Did someone say road trip? The only thing that makes travelling better is doing so with your four-legged friend!

In 2008, a dog named Gunner changed the world for his owner, and now, countless dogs in North America. Being a bird dog, Gunner spent most of his life alongside owner Addison in a side-by-side or truck bed, duck hunting. Inspired by the desire to keep his beloved dog safe, Addison constructed his first kennel and the GUNNER brand was born.

GUNNER, established in Nashville, TN, has an entire line of dog food crates, bowls, bumpers, and kennels to feed, train, and transport your dog efficiently and, most importantly, safely. GUNNER is built around crash-tested products, a unique design that accommodates real-world, rugged use. Whether hunting with hounds, travelling the country with your dog, or camping in the wilderness, GUNNER’s products ensure your pooch arrives safely and their food supply stays safe, too!

Overview

Our Experience

If you’re a dog owner who feeds kibble on the go, it’s safe to say you’ve lugged around, folded up, and spilled your fair share of dog food bags. Rural dog owners can attest to a myriad of critters interested in their dog food. In the mountains of BC, Canada, we’ve had skunks, raccoons, bears, wandering dogs, weasels, and more sniffing around our dog food supply. GUNNER’s dog food crate comes out of the box, assembled, and ready to seal every morsel into the crate to keep it away from pests. We’ve used the crate to store dog treats, cat food, and horse grain – consider this a multi-purpose container on our farm.

The draw lock and security pin are easy for humans to open and close, but less so for dogs. My Australian Cattle Dog, Bruce, tried his hardest to sniff the lid open, to no avail. Weighing in at a mere 7.6 lbs, the easy-carry handle lifts and distributes the weight of an empty or full crate, making one-handed carry simple without tipping or spilling. I loaded up my two youngest dogs, Bruce, mentioned above, and my GSD, Evie, for a romp in the bush, placing the full food crate in the truck bed with them. The crate remained so airtight that the dogs barely bothered with it (and believe me, I’ve lost several sandwiches to wandering dog snouts).

Most dog owners are unaware that opening a bag of kibble ignites the degradation of the food inside. GUNNER’s airtight food crate stops that from happening, ensuring your dog’s food stays fresh longer. So, even in the hot summer sun, your best (dog) friend is staying healthy with this crate.

The snow is barely off the ground in BC, but a camping trip with this crate would be an absolute must. To trial and discover GUNNER’s full potential, I shared this food crate and dog bowl with a fellow houndsman who went hunting in the East Kootenays, BC, on snowmobiles. We had a chuckle at his previously used dog bowls that were chewed the entire way around the top – not gonna happen with GUNNER’s dog bowl. Reports are that even when strapped to the back of a sled, which has been trailing cats for days, the food has remained dry, safe, and usable all trip long. That’s a glowing review!

Pros & Cons

Key Features

PunchSeal Technology

GUNNER’s dog bowl is made of highly durable nylon, with a lid that seals using PunchSeal technology. That means this dog bowl holds kibble, freeze-dried raw food, and water without spilling a drop. Rust typically comes with water; however, this dog bowl is rust- and impact-resistant.

Raised Feet & Recessed Handle

Much like the G1 Dog Kennel, GUNNER’s dog food crate has raised feet to keep the crate from hot or cold surfaces. The recessed handle (50lb crate) and the strap (30lb crate) enable a balanced carry without tipping or pitching forward.

Draw Lock & Security Pin

GUNNER’s dog food crate is designed with a draw lock that cinches the cover onto the container for a waterproof and airtight seal. Without water or moisture, mold does not form or spoil the food. The draw lock would be difficult for any critter to figure out, but the added security from the security pin guarantees your food only goes to the critters you want it to, when you want it to.

About GUNNER

GUNNER is a well-established and well-loved brand out of Nashville, TN. Founded and owned by avid outdoorsmen, GUNNER is popular among the hunting and sport dog community. GUNNER is recognized as the leading provider of safe travel for your pooch. The brand expands into the pet realm with its highly safety-rated kennels, waterproof food storage containers, orthopedic dog beds, and apparel to fit any rugged, rural, or urban lifestyle.

Is GUNNER Dog Food Crate & Dog Bowl a Good Value?

Yes, GUNNER’s products may be considered to be on the higher end, price-wise. Still, compared to others on the market, you would be subject to purchasing the same product repeatedly due to cracking, critter interference, or cumbersome containment.

The dog food crate and bowl are designed to fit a lifestyle that relies on sturdy, durable products that accommodate less-than-ideal conditions. GUNNER’s products are of the standard you purchase once, and use for many years.

How We Tested

I wanted to test out GUNNER’s products because we have an active, multi-dog household and farm. We hike, camp, ride horses, move sheep, and kayak with our dogs, so high-quality, durable products are what I gravitate towards purchasing. GUNNER did not disappoint. In general, we feed our dogs raw food, but during adventures, we switch them to a freeze-dried raw option (and usually spend half the trip cleaning spilled dog food or losing a few mouthfuls to an over zealous pooch), but with the food storage crate, all of our food remained where it belongs.

The products stood up to the test in my busy household, and my friend took them out on his snowmobiling adventure, and they remained strong there too!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I personalize my dog food crate and bowl?

Yes, while placing your online order, you can personalize both the dog bowl and dog food crate with your pup’s name. This is an excellent feature for multi-dog households with different feeding regimes.

How durable is this product?

Both the crate and bowl are made of easy-to-clean, long-lasting material. The dog bowl is impact resistant, chew deterrent, and rust resistant.

The food bowl is made of ultra-strong nylon and is dishwasher-approved (top-rack). The food crate’s lip allows for complete drainage after washing. For extra long soaks, washing can be done with dish soap or white vinegar. It is recommended to clean the food crate every few fills as oil from the kibble can begin to go rancid.

What if I have multiple dogs and need a larger food crate?

GUNNER’s dog crate options are the Food Crate 30 and 50. If you’re heading to camp and require multiple feedings or have multiple dogs, the Food Crate 50 would be your best bet. For weekend warriors or smaller excursions and packs, the Food Crate 30 holds a little less food with all the same great features.

Conclusion

I was thrilled to try GUNNER’s products. The overall design and well-thought-out features of the Food Crate and Dog Bowl show GUNNER’s commitment to delivering top-of-the-line products to all the folks who love and respect their dog like founder Addison did his first pup, Gunner.

A product that is born of necessity (and likely much trial and error with other brands) over the years typically contains the unique design of a founder with boots on the ground, living the product – GUNNER is exactly that brand.

Despite the slightly steeper price point, GUNNER’s products prove they are worth the investment after the first use. I’ll be stocking freeze-dried raw in the food crate for many years to come – and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed if you do too!