Since I now I have to crate my dogs, and since we will be doing some remolding in the next few months, I'd love to hear from those of you who have done things to 'blend' their crates into their home decor. ESP for those who have larger dogs.

I saw this http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0713032623642.html

and thought WOW - I'm sure with dogs that are not uber tenacious about chewing or escaping you could build solutions like this. Either a den in and of itself OR a place to put in a wire crate.



I have seen many 'end table' types, but most are too small for 60+ pound dogs.

Since it is just myself and my S.O. in the house (ie no rowdy children) I was thinking about building a reading bench -nook like this where I could slide in two crates under and then incorporate a shelving until up the side.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/101/255169450_97bf9f2b71.jpg

In a situation where you have agression issues with your dogs, I would want to be sure that the crate I put my dog in is VERY secure so that the dog cannot get out. The screened area in the pic that you linked or anything like it, although attractive, IMO would not be proper containment for dogs that have a history of fighting together. I would opt for function before decor. But that's just me.

Hardware cloth is very rugged stuff. If one has a determined dog though, I'd worry about the frame work around the doors(?), they look pretty shaky.
Kaye,
If you have two dogs that can't live together, are you thinking about crating one at a time or both?
If you're crating them at the same time I wouldn't have them even in sight of each other. Seems to me that could just escalate their issues.
Any ways, if you're handy and you want to make something to fit where ever or build around, go down to your local Ames Farm agri store. Pickup or order a 5x16 foot x 4 inch 8 guage wire panel, sorry I forget exactly what they call them but I think they're made to put an area together for pigs. VERY rugged stuff, believe me no dog is going to go through it (depending on your workmenship), and when cut into shorter lengths like for a crate need no extra support. You can make your own crate to your own dimensions!
Depending on what sizes you want, one panel I think could be enough for two crates if it's laid out right and you're handy and have the tools. But two at the most certainly, and lots of material left over.
They cost about $80 each in these parts.

Ive always had a fond liking for these... http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3432640&lmdn=Dog It may be because they match the decor the girlfriend likes, but they seem stylish and simple.

I work at Petco... When I saw that come off the truck, my first thought was "My dog would certainly find a way to eat that....".

Even my little dogs are woodchucks, I love this furniture idea but my love meeting the practicality of keeping dogs don't always mix.

When prettying something up it should still be able to function as well as what you started with. Maybe metal backings would work to help with the chewing?

ive seen many of these and have wanted to do somethign with mine.. we have 7 42" crates and currently have a "dog room" but i have wnated to build them under attractive shelving or something for all of their things... when looking at dog furtiture ive always thought that it should really (at least for my dogs) still be their regular crates with something around it to dress it up.. like the midwest crate table that goes AROUND the real crate.. no way that wood bars or screening would make me feel very safe.