When you think about dog carriers, you probably think about those cute little purses that women carry their prissy little pooches in? Or maybe you think about a doggy backpack that allows you to take your little dog on a long hike. But, what about large breed dog owners that need a carrier when traveling with their big dog? They're hard to find, but carriers for large dogs do exist, and the Midwest Homes for Pets Skudo Dog Carrier is one of them.
Traveling with a dog isn't easy, especially a large dog. There are thousands of carriers made for dogs weighing less than 40 pounds. But what if your dog weighs 100 pounds? It's still best to keep him in a secure carrier while traveling in the car, and you'll be required to keep him in a carrier if you need to travel by airplane.
If you follow my writing, then you know that we have a Labrador Retriever. I've been looking for the right carrier for her for quite some time. It was difficult to find one that was big enough for her, and even more difficult to find a quality carrier.
So, did the Skudo Dog Carrier meet my expectations? What did our Labrador think of it? Is it different than other similarly sized carriers, and is it a good value for the money? I've got all of these answers and more, so you'll just have to keep reading to find out!
Midwest Homes for Pets Skudo Dog Carrier Review
This crate is made of durable plastic with a metal door. As you'll see in my video review, the top and bottom are attached with snap-lock buckles. The top nests inside the bottom of the crate for easier storage. The snap-lock buckles allow for easy setup when you're ready to put the Skudo Dog Carrier back together.
The company does state that this crate can be used for airline travel. However, every airline has different requirements for pet travel crates. I would recommend calling ahead or checking out the airlines website to make sure that the carrier you're bringing will meet their guidelines.
In my video review, I demonstrate how easy it is to move this carrier when you attach the castor wheels. Unfortunately, these wheels don't are not included when you purchase the Skudo Dog Carrier. You can purchase them separately for about $40.
There are swivel handles on the top of the larger carriers, which make it easy to pull around when on wheels. Obviously, if you have a large dog, you're not going to be able to lift the carrier when he's inside. The smaller sizes have a traditional handle on the top for easy carrying.
In my video review, I demonstrate how easy it is for me to pull our 75-pound Labrador around in the Skudo Dog Carrier.
The Skudo Dog Carrier isn't just for large dogs. It's available in 6 sizes:
19-inch- 22-inch
- 24-inch
- 27-inch
- 32-inch (the size featured in my review)
- 36-inch
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There is plenty of ventilation, as you can see from my photos. There are also two small compartments on the top that you could use to store your dog's collar, leash or toys.
I like the locking mechanism on the door, but some people may have trouble with it. As you can see in the photo on the right, yellow mechanism on the door is a safety latch that allows you to ‘lock' or ‘unlock' the door. Once set in the unlocked position, you'll still need to squeeze the little levers together and pull to open the door.
For anyone with weak hand strength or arthritis, this could be an issue. However, having a secure lock is obviously a very good feature. The other yellow locking mechanism in the photo above is a lock for the buckle. Those buckles are placed all around the carrier to securely attach the top of the carrier to the bottom.
I've done a lot of research and tried a lot of different carriers. In my opinion, this is the best dog carrier for large breeds. As far as carrier for small dogs go, it's pretty similar to other products on the market. No matter what size you need, I think the Skudo Dog Carrier is a good value for the money you'll spend.
At the time of this review, the Skudo Dog Carrier sells for $33.19-$200 on Amazon. Of course, when you add on the extra expense of the accessories this carrier does become a little pricey.
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