Your advice please

[nhamm2]

Guys (and girls) hope you can help.

 

I intend in the not too distant future to get a lab as a family pet/shooting companion. I am therefore studying up on kennels and runs as I intend to keep the dog outside a fair amount of the time.

 

Could you please offer any advice/tips etc on the construction, materials, design and equipment for the kennel. I am starting from scratch so want to get it right now and not wish I had done something once the bally things is built!

 

Obviously cost will be an issue but at the moment am considering laying down concrete and buying in a quality kennel and run, perhaps even running to piping through electric for a small heater?

 

Your opinions and thoughts would be much appreciated.

[lewis]

Right mate I just put in a lot of kennel's so the is all from speaking through experience.

 

You will be better to plan hell out of the design's because it's almost certain that everytime you are in the kennel's the thing you havent done will annoy you , The most important thing for kennel's is drainage, the pee smell's the worst so you will want to get a long line of arcal (not sure of spelling) drainage running into a main drain. Poo wise i pick up in bag's and bin it so that is not an issue.

 

You might want to get more than one kennel, Mabey a double? Because it's better to have the option if you want to get another dog. Get the inside of the door anti chew proofed and all other edges inside the kennel.For the bed i use Tuffie's, Simply because they cannot chew them. Trust me ive tried a lot of other bed's and they destroy most of them Also get a good space at the back of the kennel for food, lead's, and such. Oo and make sure the kennel run has a roof on it, (make's it really easy to clean it up in snow and from all the leave's falling in it)

 

Reeve's is a good company to look at for kennel's, a bit dear but they are quality :blink:

 

Hope this help's a little.

[WGD]

You're on the right track with casting a base and buying in a system; there are a lot of companies. Make sure you have a roof onthe run, insulated boxes, anti-chew strips on all edges, lift off box lids (or preferably hinged) for cleaning, space for a heat lamp if you want one although with an insulated box you shouldn't need one.

 

Mitton Hall have a good reputation and I know gundog kennels who have them and highly recommend them.

 

Agree with lewis re drainage, make sure that's sorted.

 

Also for bedding it depends how hard or soft you are feeling; my mate puts nothing in for his dogs and they are happy just inside the box. Personally I don't like beds as such as they invariably seem to end up out in the run. I use shredded paper, works a treat and costs nothing because I get it from work; I also feel it gives the dog something to "nest" in and paper is a good insulator.

 

WGD

[Huntinlass]

Definately put a drainage system in as lewis said. Put in a water supply for a hose and automatic drinker, so on hot days you know your dog has a good supply of water.

 

What ever kennel you intend to buy I would make sure you raise the bed area (if not already arranged in a brought in kennel). Raising the bed means the dog is not sleeping directly onto the ground-which will hold the cold in the winter regardless to any heater you decide to have- raise the bed 2/3ft of the ground to prevent your dog suffering with joint problems later in life because of the cold.

 

If you research on the internet you can find heaters that slowly heat up a kennel to a comfortable setting and then switches its self off once the set temperature has been reached.

 

For bedding our dogs get straw in the winter and carpet in the summer. Obvisously be aware of your heating system if you intend to use straw or shredded paper.

 

Brick built kennels are by far the best in my opinion- they last alot longer than a wooden kennel, so if you are intending to have dogs after this dog its a better investment than a wooden kennel.

[nhamm2]

Thanks all for your replies. Really useful. The brick option is actually attractive, especially as my brother has just completed a brick laying course and is desperate for a project

 

Any designs, blueprints, ideas i can pinch?

[lewis]

Well heater wise,

I dont use them at all. Unless i have a bitch in whelp but that's on special occasion's.

 

I dont like the idea of all that bedding and the risk of everything going up in flame's.

Unless it is a very cold night in winter, There body heat that they make is plenty for them to keep them toasty through the night

[fallarben]

wood mate is false investment as it 2 to 3 years at most it will need replacing also most disseases can live in wood as for drainage get it soughted so you can wash down each day i use shredded tissue paper it cleans them after a hard days work in the winter and they can make a nest in it just in the prosess of taking a kennel block down mate

[nhamm2]

Cheers lads. So brick it is - any designs that may help me?

 

And should a puppy go straight into an outside kennel, if that's the way I decide to go?

 

Finally, how about the run, any advice on how/what this should be made of?

 

Thanks again, great to have some help from those more experienced.

[lewis]

I wouldnt go for brick if it was me,

you will need planning permission . Also i think that brick is colder for the dog's and is not really suitable for older dog's.

 

Yes, the sooner they get used to it the better.. you will get howling for the first few night's but they should soon settle.

If it were me i wouldnt have it in the house- Too much of a risk for the dog to get spoiled

 

My run's are made from wood with the galvanised mesh on the inside so there is no chance of them chewing it.

Have a look on Canine kennel's and reeve's for design's, they make some really good kennel's.

[fallarben]

stay away from wood m8 galvanised runs eather chew prove plastic kennels or block / brick not to cold if they have a little bedding in the kennel