elite field travel crate

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Elitefield 4-door collapsible soft-sided dog crate.

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About This Item

• This crate is made with lightweight, durable steel tubing and easy-to-clean fabric.
• Four zippered doors allow for easy entry and exit, with added shades to reduce barking and stress.
• Front and side doors feature locking zippers for added safety and security.
• Sets up and folds down within seconds with no tools required.
• Comes with a free carrying case and cozy fleece bed for convenient traveling.

Instructions

Spot clean crate. Crate mat is removable and machine washable on gentle cycle. Hang to dry.

How to select the best size crate:

• While your dog is standing, measure your dog from the tip of their nose to base of their tail.
• While your dog is sitting or standing, measure your dog from the top of their head to the floor.
• Add 4 inches to determine maximum measurements. Remember, your dog should be able to stand up and turn around while in their crate.

Tip: Before selecting a crate size, please measure the area where the crate will be kept to be sure it's a good fit for your home.

Questions & Answers

Nice Travel Kennel

My dog took a liking to the kennel instantly and went inside immediately. I really do like this kennel and the concept. Although, I wish there was one size bigger. I have a German Shepherd mix that is about 85lbs and the kennel is too short for her to stand up in. I also wish the metal bars that are used to support it, were able to collapse (not just the top bars) so I could fold it even more than what’s shown. It’s still too big to transport in a small vehicle but it is also very light. So if you have a vehicle large enough to transport this kennel in, then I’d say get it. If you intend on traveling with it and don’t have a vehicle that’s big enough to easily transport it. It kind of defeats the purpose because it is not physically capable of folding anymore. For reference, I got the size large for my dog.

EXCELLENT SOFT CRATE for my GIANT Breed Pup

I was hesitant to buy a soft crate at first, because I wasn't sure if my giant breed, (Landseer Newfoundland) would tear it apart when i closed her in. She pawed at the door a bit, but the zippers and mesh held up well. (Trazadone for the road trip may or may not have helped the situation....) but I am very pleased with my purchase, and excited I can finally bring my girl with us on long road trips!

Great travel crate

We purchased this as both a resting space in our living room, and as a potential crate for when we travel. It is really well constructed and set up easily. I like all of the opening/vent options. He easily went in and took a good nap.

My dog is crate trained for large wire and plastic air transport crates. Got this mostly for agility events where I’m always nearby and it is easy to transport. I’m hoping this will survive her pawing to open the mesh door. Maybe I should get a lightweight wire crate instead.

Do NOT buy this crate. Unsafe.

First use tonight as we visited my mother and took her out to dinner for 90 minutes! Came home to my 15 pound maltese shih tzu entangled around his tummy by the fabric. He was able to read his way through the fabric at the top of the crate. I was sick to see him so sad when we arrived home. I’d give no stars of that was an option.

Exactly what I needed

I needed a soft crate to take to shows and this fits the bill nicely. The curtains on all sides are a really nice option when I want my dog to relax. Set up and breakdown are super easy, the side clips are a nice feature. This crate is set up and taken down 3-5x/week and so far I don’t see any wear issues at all. Hopefully it lasts, it’s a lot more convenient than dragging the metal crates around.

More than impressed

We bought this as a more convenient alternative to a wire crate/wire pen. We've had it for a couple weeks now and we are very impressed with he quality and convenience. Set up and break down is quick and easy my only complaint is I wish it folded down a little smaller but it's still extremely flat and easy to store!

I haven't opened it yet, because it arrived too late. I was already gone on my trip, when I needed to use it. Maybe you should, put a longer time frame on how many days something will be delivered from time/date ordered. I ordered this thinking it was going to be delivered before our trip. It wasn't even sent out until I inquired about when it would be delivered. & then I had to have it held somewhere while I was gone. Thank you

great quality

Very impressive quality. I have not used it yet, because I plan to use it at my booth at craft shows this summer. Excellent ventilation and my dog can see out on all sides but be protected from petters, and aggresive kiids.

So light and flexible to carry along with us and use as needed. Works great in place of our metal crate which was difficult to set up in the back seat of our truck. Fits perfectly in the cargo area of our Polaris General.

EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate Review

The elitefield 3-door folding soft dog crate is a useful dog crate for home and away.

PetsRadar Verdict

The EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate is ideal if you’re travelling and need a handy, fold-down crate for your dog. Available in a range of sizes – and colours – you should be able to find one to suit the needs of most dogs. The fully washable bed and wipe-clean interior makes it easy to clean up any mess, while the carry handles and cover make it super easy to transport.

Folds down for easy transportation

Well ventilated

Ideal for travel

Can be destroyed by destructive dogs

Less secure than a metal crate

Why you can trust PetsRadar Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

The EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate is useful for a number of different reasons, but is particularly suited for travel and trips. It could also be helpful for transporting your sick dog to the vet should they be having any trouble with mobility, or need to be kept away from other animals. You can find more choices for the best dog crate , by checking our comprehensive list.

Being fully foldable, it’s ideal for packing in the car when you take your pooch with you on your next vacation, or it could also be used as a car crate itself, being easy to remove and store when not travelling with your dog.

• How to crate train a dog: A vet’s guide
• Dealing with separation anxiety: Dog crate solutions pros and cons
• Best dog bed: Six top rated beds to keep your pooch comfy and relaxed

EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate: Features

Available in a range of different sizes, you should be able to find a version of the EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate to suit your dog’s particular size. Remember that you may also want to be able to fit the crate in your vehicle, so make sure that it will fit properly in any tight spaces you need before you buy. 

When not in use, the crate can fold down flat and even comes with a lightweight cover for easy carrying. This makes it ideal for packing with you for use as a home-from-home crate/bed when you are on a trip or vacation – simply set up the crate when you get to the destination, without having to transport a larger and heavier fully metal crate. 

The crate has three mesh doors, on the top front and side, giving the dog a variety of exit and entry points. This is particularly useful when travelling in the car – you can position it so that you have best access to the dog no matter which door you’re using (as well as having top access if your dog is small/light enough to lift out).

The doors can be zipped up to keep your dog secure in the crate, whether that’s when you’re in transit or at the final destination. When not needing the crate to be secure, the doors can be held in place out of the way using handy velcro strips.

At the base of the crate is a soft bed, which is fully machine washable, meaning you can easily keep it clean. The rest of the crate can be sprayed down/ wiped as and when necessary. Accessory pockets on the top and rear of the crate come in useful for storing other necessities such as toys, waste bags, leads and so on.

Assembling the crate is both quick and easy, with the sturdy fabric becoming secure when fully taut. However, due to its design, it’s not as secure or as durable as a fully metal crate, so it’s advised not to leave dogs, especially nervous or destructive ones, alone in the crate unsupervised for long periods of time.

EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate: User Reviews

The EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate has overwhelmingly positive reviews. 

Many users praise how sturdy the crate is, giving them peace of mind that it will be a secure container for their dog. Many also praise how easy it is to set up and take down for easy transport in and out of accommodation while on trips and the like. 

The fact that all four sides of the crate are mesh, allowing a dog to see out, has been praised by several users – especially for those who have nervous dogs while travelling. However, it is also worth noting that some who have destructive dogs or clever dogs who can figure out how to escape find it doesn’t stand up to intensive chewing or burrowing. 

