Dog Kennel Guide

There are so many varieties of dog kennel that when you first start to look for one you could start to feel totally overwhelmed.  There are dog homes for a huge variety of uses from a collapsible travel kennels to a chain link dog kennel which you would keep in the garden.  To help you decide which type of home to buy for your dog you will first need to consider the main uses that you need the kennel for.  It may be that you even decide that you will need more than one.  If your dog is to be kept outside during the day but you will bring him in at night time then some form of metal dog cage would probably be most suited to you.

These can be subdivided into modular or chain link dog kennels.  Here we will discuss the merits of a chain link dog kennel.

Firstly, they are incredibly easy to assemble yourself even if you are relatively unskilled at building things.  They come flat packed in a box for ease of transportation and you start by putting posts where you would like the four corners of the cage to be.  These can either be set into concrete or hammered securely into the ground.  Make sure that the dog kennel has enough space for the dog to be able to run a short distance and that it is at least partly shaded so that your dog doesn’t boil in the heat.  If there is no shade available then you can purchase run covers relatively cheaply.

Once the posts are securely in place then you simply unroll the chain link dog run and wrap it from post to post, attaching it firmly to each post.  Just remember to leave space for the gate, which will come ready made.  If your dog is likely to try and escape then you may wish to add a roof.

Many people decide to build a dog kennel and run combination so that their dog can play and exercise in the run but also has access to a place to rest or sleep.  The kennel should be built into one corner of the run so that it doesn’t prevent the dog from picking up speed when he runs around.

As well as being easy to construct and relatively cheap a chain link dog kennel is also quite lightweight and so if you find that you do need to move it you will be able to do so with little trouble.

When you start to consider purchasing a dog kennel with attached run for your dog you will have to think carefully about which type of construction material would best suit your dog.  Dog crates can usually be divided into those made from plastic, wood or metal with the runs nearly always being made from metal.  A galvanised dog run is by far the most sensible option thanks to its longevity.

Galvanised metal is basically steel which has been specially coated with a thin layer of zinc.  This zinc layer helps to stop the oxidisation of the steel which would eventually lead to the killer of all metal – rust!  The zinc forms a barrier on the steel so that any corroding elements act on the zinc rather than the steel itself.  By adding this coat you extend the life of the metal immensely and it is used for all metal structures that are expected to stand exposed to the elements for any length of time, such as bridges and oil rigs.  By buying a galvanised dog run you will be ensuring that your dog has a safe place to exercise for his whole lifetime.

A dog kennel and run is the ideal way to let your dog get some exercise during the day while you are out at work while also giving him somewhere to rest and sleep when he feels like it.  The dog pen will prevent him from escaping the garden, where he could get in to trouble or hurt, and will also stop him from digging up the flower beds!  He will also appreciate not being cooped up in the house all day while you are out at work and you will save your furniture from being chewed out of boredom.

Don’t assume that every run you see is a galvanised dog run as many companies try to save money by using untreated metal.  Though they will all look very similar when new and shiny don’t be tempted to go for the cheaper option.  Once the dog cage has been outside for a while the difference will soon become obvious and you will actually be putting your dog at risk if his run is allowed to rust.  The corrosion will weaken the metal and all it will take is for the dog to barge against it for a strut to snap and potentially stab him.  There is no point buying a dog kennel to make him feel safe and secure if his run doesn’t offer him the same level of protection.

When you get your first dog you may be overwhelmed by the range of kennels available to house them.  You can get everything from portable kennels used to transport your dog or to use when travelling to whelping kennels for people who breed dogs.  However, by far the most popular style is the traditional outdoor dog kennel.

An outdoor kennel is nearly always constructed of wood and generally has either one or two rooms.  The number of rooms is usually dependent on how much of the day the dog spends in it.  For a dog who sleeps outside at night then an outdoor dog kennel with 2 rooms is preferable as then he can have a room which is not exposed to the elements to sleep in and another to rest and chew a toy or bone in during the day where he can see what is going on around him.  Sometimes galvanised metal cages are advertised as kennels though in reality they are somewhere between a kennel and a run.  They tend to be big enough to move around quite freely but don’t have the comfort factor of a nice confined kennel.

If your garden is not particularly secure or there are lots of lovely flower beds which could be destroyed then you might want to have a dog kennel and run formation so that he can exercise in safety.  The dog house should be put into one corner so that it doesn’t impede your dog from running the length of the run and should be under cover of shade so that he doesn’t overheat in warmer weather.

If you are going to leave your dog in an outdoor dog kennel for any length of time during the day or night then there are certain dog kennel accessories which you should buy.  The first is a good heavy water bowl which cannot be easily tipped up.  Regular drinks of fresh water are essential for the wellbeing of any animal and you wouldn’t want your dog to get thirsty.  Another thing that will be appreciated by your dog is a nice, comfortable bed to rest and sleep on.  If he spends the night in the kennel and you live in an area where the temperatures can drop quite low then you might consider a heated dog bed.

The last vital ingredient to make your pet love his dog kennel is a range of different toys.  Balls to chase, rubber toys to chew and a bit of old rope to carry around or play tug ‘o’ war with when you are home.

Before you buy a dog there are various things that you need to consider.  One of the most important is how you are going to exercise your dog.  It may be that someone in your household is lucky enough not to have to go out to work and so is available for lots of dog walking.  If not then you might want to consider a dog kennel and run.  By attaching a dog run onto a kennel you can ensure that your dog can get plenty of exercise even when you are not around.

Dog runs are generally chain link or mesh as they need to be strong enough to keep a dog in and any predators out.  You can buy ready made ones from pet stores but, if you buy the panels then it’s not actually that hard to construct one yourself.  Start by thinking about the size of dog that you would like as this will determine how much space he will need.  The most ideal situation would be the largest possible space that you can practically hand over to accommodate a dog kennel and run.

Once you have marked out the area available take another look at it and consider whether it has a shady area for your dog to lie in on hot days and whether one of the corners would be suitable for a dog kennel.  Ideally this corner will be sheltered from severe weather conditions such as driving rain or wind and would also be shaded from direct sunlight.

The dog exercise pen itself needs to be high enough that your pet cannot simply jump out of it and sturdy enough that it can’t be knocked down.  Burying the posts deep into the ground will make it strong and some people burying the fencing itself a little so that their dog cannot dig underneath it.  The gate which gives entry to the run needs to be very secure and preferably lockable as not only do you want to prevent your dog from getting out but also anyone from getting in and taking him while you are at work.

If you decide that your garden is not large enough to house a dog kennel and run then there are other options which will still allow you to own a dog and give him the exercise that he requires while you are at work.  Some people employ dog walkers to take their pet out for a good long run every day while others put their pet into doggie day care.  This is a centre where dogs are taken during the day.  The owners will feed, exercise and care for your dog, sometimes even performing grooming duties or taking him on visits to the vets.