hi there,
iv'e heard lots of people using paddling pools does anyone think this is a good idea?? not so sure myself !
my husband wants to make one but we seem to be running out of time so wondered if anyone knew if there is something better out there other than spending £100's! any advice will be appreciated .

thanks kelly x

Is that a boxer in your avatar?
If so I would strongly advise against using a paddling pool.
Boxers are very enthusiastic diggers when in labour and the pool would last a few minutes only.
Get your hubby to make one from white faced wood from a store like B&Q.
Most breed books have plans for whelping boxes and can be found in the public library.

Alternatively get a disposable one.

Built mine 1.5m squared, wooden frame with wipe clean mdf facing the inside and lino on the bottom. front facing side had a hinged flap down that locked to let mum out and made a ramp to let pups . was 64cm high and very sturdy and incredibly easy to clean. got it all from b n q but took days an several arguments to build!!! We have thought about transparant perspex instead of mdf so we can see them. Cost approx £70

Louise

hi , i have just advertised one on the bring and buy section but dont think it is showing yet? what size dog do you have, mine is a brand new upvc one?

oops sorry,just read through, it isnt big enough for a boxer

Hi I have used a paddling pool for 4 litters in the past (new one each time as so cheap to buy - last one cost 75p in the superdrug sale bargain or what!!) with great success. 2 litters of springers 7 pups each time and they lasted in about 3 weeks before bursting a ring and 2 litters of medium terrier breed and they were in it for about 4 weeks again before bursting the rings or climbing out!

you can get different diameters and with different amount of rings to inflate. The digging part was fine as it was on the base with lots of paper and vet bed, very easy to clean and if pups got stuck behind mum the sides would give so not so much of a squashing problem, never lost a puppy. i also used an electric blanket that then just went under it so no damage of it getting wet.

It would do for a boxer for perhaps 2 weeks.

I always use cardboard disposable whelping boxes - Super fast delivery and as you throw them away, there's no chance of them harbouring nasty bacteria / germs. Order from www.petnap.co.uk - Very reasonably priced too.

hi there how much are you asking for whelping box? been looking on bring and buy but cant seem to find it?
thanks kelly xx

have pm'd you

Hi I bought a new one for my last litter, made in UPVC, really easy to keep clean, and very easy to assemble and great to store very light in weight.  Wasn't sure if it would stand up to 11 puppies when they got older but they are leaving now and it's still standing and looking like new!  I bought it from www.steelcitywhelpingboxes.co.uk.

Hope it helps
Jan

hi janw, that is the make of my one too, it has the partition piece in as well?

I have a Snowsilk pen and it's fantastic.

Hi Frenchy no it doesn't have a partition in it but I loved the 3 panels on the front entrance you can keep changing the levels, I'm really impressed with it.
Jan

hi janw, yes mine has the 3 panels in the doorway too. it is 48 x 24 x 12 with the partition which i think is a great idea especially for cleaning out the puppies and putting them somewhere safe? i have never used it so it is brand new and was £120 inc postage which they are still currently selling for , i am just waiting for the advert to be vetted by cd. the only reason i didnt use it is because i was a bit worried about my young grandson being able to reach the puppies if he managed to get in the room unsupervised( which can happen in a blind moment) and when we put it together my girl wouldnt even entertain it!!! so i think it will be a bargain for someone looking for one?

We're using a cosy Kennel one, does anyone know if they still sell them?  We have borrowed it from a friend but next time might not be able to and think it's fantatsic, great for cleaning, tempreture was always constant in the box despite the room tempreture changing (and no the thermomiter wasn't broken I checked that afew times!) 

http://www.petnapwhelpingboxes.co.uk/index.html

hi,

Try www.newdog.co.uk, great disposable whelping boxes. They also do a non ruck whelping mat which is a godsend!!!

hi there,
its a little late now, she had her pups on friday lol thanks anyway kelly xx