Being able to go in and out of the crate easily and freely thanks to the folding mesh doors is something else which many users have commented on, as well as how quickly doors can be opened, folded up, and the whole unit collapsed again. Having a door at the top of the crate is praised for letting the dog stick their head out if necessary, or being a handy way to give treats and praise to the dog. 

The variety of sizes means that most users have been able to find a crate to match their dog – even those with larger species such as Huskies and Great Danes.

There are some slightly less than positive comments to note – some users note a strong smell of vinyl when first opening the crate, while others note that it doesn’t withstand anything heavy being placed on or near it.

Should you buy the EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate?

A crate like this comes in very handy for a number of different reasons. Whether you need an emergency crate at home if your pet becomes unwell, whether you want to transport your dog in comfort and safety in the car, or whether you need somewhere for them to sleep while you’re away on a trip or holiday, the EliteField 3-door Folding Soft Dog Crate is very useful. 

It's well-constructed, easy to assemble, comes in a variety of colours and sizes and folds down for easy transportation and storage. A fantastic alternative to a more cumbersome all-metal crate, it comes highly recommended. 

Amy Davies is a freelance writer and photographer with over 15 years experience. She has a degree in journalism from Cardiff University and has written about a huge variety of topics over the years. These days she mostly specialises in technology and pets, writing across a number of different titles including TechRadar , Stuff, Expert Reviews, T3 , Digital Camera World , and of course PetsRadar. She lives in Cardiff with her dog, Lola, a rescue miniature dachshund.

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EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate Review

July 27, 2020 // 10 minute read

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Travel dog crates come in different shapes and sizes. Every variant offers something unique, but choosing the best one will depend on how you plan to use it. When I bought my first dog crate for my Jack Russell Terrier, the purpose was to get one that will keep him safe and secure during extended road trips. So, I thought a hard-plastic model was the best option, considering that the material would not give in to the bumps on the road and my dog’s propensity to chew and scratch on anything.

Sadly, it did not work out the way I envisioned it. My dog was not comfortable in it, plus it was so heavy to carry around. After just a couple of 120-mile trips, I got rid of it and bought a different one. This was the reason I decided to write this EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate Review . I found that this EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate really worked with my dog’s needs as well as my own.

How To Pick The Ideal Travel Crate For Your Dog

Purchasing a dog crate should be on your list of priorities once you decide to have a dog as a pet. A per carrier or crate is not exclusively for training or restraint. You also use it to transport your canine buddy when you need to travel with him. Putting a dog on a crate while traveling, be it on air, land, or sea, will make the entire experience convenient and secure. But not all crates are meant for traveling. You have to learn what to look for in a dog travel crate right before you start shopping. The last thing you want is to buy something that you will regret later.

So, here are the things to factor in the purchase of the ideal dog crate for travel:

1 – Material

Dog travel crates come in different material constructions, the most common of which are hard plastic and soft fabric. Both materials are usually reinforced with metal or steel bars for stability. When you are about to shop for a crate, be sure to focus on something that features heavy-duty construction. It does not necessarily have to be hard plastic, especially when you want your pooch to feel comfortable in the entirety of the trip.

2 – Ventilation

The best type of dog travel crate is the one with sufficient ventilation and visibility. Whether you are traveling by air, land, or sea, you need your dog to be calm and relaxed inside the crate. But that is not possible if it feels claustrophobic or trapped inside. The purpose of the side-to-side ventilation and grills is to allow the air to get in and out. They also allow your dog to see you and be reassured that he is not alone.

3 – Safety Features

Dog owners usually buy a crate to train the pooch not to munch on the couch, shoes, or furniture. But when it comes to traveling, you buy one so that the pup is safe from scenarios that can put him at risk of getting injured or killed. There is a reason why airline companies only allow dogs on board if they are put on a carrier. You also need a crate when you are on the road with your furry buddy to prevent him from jumping out of the window or distracting you while driving.

When buying a dog travel crate, focus on safety. Unfortunately, not all crates are constructed and designed that way. You want yours to reinforcements, adjustable straps, buckles, and secure doors and latches.

 EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate Review

Elitefield’s take on a dog travel crate favors comfort above anything else. The most obvious proof of that is the fact that the manufacturer chose to equip it with soft-padded sides instead of the traditional hard plastic material. The company says that even with a soft-sided design, the crate is more than enough to provide security and stability for the dog while traveling. This dog crate is best for dogs who are used to traveling and will remain calm and composed throughout. But if your pooch has this habit of chewing and biting things when it is uneasy and uncomfortable, then the soft materials in the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate may not last long. Anyway, let us dig deep on the features that will help you figure out if this is the right crate for you and your dog.

Quick Glance

What's good.

• Reasonably priced
• A comfortable alternative to hard-plastic crates
• Proven manufacturer reliability

What's Bad

• Not recommended for dogs with a habit of chewing and scratching
• Limited sizing options

EliteField 3-Door Dog Carrier Features And Highlights

Stylish design.

Majority of dog travel crates you find in stores feature a utilitarian design. The prevalence of this design is due to the manufacturer trying to assure pet owners that their product is durable. But this is where the EliteField soft-sided crate stands out. You will never describe it as dull because of its cozy and stylish exterior. Despite the soft fabric material, this product does not compromise durability and quality.

600D Fabric Material

Being a soft-sided travel crate is the primary reason why some dog owners are hesitant to buy this product. They think that the material is not reliable enough to withstand the pressure of traveling, including that of the bumps on the road and the weight of the animal. But when I got this dog crate, I was awed by its material construction. The 600D fabric combines comfort and durability, unlike any other material out there. It may be soft, but there has never been a time that I doubted its resiliency.

Multiple Sizes

The dog travel crate is available in different sizes, ranging from 20 inches up to 42 inches. Hence, you still can use this if you have a large dog to bring with you on a trip. The steel frame reinforcements guarantee that it will not easily bend or break even if your dog tries to mess with it. But do not forget to measure your dog before you choose the size. You do not want to get something that will make the animal feel congested and claustrophobic.

Three Mesh Doors

The EliteField dog travel crate is the perfect choice when it comes to comfort, thanks to its three-mesh door design. You get three mesh doors on the top, front, and side, giving your pup a comfortable form of restraint and sense of security while traveling. My Jack Russell terrier is usually edgy and agitated when traveling, but this crate made all the difference. The mesh doors made him realize that he is not alone inside the car. I did not have to extend my arms to hold my pooch while I was driving since he was calm and comfortable.

Free Accessories

The purchase of the EliteField travel crate for dogs comes with several freebies, most notably the carrying bag and fleece bed. There also are nifty additions for you to secure the crate while traveling, i.e. hand carrying straps, handle, and adjustable padded shoulder straps.

Two-Year Warranty

EliteField is an American company that manufactures pet care products. So, if dependability is a big deal for you, then there is nothing to worry about. This product comes with an extended two-year warranty and a 100% money-back guarantee. I am aware that other dog travel crates offer the same, but I have read a handful of positive feedback from customers who said that EliteField after sales service is topnotch.

What Others Say About The EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate

Choosing a dog crate for travel purposes took a little longer than I anticipated, but I could not be happier that I ended up with the EliteField 3-Door crate. I browsed the web for feedback and reviews once I narrowed down my list of three products. I chose this one because of reviews like these:

Jason commends the plentiful space, sees his dog is quite comfortable in it.

Nancy got lucky with a rare find here. She bought the “special edition” EliteField crate with four doors in it. The photos show that her buddies love it, too!

