Today, we review the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate. And trust us, it’s quite an eyeful. In our research on this product, we found a lot of things about this product and most of them failed to impress us.
But before we get into the main review, a bit about the brand.
Well, when we did our research, we couldn’t really find anything on the brand. No website, nothing. Just a Facebook page and that’s all. Of course, that got us concerned.
The brand does have products that have been reviewed on different review platforms, though. However, it doesn’t seem like anyone has any information on this brand.
So, we decided to check out how other products from this brand are doing in the market.
From our research, it would appear Bark Brite does make many dog products. However the ones we were able to find from our research include paw protectors (dog boots) a life jacket and an LED dog collar.
Well, how are these products doing? Our digging tells us that they are just doing okay. Not exactly great. And we won’t exactly call them bestsellers or customers’ favorites.
However, its Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate is probably its worst product by customers’ standards.
Want to find out why? Keep reading.
Table of Contents
Who Is The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate For?
The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate is supposed to work for crate-trained dogs being a soft crate. However, it is a badly made crate constructed from poor quality materials. This crate is not safe for dogs and we do not recommend it for any dog parent looking for a good quality soft crate to invest in.
What Are The Features Of The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Crate?
The following are features of the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Crate:
- Made from soft polyester material.
- Collapsible frame.
- Available in two sizes: small and large.
- Mesh windows and door.
1. Collapsible
The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Crate is collapsible as the name of the crate suggests. And it actually does collapse flat. But of course, there are still problems. Bad ones…
First of all, we found that this won’t fit into the case it came with once you unfold it.
While it is possible that the customer(s) involved are doing the things the wrong way, Bark Brite should have included instructions with this crate so customers know what they are doing. It just helps to keep the portability business moving smoothly.
As for setting up, let’s just say that setting this crate up is an extreme sport. This crate has slapped a number of customers hard. We actually mean that literally and we kid you not.
Well, in all fairness, the manufacturers did give a fair heads up. “This crate opens with a ‘moderate’ force,” they said. It’s probably due to the spring wire used to make this crate.
But we gotta ask here, why is the force thing even on the table in the first place? Considering the potential dangers involved, couldn’t the manufacturers have chosen something else?
2. 2 Available Sizes
The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate comes in two sizes – the small and the supposedly large.
The small crate isn’t where the problem is. The big problem is with the so-called large size. According to the manufacturers, the large crate is supposed to cater to German Shepherds, Huskies, Boxers, and similar breeds.
Sorry, are these manufacturers even dog people at all? A GSD can NOT stay in this crate! The large size is just too small. It measures 35 inches. You need, at least 42 inches to house a large breed. This is a very obvious fact that any dog person that has been in the circle for even 5 minutes should know.
We are not even sure the crate comes true to size because some pet parents measured before getting this crate and still, they ran into problems.
Makes sure you don’t get deceived by the displayed picture. We don’t know where they got that crate from, whether the dog was photoshopped, or whether they miniaturized the dog to fit into that crate.
But one thing is sure, what you see in that picture won’t be what you’ll get upon delivery of your package.
3. Windows And Doors
The windows and doors of the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate are made of mesh. And you guessed it, they are low-quality yet again. Your dog won’t even have to put any effort into getting out of this crate before he makes a break.
In fact, we are willing to bet that only a very minute proportion of dogs will be able to remain in this crate for up to 1 hour before escaping.
Of course, the mesh windows do the normal things expected of windows. That is, they let the air in, thanks to no effort of the crate, by the way. Air flows, that’s what it does.
But in terms of containment and durability, this crate disappoints us once again. And it’s becoming less surprising.
4. Material
Soft polyester material… that’s the material used to make this dog crate. There’s no point flogging a dead horse, is there?
But altogether, this crate is made of highly flimsy material. And that thing Bark Brite said about this crate being for crate-trained dogs, don’t take that seriously.
This crate is great to be returned to the seller.
What Are The Pros Of The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate?
Here are a few pros of the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate:
- It’s roomy enough for a small breed dog.
