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Our Locally Manufactured Materials

As a family-run business, we are proud to support British manufacturing and small businesses similar to ours. When we found Garden and Animal Structures we set out to source local high-quality materials to provide our animal housing. Our dog kennels and aviaries are all built by us in our Stoke on Trent based workshop. We only work with the best quality materials, and luckily we found them right on our doorstep. 

Here we break down our materials, why we specifically chose to work with them and how they are beneficial in both a garden and animal structure. 

Timber 

All of the timber we use in our garden and animal structures is machined and treated right here in the UK, we use tanalised timber, amongst others, which is anti-rot and protected against fungal decay. This offers high weatherproof quality, come rain or shine, allowing for less upkeep and lasting quality.  Our animal housing is designed and built by a qualified Joiner (Ross) who specialises in timber and other materials, which allows us to create any of our designs to fit your specifications and measurements of your garden, completely bespoke to you.  

Dog run panels 

We are proud to share that we are now using a local UK company to manufacture our dog run panels! Completely new for 2021, all of our 100% British made dog run panels are built to a higher specification than the European equivalent. This promises high quality, creating a heavier and stronger panel for you and your pups to safely enjoy. They have a thicker steel gauge and unique British galvanising that provides unique detailing you won’t find on other structures. Other plus points include 5cm spacing between bars that are 16mm diameter tubing with 1.5mm wall, providing space and safety, plus an ERW box section with 1mm thickness. They are also finished with a solid 16mm bar door hinge for longer lasting strength and ensuring against any unexpected escapes!

We spoke with many potential manufacturers and we can guarantee that our dog run panels are the best quality around, we are proud to work with the local team to provide secure dog run panels for you and man’s best friend.

Ironmongery & roofing


We only use UK based suppliers to provide all of our metal details, this ensures we have a close connection with the manufacturers so we can ensure high, crafted quality that surpasses UK standards. Together we work with them, with varying weather conditions in mind, ensuring your garden and animal structure is covered with strong roofing that will last the test of time.  

If you would like to discuss more on our materials, garden and animal structures please feel free to contact us here, we would be more than happy to walk you through our structures. We also offer a professional and efficient installation team with free nationwide delivery on our dog kennel and runs, aviaries and larger animal housing for mainland UK.

A Guide to Working Dog Kennels

Whether you are new to purchasing kennels or are looking to upgrade what you currently have, we’re here to help. As specialists, this is what we do, making sure both you and your dogs feel comfortable, safe and secure. From dog kennel blocks for the whole gang to premium single dog cabins. our hand-built kennels are all made in the UK with a full focus on the detail. We’re always happy to help with any questions you may have, but first, let us try to answer them with this handy need-to-know guide. 

Do different kennel sizes suit different dogs?
Our multi-bay dog kennel blocks are ideal for a full pack. Whether you are looking for shelter for your Labradors, Vizslas or Springer Spaniels we can help you find and choose the right size for you (and them). The key is to allow the dogs as much space as possible, for their comfort and wellbeing, keeping you all happy. Our dog kennel blocks are available with dog runs, and we use galvanised 5cm gap bar dog run panels, which we have found, through experience, works best.

Whilst we offer a selection of our most popular kennel designs online and over the phone, tried and tested on the finest pups, we also do offer a full bespoke service. With this service, we can create a kennel with you from scratch or adapt our key designs for your dogs use. Simply tell us your wants and needs, we’ll find a way to match them, no problem!

As the kennels are designed for outdoors, how do they handle the weather?
With all our kennels we use A Grade Scandinavian Redwood, it’s sturdy, elegant and classic. We treat the wood with a TanalithE pressure treatment to combat the high temperatures of summer and the more frequent cold, rain showers of autumn and winter. This stops any rot or decay in its tracks, allowing for your kennel to last for much longer whatever the weather. We also offer insulation and wipe clean lining (for easy cleaning) to help keep the dogs warm in the coldest of winters, a very important addition if you are keeping them in the kennel overnight. 