So much for what the skeptics gripe about soft-sided crates being impractical for traveling. This is what Megan has to say:

Alternatives To The EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate

Finding excellent dog travel crates should not be that difficult, especially when you realize that there are hundreds of products to choose from. The only thing that can make the experience overwhelming is when you have to pick the best one from a list of prospects that are somewhat similar to each other. If you want to do some comparison shopping before you get the EliteField dog crate, here are some great alternatives to consider:

Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate for Pets

Like the EliteField 3-Door crate, this one is made from high-quality fabric material. In other words, it emphasizes comfort more than anything. Nonetheless, it is reinforced with heavy-duty materials for it to withstand use and abuse, plus there is enough ventilation for the dog to feel comfortable and relaxed while traveling. See more of the Noz2Noz soft-sided travel crate for pets here.

Aspen Pet Porter Heavy-Duty Pet Kennel

The Aspen Heavy-Duty Pet Kennel is the opposite of the EliteField soft-sided crate as it is made from a hard plastic material. It is designed for medium-sized breeds and features a convenient latch which allows you to open it with one hand. This crate is made for dogs who get easily agitated during land or air travel. The hard materials all over the kennel will ensure that a dog that likes to bite or scratch the surface just to get out will not damage it. If you think this is a better option than EliteField’s fabric-made carrier, then click here .

 2PET Foldable Dog Crate

If your primary concern is portability, you may be interested in the 2PET dog crate with a foldable mechanism. Like the EliteField 3-Door crate, this one is made from soft materials and reinforced by a lightweight steel tube design. This product flaunts a premium quality construction that separates it from dog crates with similar material. You can also wash the Oxford 600D fabric cover. Learn more about the 2PET dog crate by visiting this link.

Our Final Thoughts

Much has been said about the unreliability of a soft-sided dog travel crate, but I beg to disagree. This is why I wrote this EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate Review. I chose a hard-plastic variety for my first ever purchase, but it did not work out the way I expected. My decision to go with the EliteField 3-Door soft-sided crate was the right one since it addressed my dog’s need for a comfortable carrier while also making sure that he is safe during extended trips.

Click here to check current pricing on Amazon for the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate >>

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Elite Field 3 Door Soft Dog Crate

Need help with finding the right size? See our  Dog Crate Size Breed Chart.

Product Description:

This Fabric Dog Crate has all of the extras. Three doors make it easy to put your pet into the crate in any circumstances. This crate is 4" higher and 2" wider than most other brand soft crates.

It has accessory pockets on the front and top and high-ventilation mesh windows with roll-up covers. It is stylish, lightweight and a durable dog crate like no other.

• Fully assembled; set-up and fold-down in seconds, no tools needed
• Top, front and side doors for convenience
• Two accessory pockets on the top and the side
• Strong steel frame
• Excellent ventilation or soothing privacy
• Removable and washable cover and mat
• FREE carrying bag. FREE crate mat
• Small : 24" long x 18" wide x 21" high
• Medium : 30" long x 21" wide x 24" high
• Large : 36" long x 24" wide x 28" high
• X-Large : 42" long x 28" wide x 32" high

Detailed Information

The Elite field soft dog crate is not only a stylish way to carry your dog around but it also works great when it comes to containing your dog.

This soft-sided dog crate comes bearing an array of benefits that will make crating quite an enjoyable experience for your dog and we have listed a number of ways in which this crate makes that possible.

Sometimes, you may wish to carry some items for your dog and this may force you to carry an extra bag alongside the crate.

With this soft-sided crate, you get to have two pockets on the exterior which you can use for storage, making traveling a convenient endeavor.

Lightweight

It can get quite hard to bring your dog with you to many places if the dog crate is heavy and this may make you opt to leave your dog at home when you travel.

This crate allows you to easily carry your dog with you as it is made of very lightweight fabric. In this way, most of the weight you will be carrying will be due to the dog’s weight as you will hardly feel the weight of the crate.

The good thing about this soft-sided crate is that the light weight of the fabric does not affect the durability of the crate negatively in any way.

Available in a wide variety of colors, you can choose what color works best for your home or your car, depending on what you will use the crate for. The design of this crate is very easy on the eyes too.

Ventilation

With three doors in this soft dog crate, ventilation is at its maximum. This crate comes with a top door, a front door and a side door for convenience which allows you to put your dog in the crate from whichever position you wish. All the sides have mesh wiring which allows air to get inside the crate from all directions and this makes cross ventilation quite easy.

The sides of this soft-sided dog crate have panels that cover the mesh wiring to make it easy for you to regulate the temperatures inside the crate as well as the amount of ventilation that your dog gets. You can also increase the amount of privacy that your dog has by pulling down the panels.

The setting up and folding of the E lite Field soft dog crate takes a matter of seconds. The good thing about this soft-sided dog crate is that it comes to you when fully assembled such that you will not need tools to set it up. It also makes it quite easy to store as it takes very little time to fold it up.

The comfort of your dog is a very important consideration when it comes to crating. This crate not only comes with soft sides but it also has a very comfortable mat on which your dog can lie while in the cage. This mat is removable for cleaning purposes which allows you to monitor the hygiene of the crate.

Soft sided crates are a great choice when it comes to ensuring that crating is a wonderful experience for your dog. The elitefield soft dog crate not only brings comfort to crating but it also delivers durability and convenience.

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Review: EliteField Soft Dog Crate 3-Door Model

F inding the right crate for your dog will take a little time, but it's important that you make the effort to do it. If you choose the wrong type of crate, your dog could end up injured or loose in your home ruining all of your belongings. Soft-sided crates, like the  EliteField Soft Dog Crate , are a comfortable choice for dogs that are completely crate trained.

As the name suggests, soft-sided crates have sides made of cloth material. That's why it is necessary for your dog to be 100% crate trained before you enclose him in a soft-sided crate. Dogs that chew or scratch the sides will easily be able to escape from these types of crates.

You also need to be sure to measure your dog properly before shopping for a crate or kennel. First, measure his height from the floor to the top of his head. Then, measure his length from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail. Add 2″ to both measurements, and choose a crate that is  at least those dimensions.

If you think a soft-sided crate is an appropriate choice for your pet, the EliteField Soft Dog Crate may be a good option for your Fido. This crate folds flat and comes with a convenient carrying bag. It's available in 5 sizes and 13 colors, but is it a good value?

RANKINGS: Top 50 Best Dog Crates of All Time

EliteField Soft Dog Crate Review

• 20″L x 14″W x 14″H
• 24″L x 18″W x 21″H
• 30″L x 21″W x 24″H
• 36″L x 24″W x 28″H (the size shown in my review)
• 42″L x 28″W x 32″H

If you compare the size of these crates with others of the same length , you will see that they are about 2″ taller and wider than than the others. We all know that dogs aren't built the same. While most manufacturers build crates for the “average” size dog, what about dogs that are a little taller?

This dog crate from  EliteField is also available in 13 colors: beige, black, gray, green, khaki, maroon, navy blue, royal blue, sage green, blue gray, brown & beige, navy blue & gray and red & beige.

As you will see in my video review above, this dog crate colds flat for easy transporting and storage. I demonstrate how easy it is to set up and fold down in my video. The steel tube frame is extremely durable as well, which is a benefit over other similar crates that use a metal wire frames.

