When you decide to invest in a dog kennel, just like you do when you’re buying a new home for yourself, you want to be sure you’re making the right decisions. There are several obvious things you need to consider when you make these decisions, some of the things are obvious, but others are less obvious, which is why we’ve decided to kick off our new blog with this ultimate guide to buying a dog kennel. Here’s what you need to be asking yourself:
- How big is your dog? This may sound like an obvious question, but the trick here is to select a kennel that is big enough now and big enough for your fully-grown dog (if you currently have a puppy); but not too big. You need to make sure that the kennel you choose has sufficient space for your dog to stand up, lie down and move around comfortably, but not so big that he is too small to generate heat in the space available.
- How long will he spend in the kennel? If you plan to use the kennel just for short periods when you pop out to the shops or when you’re doing the house-work, then you’re likely to want to invest less and probably require a less sophisticated solution than if you plan to leave your dog in his kennel for long periods while you’re out at work or overnight.
- How strong is your dog? Different breeds and different sizes of dog have significantly varying levels of strength. The advice here is simple: a strong dog needs a strong kennel that will withstand his or her personality. In short, you need to be sure that the choice you make will provide a safe and comfortable space that suits the characteristics of your dog.
- Is your dog a chewer? If your dog is a chewer, it’s important to make sure that there are no exposed edges he can chew.
- Will your dog kennel have a dog run attached? If your kennel will have a run attached, then a flat roof kennel with no door is the perfect way to enable your dog to go in and out as he pleases. However, if you’re not planning a run, you might want an apex roof with a door so the kennel works for you and your dog on a stand-alone basis.
- Do you have easy access to the site? If you have easy access to the part of your garden where you plan to put the dog kennel, then a pre-built option will save you stress and hassle. However, if access is tight, then you might need to consider a flat-pack option that you build in situ.
- Are you investing for the long or the short term? Like anything in life, with a dog kennel you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a long-term solution, then it’s definitely worth considering investing a bit more in the kennel you choose; this way you won’t be looking at replacing it in a few years time.
- Should you treat or choose pre-treated? When choosing a new kennel it’s important to establish if the kennel needs to be treated or not. Timber kennels need to be treated, but the likes of our Kingspan insulated kennels don’t. It’s up to you how much work you want to do and how much treatment you’re prepared to invest on an annual basis.
- What about cleaning? In order for your dog to be happy in his new home, it’s essential that his kennel is kept clean. You should think carefully about how easy the material of the dog kennel you buy will be to clean and also how easy it will be to access for cleaning.
- Do you need an insulated kennel? If your dog is going to stay outside for prolonged periods, all year round, then insulation is an important consideration. It may be that you choose a kennel with insulation and a raised sleeping area if your dog will be outside overnight, but for short periods, some simple floor insulation will probably be sufficient.
We do hope this guide has helped you figure out what you need to think about when choosing a dog kennel, but if you’re still unsure, why not get in touch? At Slaneyside Dog Kennels and Runs we’re always happy to provide impartial, professional advice to help make sure every dog is a happy dog.