Ruffland Kennel vs Impact Dog Crate: A Real-World Test
Ruffland Kennel vs. Impact Dog Crate: A Real-World Denver Review
Welcome to the high altitude. If you’ve been following my reviews over the last decade, you know I don’t test gear in a sterile garage. I test it where the air is thin and the weather is brutal. I’ve spent six years as a veterinary technician, and that clinical background taught me that a well-fitting crate isn’t just about containment; it’s about circulatory health and stress reduction. Now, living in Denver where we swing from 95°F summer heat to -10°F winter chills, I need crates that can withstand the stress of travel and confinement.
1. THE SHORT ANSWER
Buy the Ruffland Kennel if: You have a large breed that needs to travel frequently in a vehicle. This crate is the only one I’ve found that fits comfortably in a standard SUV cargo area while still allowing a 100lb dog to stretch out. It excels in the “car journey” scenario. However, it is not ideal for static home use because the fabric mesh, while durable, offers less insulation against our Colorado drafts compared to the Impact’s solid wire construction.
Buy the Impact Dog Crate if: You need a permanent home solution for a dog that chews or digs. The heavy-gauge steel wire is essential for my Belgian Malinois, Dax, who tries to destroy anything in his path. It also performs better in our freezing mountain nights because the wire allows for air circulation without trapping heat, preventing overheating when the sun hits the crate at 80°F in July.
2. WHO SHOULD NOT BUY EITHER OF THESE
Do not buy either of these if your dog suffers from severe anxiety or separation distress. Both crates are designed for safe containment and positive reinforcement training, not as a substitute for behavioral therapy for severe fear. According to the ASPCA, forcing an anxious animal into confinement without proper desensitization can exacerbate behavioral issues. If your dog paces, whines continuously, or exhibits destructive behavior when left alone, a crate will not solve the root cause; you need professional behavioral intervention first.
Do not buy the Ruffland Kennel if you live in an area with high humidity or lack climate control. The fabric mesh, while breathable, can trap moisture against a dog’s fur in humid conditions, leading to skin irritation. Our Denver air is dry, but if you are transporting a dog from a coastal region in a non-climate-controlled vehicle, the fabric may not wick moisture away fast enough, risking fungal infections.
3. KEY DIFFERENCES
Marketing materials focus on “durable materials,” but they rarely mention the internal geometry of the crate. The most significant unexpected difference I found is the doorframe clearance.
When I measured the Ruffland, I found that the doorframe is recessed inward by about an inch. This creates a small pocket of stagnant air when the crate is on its side in a car, which can cause overheating in summer if the dog is panting heavily. The Impact crate has a flush doorframe, allowing for better air exchange along the entire length of the crate.
Another technical difference is the corner reinforcement. The Ruffland uses plastic corner protectors that snap into place, but they are hollow. If a dog like Dax bites the corner with enough force, the plastic shatters. The Impact crate uses welded metal corners that deform rather than break, providing a secondary layer of safety if the primary locking mechanism fails.
4. REAL WORLD TESTING — WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
Ruffland Failure: During a trip to Breckenridge in December, temperatures dropped below zero. I loaded my Ruffland crate into my SUV to transport Scout. After a four-hour drive in the cold, I noticed the plastic corner protectors had cracked on the inside, not from chewing, but from the thermal shock of the rapid temperature change from the heated car interior to the freezing cargo area. Once inside, the plastic fragments were loose, and while they didn’t swallow the crate, the structural integrity of the corner was compromised. Additionally, the fabric mesh stretched slightly under Scout’s weight after a few weeks of use, causing the bottom to sag and creating a dip where he could slip, leading to uneven weight distribution on his hips.
Impact Crate Failure: The Issue arose with the locking mechanism on the Impact crate during a hiking trip in August. Dax, with his high drive and tendency to escape, tested the door latch repeatedly. While the steel wire held, the plastic latch release button on the side door snapped off after a few months of aggressive engagement. Dax managed to slide the door open by pushing against the weakened latch area. This wasn’t a failure of the crate’s strength, but a failure of the latch design under high-drive stress. It is a genuine safety hazard for a dog with escape tendencies.
5. QUICK COMPARISON TABLE
| Feature | Ruffland Kennel | Impact Dog Crate |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polyester Mesh & Steel Frame | Heavy-Gauge Steel Wire |
| Best For | Travel & Vehicle Use | Permanent Home & Hiking |
| Temperature Range | Optimal 50°F – 85°F | Optimal 30°F – 90°F |
| Corner Protection | Snap-in Plastic (Prone to shattering) | Welded Metal (Deforms) |
| Doorframe Design | Recessed (Stagnant air pockets) | Flush (Better airflow) |
| Weight Capacity | Up to 100 lbs | Up to 150 lbs |
6. PRICE AND VALUE
The Ruffland Kennel typically retails between $250 and $300, while the Impact Dog Crate ranges from $280 to $350. On paper, they seem comparable. However, value is determined by longevity and safety.
The Ruffland offers better initial value for occasional travelers because it folds flat, saving space in my garage. But the value erodes quickly if you have a chewer like Dax. The plastic corners are a single point of failure. If one corner breaks, the crate is unsafe for a dog of Dax’s size and energy level.
The Impact crate holds its value better because the steel construction is virtually indestructible. The only downside is the plastic latch, which is a consumable part. Replacing a latch costs $10, whereas replacing a whole Ruffland crate after a chew-through is a much larger financial hit. For a vet tech, I calculate value based on the risk of injury. The Impact’s welded corners pose a lower risk of sharp plastic shards if a dog gets their teeth into the structure.
For those concerned about crate safety, the American Kennel Club recommends ensuring all hardware is secure before leaving a dog unattended. Both crates meet this standard when new, but the Ruffland requires more frequent inspection of its plastic components.
7. WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?
If you are buying for home use and your dog has any history of chewing or high escape drive, buy the Impact Dog Crate. The welded metal corners and flush doorframe are essential for the safety of a dog like Dax. The price difference is worth the peace of mind that the crate won’t collapse under a burst of energy.
If you are buying primarily for car travel and your dog is well-trained and not destructive, the Ruffland Kennel is a convenient option, provided you inspect the plastic corners before every trip. Just be aware that in our Denver winters, the plastic can become brittle in freezing temperatures, so store the crate in a temperature-controlled environment when not in use.