It also comes with a convenient carrying bag that makes it easy to take this crate with you in the car, on an airplane or anywhere else that you may need to bring it.

As the name suggests, this crate has 3 doors. Mesh panels unzip on the top, side and front of the crate to allow easy access to your pet no matter what position the crate is. There are also fabric panels that fold down over the mesh to give your dog some peace and quiet if he gets overstimulated or needs to rest.

In my dog crate review video above, I also show you the two small storage pockets. The one on the back of the crate is detachable, which makes it super convenient for traveling. Plus, you could use the detachable pocket as a carrying case for your dog's accessories anytime you'd like to take them with you.

COMPARISON:  Best Dog Crate Comparison – MidWest vs. EliteField vs. SportPet

Again, this is a soft sided crate. That means it is only suitable for dogs that are 100% crate trained and comfortable being confined to a crate. This option is more sturdy than other soft crates I've used, which I like, but that means it is a bit heavier. The small size only weighs about 6 pounds, but the largest size weighs nearly 20 pounds.

With its added durability comes a steeper price tag. Depending on the size that you need and the color that you choose, the price on Amazon will vary from $39.99 to $95.99. You can find cheaper quality soft crates for about half this cost. However, I do think the EliteField Soft Dog Crate is a good value for the money spent.

READ NEXT:  How To Choose the Right Size Dog Crate – A Quick Video Guide

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The best in health, wellness, and positive training from America’s leading dog experts

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Crate training offers a variety of benefits. The crate is a useful training tool to help teach housetraining skills, manage over-arousal, and protect against unwanted destruction when owners are unable to supervise an untrained dog of any age. A crate-trained dog always has a familiar retreat to call his own, whether at home, when travelling, or while waiting his turn at a weekly training class or performance event.

Not that long ago, crates were typically limited to bulky plastic or wire enclosures that were cumbersome to move from place to place. Today, dog owners have many choices when it comes to portable containment options, including a growing market of lightweight, foldable “soft crates” that are easy to transport from place to place.

Skip to the dog crate review chart.

Is a Soft Crate Right for Your Dog?

As a trainer, I feel strongly that soft crates are meant to be used only by dogs who are already reliably crated trained. Confining a puppy or non-crate-trained adult dog using a soft crate is, in my opinion, just asking for trouble. No matter how the soft crate is constructed, canvas and mesh just aren’t designed to withstand the expected clawing and biting that often accompanies a puppy or young dog’s attempts to exit a crate without direct invitation. Until I have solid knowledge of my dog’s ability to crate calmly, I use a sturdy plastic kennel at home, or an exercise pen or collapsible wire crate for travel.

Some well-crate-trained dogs have even been known to free themselves from a soft crate in a moment of circumstantial excitement or frustration. My very first soft crate has a memorable Whippet-head-shaped hole in the mesh door from when its then inhabitant, Zoie, decided she’d had enough of sitting in the crate while I ran her housemate in a dock jumping competition. My current Golden, Saber, once left his mark of disapproval on the zipper seam of another soft crate when he decided it wasn’t right to be left behind when I had to go lead a group training adventure. He likely heard the group outside – comprised of many of his favorite people – and the damaging scratching ensued. I considered both dogs to be reliably crate trained, and both dogs had crated successfully, in soft crates, in similar situations, prior to their escape attempts. But sometimes mistakes happen.

In some cases, mesh damage can be repaired using a screen-mending kit or with some creative sewing. Several manufacturers also sell replacement covers – however, replacement covers often cost almost as much as a new crate.

Like most any dog product, it’s important to know your dog. In the wrong hands (er, paws!), a soft crate can be an expensive experiment. But if your dog is truly ready for the experience, soft crates are perfect when you want something easily portable.

Advantages of a Portable Dog Kennel

Virtually any soft crate is going to come out on top in terms of portability when compared to a traditional plastic crate, collapsible wire crate, or exercise pen. Visit any competitive dog event or training class and you’ll find a sea of soft crates in all shapes, sizes, and styles. By design, soft crates weigh considerably less than plastic or wire crates of a similar size. Generally speaking, they also tend to fold flatter than collapsible wire crates. Each of these factors combine to make them a great choice for dog owners who need to frequently set up and break down their crate.

A soft crate also works well for home-based situational crating. The small footprint when folded makes it easy to tuck the crate away in a closet or under the bed if you only use it occasionally, such as when certain visitors stop by, when restricting a dog’s activity as she recovers from an injury, or when traveling.

While a soft crate is highly portable, we recommend against their use as travel crates in the car. Most any crate or pet seatbelt system helps protect against a dog interfering with, and dangerously distracting, the driver, making it a better choice than riding loose. However, the amount of force generated during even a minor collision could potentially catapult a dog through the mesh panels of most (if not all) soft crates.

Soft Crates: Most Important Features

When I’m shopping for a soft crate, I look for supreme ease of use, both in terms of how quickly I can set up and break down the crate, and how easy it is to carry to my designated crating area at weekly dog classes and events. I also want my dog to fit comfortably in a crate recommended for his size.

I almost always use the soft crate at outdoor events, so good ventilation is important. I want a product that is sturdy enough to support a few assorted training items on top, so I can use it as a temporary table while I train. And, because I know “dogs can be dogs,” and even the best crate-trained dog will occasionally manage to damage the crate beyond repair, I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a soft crate.

How We Reviewed the Dog Crates

We chose a total of eight crates for review. Some were selected based on recommendations by fellow dog enthusiasts; some because they are made by manufacturers of well-known wire crates and exercise pens, and some based simply on Google search results and/or an inexpensive price tag.

After carefully analyzing the pros and cons of each crate, we saw a lot of really wonderful features, but, sadly, not one single crate managed to offer all of our favorite features in one product. (Hey, manufacturers, call me!) Still, it was pretty easy to come up with a couple of overall favorites, a least favorite, and some honest feedback about the pros and cons of the remaining crates, which we hope aids in readers’ decision making.

2017 Soft-Sided Crate Reviews

Our 4-PAW Favorite Soft Crates

We found just two crates that met our criteria for a four-paw rating (the highest rating we confer on any products).

Elite Field’s Three-Door Folding Soft Crate

Elite Field’s Three-Door Folding Soft Crate (pictured above) was the standout leader in terms of available features and overall value. We reviewed the 36-inch version, which measures 36 inches long by 24 inches wide by 28 inches tall. Most notable was the additional headroom, making it more likely the crate’s inhabitant can sit comfortably while maintaining a natural head position.

This crate packs a punch with its features. The crate quickly takes shape after unfolding by easily connecting both ends of the lightweight internal steel-tube frame, accessible via a zippered, mesh “sunroof” panel on the top of the crate. Set-up and break down can be done in seconds. After releasing the frame, the crate quickly folds into itself and is held in the folded position with two quick-release buckles.

The crate cover, made of thick canvas and sturdy mesh, can be removed and washed, if needed. The Elite Field soft crate features rounded, reinforced corners and feels sturdy when set up. The 36-inch crate weighs 14 pounds.

We appreciate how this crate has front and side entry doors, along with one full-length mesh window on the opposite long side, and a partial mesh window on the short side. The zippered side entry is helpful when you need to position the crate sideways, which then restricts access to the front door. (I sometimes run into this issue in hotels.)

The sheer amount of mesh means this crate is well ventilated, making it a wise choice for use in warmer climates. While not shown on the manufacturer’s website, the crate is also available, in specific colors, with “curtains” that can be rolled down to cover the mesh door and windows. This is a nice feature for times when obstructing a dog’s view helps reduce over-arousal and related vocalization.

