The 4pets PRO cages replace the 4pets ProLine cages, taking safety an important stage further by including a particularly innovative energy-absorbing rear panel, and a Safelock locking system that prevents the door from bursting inwards or outwards.

Crash-tested safety: Safety is right at the core of the whole 4pets PRO concept; you'll know that you've done all you can to minimise the risks of injury to your dog when out in the car and, very importantly, to the driver and passengers. The facts are that at 30 mph your dog has a mass that's 25 times its body weight, so it will be a potentially very deadly projectile in the event of an emergency stop or crash. A typical black Labrador would have the equivalent force of three quarters of a tonne! The majority of wire cages and dog guards are next to useless in these circumstances - they're not designed to keep people safe, but are intended only to separate dogs from people without much if any thought about what forces they'll withstand.

Suitability: The PRO size 4 has been designed with larger breeds in mind, e.g. Bernese Mountain Dog, Hovawart, Rottweiler, Irish Setter. These cages are 81.5cm wide; the PRO 4 Small (this cage) is 73.5cm long (measuring back into the boot space), the PRO 4 Medium is 83.5cm long, and the PRO 4 Large is 93.5cm long. Most customers choose the longest model that will fit in their car boot, as shown in the vehicle configurator.

Special features:

• The PRO is designed to absorb energy: The patented rear panel will flex outwards under pressure, but at the same time it expands up and down, left and right, so it tightens into the frame. 4pets call this their Impact Protection System. Absorbing and then releasing the kinetic energy in a controlled way will give the dog every possible chance of surviving a crash, whether the impact is from the front or the back of the vehicle.
• Safelock door: This is designed to be burst-proof, both inwards and outwards. It's opened with a quarter turn and, when the vehicle is level, will close and click shut on its own. Otherwise just push it shut. It's also lockable, which is good to know if for example you're leaving your dog in the car. It's assembled as standard to hinge on the right hand side, but can easily be changed to hinge from the left.
• Shape: PRO crates are shaped at front and back to maximise the internal space that's available for your dog, so they'll tuck in tight behind the rear seat, can have the full length of the boot, and still allow the tailgate to be closed.
• Construction and weight: Anodized aluminium poles, fibreglass-reinforced plastic corners with no sharp edges, and scratch resistant laminated fibreboard sides. The locking system is based around a die-cast aluminium case. Fibreboard is a great material to use - it doesn't get too cold or too hot, unlike steel, and also absorbs energy (again, unlike steel). The solid side parts will also keep the car clean. Aluminium, fibreglass reinforced plastic, and fibreboard are also likely to be lighter than steel - you need to be able to move these cages safely - and the whole system is rattle free. The acid-resistant plastic floor tray has a removable, washable anti-slip floor mat. Made in Switzerland.
• Maintenance free: All parts are maintenance free; the hinges are made from a self-lubricating plastic-graphite alloy. They should last for as long as you want them to - years and years. In any event, all parts are replaceable as spares. We have seen cages that have been through rear end or roll over crashes, and we've replaced deformed aluminium poles and broken fibreboard sections, which had done their job of absorbing energy in a controlled way.
• Ease of use: Single handed slam lock system. Opening the door with a twist knob, and then just pushing it shut, means that you can concentrate on holding your dog's collar. Single-handed opening and easy closing is quicker and safer.
• Good visibility: The vertical bars on both the back and the front of PRO crates allow the driver particularly good visibility and being vertical not horizontal also means that dogs can't easily bite on them. It's also good that the dog has good visibility.
• Does your car have a loading sill? If so, we have 4pets BoxLifters available as an additional accessory. The 4pets BoxLifters will raise your 4pets PRO cage by 7cm, this should then allow you to open and close the cage door without it catching on your boot. Please ensure that you measure the depth of the loading sill to make sure that 7cm will raise the crate sufficiently.
• Certification: Crash-tested by TÜV SÜD in Munich; REACH compliant - no harmful materials are used.

Dimensions and weight: The PRO size 4 Small is 81.5cm wide x 66.0cm high x 73.5cm long; weight 19.5kg; maximum load 40kg.

Assembly: The crates arrive flat packed, but minimum assembly is required, with typically only 10 bolts to screw in, and they're satisfactorily easy to put together. Tie-down straps are included.

In summary: As we often say to customers who question the materials used, a properly designed steel box will contain a pet in a crash, and protect the human passengers. If 4pets had wanted to make a steel box, they would have done!

The 4pets concept is all about looking after pets as well as looking after humans, so the focus is on energy-absorbing materials. If the cage also looks really smart and is also easy enough to move about, and is also sensibly priced, so much the better!