Dog Kennel Guide

If you are the owner of a large breed of dog such as an Irish Wolfhound or a Red Setter then you will be aware that simply leaving your pet to roam out in the garden is not always a viable option.  Not only is it possible that he could simply leap over the fence and escape to get lost or hurt on the roads, he is capable of causing untold damage by digging up flower beds or chewing on garden furniture should he start to get bored.  If you try to tie him to his dog kennel to restrict his movement he may well get tangled up or be strong enough to simply drag his kennel around the garden with him! By far the best solution to these problems will be found by looking at a range of large pet pens.

Pens for large dogs come in two main forms: chain link and modular.  How you use the pet play pen should help you decide which would best suit you.  Chain link pens are very easy to construct, light in weight and cheaper to buy.  However, they don’t have the longevity of modular pens, which are often powder coated, and are not quite so strong.  Having a galvanised dog run like this will ensure that it doesn’t rust.  If your dog is a bit of an escape artist then a modular version is pretty much guaranteed to keep him enclosed.  However, they are more expensive, more difficult to construct and, once built, are pretty much permanent structures.

Remember that for a dog to be happy in an enclosed space like this it will need to be large enough for your pet to be able to gather some speed while running and to play with his toys freely.  Don’t forget that if you are going to have a large dog kennel in one corner then the space will be quite reduced and so you may even need to look at an extra large pet pen.  As you see, you will need to have quite a large garden to start with before you even think about this purchase.

Of course not everyone is looking for outdoor pet playpens.  It may be that you need one for in the house to prevent your dog from chewing on the furniture while you are away from home.  As an indoor pet pen can often also double as a room divider or a gate for a doorway they are very versatile in their use.

You may or may not be lucky enough to get your dog for free but either way the real expense starts from this point.  There are so many things that need to be bought to keep your dog happy and healthy and even if you search carefully for cheap dog accessories you will find yourself spending quite a lot of money.  Some things need to be bought immediately while others can be collected over time.

All dogs will need a water and food bowl, collar and lead and somewhere to sleep before they even step through your front door.  Many people will also choose to buy a dog kennel to give their pet the feeling of being in a nice, safe den.  Another essential is a dog comb or brush so that you can keep his coat clean and tangle free by brushing at least once per week.

Of course the type of things that you will need to buy will be somewhat dependent on the size of dog that you own.  If you have one of the tiny breeds then you will need some small dog accessories such as a harness, rather than a collar and lead, and a dog carrier for if you decide to go on walks that are too far for his little legs to carry him.

Big dogs also have their own needs.  Any dog pen that you decide to buy will need to be very large and strong enough to withstand a battering from him.  What with the pen and the large dog kennel that you will have, you had better have plenty of space in your back garden to fit it all.

As well as the essentials there are other items that many people buy their pets simply to give them a bit of luxury.  Dog clothes and accessories fall into this category as t-shirts, hats and skirts become increasingly popular purchases for dog owners.   Though of course there are also plenty of practical clothing items such as sweaters and raincoats which many see as essential.

Nearly all these items can be bought easily in your local pet store though if you want something slightly more unusual, or designer dog accessories, then you are far better off looking online.  Here you will find lots of little doggie boutiques selling all manner of cool and unusual things in a far wider range of colours, patterns and designs.

Though dogs love to play, run around and explore, they also spend a fair amount of their day either asleep or dozing.  If you want your dog’s sleep to be of good quality, which will help to ensure that he remains healthy, then you need to choose carefully when you buy his bed.  Though there are many different types and styles of bed available to buy for dogs, here we are going to discuss the features and advantages of a waterproof dog bed.

Waterproof dog beds have a high quality filling which doesn’t squash and go flat over time, covered with a waterproof polyester fabric.  This fabric can be cleaned by either hosing it down or simply wiping it with a damp cloth and is quite tough, making it difficult (but not actually impossible) for a dog to chew holes in it.

There are several reasons why you might want to buy this sort of bed.  Firstly, it makes an excellent outdoor dog bed for those whose pets spend lots of time in a dog pen.  Their very nature means that it doesn’t matter if there is a rain shower which has not been forecast as they will not be ruined by water, where other beds would become soggy and unusable.  Secondly, if you have a dog who spends as little time as possible in his dog kennel and instead uses his time jumping in rivers or rolling in muddy puddles then you will want a waterproof dog bed.  It won’t matter if he goes straight from a muddy puddle into his bed, you can just wipe the mud off with a cloth.

These beds are becoming so popular that you can now get loads of different varieties from a designer dog bed for a pampered pooch in fancy colours or patterns to an enormous bed that will perfectly suit the large dog kennel of a bulky wolf hound.  You can buy flat beds, which are basically just a cushion, or a basket style bed which helps to keep in the heat and keep a damp doggy warm and toasty.

Though a waterproof dog bed actually needs no additions, some people choose to buy the optional extra of a fleecy cover.  These covers will give extra warmth in particularly cold conditions or for dogs with fine coats and can be easily put into the washing machine if they get a bit dirty or muddy.  As fleece fabric is very quick drying there is no risk of your dog catching a chill.

