This is the second Midwest crate I've ordered in the past week. The first was the Midwest Lifestages Double-Door Folding crate. I ordered this one because it is 25" high, not 27" high. I can fit this one in the back of my Taurus wagon, unlike the taller crate. Pros: It's a crate. It fits in the back of my Taurus wagon. The door latches have a smooth action, thanks to the paint. It folds up more easily than the Petco crate I purchased a year ago. It has rubberized feet that protect floors from getting scratched. This is a big deal for me, since our house has hardwood floors. As an added plus, the feet make it a lot easier to slide in and out of the car. The price is very good. Quality seems fine. It has two doors, which gives it more flexibility in terms of use. It has only one latch to keep the crate folded for carrying instead of two. This is a plus because those latches stay closed only if being used to keep the crate folded. Otherwise, they flop open and can get in the way. Having only one is a plus under these conditions. Cons: Initial setup is a pain. Midwest ships these so that you can't unfold them out of the box. These crates are designed in such a way that you push down on the top side of either the front or back in order to release the top catch. The front (or back--whichever you used) will then fold inward. The side walls then collapse and fold. Midwest has decided that neither the single latch nor the flat shipping box is adequate for keeping the crate flat during shipping. They pack the crate so that one of the side latches (not one of the top) catches against a wire. This is a major, major pain to deal with. I use a screwdriver to help lift apart the two wires, and then have to use force to get the catch to slip over the wire it's catching upon. This is hard to describe (obviously), but believe me, it takes a lot of time, patience, and leverage to do this. Expect some minor paint chippage. Also, now that you know what to look for, inspect this area on the next crate you order so you can see if you get a returned crate from someone too frustrated to figure it out. This crate will probably not be good for dogs that want to escape. I like the fact that it seems easy to pop up and down, but for people whose dogs aren't good in crates, this could be a major problem. The wires aren't really bendable, but for a determined dog who's gone nuts with anxiety, it may be possible to spring some of the catches. The dog could become lacerated. I would probably recommend a hard crate for that kind of dog, as well as consistent crate games to get the dog used to the idea that the crate is a good place to be when Mom or Dad is gone. Final Thoughts: Although it took me longer to write the Cons section, overall, there are more pros to this crate than cons. The price is excellent, and for a 2-door crate, you can't beat it. Also, it fits in the back of a station wagon, so for people reluctant to use crates in cars because of fit concerns, check out this crate. I'm glad I bought it, and I will probably buy another. Maybe 2. I am not sure it's possible to have too many crates for home or auto.
