kent Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Looking for ideas of kennel faults and possible improvements over existing designs. I currently have a mitton hall kennel here which although it is very easy to clean has a few niggles that i think could be bettered by design. This is for a new buisness venture i am planning, the idea behind it being a more made to measure kennel system, custom to the clients wishes. Brick built, sythetic, tiled roof or pre-fabricated systems etc. indeed anything but wood though i will do runs for other peoples own wood kennels. want to keep things small and flexible as i think this is what might be lacking in the market I am not looking for buisness advice as its well trodden ground for us, just ideas on how you might feel your current kennel might be improved and things you would like to add Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 I have a Mitton Hall kennel and I'm very pleased with it. I have added some heavy duty plastic curtains to cover the door to the box although I think they do something like this. A friend of mine has a wooden kennel that has removable solid panels all round so when the weather is bad you can board it up. You can also use them to provide cover from the prevailing wind,rain or sun if needed. The bottom of the run panels is also solid for the first foot so the dog can lie outside and keep out of the wind. Some sort of drain in the kennel box would be handy so it dries out quicker when washed in the winter. The only other thing I can think of is to make a system that can be added to if you get more dogs. Ones that bolt together or have runs that you could easily extend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 The sleeping boxes on mine certainly hold water after cleaning, i have some improvements in mind for this. Unfortunatly adding drainage will also introduce drafts from below which is a little counter productive. Mine has the doors which i rate as highly as a chocolaite tea pot, the screens like on loading bays are perhaps the answer. I have thoughts towards a very different type of full insulated cleanable sleeping quarter module though like i say am thinking of staying away from the whole standardisation thing and staying flexible. I do like the idea of lower panels, this could also answer the Bars and puppys question. Bars being more secure but too large a gap for pups. The whole add on extendable idea is easy enough to achieve, even with your existing i think if the space exists Thanks for your input, i do also rate the Mitton Hall as the best currently available own one myself and i don't mean to run them down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hitfreshairagain Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 kent..fit a trap after the drainage that will stop any smells and draughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 I had the warehouse type flaps on my kennel from Ultra kennels, they were draughty , I replaced them with a dog flap from Staywell, It`s a great improvement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 kent..fit a trap after the drainage that will stop any smells and draughts. Like a shower waste trap do you mean? If so have you done this? i think the issue with the Mitton is the base sags so you dry it up them any residual wetness following hosing out gathers again, it takes a few goes to sort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 could you make a tray from GRP fiberglass with a gel coat finish and have a built in waste ,its very hard and durable ,and you could make it so it can be detached from the kennel ,if needed to ,you can get it with a none slip texture ,,just a thought ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 could you make a tray from GRP fiberglass with a gel coat finish and have a built in waste ,its very hard and durable ,and you could make it so it can be detached from the kennel ,if needed to ,you can get it with a none slip texture ,,just a thought ;-) My thoughts are along these lines, with cored insulation. The issue might well be price, though like i say i will be going down the flexible route doing anything from just the runs for customers own afairs to brick built, sythetic hose down etc. this could well kill the economies of scale such a design might require to become feasable price wise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longy0710 Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 All I can say is good luck mate. When I bought my kennels I wanted Brickbuilt but had to settle for Timber, hope all goes well for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 (edited) My thoughts are along these lines, with cored insulation. The issue might well be price, though like i say i will be going down the flexible route doing anything from just the runs for customers own afairs to brick built, sythetic hose down etc. this could well kill the economies of scale such a design might require to become feasable price wise i looked it up last night and they say GRP is great as dog pee and poo wont inpregante the fiberglass and dogs cant damage it ,have you thought of doing the fiberglass your self ? once you have a blank/mold made you can reproduce them several time Edited October 16, 2012 by pigeon pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 All I can say is good luck mate. When I bought my kennels I wanted Brickbuilt but had to settle for Timber, hope all goes well for you was that for budjet or other reasons if i might be so bold as to ask? i am interested in finding out the why in peoples past purchase desisions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 i looked it up last night and they say GRP is great as dog pee and poo wont inpregante the fiberglass and dogs cant damage it ,have you thought of doing the fiberglass your self ? once you have a blank/mold made you can reproduce them several time doubt that will happen its outside my personal skills set and if i was ever talking quantity beyond a local specialist i am afraid it would be shipped in to order from china etc. I am not so sure the market could support such an investment and will impact on so many things like premises Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon pete Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 doubt that will happen its outside my personal skills set and if i was ever talking quantity beyond a local specialist i am afraid it would be shipped in to order from china etc. I am not so sure the market could support such an investment and will impact on so many things like premises a fine man of your caliber lol there seems to be a lot of them on the market on google ,i suppose if you were to go with it you would have to make loads for it to pay off ,good luck with your project PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 a fine man of your caliber lol there seems to be a lot of them on the market on google ,i suppose if you were to go with it you would have to make loads for it to pay off ,good luck with your project PP My whole USP would go, if i did the fibreglass fabrication. Want to stay small and offer the client flexibility, one off design were required and with low overheads giving great value and a personal touch to the end user. Been involved in far bigger ventures in the past, its just not what i want or even need this time around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 I was thinking just a bit of a slope on the floor of the box or a removable strip to let the water out that can be easily replaced. Kent the reason I went with Mitton Hall was the quality, security and I know it will last a very long time and not go rotten. Yes they are expensive but I don't want my dog nicked. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longy0710 Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 was that for budjet or other reasons if i might be so bold as to ask? i am interested in finding out the why in peoples past purchase desisions Bit of both, couldnt find anyone with experience of brick built kennels and also cost. Neighbour is being bang out of order at the moment so all dogs are inside with me but when we eventually move we will be looking into brick built kennels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 I was thinking just a bit of a slope on the floor of the box or a removable strip to let the water out that can be easily replaced. Kent the reason I went with Mitton Hall was the quality, security and I know it will last a very long time and not go rotten. Yes they are expensive but I don't want my dog nicked. Harry pretty much same as me other than security Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 I would have thought that brick built kennels (as they are a permanent structure) would require planning permission, where as a timber kennel is classed as a temporary structure and doesn`t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 Bit of both, couldnt find anyone with experience of brick built kennels and also cost. Neighbour is being bang out of order at the moment so all dogs are inside with me but when we eventually move we will be looking into brick built kennels Yes the market is lacking in this respects "brick built", its certainly something i will be getting into as i used to have a conservatory company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 I would have thought that brick built kennels (as they are a permanent structure) would require planning permission, where as a timber kennel is classed as a temporary structure and doesn`t Actually not always, planning has also changed a fair bit in recent times as regards permitted developments. You can actually build some pretty full on extentions these days with building regs only. Timber is very tempary the way some build them- i am frankly staggered, felt nailed and batten rather than torch on, joinery that consists of nailed or screwed joints at no small prices either! planning consent when required will be something i might well offer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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