Elite Field has thrown in several value-added features, such as storage pockets on both the top and short end of the crate, and the crate comes with a free mat and carrying case. I’m personally not a fan of encasing my crate in its own bag when not in use, so I was pleased to see the crate itself has multiple built-in handles, making it easy to transport even when out of its case. If anything, Elite Field almost went overboard with carrying options. Not only is there a handle for carrying the crate when folded, every size crate also comes with a cross-tied handle on the top of the crate. I could see using this option if carrying the small-size crate while occupied by a small dog, but definitely not while housing a dog in one of the larger size crates.

Our one notable disappointment with this crate is the inability to secure the zippers in the closed position. As someone who has spent countless weekends at dog events, I know how quickly clever dogs can figure out how to open a zippered door by positioning a toenail “just right” on the frame of the zipper pull. Many soft crates come with a small clip just above the zippered door. The clip can be used to “lock” the zipper, thus thwarting a clever dog’s attempt to open the zipper with his claw.

Firsttrax Noz2Noz Sof-Krate

A close second to the Elite Field crate is the Firstrax Noz2Noz Sof-Krate. We tested the 42-inch crate, which measures 42 inches long by 28 inches wide by 32 inches tall. This crate is similar to the Elite Field crate, but without the bells and whistles of storage pockets, a crate mat, or a carrying case.

Like the Elite Field crate, set-up involves pulling both ends of the internal frame into position, where they fit together and are secured by a closure sleeve. Set up can be done in seconds. The crate cover, made of thick canvas and sturdy mesh, can be removed and washed. Replacement covers are available from the manufacturer. The Noz2Noz Sof-Krate soft crate has reinforced, rounded corners and feels sturdy when set up. The 42-inch crate weighs 19 pounds.

This crate also features front and side-entry, mostly mesh doors and a canvas “sunroof.” We were pleased to find “zipper lock” clips on both the front and side access doors. The remaining long- and short-sides of the crate have mesh windows, allowing for maximum air-flow. The Noz 2 Noz crate folds down similar to the Elite Field crate. The folded crate can by carried by a single handle.

3-PAW Crates

Only one product was close enough to our higher-rated crates to earn our three-paw rating.

A solid, no-frills, functional choice:

Firstrax Petnation Port-a-Crate E-Series

Firstrax also manufactures the Petnation Port-a-Crate E-Series. The lightweight, internal frame works similar to that of the Elite Field and Noz2Noz crate, and the Petnation Port-a-Crate can be set up or taken down in seconds. Of the three similarly designed crates, the Port-a-Crate appeared to fold down the flattest. Its overall shape is slightly different; the top of the crate tapers inward, but not so much as to significantly limit the dog’s usable headroom.

We tested the 36-inch crate, which measures 36 inches long by 25 inches wide by 25 inches tall, making it one of the shorter crates (at that length) in our review. Unlike the 36-inch Elite Field crate, my Golden Retriever, who measures about 21 inches at the shoulders, cannot sit with a natural head position in this crate. This doesn’t bother me, as I prefer my dogs to lie down and rest when in their away-from-home crates, but it’s worth noting, especially if your dog is on the taller side. The 36-inch Port-a-Crate weighs 14.5 pounds.

Aside from the shorter height, the only other potential issue we saw with the Port-a-Crate is the window design. Unlike the Elite Field and Noz2Noz crates, which feature large mesh windows, allowing for significant ventilation, the Port-a-Crate is limited to a mesh front-entry door (with an available zipper lock) and small, bone-shaped windows on the remaining sides. This potentially limits airflow within the crate, an important consideration if used outdoors in hot or humid climates.

On the other hand, less mesh overall might also mean fewer areas for the dog to damage with his claws. Of the three similarly designed crates, we found the Port-a-Crate, available in six sizes, ranging in price from $32-$57, to be least expensive. At this price point, we recommend the Port-a-Crate as a nice “starter” soft crate if you aren’t sure your dog is ready to be contained by mere mesh and canvas.

2-PAW Products

The next three crates on our list failed to impress us overall, yet still have some notable features making them worth mentioning, as your priorities might differ from ours.

Go Pet Club Soft Pet Crate

If your your dog needs a little more room to relax, you appreciate a super-lightweight product, and know you can trust your dog in a soft crate, the Go Pet Club Soft Pet Crate might be worth a look.

Unlike our three favorite crates, which feature interior metal frames and a canvas/mesh cover, the Go Pet Club Soft Crate is made from heavy-duty, PVC-backed polyester. The entire crate literally zips together and holds its shape thanks to zippers and flexible spine strips encased in the crates rounded top. It’s not difficult to set up or break down, but it does take longer than any of our top picks.

The Go Pet Club Soft Pet Crate comes in a surprising assortment of sizes, ranging from 17.5 inches to a considerable 48 inches in length. In looking for a mid-size crate of this model, we had a choice of 32 inches or 38 inches. The 38-inch crate is exceptionally roomy, with a width of 28 inches and measuring a full 34 inches at the highest point of the rounded top.

The lack of an internal metal frame means this crate weighs just 12 pounds and folds down to about two inches thick and stores in an included case. However, the lack of a solid internal frame makes the crate less sturdy overall, and the three mesh windows and mesh front entry door (which work together to provide nice ventilation) appear to be made of lighter-weight mesh than the other brands we reviewed.

This crate’s biggest “pro” is its generous dimensions. If your goal is to secure the most internal real estate for the price, the Go Pet Club Soft Pet Crate could be a good option.

If you miss your old Cabana Crate:

Precision Pet’s Soft Side Pet Crate

A decade ago, WDJ’s top pick in soft-sided crates was a product called the Cabana Crate. For reasons that escape us, the product was discontinued long ago. The Precision Pet (recently purchased by PetMate) Soft Side Pet Crate resembles the Cabana Crate of yore, with some differences. It’s an attractive crate with a nice assortment of features, such as front and side-entry doors, storage pockets, non-skid feet, a water bottle opening and holder (for a ball-tip style water bottle), and a crate mat and carrying case. The canvas and mesh are of a nice quality, and the design appears to allow for desirable airflow.

Like many of the other crates we tested, this crate takes shape via a lightweight metal frame. However, of all the similarly designed crates we explored, the Soft Side Pet Crate took the longest to set up. Assembly reminded me of the discontinued Cabana Crate: first remove the crate’s cross bars from their self-fastening ties and swing them into position along the front and back (short sides) of the crate. Next, align the twist handles with the corner holes and turn the handles until fully engaged and secure.

This process is not at all difficult, but it does take longer, and it’s easy to become spoiled by the even-faster set up of the other crates we tested. Who wants a bulky old CRT TV version of a soft crate when the sleek flatscreen TV variety of crates are out there?

We also found it odd that the side entry door, when unzipped, flips out, not up, creating what looks a bit like an attached doormat rather than being kept out of the way by resting atop the crate.

In short, there’s nothing wrong with this crate, but the additional steps required for set-up and break down kept this option off of our “favorites” list.

A neat idea, but use it wisely:

Sport Pet’s Pop Crate

Pop goes the soft crate! If small and lightweight are your top priorities, and you have a medium-size, exceptionally well crate-trained dog who needs crating for just short periods of time, consider the Pop Crate by SportPet Designs .

