If you are going to buy a metal/wire crate I have heard that drop pin crates are harder for them to get out of. They do not fold down.

http://www.petcratesdirect.com/dog-crates-concepts.html

I have one of these styles of crates and it does seem sturdier than the folding style wire crate, although none of my dogs has ever been a crate-escaper.

Since you are only a foster home I assume you will not want to spring the $500-600 needed for the aluminum crate (unless you are going to keep fostering - then it might be a good idea if you have the money!)

 Quote: angela burrell

If you are going to buy a metal/wire crate I have heard that drop pin crates are harder for them to get out of. They do not fold down.

Yes! True. The manner in which they connect makes it MUCH harder to take down a panel. The only thing left to secure is the floor and the door.
I looked at the link, and that "reinforced" leg crate is the very crate Simon proceeded to remove panels from w/relative ease. He somehow folded the back panel IN, directly flush w/the floor pan, and the rest of it stayed in place. He just pushed it away from the wall, and away he went.

I love how shockingly smart and athletic animals can be. I have two Pit Mixes. The older one isn't as conniving and thankfully due to his weird muscle bound GSD inspired body (it's a strange combo), he just doesn't have the jump height to clear my fence like my older dog could when she was young. He was always good in a crate, too. One of those dogs who loves the crate and goes in it to lie down when he tired, bored or stressed. My older dog loved them, too. Now I've got a strong dog who does NOT like crates (just yet). I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I just have to remember - "This too shall pass". I'm attempting crate and rotate and it doesn't really work if he can break the crate and then be at the door ready to sneak out.

I have always been afraid of leaving my dogs loose in the house. I had an old friend whose GSD jumped through a plate glass window, got loose in the neighborhood and the police were called. Needless to say, he met a terrible end and it was traumatizing for my friend, who really had nothing wrong except keep a large dog in her home.

I'd also love an outdoor kennel, but I have a yard that is roughly the size of a postage stamp and I live in the city, so if the dogs were barking a lot I'm sure someone would complain.