… and an opportunity to win your own!
By Bruce Ross, Executive Director
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s May 2020 Newsletter edition.
Tar enjoying the comfort of her Dakota crate
Readers of this newsletter may be familiar with WWA Canine Life Sponsors Tar and Callie, my Labrador retrievers. They have been my best hunters ever, and I’ve put thousands of hours (and undoubtedly, dollars) into them. My wife, Pam, and I love them like children and if they were to outlive us, would compete with our human kids for an inheritance.
We care about – and for – them; they sleep in our bedroom, they go to the best vet in town, they eat the best food, enjoy the finest snacks, play with the best toys… so why wouldn’t we put them in crates that stand up to our high expectations?
So three years ago when I bought a smaller-sized pick-up, I looked around for a quality nexgen crate for “the girls”. My previous crates had been the clamshell variety – which have been “just okay”, but typically only last a couple of years before breaking down. And with their side flanges, would consume precious inches in my now smaller truck bed – meaning a smaller interior to fit two crates side-by-side. Don’t want to crowd the girls!
Here, Tar snoozes, while Callie wonders where her crate has gone… (I removed it to move some lumber-I certainly didn’t need to worry about the lumber damaging the crate I left in the truck!)
After some research, I narrowed it down to several possibilities. I considered the expensive, dual-walled versions that were then beginning to appear, but their extra weight, and large exterior dimensions and substantial cost pushed them out of consideration. I wanted something really strong, of course, but I needed to afford two crates that would fit in the truck and that my petite wife Pam could get in and out of the truck occasionally.
I ended up buying two Dakota 283 dog crates. While Dakota has several models available, I chose the G3 version, size medium – the perfect size for my 60-pound labs and a perfect side-by-side fit in my GMC Canyon. Selling points for me were the solid one-piece construction with built in handle, heavy-duty (but not heavy) material (that will withstand Wisconsin winters and summers).
And they get high value points from me compared to both more expensive crates, and the less expensive ones, too! I chose grey to match my truck – of course – but they come in a wide variety of colors. And they fit the Mud River line of crate accessories (like crate pads to cush the tush of my critters, or crate covers, if they are used in extreme weather). Bonus: they stack securely when not in my truck (I place my stacked set on a furniture dollie, which allows me to roll them to whatever space in the garage is open). And I can hose them out and easily drain them after a muddy duck season.
Here Callie has found her crate inside, and is taking shelter from a thunderstorm’s booms.
So nearly three years later, the girls and I are happy travelers – they‘ve been all over the state(s) without let-down; with one exception – the door latches failed after a couple of years.
But a look through Dakota’s website six months ago revealed they have since upgraded their doors to be the strongest in the industry – and the doors could be retro-fitted to existing crates! So I did.
I realize it’s weird to say that I love those doors, but… I love those doors! Heavy stainless steel, one-hand slam latches, a locking system, and a super solid construction now make my crates bullet-proof – protecting some of my most precious cargo from mishaps or misdeeds.
Check out our Facebook page for details on our “Dog Lovers raffle”.
Want to win a Dog Lover’s Package? The next five people who join WWA as $200 Habitat Sponsor online here will have a one in five chance of winning “The Dog Lover’s Giveaway”. This drawing package includes a Dakota 283 G3 crate (size medium), a SportDOG Brand training collar, and a Fromm’s dog food treat basket PLUS WWA’s 2020 Habitat Sponsor gift of a WWA-engraved Browning knife! AND, the lucky winner will get a WWA Canine Life membership with collar, too! In all, this package is worth over $650!! Join now for your chance to win big.