced, as soon as your buying more than 1 you may as well go to an aluminum dog box and pick up a Vari-Kennel for in the house.
Oh yea, let me just throw $500 at a freaking cage lol. Unrealistic and detached