An often-overlooked aspect of sporting-dog ownership is just how to get your dog safely from Point A to Point B. It’s still not terribly uncommon to drive down a country road in October and see a shorthair or a Lab poking his nose out of an open pickup bed, as an orange-clad hunter drives to the next patch of CRP.

A better strategy for delivering your prized bird dog to all of your hunting spots unscathed is to buy the right crate. Today’s offerings are built nearly bombproof, which means they’ll last far longer, unfortunately, than your current dog will. That’s okay, because the right crate can be used to train puppies as well, and some of them even double as in-field hunting accessories in the waterfowl world.

Either way, if you’re the proud owner of a bird dog, check out the latest in the crates, kennels, and transport department.

Alumilene 50 Series Kennel

If you want to keep your dog safe, comfortable, and riding in style, then the 50 Series from Alumilene is the right choice. These 59-inch-long crates will easily fit into short pickup beds and SUVs, and feature Dry Floor, Slide Ventilation, and a Door Locking System. Upgrade with a couple of Top Storage Walls or the 12-Volt Fan and Light System (or both) to trick out the 50 Series even further. And while you’re at it, check out the HDX Ramp. This heavy-duty, extra-long ramp extends up to 88 inches (stores beneath the kennel and slides out for use) to ensure easy-on-the-joints loading and unloading of all bird dogs. Starting at $1,195

Avery Quick-Set Travel Kennel

Avery offers up plenty of killer dog-training products and accessories, with their ASD Quick-Set Travel Kennel an excellent choice for anyone who happens to bring a bird dog into a hotel, or maybe a hunting camp, or simply wants to corral their dog at home. It’s designed with 900D Duramax material to keep insects and weather away from your hound. The Quick-Set also features pockets for gear and bumper storage, and is offered in four sizes. When not in use, the Quick-Set folds down to only 1½-inches tall. Starting at $70

Canine Cargo Carriers Honeycomb Dog Box

The thing about most kennels and crates is that they take up a lot of space. This might not be a big deal if you’re running one dog, but what about two or three? Or more? If you’re at this point, you should check out Honeycomb Dog Boxes. Their shape allows you to stack them in pods in such a way that they take up very little space. They are also easy to clean and can be paired up with either the eight or 13-gallon water storage system, or their slide-out storage system. Starting at $595

Custom Molding Services Easy Loader Kennel

One of the best deals going in the dog-box market comes your way via Custom Molding Services. Their Easy Loader Kennels are built with high-density polyethylene, which is as close to indestructible as you’re going to get in a dog crate. To complement the crate’s bombproof-ness, each one is fitted with a powder-coated steel wire door, and all Easy Loaders have an ultraviolet stabilizer in the formula to ensure years and years of use without worry of product degradation. Easy Loaders are backed by a one-year warranty. $289

Dakota283 Framed Door Kennel

Molded and assembled in the USA, the Framed Door Kennel from Dakota283 is a great choice for anyone looking for a crate that offers an easy grip handle, a keyed paddle latching door, and large ventilation holes. Three sizes are offered in this easy to clean kennel, which is available in five colors. If you’re checking out the Framed Door Kennel, do yourself a favor and look into Dakota283’s Dine N Dash Feeding System ($79), which is perfect for feeding and watering your hunting dog while you’re in a random motel in South Dakota, or back at the truck after running through a productive chunk of upland habitat. $379

Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate

The American-made G1 Intermediate from Gunner Kennels is capable of withstanding 4,000 pounds of force thanks to its double-wall, rotomolded design. It’s also built with an escape-proof, reversible door (now available in Mossy Oak camouflage) that makes other kennel doors look like toys. The minds behind Gunner thought of everything with this kennel, which is evident by the integrated tie-down pins, carrying handles, stainless-steel hardware, and nonslip elevated feet. $500

Jones Trailer Company WJ

If quality is your thing, and you’re tasked with hauling around a pack of sporting dogs at any time of the year, you’d better check out the offerings from Jones Trailer Company. Of particular interest to the gun-dog crowd is likely the WJ model, which is absolutely loaded with features like full insulation, a 15-gallon aluminum water tank, LED tail and marker lights, a 2,000-pound swivel tongue jack, a built-in exhaust fan, and plenty of others. If that’s not enough, Jones offers quite a few upgrades to totally trick out your WJ. $4,315

K9 Kondo Chew-Proof Igloo Dog Door for Dogloo XT Doghouse

The Igloo Doghouse is one of the most popular dog houses on the market for plenty of good reasons, and recently they’ve provided one more: The addition of the Chew-Proof Dog Door. This wind and rain-resistant dog door will keep your pooch dry and warm during inclement weather, operates silently, and is backed by a five-year warranty. $95

Kennel Deck

If you want your dog runs to be comfortable and sanitary, it’s pretty hard to beat Kennel Deck’s flooring system. These two by four-foot floor sections keep dogs dry, are designed with non-skid surfaces, and will not absorb odors. They also allow for free air circulation, provide some warmth, and weigh only 8.5 pounds per section. Multiple sections will allow you to cover a dog run entirely, but even a single section provides an excellent option for teaching the “place” command, or for giving your dog a special spot at the lake cabin, hunting shack, or wherever you might travel with him. $37

Mason Company Chain Link Runs

Whether you’re in the market for a stand-alone run, or multiple connecting runs, Mason Company has you covered. They offer electro-galvanized wire that is hard-laced for a tight, taught finish (no sharp edges or burs), in four diamond-mesh sizes. You can build enclosures to pretty much any size or configuration with what Mason Company offers, and if chain link isn’t your thing, don’t fret. Mason Company offers everything from Space Saver Folding Kennels to Quiet Cottage Fiberglass Cages to you name it. Their product lineup is truly extensive, and worth checking out for all sporting-dog owners. Prices vary

NorthStar Plastics 901E Dog Boxes

NorthStar produces a ton of quality kennels, trailers, and dog accessories, with the 901E Dog Boxes a killer choice for anyone running a couple of bird dogs. These ultra-durable dog boxes will fit into most SUVs, and are constructed of high-density polyethylene plastic, which allows them to stay cool in the summer and trap heat in the winter. To ensure ease of use at all times but particularly when you need to clean out your 901Es, they are all built with fully removable floor panels, drip trays, and center dividers. Starting at $629

Primos KennelUp

Primos has produced a pile of quality hunting products over the years, but for 2019 they’ve taken a dive into the dog pool with their KennelUP Dog Kennel. The KennelUP is a one-piece, roto-molded kennel that measures 35 x 22 x 26 inches and weighs only 35 pounds. It also boasts aluminum tie-downs, a reversible locking door, adjustable side vents, a removable back vent, and built-in drains. In other words, Primos has thought about everything in their first contribution to the world of hunting dogs. $475

Ruff Land Kennels Double Door Kennel Cover

Ruff Land partnered up with Mud River to produce this new heavy-duty kennel cover. The Double Door Kennel Cover will work with all of the door configurations Ruff Land offers in their kennel lineup. It’s also designed with heavy-duty zippers, dual rubberized carrying handles, and heavy-duty Velcro straps to hold the door flaps in place. Two options are available: brown or camo. $140–$170