Over the past 10 years, the Gunner G1 Kennel has become extremely popular among gun dog owners. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the overbuilt, double-rotomolded kennel, which Addison Edmonds put on the market in 2015, significantly reshaped the marketplace for hunting dog kennels, and dog kennels in general, prompting a trend towards higher-quality and safer travel kennels.
Today, there are several similar crates geared towards gun dogs. During the last year, I’ve had the privilege to test many of them, as well as the tried-and-true Gunner G1 Kennel, while transporting my wirehair pointing griffon Gunney. For anyone considering buying a new crate for their canine waterfowling companion, here are the pros and cons of a Gunner G1 Kennel, as well as two good alternatives if you decide to go a different route.
G1 Kennel
Pro: Rugged as Hell
The main selling point of a Gunner Kennel is that it’s safer than other options, particularly in the case of a travel accident like a car wreck. According to the brand, the Gunner G1 Intermediate is the first crate to ever receive a 5 Star Crash Test Rating from the Center for Pet Safety. The double rotomolding creates a seriously strong kennel that can withstand thousands of pounds of pressure. Today, there are a couple of other kennels that have received a similar crash test rating. One day, I’d like to put them up against each other to see which one really is the safest, but I don’t have the resources—or spare crates—to pull off a test of this kind. Until then, it’s safe to say that the Gunner G1 is still one of, if not the safest, dog kennel on the market today. And, made with a durable aluminum door and stainless-steel tie-down pins, it’s built to last, too.
Con: Heavy
The double rotomolding creates one notable drawback: it makes for a heavy crate. In fact, the Intermediate Gunner G1 is the heaviest kennel I’ve tested, coming in at 48 pounds. I typically keep this kennel in my truck year-round, so this isn’t usually an issue. But the weight does make it a hassle to move around, especially when I’m on my own. This could be inconvenient, for instance, for bringing your transport kennel to and from a hotel room when you’re on the road.
Pro: Temperature Control
Another clear benefit of the double-wall construction—the only hunting dog kennel to feature this—is that, like with double-rotomolded coolers, the Gunner G1 Kennel keeps its temperature consistent. That means your dog will exert less energy to stay cool when it’s hot out, and vice versa. This can make a big difference for bird dogs, especially if you keep them crated overnight when you’re on the road.
Pro: Easy to Accessorize
Gunner offers a ton of cool accessories to the G1, and they’re all well-designed and simple to install, from basics like kennel beds and covers to more unusual offerings like a custom nameplate, tie-down strap kit, storage rack, and fan. It’s possible to accessorize other kennels, especially if you’re willing to tinker with makeshift accessories yourself, but the convenience and quality of Gunner’s options are hard to beat. Plus, the brand also makes other travel-ready gun dog supplies like a spill-proof bowl and food storage crate.
Con: Price
The Gunner G1 Kennel is one of the most expensive crates on the market, and the accessories aren’t cheap either. In my opinion, the crates have good value. Still, for some hunters, especially if you run multiple ducks, they might be too pricey to stomach.
Alternative One: Ruffland Performance Kennel
Ruffland makes really solid kennels that sell for about half the price of G1 counterparts, adjusting for size. These are a really good value, and they’re also a lot lighter. The one-piece roto-molded construction is durable, though it’s noticeably more flexible than the Gunner G1. That said, the benefit here is that the kennel is also lightweight. It is not crash tested, and the doors do not have a built-in locking mechanism. One aspect of these kennels that I particularly like is the variety of sizes they come in, which includes an offering that is specifically made to fit into the shorter cargo spaces of SUVs.
Alternative Two: Lucky Duck Kennel
Lucky Duck makes a high-quality kennel that can go toe-to-toe with the Gunner G1 in terms of quality and features. These single-rotomolded kennels are also 5-Star Crash Test Rated with tie-down pins that are similar to those on the Gunner G1. The kennels are well ventilated and have drain holes for moisture, as well as a reversible injection-molded door. They’re slightly lighter than Gunner G1s. I find the Lucky Duck Kennel to look a little bit bulky, but others might appreciate this style for their go-to duck dog carrier. They’re expensive, too.