- A few dogs appear to like the crate.
- Comes with windows and two doors for enhanced ventilation.
- The brand does have good customer service.
What Are The Cons Of The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate?
The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate has a number of disadvantages listed below:
- This crate is so flimsy and mediocre. The material would hardly hold up under even the slightest abuse.
- Of course, the zipper is awful too.
- The large size thing is a myth. There’s no large size of the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate. That size is a medium at best. Do not consider this crate for a large breed.
- This crate isn’t very stable on the ground and a few dogs can get this thing to roll over once they bound into it.
- The crate can actually smack people in the face when you set it up. And it does that with moderate force. So, yeah, it kinda hurts something bad.
Check out these other helpful articles below:
- Perri Padded Leather Dog Collar — in-depth review.
- Night Ize Light Up Dog Collar — in-depth review.
- Go Go Cute Puppy Personalized Dog Collar — detailed review.
- RC Pet Product Adjustable Dog Collar — detailed review.
- Fashion&Cool LED Dog Collar — in-depth review.
- Max and Neo Martingale Collar — detailed review.
What Are The Alternatives To The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate?
We’re almost convinced you want something other than the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate. Here are alternatives you could consider:
- Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Crate for Pets: for large breeds.
- Go Pet Club Soft Dog Crate: more user-friendly.
- Petnation Port-A-Crate Dog Crate: sturdier option.
- Beatrice Home Fashion Pop Up Kennel: more affordable option.
Large Breed Crate — The Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Crate For Pets
From our reviews, it’s obvious that our featured crate isn’t for any large breed at all. So, here’s for those pet parents who are searching for a dog crate alternative for their large breed babies.
The Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Crate for Pets comes in different sizes up to 42 inches for large breeds. So, here’s something that will actually fit some of the large breed dogs comfortably. Extra extra large dog breeds (e.g. a Great Dane) need an extra extra large dog crate at 48 inches. So, this crate won’t do for them.
More User-Friendly Option – The Go Pet Club Soft Dog Crate
The Go Pet Club Soft Dog Crate is a more user-friendly alternative if you do not wish to get smacked in the face by your crate while setting it up.
It sets up very easily. And when it’s folded down, it takes up less space and weighs a lot less too. This makes the crate a lot easier to use and carry around as well.
This crate comes in different sizes and colors for nearly all kinds of dogs. However, it’s not very heavy duty. So, it won’t hold up under heavy, prolonged use. Click here to read our full review of the Go Pet Club Soft Dog Crate.
Sturdier Option — The Petnation Port-A-Crate Dog Crate
The Petnation Port-A-Crate Dog Crate is a much sturdier soft crate when compared to the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate. It’s made of tightly weaved mesh fabric and comes in 6 sizes. However, the largest size only goes for intermediate breeds. So, keep that in mind.
Click here to read our full review of the Petnation Port-A-Crate Dog Crate
More Afforable Option – The Beatrice Home Fashion Pop Up Pet Kennel
If you need something that’s far more affordable but of far higher quality, try the Beatrice Home Fashions Pop Up Kennel.
Now, this isn’t a heavy-duty crate by any means. In fact, it’s fact quite light construction, and we wouldn’t even recommend it for regular, consistent use. It is better as a travel crate or as a spare crate if you want this to last long enough.
Nonetheless, this crate is still of a much higher quality than the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate. At least this does not smack you in the face, it folds down really flat for convenient travel and storage. Plus, there are loads of fashion colors available as well.
Click here to read our full review of the Beatrice Home Fashions Pop Up Kennel.