Unlike every other crate we tested, the Pop Crate has no internal frame of any kind. The crate consists of two plastic ends – one with a spring-loaded metal door similar to a traditional plastic crate, and one with a full panel of air vents – connected by a rectangle of thin polyester fabric and mesh. To be sure, it wouldn’t take much effort at all for a dog to claw or chew his way through the fabric if he were so inclined. I’m not even positive the crate wouldn’t tip over if a large dog were to rest his weight against the side.

This crate’s claim to fame is its unique twisting design. Unclip the quick-release buckles and the crate springs into shape. To close the crate, stand it on end and twist the front frame 180 degrees, which compacts the crate back onto itself much like a pop-open car window shade.

The Pop Crate comes in two sizes, neither of which is very big, making this, in our opinion, a poor choice for dogs much larger than a Shetland Sheepdog. Also, while we like the use of the plastic frame and metal door (adding durability to a commonly chewed and clawed area), the location of the door hinge makes the already tiny opening even smaller. My dog startled himself more than once by hitting the door or doorframe on his way in and out of the crate. It’s also so lightweight (the large only weighs 6.35 pounds), it easily slid around on my hard floor with each entry and exit, again, startling my dog.

The large Pop Crate measures 36 inches long by 20.75 inches wide by 22 inches tall. The small Pop Crate is significantly smaller, measuring 22.5 inches long by 14.25 inches wide by 14.5 inches tall. Both collapse to 4 inches high, making it reasonable to pack in a suitcase for travel.

Elite Field’s Two-Door Soft X-Pen

In selecting products to review, we expanded our definition of “soft crate” to include what is best described as a fully enclosed, soft exercise pen. Like a traditional exercise pen, Elite Field ‘s Two-Door Soft X-Pen consists of eight connected panels, only in this case, the panels are constructed of canvas and mesh. These create an octagonal enclosure with a diameter of 36-62 inches and a height of 24-36 inches.

We tested the 48-inch pen, which provided plenty of room for two adult Golden Retrievers. The pen has two zippered doors, two storage pockets, a water bottle opening and holder, and a removable (zippered) washable floor mat and mesh top. It’s lightweight and comes with a carrying case. Having recently refinished my hardwood floors, I loved the idea of a soft pen.

Elite Field’s Two-Door Soft X-Pen seemed like a strong contender as a top pick until it was time to fold it up. It does not come with detailed instructions, nor is it super intuitive. Even after we determined the need to remove the top and bottom of the pen before folding (a disappointment in itself), it took several attempts to discover the correct order in which to fold the panels onto themselves.

When we contacted the manufacturer for input as to the best way to fold the pen, we were told see the set-up instructions (which basically say, “unfold the play pen and expand the play pen”) and then to “please just reverse the set up process.” Gee, why didn’t we think of that? #Sarcasm.

This pen has a lot of potential. If Elite Field would number the panels and add simple instructions for folding it up, this pen could rise to the top of our list. We love the concept, but don’t recommend this product if you plan to set it up and take it down often, or if you have low frustration tolerance!

1-PAW Dog Crates (Lowest Rated)

The following crate might offer some utility for some dog owners, but didn’t, in our opinion, possess enough positive features to outweigh the factors we considered to be drawbacks.

Midwest Pet Product’s Canine Camper

Midwest Pet Products is a key player in the wire crate and exercise pen market. Unfortunately, it brought a wire crate mindset to the soft crate market, with (in our view) a poor result.

The Canine Camper is essentially a sparse wire crate encased in canvas. On the outside, it looks similar to any of the soft crates held together by lightweight metal frames. Underneath the attractive canvas cover is a wire frame, which requires a somewhat counterintuitive, two-step process to secure.

To add to the challenge, unlike similar soft crates where assembly is easily accessed via a zippered “sunroof” on top of the crate, no such sunroof exists on the Canine Camper; we had to reach in through the crate’s front door – awkward!

The extensive wire frame also adds to its weight. We tested the 36-inch model, which weighs 17 pounds – a good bit heavier than the 14.5-pound Port-a-Crate and 14-pound Elite Field crate of the same length.

We did find the Canine Camper to have the sturdiest mesh window and door panels. Rather than a fabric-type mesh, it features thicker, rubberized window and door panels that feel like they might better withstand clawing.

Stephanie Colman is a writer and dog trainer in Southern California.

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I purchased the Noz2Noz crate. in 6 weeks, my puppy ripped through the screen. Your article mentions that no soft sided crate will contain a dog that really wants out. Why didn’t the manufacturer advertise that? What they advertised is that it has a Heavy Duty Mesh! That is absolutely not true. I can’t even send it back! $90 GONE.

Thank you for your article! Having actually “battle tested” some of these crates though, I have to disagree with some of your assessments. First off, the Elitefield is by far the most user friendly. You mention that it is difficult to take down but it should really only take you once to figure out how to slide the bars up as you fold it so that is moot. Also, I currently have 4 of them in different sizes (from German Shepherd down to a 15 pound sheltie) and they all have a hook to keep the zippers locked up in place so I’m not sure what you were looking for in terms of that.

I purchased the Elitefields to replace a Canine Camper (the Shepherd would get bored and roll herself over because it has no frame) and 3 Nos2Nos crates (after multiple years of use, I still usually had to find a guy to help me break them down because the slider was so stiff that I couldn’t move it).

As far as the strength of the mesh, if you have a dog that is still questionable in a wire crate (or a puppy), then there is no soft crate in the world that can guarantee your dog’s safety. For those dogs, forget the strength of the mesh and just keep them in metal.

How to buy these products?

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Crate expectations: Moscow shops stockpile beer for World Cup fans

By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Jack Stubbs

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Moscow's shops are stocking up on beer to slake the thirst of World Cup fans after some bars reported shortages.

At a branch of Russian supermarket chain Azbuka Vkusa crates of Heineken, Guinness and local brands like Zolotaya Bochka blocked the aisles on Friday.

Thousands of foreign fans in the Russian capital for the month-long soccer tournament have been partying until the small hours, guzzling beer in bars and restaurants and spilling over onto the streets.

"There's beer everywhere," an Azbuka Vkusa saleswoman said. "There's nowhere to put it."

International brewers report an increase in demand for the World Cup, which runs until July 15 in 11 Russian cities, and have guaranteed that fans will not run out after some shortages in the first week of the event.

"We are experiencing higher demand for beer in Russia, compared to a typical summer period in Russia, which we expected given the energy and excitement of the FIFA World Cup," Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's biggest brewer and an official FIFA sponsor for the World Cup, told Reuters.

"We have planned and prepared for this scenario to ensure we are delivering beer to our partners in full capacity."

Russian food retailer chain O'Key said that demand for beer at its stores had increased by 10 percent since June 14, when the tournament kicked off, over the same period last year.

Magnit, Russia's second-biggest food retailer, said it had seen an increase in demand for beer in its shops located in World Cup host cities, attributing this to the influx of soccer fans as well as seasonal trends.

Four other Russian supermarket chains, including Azbuka Vkusa, did not reply to questions about how they were coping with heightened beer demand, but managers of local stores said they had needed to increase stocks.

"We are having to order more beer because of the World Cup," said Zinaida Fisher, the manager of a Perekrestok supermarket branch in central Moscow. "But we have enough for everybody."

At one Azbuka Vkusa branch, a salesman named Kirill said that demand for beer was booming and that stores had to constantly renew supplies.