How do you make your kennels?
We make all of our kennels with maintenance and longevity in mind, We’re different from other manufacturers as we use tongue and groove cladding for the entire structure. This interlocking joinery technique makes each kennel robust on both the walls and roof, no matter how extreme the weather. As an added bonus, we also provide aluminium anti-chew strips around the pop holes, these are fully free of charge, as we found without them it’s the dogs that actually cause the most damage! 

Some of our recent work
Last week Ross visited Scotland (where we do a lot of installations in the Autumn). Here’s a selection of pictures from our recent trip north of the border…

Double Dog Kennel Run, Kilmarnock.



The Alton Single Kennel, Kilmarnock.



This is the Apex Double Dog Kennel, Kilmarnock.

We hope this has helped give you a clearer idea of our dog kennels, please do get in touch with us if you have any more questions. We’re a small team and we promise absolutely no hard sell if you’re happy, then so are we!

The Advantages of outdoor kennels

Here at Garden and Animal structures we wholeheartedly believe that an outside kennel boasts an array of benefits, not just for your dog but also for yourself. From providing extra security when you pop to the shops, to helping with training. An outdoor kennel can offer more than you originally thought, and we’re here to tell you why. 

We’ve broken down the appeal of an outdoor kennel into five sections, however as specialists in this, we could talk about this for hours. Please feel free to contact us if you have any outdoor kennel related questions, there isn’t a question we won’t find an answer for! 

Let’s explore how an outdoor kennel could be right for you: 

Security

A major factor when considering a kennel, if you leave your dog simply in your garden or yard when you leave the house we highly recommend investing in a kennel. The amount of stories we have heard of dogs squeezing through fence holes, digging out of the garden or even jumping the fences (there are no limits with the most athletic breeds). By leaving your dog in a kennel you are in fact providing extra security and peace of mind. A kennel can offer a safe, secure place where even the most adventurous of dogs can be comfortable. 

Training

It’s a fact that kennels help with training your pups. It can be used to mark a clear ‘time out’ to manage bad behaviour and allow your dog to appreciate time alone. It’s key to establish boundaries, so that the kennel is seen as a place to relax and calm down, rather than a punishment, so they feel safe and content when they visit their kennel. This also useful for toilet training, as your dog becomes used to living in their kennel and being outside, they will naturally associate the outdoors with the toilet. 

Your dog’s welfare

Think of the kennel as a ‘safe space’ for your dog, Whilst they are notoriously friendly animals, sometimes your dog may need some alone time (particularly useful for older dogs and younger children). Creating this space is also beneficial for your interiors, particularly if your pet has a loveable yet frustrating habit of destroying furniture! In a way the kennel serves as a bedroom for your dog, and man’s best friend is similar to us humans in the fact that sometimes they too need to get away from it all. You personally know your dogs character, but trust us, many of the pups we meet show how grateful they are with their moods.

Manage separation anxiety

Think of the kennel as a way to manage any stress your pup may feel when alone. Usually, this manifests into chewing and scratching of your beloved items when they are left alone. It’s a classic case of toilet paper shredding turning into your sofa shredding! An outdoor kennel signifies individual safe space for your dog, calming the nerves and training them to relax on their own. 

Garden aesthetics 

If you like to keep a neat and tidy garden, a kennel is a great option for you. As every dog breed is territorial, giving them their own space in the garden avoids any stress and is generally welcomed by all dogs. This also avoids them dismantling your garden displays and digging up your shrubs. 

How to choose the right outdoor kennel?

We want to make sure both you and your dog feel comfortable, safe and secure. From dog kennel blocks for multiple dogs and specific breeding needs to premium single dog cabins. our hand-built kennels are all made in the UK with a full focus on the detail.

We’ll work with you to find the right kennel for your and your dog’s needs, after all, once you have selected the right design, you and your dog are in it for the long term. We’re a small team and we understand the importance of collaboration and guidance. 

When browsing our designs, keep in mind that all of our kennels are made with longevity in mind. We use tongue and groove cladding for the entire structure, making each kennel robust on both the walls and roof. For this, we use A Grade Scandinavian Redwood, it’s sturdy, elegant and classic, which also is designed to complement the greenery of your garden. To ensure the kennels are long-lived we treat the wood with a TanalithE pressure treatment, this stops any rot or decay in its tracks, allowing for your kennel to last for much longer and promotes less upkeep and damage. 

