i have two of the small traditional box type kennels in a run outside, i havent used them in 3 years because i hate them, theyre not warm, not that secure and the run isnt covered. Im going to be buying a new one this year as i will be getting another bitch, i have 3 dogs atm. i do like my terriers in the house and they wont be outside all day long just to help with seasons really. I want a covered kennel and run what i can stand up in, i like the wooden ones as they will blend with the garden nice but are they high maintence. I like the galvanised ones too but dont like the commercial look but obviously its whats best for the dogs.
What do you folks have and whats the best supplier for quality?
Thanks
Anne

I have two timberbuild kennels with sleeping box and coverd run. Had them for 10+ years and have recommended them many times to friend who have also been very happy with their kit (one friend has a boarding kennel and wanted something for his own dogs and had a designer block by them which is fantastic).  We have added our own insulation, ply lining, anti chew strips plus heat lamps etc  but our kennels are used for sleeping in overnight all year
http://www.timberbuilddogkennels.co.uk/kennels/SingleChappellDogKennelCoveredRun.html

I like the parkinson's if you added runs. http://www.timberbuilddogkennels.co.uk/kennels/ParkinsonWoodDogKennels.html

The best supplier we have ever come across is Duchy Farm Kennels in Lincolnshire.  They stock a huge range of good priced kennels, which are of excellent quality, and they will deliver and erect the kennel for you, usually within a week.  All their timber is pressure treated, so that their products last.  The staff are friendly and helpful too.

I have upvc kennel blocks made by Canine Kennels (now Broxap?) They are fantastic !! My dogs are terrible chewers and I found anything wooden would be ruined in no time. I have had these blocks for 3 years and they are like new, literally not a mark on them. I can get in there with the pressure washer and they are easily dried too. They are insulated and I have to say even on the very hottest days they stay at a reasonable temperature inside and in the winter they have a heat lamp in each and that is enough to keep them toasty no matter how bad it gets. They are expensive but worth every penny and I would never have anything else now. I am going to order another two shortly and have looked at the ones at designer kennels which have some even better designs and colours which would look nice in a garden. 

jewel have pm'd you

Interesting. :)  Do they get condensation in the winter?

Thanks for the replies theres some great looking kennels :)

We have 2 sets of kennels, one wooden block of 3 and one broxap/canine kennels set of 4. 

Pros and cons to each... The wooden ones were custom made so have small pop-holes into boxes inside as they are small breeds.  They are certainly warmer than the plastic kennels but go green and get chewed... not so easy to clean/disenfect

The plastic kennels are fantastic for cleaning but a nightmare for condensation... the water just drips from roof onto the undercover runs and the box lids and also from the underneath of the lid onto their beds :-(

The plastic kennels are fantastic for cleaning but a nightmare for condensation

That was my fear. :(  I've worked with fibreglass kennels before which were horrendously damp in the winter, dripping with condensation, which I didn't feel was good for the inhabintants. :( :(

I think I'd rather the dogs were warm and dry and spray with Parvocide when necessary, which is what I used to do when I had wooden kennels. :)  A light scrub with bleach twice a year keeps the green away. :)

thanks for that westcoast and molezak

i have a MAJOR chewer so struggle to find suitable kennel (latest one was modified to "open plane" within about 3 days lol and as she also destroys beds so this is a problem, the only thing she doesn't destroy is vet bet BUT carries vetbed out of the kennel and into the run :( i have asked OH to put metal corner trim around edges at the weekend so that may help but i'm undecided what to about possible heating, they're kennel in the day and sleep in the house (in the kitchen/hall which doesn't get that warm so they're not getting used to the heat if that makes sense)

cheers

Not sure what I am doing different to everyone else but I have never had any problems with condensation in the canine kennel blocks at all. I do tend to leave the top window open all year round and they are not in a very exposed position so perhaps that helps. Certainly they are never wet inside at all.

To be fair if I don't leave the windows open a crack in my wooden double kennel when the girls sleep in it I get a little condensation, and I don't use any form of heating..

timberbuild are great, staff very helpful, even build to your spec, they are the only company i know that manufacturer everything themselves including making their own glavanised bar some use imported stuff.  have a look www.timberbuilddogkennels.com

Someone had already given a link to them.  I really liked the Parkinson and would have those if I wanted another multiple if/when mine ever needs replacing, and I would opt to have a connecting inner door as on my current double.

duchy farm kennels take your money then dont want to know and i have heard it from many others as well wish i knew before i purchased one.
there nothing but shoddy rubbish

what ever you do dont use duchy farm kennels i have had nothing but trouble and only 3 months old. when ever it rains it get water coming into the kennel from the joints. just can not use it when ever it rains. they have never come to fix it. they promised and promised then they gave me 2 dates and i had time off from work and they just did not turn up. lost holiday they just did not care. when i had it delivered they got funny as i needed some notice to book time off. i paid with a debit card that was also a big mistake. duchy farm kennels are sub standard not worth what they are asking i have wasted £1200 and am now saving for another.

use timber build i have heard great things about them they cost more but i think you will not have any problems