Breeding a litter of puppies can be very rewarding, but if you are new to dog breeding, you should remember that it can also be a costly and time consuming experience.
Novice breeder?
If you have little or no experience of breeding dogs then you probably do not consider that you are a dog “breeder”. However anyone who owns a female dog (bitch) and allows her to produce a litter of puppies is, by definition, a dog breeder and as such has responsibilities to the bitch, her puppies and indeed the new owners of any puppies that she produces.
Even if you only ever breed one litter you will want to make every effort to ensure that the puppies that you breed have sound temperaments, are healthy, and are good and “typical” examples of the breed. You will also want to make sure that they go to suitable home and bring pleasure to their new owners for the whole of their life time.
When it comes to choosing the correct kennel for both your and your dogs’ needs we’re here to help. As specialists, we take pride in every kennel we make and nothing gives us more pleasure than knowing we’ve found the perfect match for you and your pets. Every dog is unique and different (that’s what we love so much about them!) No matter the breed or the separate needs of man’s best friend we are sure we have the right kennel for everyone’s requirements.
If you are beginning to think about purchasing a kennel or looking at what’s available on the market, this page is for you. To help make your decision a little clearer, we’ve highlighted our most frequently asked questions, in the hope that they may also answer yours.
How much does a dog kennel cost? The simple answer to this is that they vary due to materials, size and additions. We offer smaller garden kennels right up to large multi-bay blocks, to ensure you’re covered. Our popular Tatton single dog kennel starts at £560 and our largest Sterling kennel block with added shed comes in at £3,280.00. These are our guideline prices, as we make all our kennels on-site with a joiner, allowing for a customisable approach, we can discuss relevant additions and solutions whilst ensuring these are kept within your budget.
What is the best way to keep a dog kennel clean? Firstly dogs thrive on routine, so if you set up a weekly cleaning schedule (for bigger breeding kennels we recommend daily) it will not only help the general hygiene but also the happiness of your dogs. As all of our kennels are designed with functionality at the forefront, we offer wipe clean surfaces and lining in our kennels to make this a quick and easy task, rather than a daily chore! This is also considered in our construction, the timber is tanalised therefore no wood treatment is needed. A handy tip that we always recommend, when your kennel is not in use, leave doors open and change the bedding often to allow airflow and ventilation – the same as you would in your home.
What size dog kennel do I need? We always recommend the size of your kennel based on the current size of your dog bed or crate, this gives us an idea of the space your dog needs to be comfortable. So for instance, the smaller the dog, the smaller the kennel. The run should also have enough space for toileting and the dog being able to turn and stretch out, not only for their wellbeing but also to ensure you get the most for your money. The key is to allow them a comfortable space without feeling too claustrophobic and avoiding excess space. Very similar to us humans really!
What breed of dog should not be housed outside? We work with you to ensure your dog is properly housed, no matter the size or temperament. As specialists in this area, we can safely suggest upgrades and additions to our classic structures, such as draught screens and insulation to help keep temperature up for smaller breeds that could suffer from being cold. Our main aim is for you and your dogs to be comfortable and happy.
Should I have a separate kennel and run? This all depends on the nature and unique personality of the dog, pets can sometimes be happier sharing a larger single kennel, whereas working dogs tend to appreciate their own space. We’ll work with you to decide what is best.
We hope this helps answer a few of your questions regarding dog kennels. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your exact needs and wants from your kennel, we’re a small family run business, so we know the importance of a human opinion.
During the year of 2020, when we all spent more time than usual at home, we saw a huge increase in the need for puppies. The internet searches went up, and almost everyone and their neighbour seemed to acquire a new, furry housemate. Whilst this is great news, we couldn’t recommend man’s best friend enough, we also found a rise in a disturbing new trend, with people actually stealing pets! Reports were circulated about ‘dog-nappers’ as the demand for dogs and puppies in lockdown grew.
With this in mind, we wanted to discuss the safety of your dog today. Without adding more gloomy news, as we enter lockdown 3.0, it is inevitable that we will see this continue. We think it’s best to stay aware to avoid this happening to you. Here’s our go-to guide on how you can look after your dogs and keep them safe from potential animal thieves at this time.
Keep them tracked
It’s important that your dog is microchipped, that all the details are up to date and that your pup has a collar with an ID on it, this is in case they, unfortunately, get lost on a walk or have somehow escaped your home. It’s wise to think about what information you put on their collar, to combat clever thieves. We recommend stating that your pup is microchipped (to deter them) and to always use your surname. Never put your dog’s name as this prevents the potential thief from calling your dog over to them by their name.
Regular checks
By checking in on your dog, you can ease your mind with random spot checks covering both their safety and welfare. That way you will notice if your dog or anything else is disturbed. Check the locks and doors for any evidence of tampering and also it’s important to check that your kennel locks and structure are in good condition. Consider the location of your kennel, if you have CCTV, make sure this covers your kennel and the space around it. If you have a new kennel, we highly recommend placing it at the back of your house, out of sight, in case you may be targeted.
