Kennel size question

[keirk]

So finally getting around to sorting a kennel and run, and much browsing the interwebs I think I've decided on this:

http://www.duchyfarmkennels.co.uk/produ ... .php?id=57

Not sure what size to get? Will need to house 2 labs during the day only. Was thinking of getting the 10' x 10'6'' - tho this seems a bit big? Is it bigger the better?

Thanks

Keir

[Nonehpets]

My runs are about 12' x 12' in total but I have a divider with a door so I can have it as one run or two - each run has a dogloo kennel since I am only looking at daytime in good weather use.

My thinking is it isn't an exercise yard that you want the dogs charging up and down in but is a safe environment where they will feel relaxed - so they have enough space to get up and move to a different position if they wish and enough room to pee without having to stand in it.

Cathy

[Rascal]

Definitely not bigger is better Keirk although will you ever get to the stage of needing three? Would you ever need to separate them for any reason?

Ours only use the run for chillaxing in, in the summer....They never engage in games in there...

Apart from one little blighter (and that's only occasionally) they are all clean in there too..

Is the sleeping area insulated and is it a box type affair i.e. not the full height of the kennel. If not I would pick one with a lower sleeping box height as there would be a lot of wasted heat in the winter....

Rascal

[MDP]

I have an 8x4 for the cocker with a box cabin type bed area as opposed to a full height. Small pop hole with lots of straw too. As has been mentioned its not for him to exercise in, more to relax between training and sleeping in. He lived indoors for the first 12 months before we moved him out to a kennel. No whining or howling so I assume he's happy enough.

Mike

[HD55]

I have a Reeves kennel, very similar to this http://www.reeveskennels.co.uk/images/B ... CBLACK.jpg

I have three pointers and expected to use all the space this kennel has given me. In reality I have fitted a false ceiling in one side making a snug, insulated box measuring about 3' 6" deep, by 5' wide, by 3' 6" high. All three fit in this with plenty of space to spare. They then have one side of the kennel run outside of this box measuring 6' deep by 5' 6" wide and this is plenty. I use the other side for visiting dogs or to put my dogs in when I am changing the bedding in their normal side.

My brother has a kennel half the size of mine (the same size as the half I use to house my dogs). He has two labs and they are very comfortable in this space. When I visit him it can take 2 labs and 2 pointers with ease.

I hope this helps
Howard

[trekmoor]

My kennel of 5 feet long by 4 feet wide easily takes 3 cocker spaniels , a pointer and a brittany. Provided they got on well together I would keep 3 labs in there. My run is small ....about 8 feet by 4 feet but my dogs aren't out there to exercise. They do like to have a homemade table about 2 feet high to sit or lie on in the run though.

Wullie

[Cambusvale]

I made my own 10' x 8' Apex shed with a mesh vented front section giving opening of 4' x 3' which had two single door entry at the 8' end and split down the middle with a half flooring and upper mesh partition so making two kennels 10' x 4'. The rear had a bed box built so to provide a day bed and and insulated night bed. I housed 4 GSP in this setup. I augmented the garden to provide an enclosed area for day time to provide dog with space and if I needed to I could kennel the dogs in the two kennels as they had the vented run within the 10' x 8'. I designed my kennel on the Fitzcharles type.

Now I would re-position the kennel and allow me access one of gables to fit an access door to the shed. I would fit galvanized panels to make two runs 6' x 5' and another on opposite gable 6' x 6'. Fit access apertures in gable and sides for three openings into bed box's that are inside the kennel with top opening hatches for cleaning, access and tile these internally. All the other space inside the kennel would be for freezer, storage of dry food and clothing drying area and storage for clothes and dog training gear. I would insulate all internal walls/roofs and panel inside walls to retain heat and fit chew proof edging to all corners dogs have access. This configuration is allowing me to house bitches separately as I did have issues with some of my bitches not wanting to share kennels and coming into season so seperating as I do prefer dogs to train. So for same shed space I better utilize what I have and gives me versatility of housing three GSP or 2 dogs and two bitches or 4 dogs and 1 bitch.