"The closer you go to the centre, the more you will find that beer is being bought up at a spectacular rate," said Kirill, who was not authorised to speak on behalf of the store. "Fans drop in, buy beer and leave."

Some fans said they were downing their fair share.

"Countless beers. Countless. A lot. Many. Plenty," said Hector Capistran, 40, from Mexico, when asked how much he had been drinking.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber, Jack Stubbs, Maria Kiselyova, Olga Sichkar; Editing by Andrew Osborn, Alexander Smith and Mark Potter)

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Marc Chagall and Jewish Theater, Part One

by Jeanne Willette | Nov 11, 2016 | Modern , Modern Art

Marc Chagall in Moscow

The murals for the jewish theater.

To the end of his life, Marc Chagall remained circumspect about his ouster from the People’s Art School in Vitebsk. And the coup against the artist was no small event. Chagall had been appointed by none other than the People’s Commissariat of Enlightenment, Anatoly Lunacharsky (1875-1933), an old friend from their days in Paris, living in the artists’ building, known as La Ruche. Moe than the friendly connection with the new government, there was the symbolic gesture of Lunacharsky appointing a Jewish head of an art school for the people, indicating the end of the Pale of the Settlement, or the erasure of the line that had kept Jews cordoned off and separated from non-Jewish Russians since 1791. Under Catherine the Great and Alexander II, areas beyond the original borders of Russia had been annexed, especially Poland, which continued a large number of Jews. The “Pale of the Settlement,” a phase coined by Nicholas I, scooped up, so to speak, much of this new population, which was subject to restrictions on their movements. For the most part, these restrictions were to eliminate economic competition from Jews and the travel restrictions were based upon a policy of restricting the comings and goings of Russians in general. After centuries, suddenly, in 1917, all Russians were equal, opening unimaginable vistas for Jews who were filled with hope for the future. Therefore, to remove a friend of Lunacharsky and a Jewish artist over aesthetic differences could have been a dangerous move for Chagall’s “enemies,” Kazimir Malevich and El Lissitzky. But, Chagall, embittered, removed himself from the unpleasant situation and left Vitebsk for Moscow and a new project. Writing sadly about these difficult days, the artist later wrote sadly,

I would not be surprised if, after such a long absence, my town effaced all traces of me and would no longer remember him who, laying down his own brush, tormented himself, suffered and gave himself the trouble of implanting Art there, who dreamed of transforming the ordinary houses into museum and the ordinary habitants into creative people. And I understood then that no man is a prophet in his own country. I left for Moscow.”

Marc Chagall. The Fiddler (1912)

Chagall walked into a pause in the historical Russian penchant for anti-Semitism. For the Russians, the war had just ended but during the Great War, local prejudices against Jews ran high. Over six hundred thousand Jews were ousted from their homes by the army and the historical pograms led by Cossacks increased–all because Jews were being scapegoated and blamed for the military’s difficulties with the Germans.  But after the War, the government policy towards Jews changed abruptly. The significance of the sudden surge or influx of Jewish culture into the mainstream of Russian society rests upon political changes that went beyond the Revolution itself. When one looks at a list of prominent Bolshevik leaders of the October Revolution, it become clear that the majority were Jewish. According to Mark Weber’s article “The Jewish Role in the Bolshevik Revolution and Russia’s Early Soviet Regime,”

With the notable exception of Lenin (Vladimir Ulyanov), most of the leading Communists who took control of Russia in 1917-20 were Jews. Leon Trotsky (Lev Bronstein) headed the Red Army and, for a time, was chief of Soviet foreign affairs. Yakov Sverdlov (Solomon) was both the Bolshevik party’s executive secretary and — as chairman of the Central Executive Committee — head of the Soviet government. Grigori Zinoviev (Radomyslsky) headed the Communist International (Comintern), the central agency for spreading revolution in foreign countries. Other prominent Jews included press commissar Karl Radek (Sobelsohn), foreign affairs commissar Maxim Litvinov (Wallach), Lev Kamenev (Rosenfeld) and Moisei Uritsky. Lenin himself was of mostly Russian and Kalmuck ancestry, but he was also one-quarter Jewish. His maternal grandfather, Israel (Alexander) Blank, was a Ukrainian Jew who was later baptized into the Russian Orthodox Church. A thorough-going internationalist, Lenin viewed ethnic or cultural loyalties with contempt. He had little regard for his own countrymen. “An intelligent Russian,” he once remarked, “is almost always a Jew or someone with Jewish blood in his veins.”

According to Weber, over time, when anti-Semitism inevitably returned to this land of the pograms, this early history of active Jewish participation in the Revolution was obscured. But at the time, outside observers such as Winston Churchill were well aware of the role played by Jewish revolutionary leaders. “With the notable exception of Lenin, the majority of the leading figures are Jews. Moreover, the principal inspiration and driving power comes from the Jewish leaders. Thus Tchitcherin, a pure Russian, is eclipsed by his nominal subordinate, Litvinoff, and the influence of Russians like Bukharin or Lunacharski cannot be compared with the power of Trotsky, or of Zinovieff, the Dictator of the Red Citadel (Petrograd), or of Krassin or Radek — all Jews,” Churchill said–and his observations were not necessarily positive.

The most famous member of the inner circle was  Leon Trotsky, targeted by an anti-Semitic cartoon from the White Army

This connection between Jews and Communism or leftism or revolutions was made by others, thus linking Bolshevikism with the Jews, with what would be tragic consequences. Rival factions in the Soviet Union were resentful of the sudden favoritism, and perhaps most unexpectedly, the ranks of the secret police were filled with Jews, also certain to former more discontent. However, in 1920, when Marc Chagall arrived in Moscow, he was part of a vanguard that would attempt to knit the Yiddish culture into Russia, an empire that once kept Jews within the Pale. Once the Jews became full citizens and were granted their rights as citizens of the Provisional Government, the explosion of Jewish culture was immediate. As  Jewish Renaissance in the Russian Revolution , written by  Kenneth B. Moss, explained,

Most Jews in Russia and Ukraine no doubt spent the years of the Revolution and Civil War merely struggling to survive, like most of their countrymen. But a disproportionately large minority participated in Revolutionary Russia’s  tumultuous political life.Most famously, many played important roles across the spectrum of Russian radical and liberal politics..Yet for a significant cohort of intellectuals, writers, artists, patrons, publicists, teachers, activists embedded in this national intelligentsia, February also bore a second imperative..some o Russian Jewelry’s most talented men and women also threw themselves into efforts of unprecedented scale and intensity to crate what they called a “new Jewish culture.”Between February 1917 and the consolidation of Bolshevik power in 1919-1920, European Russia and Ukraine became the sites of the most ambitious programs of Jewish cultural  formation that Eastern Europe had yet seen or indeed would see again.

This Yiddish culture that Chagall would animate and illustrate in the Moscow theater, the Yiddish Chamber Theater, was a folk, rather than an elite, culture. Based upon a distinctive language, Yiddish, that emerged around 1000 CE, emanating from the Ashkenazic Jews or the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe, clustered in large numbers in the Russian Empire by the beginning of the twentieth century. This hybrid language, a mixture of Medieval German and Hebrew, was used exclusively by the Jews of this part of Europe. Jews from the Western nations, such as Germany, could understand smatterings of this very old language but, for Gentiles, the words would be impossible to comprehend. This point is important because the Jewish Theater, moved from Petrograd to Moscow by Lunacharsky, was intended to not just preserve and formalize a part of Russian society, previously excluded, the productions also had to be integrated and assimilated by a non-Jewish audience. For this audience, the task of interpretation was made easier by the fact that the performances were pantomime like. Given that the reception of these Yiddish literary creations would be directed to a mixed audience, the images created by Chagall had to the iconic but not stereotypical and instantly recognizable as paradigm figures of Jewish culture.