We also recommend investing in a floodlight or outdoor lighting to protect your kennel. This will be tracking movement and will alert both you and your dog when there’s an intruder in your garden. You can get cameras that sync up to your smartphone, for extra protection and vigilance when you leave the house.
Train your dog
Here we’re talking about training up your pup firstly in recall. This means, if you notice they are missing, they will bark and aim to come back to you as soon as you call. A whistle is useful in these scenarios as its sound travels long distance, we sell Acme whistles alongside our kennels, an added extra to provide safety and training tools. Handy tip: when training, it is important to teach your dog that they cannot meet other people without your command. This helps safeguard in case the thief learns your dog’s name elsewhere, such as witnessing you both on a walk or social media perhaps.
We hope these tips help point you in the right direction for the safety of your pup, keep your dog safe and if possible in sight.
In short, a concrete or slab base is best and provides a firm, level surface for your new dog kennel and run to sit on. We will always recommend that you have a solid and reasonably level surface for your dog kennel. A flat and permanent concrete or slab base will support your kennel. For larger builds the timber frame needs that solidity to keep the structure straight and strong. However there are alternatives available.
Phenolic coated raft base
A substitute to having what can sometimes be a costly concrete base laid, is our phenolic coated, wipe-clean kennel base. Also known as a raft base or wipe-clean kennel base. These alternative dog kennel bases mean you don’t necessarily need a hard-standing area in your garden. They are moveable so are ideal for rented accommodation.
We make a frame from 45mm tanalised framework (2’x2′) which is the same size as the footprint of your new kennel. We then fix 12mm plyboard that has a special coating to the frame. This is the base that your new kennel and run will sit on.
Can the raft base be used for all dog kennel and runs?
Short answer – not really. The raft bases are designed to be used on uneven surfaces like gravel or grass. But, they will still follow the ups-and-downs of the ground underneath. For a smaller kennel this isn’t a problem. The phenolic coated base will be perfectly fine for our smaller sized Alton single dog kennel and run or our Sandon dog kennel for sale.
However, some companies will give you a spiel that these bases can be used on grass for rows of kennel blocks or larger sized dog kennel and runs. As already mentioned, the wipe-clean raft base will still follow the ground underneath it, which is why we don’t recommend using it solely for the larger kennels and animal housing. The raft bases can be used for the larger structures, but only when there is a level concrete base for it to sit on.
Benefits of having a wipe-clean kennel raft base…
It is an alternative to more expensive materials such as concrete.
Has a phenolic coated, wipe clean surface which is also anti-bacterial.
Can be used in conjunction with the wipe clean flooring in the kennel area.
The base isn’t permanent and you can move the kennel if required
Whether you are looking for kennel advice, training tips or dog wellbeing recommendations, we’re here to help. We’re a small, friendly team and over the years have picked up lots of wise advice from experts that we work with, right through to you, our customers. This is one of our many highlights of the job! With this in mind, we thought we would create a space to share our knowledge and answer our most frequently received questions, we gather if one person is asking us, there must be at least ten people thinking about it!
First up, let’s look at the most popular questions for November:
How do I find a breeder?
We’ve been asked this a lot recently as the pandemic has sparked a puppy buying spree. For breeders this is good news, however, we are aware that with your hunting dog you want to get the best of the best and with the latest demand for puppies, you wouldn’t want to fall into the crowd. We would urge you not to rush this, and here the internet will be your best friend. Search for names and addresses of the breeder, the main thing to check is their credentials and if they are accredited. You can then follow this with reviews, but be aware, they may be fixed.
Word of mouth is also useful in this situation, we recommend asking at your local gundog club or posting this question on their notice boards and social media. After all the people who have most recently bought a new puppy will be the best to point you in the right direction. We would also recommend looking for a breeder who has a Field Trial Champion (FTCH), they may be extra money on top of your budget, but in our experience are always worth it.
We can recommend The Kennel Club, which has the best online search directory around, allowing you to find your top quality, local breeders. All of the breeders listed meet all the scheme requirements and hold current UKAS certificates. Basically, they have collated all the information you need, The Kennel Club has done the hard work, so you don’t have to!
Hot tip – once you have found your breeder always look into the sire as well. This is the second port of call to the breeder and is an important factor in your puppies personality. They will have a big influence on your puppy’s character and hunting and/or retrieving instincts.
How can I upgrade my kennel for this time of year?
With the colder months, it’s important to ensure your dogs are warm, this is why we recommend upgrading with insulation. We can provide the right type for your structure and install this for you, simply contact us with your preferences. We also offer Onduline roofing, a great option for this time of year, this offers better protection against the cold, harsh elements of winter. This is a much stronger, durable option compared to traditional felt and one to consider.
If you would like to discuss more on the above questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
