Pet grooming guide

A Dog Kennel is a name given to any type of shelter for Dogs. A kennel is used primarily to house or keep dogs contained in a certain determined area, but can also be used for other purposes, such as breeding and boarding.

It’s very important to know exactly what a kennel is, and what functions kennels can serve. This information can be critical for dog owners who are unsure of the different types and specifications to which kennels are built. Basic knowledge of kennels can be the useful for dog owners when deciding which kennel works best for their dog.

One thing that dog owners should take note of, is that there are several different types of kennels available, but only two places they can possibly go: outdoors or indoors.

Outdoor kennels are typically used to protect the dog and keep them contained in an outside area. A quality built dog kennel will ensure the safety, and protection of your dog. There are three types of outdoor kennels consumers can choose from, Chain link, Welded wire, and steel rod kennels.

Chain Link Kennels come in two types, prefabricated panels, and frame and stretch panels, and are typically the least expensive kind of kennel. Pre-fabricated panels come with the chain link already installed into the panels, and require minimal labour to build. Frame and stretch kennels are much more labour intensive, and require complete assembly. Chain link kennels work great for large or commercial operations such as breeding or boarding, and can also work great for family owned pets as well.

Welded Wire Kennels are prefabricated panels, meaning that the frame is already built and the wires are already attached to the panels. The dog owner decides which gauge of wiring is appropriate for their dogs size. The lower the gauge, the stronger the wire. For example, a ten gauge wire would be weaker than an eight gauge wire. Welded wire fences are good for small and large operations.

Steel Rod Kennels are prefabricated panels, typically in 5ft to ft wide panels. These are the strongest kennels available and are typically meant for large or aggressive breeds. The steel rods are usually 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick.

Indoor Kennels are pretty much the same as outdoor kennels, except they are typically made with smaller panels so that they are moved and transported more easily. Indoor Kennels are typically designed to have a nice working latch, because the purpose of an indoor kennel is to secure the dog in a designated area. If the latch were not secure enough, this would defeat the purpose of having an indoor kennel.

All dogs spend a portion of their life outside, some love it and others hate it.  If your dog spends a lot of their life outside you should have a dog kennel.  The type of kennel really depends on where you live, the type of dog and how active he or she is.  If you live in a wet area, make sure your kennel has good solid cover and is built to withstand wind and cold too.  If your area is hot, make sure you have cover too, but from the heat.  Active dogs need a place where they can run and get the exercise they need.

There’s actually a lot of functionality you can get for your dog.  You can find flooring that actually keeps the ground dry and the odors down.  This won’t stop you from needing to regularly go out and “scoop the poop”, but it will make the experience a bit more pleasant.  You can also get bedding that works really well outside, which makes it more pleasant for the dog and keeps the odors down when they come inside.

Just remember to keep the dog active, take him out of the kennel and walk or run him regularly, especially if you leave your dog in for long periods of time.  There is a tendency to neglect and ignore dogs that live in kennels, this makes for a poor life and experience for your pet.  Make sure that you balance the dog’s life with activities that keep him active and involved with the family.

Whether you choose to build or buy a kennel just make sure it fits the needs of your dog.  Too often people don’t measure properly or consider the size of the dog.  With the right kennel and environment you dog will do brilliantly.