Which types of crates are better?

I think it's a matter of personal preference - there isn't really a 'better' choice.

I've always had the plastic airline crates, simply because that's what our trainer recommended at first. they have lasted thru 4 large goldens and been transported a number of places. though I've never actually flown a dog anywhere.

when we first got them, we used to take the two dogs with us to my mom and dads house in the summer - and the crates provided shelter and safety in the garage or on the deck, as they couldn't go in the house ( family allergies) I preferred the solid crates, as they were warmer at night, would provide shelter from a light rain or dew ( if it was really warm, we crated the dogs on the deck for the night, instead of in the closed garage.)

sometimes, i would turn them upside down - with the venting windows on the bottom, so they could get a bit of breeze while sleeping.

My crates are about 20 yrs old, and I think the newer airline crates mostly have holes punched in the sides for 'windows' and ventillation - not as much ventilation as mine have. Mine have a wire-grated 'window' on each side that's about 5" tall by about 2 1/2 ft wide - so it does provide considerably more 'airflow'. It might be worth it to look for crates like that, if they still make them.

For puppies or a dog that might poop or be sick in their crates - I would always wonder how clean you could really get the jonts of the wire mesh floor. I would think you would have to get some kind of pan or liner for the bottom so they weren't walking on the wire mesh.

The plastic just scrubs clean with some lysol and a scrub brush outside with the hose.

Also - I doubt many dogs would do this - but my Toby had a wicked baseball bat of a tail - once when I left him at moms in his crate - out under the shade of a tree in her backyard - her neighbor was out mowing his lawn.The neighbor told us later that Toby first barked at him, and wagged his tail, bashing the sides of the crate. Tom knew Toby was friendly - so he talked to him and gave him a treat -0 then went back to his mowing. After Tom started his mower, He couldn't hear Toby anymore - but he noticed when the crate rolled over!
Toby had gotten so excited that he completely 'rolled' the crate across the yard! I'm not so sure a wire crate would have stood up to that! LOL! Toby was unhurt - but it sure startled Tom!

in a cooler climate like northern IL - the plastic crates are warmer and cozier than wire. for our goldens, they seemed to like the den-like, closed in feel of their crates.

However, if i lived further south, and the dog was going to be using a crate alot, I might prefer a more open crate. you can always "close it in' with a blanket or cover.

Our Fizz was crated quite a bit by her breeder, and very used to crates. they had some wire ones and some airline crates. i don't know what particular kind Fizz had for her own - but she hopped right into our airline crate, no problem, and has been very comfortable with it for the month we've had her. We don't NEED to crate her - she's very good in the house - but when she was new to our home it made her feel more secure. We've had her for a month now. (she'll be 2 yrs old on the 31st of March) After the first week, we just took the door off it, and she uses it as a bed and to store all her 'toys'.

Laura