Gunner G1 Kennel Pros And Cons – My Honest Review

Last Updated on November 26, 2024 by Kieran Beckles

Are you weighing up whether to invest in a Gunner G1 Kennel, but you want to know some of the pros and cons of this dog crate before you buy it?

The Gunner G1 Kennel is one of the most popular dog crates in the USA, partly thanks to its impressive safety record when it comes to traveling by car and truck.

I managed to get my hands on a Gunner G1 Kennel to test on my Alaskan Klee Kai dogs, Copper and Skye, to see whether it was a good option for my Tesla Model Y.

In this article, I’m going to be sharing my pros and cons based on my experience testing out the Gunner G1 Kennel. So, let’s dive in!

Cut To The Chase: You can save up to $100 on your first Gunner kennel when you use this link to visit their website.

Gunner G1 Kennel Pros

Crash Safety Tested

The biggest pro for me when it comes to the Gunner G1 Kennel is the crash safety testing that’s been carried out on this dog crate. Of all the many dog crates that I’ve reviewed on our website and YouTube, I’ve got the most confidence in the Gunner G1 Kennel. Their website explains that it is a “5 Star Crash Tested crate per the Center for Pet Safety”. If you scroll down the product page, you can see examples of how the G1 Kennel has saved dogs’ lives. Further investigation on Reddit yields more glowing testimonials. I had peace of mind knowing that Copper and Skye are safe and secure in my trunk.

Tie-Down Pins

Let’s continue on the safety theme by discussing the tie down pins. There are a few options if you’re looking to get a dog crate that can work with tie-downs – I’ve reviewed some! However, the Gunner G1 Kennel stood out because of its sheer convenience. The crate’s design incorporates tiedown pins to make it easy to secure in your truck bed or trunk (provided your car has somewhere to attach the other end of the tie-downs). I had greater peace of mind using the tiedown pins rather than trying to figure out how to use tiedown pins on a flat surface.

Better ventilation

The Gunner G1 Kennel differs from Impact Dog Crates when it comes to ventilation. Impact use small circles or diamonds to provide airflow to your dog when they’re in the crate. Gunner opted for a grill with diamond-shaped holes. They offered more visibility so we could keep an eye on Copper and Skye when they’re in the kennel. It appeared to soothe our Klee Kai’s anxiety, too. They could have an eye on us.

Double-walled

The Gunner G1 Kennel has a double wall, which is another standout feature. The brand claims on its website that the G1 Kennel is 10% cooler than “leading aluminum & single-wall rotomolded crates”. I couldn’t measure that difference but I did notice Copper panted less when in the G1 Kennel compared to other dog crates. Copper and Skye get excited when the crate is moved to the car and can sometimes appear a little hot. I didn’t notice this to the same degree with the Gunner crate.

Kayak-grade handles

I loved the kayak-grade handles that dog owners attach to the kennel once you’ve unpacked it. We had the medium size, which weighs 38lbs without my dogs inside. The kayak-grade handles had more give than Impact’s handles. This made it easier to carry to and from the car.

Drainage system

The G1 Kennel has a drain so you can keep the crate clean and drain the dirt. This proved a handy feature and one which I haven’t see with a lot of other dog crates. Copper and Skye shed a lot. Copper gets car sick, too. So I loved this thoughtful feature.

Gunner G1 Kennel Cons

Price

The G1 Kennel carries a premium price. It’s more expensive than most of the Diggs dog crates that I’ve reviewed. However, the Gunner crate is cheaper than most of the Impact crates I’ve reviewed. The small costs $550, the medium is priced at $650, the intermediate costs $700 and the large will set dog owners back $900. It’s a cliche but you can’t put a price on your dog’s safety, which justifies the cost. This is the safest crate I’ve tried out but it’s a significant investment.

Weight

The G1 Kennel is quite heavy. I found it heavier than Diggs and Impact crates. That’s something to keep in mind. I could carry the G1 Kennel to and from my car without too much trouble. But my wife found it too heavy to lift.

Appearance

This may be a con for some dog owners but not for other pet parents. My wife is passionate about interior design and felt that the crate lacked some of the pleasing aesthetics of different dog crates on the market. Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference.

Where To Buy The Gunner G1 Kennel

You can only purchase the Gunner G1 Kennel directly on their website. To check it out and place an order, click here.

Wrapping Up

So there we have it! We’ve reached the end of my Gunner G1 Kennels pros and cons.

It’s a great choice if you need a dog crate that can be used at home but also on the road. I had great peace of mind knowing the G1 Kennel’s reputation as a safe crate.

Some great features make it standout when compared to other crates on the market.