Dog Kennel Guide

The choice of beds available to buy for your pet is huge and which type you go for is mainly down to taste and personal preference.  Some people are quite happy with the cheap and easy to clean plastic basket style beds which can be found for sale in every pet store and supermarket while others prefer a memory foam dog bed or the style and looks of wicker dog beds.  Here we shall discuss the design and relative merits of the latter style of dog bed.

A lot of people think that wicker is a material when actually it is a type of construction.  Wicker involves having vertical canes which are then interwoven with more cane.  The frame is generally made from a much stronger, stiffer material than the woven parts. Ratten is the most popular type of material but bamboo, reed and even plastic baskets can also be found.  One of the great advantages of this type of dog basket is that the holes between the weave allow hair and dirt to fall through allowing them to be easily wiped up from the floor.

Other advantages of wicker dog beds are that they are bio-degradable, made from renewable resources and can be recycled – unless you get a plastic one of course!  Rattan is also very hardwearing and sturdy and yet also very light making it an ideal material from which to make dog beds.

Though all of the above mentioned features make these beds very desirable, the main reason that most owners buy one for their dogs is for their classy looks.  You don’t need to hide it away when visitors come as it will blend in nicely with your furniture.  Often people who own a very large dog kennel, more like a summer house than a dog home, will put a wicker dog bed in it to complete the luxurious look that they are after.

These beds are made to be resistant to chewing but you should always check carefully to make sure that there are no sharp edges or points sticking out which might hurt your pet.  Normally oval in shape it is easy to find a cushion or mattress that will fit into the basket making it lovely and comfortable for your dog.

So, if you are interested in designer dog beds that will blend in with the classy look of your house then you could do no better than take a look at different wicker dog beds.

If you are the owner of one of the many outsize dog breeds such as an Irish Wolf Hound or a Great Dane you may occasionally despair of the fact that it’s not always easy to find the dog accessories that you require for your pet.  Something as simple as a collar with a large diameter can take weeks of research to find and so something of an even more niche character such as large dog cages can be even harder to find.

They are hard to find because dog cages for big, powerful animals need extra design features that are not required for a standard cage.  For a start they need to have so much extra space to allow your dog the freedom to turn around, lie down at full stretch and stand up in comfort and this requires a lot more metal.  Secondly, that metal needs to be of a strong, reinforced nature as otherwise it runs the risk of being destroyed by any occupant who has the desire to chew on it or batter its sides.

However you don’t need to despair as, though it is more difficult to source this type of dog kennel it isn’t impossible by any means.  The best place to look is the internet as you can simply put in a search something along the lines of Extra Large Dog Cage and it will come up with a whole host of companies producing just what you are looking for.

Before you click ‘BUY’ make sure that you have measured your dog so you know exactly which size you need (the sites will often have a size guide to help you choose the correct one).  Also think carefully about which use you are going to put the cage to as there are a variety of different types.  Some people simply want a cage to put in the car to allow them to transport their dog safely from place to place, while others want one to put in the garden so that their dog has somewhere safe to be while they are out at work.  By and large these cages tend to be bigger as they need to be able to encompass a dog basket and some toys as well as the dog himself.

So, if you are a large dog breed owner don’t despair of ever finding yourself a large dog cage for your pet.  There are plenty out there if you search for them and many companies will even do free delivery.

You may be about to acquire a new dog or else your current dog’s bed might be getting a bit worn.  Either way you will be searching the internet and your local pet shops for a new dog basket.  You will need to start by measuring the length of your dog in a lying position so that you can decide which size to look for.  If you are getting a new puppy then you would probably be better off buying a small one now and looking at larger baskets for dogs only when he’s fully grown.

If your dog lives in a dog kennel then you will need to make sure that the basket is, as near as possible, the same size as the living space.  This will ensure that no space is lost in gaps around the edges.  If, however, you are more of a fan of dog crates for your dog while you are away from home then this will not be an issue as there will be plenty of space to put a lovely wicker dog basket in the corner.

Of course dog baskets come in different types:

Plastic – these are the most popular due to their ease of cleaning and sturdy nature.  You can put a cushion in them to make them comfortable and these can simply be put into the washing machine when they get dirty.

Wicker – this is the most traditional style and also the most aesthetically pleasing though have the disadvantages of being harder to clean and easier to chew!

Soft – made of fabric, these can be bought to fit in with your home decor and are particularly warm and cosy.  New, waterproof versions have recently become available which are ideal for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors, splashing in puddles.

Baskets are not just great for your home, if you travel elsewhere or put your dog into doggie day care during the day then they can have a little piece of home with them which will help them to feel more comfortable.

The final type, which most people don’t think of, is a bicycle dog basket.  These are ideal for smaller dogs who simply cannot keep up when you go out for a bike ride.  They enable them to ride safely on the front of your bike, enjoying the view and the outdoors.  These baskets are easy to fit and to remove when not in use.

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