We believe investing in a kennel with Garden and Animal Structures is a smart option. 

Bespoke Dog Kennel Block with Side Room and Storage Shed

A custom-made dog kennel block to include dog sleeping boxes, PVC lined insulation and glazed windows.  Click here to view our standard dog kennels for sale.

Dog Kennel Design


After an initial consultation, we drew up plans with our customer to design a kennel block system to suit their requirements.  Firstly, they wanted three dog kennels with runs.  They also required two side sheds: one tongue and groove, the other wipe clean and insulated.
Kennel floorplan.
 

Dog Cabins


Rather than a full-height kennel, our customer requested our cabin-style sleeping boxes.  Having a wipe-clean lid and being removable for easy cleaning, the top of the sleeping box also provides a raised bed for the dogs to jump up to during the day.  We added aluminium anti-chew strips to the pop holes (dog’s entrance to the sleeping box).  The anti-chew strips prevent damage from the dog and also extend the life of the kennel.  Furthermore, we don’t use any handles or similar on the lids.  This means that there is nothing for the dog to catch on when jumping up or down. The dog kennel sleeping boxes had PVC lined insulation, wipe clean flooring and side-sliding hatches.

Kennel Dog Runs


For the dog runs, we used 5cm gap bar galvanised dog run panels.  The bars let the dogs see each other while being kennelled, and they allow plenty of fresh air to circulate throughout the dog runs.  Furthermore, the bar dog run panels also prevent dogs from being able to climb up, and the central support bar provides extra strength in the panel.  

Kennel Side Room


To the right of the kennel, we added a fully insulated and wipe clean side room.  Running the full depth of the kennel and run, it measured 5ft wide by 10ft 6 inches deep and provided over 50 square foot of space.  We filled the internal walls with polystyrene board and then fixed white PVC sheets over the top.  In addition, the flooring was upgraded to have a phenolic coating which provides an anti-bacterial and wipeable floor.  We also added two side windows which were glazed with 4mm thick toughened glass.

Side storage shed


To the opposite end of the kennel block was an additional storage shed.  Having a fully clad roof, walls and floor, the shed offers additional storage space for dog feed, leads or garden equipment.  This shed also had two glazed windows where we again added the 4mm toughened glass.
  The entire structure was finished off with our Onduline roofing upgrade.  The corrugated bitumen has a longer lifespan than felt and is the perfect addition for kennels situated in windy or open locations.  The kennel was based on our Sterling Multi-Bay Dog Kennel Block.

Large Single Dog Run With Extended Front Run

A custom sized single dog kennel and run with bespoke layout, delivered and fitted to Bristol.

Single Dog Kennel With Extended Front Run

This large single dog kennel and run was based on our Sandon kennel range.  The kennel had an apex roof which covered the kennel sleeping area and half of the dog run.  The dog run also extended out to the front providing ample space for our customer’s two dogs to play and stretch.

The kennel itself measured 8ft x 5ft and was upgraded to have wipe clean flooring and PVC lined insulation.  We added a sliding hatch to the dog pop hole as well as a see-through draught screen.  Our customer wanted to make sure that the kennel was as comfortable as possible for their new dogs, and we made sure that the kennel was safe and provided plenty of shelter from the elements.

The dog run measured 8ft by 10ft6 in total, having 4ft of it covered by the roof.  The open dog run allowed the dogs to have plenty of light for sunbathing, and the kennel overlooked our customer’s beautiful garden.  The dogs were very lucky to have so many external sights and sounds to keep them entertained during the day.

To complement the kennel, our customer also ordered two of our heavy duty raised sleeping benches.  Raised from the ground on plastic feet, the benches are kept away from sitting water and cold floor, providing a dry day bed for dog snoozes.


Finally, we finished the kennel with our Onduline roofing upgrade.  The corrugated bitumen is ideal for wooden buildings sitting under trees.  Felt can be damaged by leaves falling and rotting on the roof, so the Onduline helps to extend the lifespan of the dog kennel.

If you have a bespoke project in mind, please do get in touch.  We can help with ideas and are happy to talk through different designs with you.

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