When the theater was transferred to Moscow, its name changed slightly, and, indeed, would change off and on until it was extinguished in 1949. In Chagall’s time the theater, which was unexpectedly avant-garde and experimental, was called State Yiddish Chamber Theater or GOSEKT. Under the leadership of Alexei Granovsky, the Theater in Petrograd came into being before the Revolution, the presentations were very sophisticated, devoid of kitsch and imbued with the influence of the German theater director and producer, Max Reinhardt (Maximilian Goldmann), an Austrian who worked in Berlin and reformed the naturalism of the turn of the century into a self-conscious total work of art or  Gesamtkunstwerk . As Curt Levient wrote, “Granovsky had trained in Berlin with legendary director Max Reinhardt and developed a vision of theater that melded acting, set design, costumes, lighting, music, dance, movement, and gesture — even silence — into an organic whole.” In his important book on  The Moscow Yiddish Theater: Art on Stage in Time of Revolution , Benjamin Harshav noted that Granovsky was persuaded by theater critic, Abram Efros, to ask the distinguished artist to paint the back drops. The “theater” was actually a confiscated home of a wealthy merchant who had fled the Bolshevik distaste for the moneyed class. The site of the actual performance was small, holding less that a hundred people who were lucky enough to enjoy the remarkable combination of Marc Chagall and Sholem Aleichem, whose play would be the inaugural production.

Recreation of Chagall’s Box: the Back Wall and Frieze

Working with a young group of players, none over the age of twenty-seven, Chagall had a unique opportunity in a nation at a new starting point to reset the conventions for theater, a desire he shared with Granovsky, to drag theater into the twentieth century. More than that, according to the 1993 catalogue from the Guggenheim Museum on the work of Chagall for GOSEKT (or GOSET), “Chagall presented a unique, and uniquely Jewish, approach. Through specifically Jewish visual puns, Yiddish inscriptions, and references to the festivities of Jewish weddings and Purim — a Jewish analogue to carnival in its emphasis on ludicrous masquerades and outrageous intoxication — he posited a distinctive model for the Jewish Theater.”  For this occasion, Chagall produced what would later be called “Chagall’s Box,” murals which bound the theatrical world inhabited by his sets and costumes. The main set piece was a twenty-sux foot mural on the left wall, “Introduction to the Jewish Theater,” that formed the main backdrop for the three one act plays. He also painted four panels, representing the arts, placed between the windows opposite. Leaving no surface untouched, Chagall painted a frieze and the ceiling and then produced a mural called “Love on the Stage” for the back of the “theater.”

The production was so elaborate and the costumes of painted rags and dotted face make up so Chagall specific, Granovsky accepted the unique contribution but did not invite the artist and his complex and expensive schemes and motifs to do another production. And yet, the spell of Chagall lived on and subsequent set designers were impacted by his unbridled imagination that activated a magical Yiddish cast of characters. The artist was inspired by the nineteenth century authors who created Yiddish literature, Sholem Yankev Abramovitsch, who wrote under the nom de plume, Mendele Moykher Sforim, often referred to as “Mendele,” and Yitzhak Leib Peretz, both of whom elevated and incorporated a folk culture into high literature. The writer whose stories were featured in the 1921 production designed by Chagall is perhaps the most famous, Solomon Rabinovitch, who also wrote under a name other than his own, Sholem Aleichem, which is a play on an old Yiddish greeting of “peace be upon you.” On the evening of January 1st of 1921, “Evening of Sholom-Aleihem” presented two one act plays, “Agentn (Agents)” and “Mazltov,” word that needs on translation.

Set for Mazltov

The plays may have been classic Yiddish literature but the action was totally avant-garde , based upon Granovsky’s idea that theater began in silence and a dark room and that the actors emerged in and out of the dream space. The actors were directed or guided, as it were by a “system of dots,” something like pantomime, in which the actors would freeze and pose in place, following “an assembly of dots,” as Abram Efros put it. In other words, theater was de-naturalized and flattened with the actual actors mimicking the painted figures of Chagall, binding the surrounding “Chagall Box” to the audience and to the actors, negating the theatrical stage and turning it into a dark non-space from which characters emerged as if from a canvas, becoming the artist’s creations.

The next post will discuss the famous murals, displayed until 1925 and hidden away for another five decades.

If you have found this material useful, please give credit to

Dr. Jeanne S. M. Willette and  Art History Unstuffed.    

[email protected]

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EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate with Carrying Bag and Fleece Bed (2 Year Warranty), Indoor & Outdoor Pet Home (30" L x 21" W x 24" H, Navy Blue)

20"L x 14"W x 14"H

24"L x 18"W x 21"H

30"L x 21"W x 24"H

36.0"L x 24.0"W x 28.0"H

42"L x 28"W x 32"H

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• This 30" soft crate measures 30" long x 21" wide x 24" high, which is 2" wider and 4" higher than most other brand 30" soft crates. The extra space provides a more spacious and comfortable environment for your dog. The soft crate is fully assembled and can be set up and folded down in seconds, without requiring any tools
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• The crate features three mesh doors located on the top, front, and side, providing convenient access, improved sunlight, and breathability. The front and side doors have zipper locks to ensure safety and security. Additionally, the crate has two accessory pockets located on the top and back for added storage. The crate cover and bed cover are both removable and washable, making maintenance and cleaning easy
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• You will benefit from a 2-YEAR WARRANTY. Our products come with a quality guarantee, money-back guarantee, and customer satisfaction guarantee

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• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 30.2 x 22.99 x 3.82 inches; 11.75 Pounds
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ November 2, 2010
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ EliteField
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004ABCBBQ
• #15 in Basic Dog Crates

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The EliteField 3-door soft dog crate is a lightweight and portable pet crate designed to provide a safe and comfortable space for dogs, whether they are at home, traveling, or camping. It is constructed with high-quality materials, including a sturdy steel tubing frame and a durable, water-resistant fabric cover that can be removed and washed for easy maintenance. The crate features three mesh doors located on the top, front, and side, which provide convenient access and improved sunlight and breathability. Additionally, the front and side doors have zipper locks for safety and security. The crate also includes a removable and washable fleece bed for added comfort. In addition to its impressive features, the crate comes with a free carrying bag for easy transport and can be folded down to a height of just 3 inches, making it easy to store and transport. The EliteField soft dog crates are available in a variety of sizes and colors to suit different breeds and preferences. They are easy to set up and fold down, making them a convenient option for pet owners on the go. Backed by a 2-Year Warranty. Our products come with a quality guarantee, money-back guarantee, and customer satisfaction guarantee.

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Customers find the animal carrier very portable and easy to carry. They also say it takes up little space when packed and is perfect for travel.

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"...It’s sturdy, simple, and even nice looking .Please note that Daisy IS CRATE TRAINED. She understands to not dig/scratch/bite at her crate...." Read more

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"We were so excited to use this crate until both zippers broke on one of the doors ...." Read more

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