Large dog breeds are becoming increasingly popular to have as pets.  They are known to be more even tempered than small dogs and are generally fantastic with children.  The only difficulty is that every dog accessory that you buy needs to be similarly sized, from large dog crates to collars which will fit round a wide neck and enormous dog beds which could happily hold a child!  And unfortunately the large size often leads to a large price tag so you will need to shop around comparing prices on the internet and in your local pet shops.  Though do remember that though the internet might be cheaper, when looking for specialist products such as these you might be best off being able to look at the actual thing to determine whether it is really big enough for your dog.

Luckily, buying a large dog kennel isn’t as difficult as it once was, due to the increased demand.  The main limitation these days is actually the size of your outdoor space.  If you have plenty of room then you can install a dog kennel – though it might resemble a summer house!  This type are built from wood and can have one or two rooms, depending on whether your dog is to spend the night in it.  You can even buy luxury versions with a porch for the dog to lie on and windows from which he can enjoy the views!

If your dog comes in at night time and you are more interested in him getting some exercise during the day without being able to use his large paws to dig up the geraniums then you might be better served by looking into large dog crates made from metal.  These are very strong and, if you buy one made from galvanised steel, will be resistant to weathering.  They have space for your dog to play and run but he won’t be able to escape the garden and terrorise the neighbours or get run over on a nearby road.  You can buy self build versions, which are astonishingly easy to construct yourself or, sturdier ready built types.  Most pet stores would recommend the modular ready built crates for large dogs as anything which isn’t particularly strong could easily be knocked to the ground by a big dog.

If you have an even bigger than usual breed of dog, such as a Great Dane, then you will probably need a more specialist provider to find yourself a good range of extra large dog crates.

Some people would suggest that dog crates are cruel, cage like structures which remove an animal’s freedom.  However, dogs don’t see it this way.  In their wild, undomesticated past dogs found dens where they had a safe place to go and watch the world go by.  Today’s dogs will still generally find some sort of hidey hole in their owner’s house where they can rest or sleep undisturbed.  By providing them with a dog kennel or crate you are giving them their own little den.  There are several different types of crate available.

Plastic dog crates

These crates are mainly used for transporting small to medium sized dogs, either on visits to the vet or on car journeys.  They are hardwearing and easy to clean and generally have a grate like door, which can be totally removed, at the front.  These are the cheapest type of crate available.

Folding dog crates

These crates are slightly more expensive as they have a frame with fabric stretched over it.  These collapsible dog crates are great for people who want to save space as they can be easily hidden away when not in use.  The nylon covers of soft dog crates can also be put into a washing machine, making them very hygienic.

Metal crates

These are much sturdier and make a great large dog kennel.  They will last much longer than a plastic crate and tend to be a more permanent structure as they aren’t very easy to move once put into place.  Being large they will allow your dog more freedom to play and exercise while still being a safe, secure environment.

Car crates

These are specially designed to fit into the boot of a car and represent a safe, clean way to transport dogs.  The dogs can’t escape into the front of the car where they could cause an accident by paying the driver a visit and, should an accident occur it will prevent them from being thrown across the car.

In short, crates are a form of dog kennel to be used for keeping your dog safe, either while in transport or in your home or garden.  They represent somewhere that a dog can sleep or relax without worrying about any noise or chaos going on around him.  They come in all different sizes and the material from which they are constructed will vary depending on the main use that the crate is for.

For most people buying a new dog the decision to buy a dog kennel is relatively easy.  They only need decide on whether it will be made from plastic, metal or wood depending on their circumstances and then they have hundreds of choices both online or at their local pet store.  However, if you have a large dog then you will need a large dog kennel.   It is not nearly as easy to buy a dog house for a Great Dane, an Irish Wolfhound or a Newfoundland as it is for a Bassett or a Collie.

Of course these large dogs will require an outdoor dog kennel as no-one is going to design a lightweight plastic kennel for a very large dog.  It would probably get chewed to pieces in a matter of minutes!  Though there is not as much choice there are still plenty of large dog kennels out there for sale, though you should expect to pay a premium price as the quantity of timber required is reflected in the price.  Some people are willing to spend a small fortune on their large dogs and will buy them luxurious accommodation which can look more like a gazebo or summer house.

If you decide that rather than buy one you are more than capable of building a large dog kennel yourself then ensure that you make detailed plans first.  Think about where the kennel will be situated as though it’s possible to place small dog kennels almost anywhere, a large one could obstruct your view in certain places.  The minimum size for a kennel is a length that would allow your dog to lie stretched out, taller than head height and broad enough that he can turn a full circle.   Remember that once you have added insulation felt with wooden panels on top that the dog kennel will be made smaller inside.

Make sure that you use good quality timber as the structure will be exposed to the elements and will soon start to deteriorate if you use cheap wood.  Good quality wood also tends to be stronger and so will withstand the weight of a large dog barging around in it much better than its cheaper counterpart.

If you have more than one dog then you will of course need an extra large dog kennel, possibly with a dividing wall so that they can sleep separately.  Many people also build runs attached to the kennel to give their dog somewhere to exercise when they are not out on a walk.

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