Quick Comparison Table
| Featured | Soft Crates For Large Breeds | More User-Friendly | Sturdy Soft Dog Crate | More Affordable Soft Crate | |
| Product |
Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate
|
Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Crate For Pets |
Go Pet Club Soft Dog Crate
Click here to get the Go Pet Club Soft Dog Crate
|
Petnation Port-A-Crate Dog Crate |
Beatrice Home Fashion Pop Up Pet Kennel |
| Material | Thin polyester | Heavy-duty tight-weave mesh fabric | Heavy-duty polyester with PVC backing | Tightly weaved mesh fabric | Polyester |
| Sizes Available | Small and large | 5 – 21 inches, 26 inches, 30 inches, 36 inches, and 42 inches | 6 | 6 | 32 inches |
| Doors | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Colors Available | Teal | Green | Green, Brown, and Blue | Brown | Black, blue, fuchsia, green, purple, red, and white |
| Assembly Required? | Pop open | Yes | Yes | Yes | Pop up |
| Best For | Small crate-trained dogs | Crate-trained dogs | Crate-trained dogs | Crate-trained dogs | Spare crate for travel with crate-trained pets |
What Are Customers Saying About The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate?
The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate is not a good crate. There are only few positive reviews for this crate, the rest are bad. We guess for pet parents with really small, docile dog breeds (not puppies), this crate somewhat served. But only for very few.
Pet parents with large breeds like GSDs and Bernese breeds, for instance, were bummed out to find that this crate in the advertised large would not fit their dog. The sad thing is that the displayed picture advertised a Golden Retriever in the crate but that is so far from the truth. And oh how we felt the pain of those who were smacked in the face by the crate. Yes, the brand gave a heads up but it still wasn’t enough to justify putting customers at such risk, especially because that was totally avoidable.
As to the flimsiness of this crate, we guess that’s a universal opinion. Most of the pet parents found the crate to be super flimsy.
For some, all they had to do was to try to set it up, and it would rip. For others, their pets would bound into the crate and it would rip. As for others, the package came in already ripped. See? Too much flimsiness.
Well, it wouldn’t be fair to not mention that luck did shine on some people and the crate lasted nearly a week before it… you know it… before it ripped.
So, like we said, general consensus? Not good.
Should I Get The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate?
We tried to like the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate. Trust us, we tried our darnedest to find something to love about this crate but it was just too difficult. The brand does offer great customer service and the crate itself comes well ventilated. But that’s about everything there is to love about the crate.
There’s no other way to say this, but we are not in love with this crate. Bark Brite (or whoever the manufacturer is) skimped on a lot of quality.
We know people say there’s always room for improvement. But for this crate, there are so many rooms for improvement, it’s almost more like a castle for improvement. Phew!
Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate — FAQs
Is The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate Good For Dogs Good For Dogs?
The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate is not a good crate for dogs. It’s very fragile, poorly made, and flimsy. The zippers are cheap, the crate isn’t stable on the floor, and the so-called large size of the crate cannot comfortably accommodate a medium-sized dog.
In fact, when setting up, this crate has been known to smack into people’s faces with significant force.
The crate might work for really docile dogs though.
Will The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate Fit Into A Luggage Bag?
When folded flat, the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate will fit well into a luggage bag. Hence, this crate makes an excellent travel crate.
Is The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate Machine Washable?
It is not advisable to wash the Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate in a washing machine. If your crate gets very dirty, then you can simply hose down with water. Another way to clean your crate is to wipe down with a washcloth and some soapy water.
Does The X Large Of The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel Dog Crate Fit A German Shepherd?
The Bark Brite Collapsible Travel in the extra large size will not comfortably accommodate a German Shepherd or any large breed for that matter. This crate is best for small dogs if you want your dog to be comfortable in their crate.
Is It OK To Buy A Used Dog Crate?
Buying a used dog crate is not a terrible idea but you must do your due diligence first. Ensure that all locks and screws are in place, and also ensure that there are no cracks or other kinds of damage on other parts of the crate.
When you finally bring the crate home, do well to wash the crate thoroughly and with disinfectant. This will remove any harmful bacteria, making the crate safe for your dog to use.
Can You Clean A Dog Crate With Bleach?
It is not a good idea to clean your dog’s crate with bleach. Mixing bleach with other kinds of specialized cleaning solutions can cause a chemical reaction which is harmful to both you and your dog. So, please, do not clean your dog’s crate with bleach.
