Hi I just wondered what whelping boxes people use and why?

I use Steel City.  Had my whelping box made to order to fit inside of my Croft Freedom Pen, it's easy to clean (being upvc) folds down flat for storage, not too heavy either

I was not at all impressed by Steel City whelping box. I found it flimsy and difficult to keep clean -the  dirt and debris became trapped in the slats at the base. However, turned upside down in puppy play pen in the garden ,it made an excellent den and retreat for puppies if it rained.  
My old whelping box which cost around £300 in 2001 has served me well but it is huge and takes up a lot of shed space. Can't remember where I bought it from.  The sides are too low to contain pups past the 4 week stage  and it is an awkward shape which does not lend to putting Croft panels around.The pig rails have rusted too.

I have been looking for a whelping box for some time. I have borrowed for my last two litters and think it#s about time I bought one.

There are not that many around that I have found and because most of them don't go to shows or anything you can't see it before you buy.

I saw one a couple of years ago at Discover Dogs, but can't remember who it was that made it. The others I've found are steel City, Warwick and Snowsilk.

I have eliminated steel city as I'm not keen on their hinge system. Warwick seem to do different grades and without seeing them I can't work out the difference. Snowsilk (and some of Warwick) seem really expensive (I know they last for ages).

I have seen some that look like a sort of melanine with a steel frame, they looked quite good, but again, can't remember who they were :(

The one I have borrowed is Snowsilk and i did like the way it cleaned up each day.

Does anyone know of any others? I don't want cardboard or wood.

There is a company I have found who are quite new. Its called the whelping box online. There boxes look good and quite reasonably priced. I spoke to them the other day to see if their boxes where reusable because they are made from mdf. They told me that they are one time use but they sell the vinyl and vet bedding to protect them. they are also working on a painted version which sounds interesting as it would then have a longer life. I like the design of the boxes as well as they have shelves instead of a rail which the puppies could still get stuck behind, and it all just slots together.  

Has anybody used one of their boxes?

Hi yes we used one of these this year. I had a small one and TBH for the money, £50 or so, it was excellent value. The box was so easy to assemble even I managed it and the shelves were substantial and easy to remove when not needed. I used newspaper and puppy pads in the bottom with vet fleece on the top which I also purchased from them. Even though it was MDF it actually cleaned very well, i did actually bin it afterwards but felt I actually could have painted it and used it as dog bed afterwards! Would recommend and use again no problem.

Link-a-bord do whelping boxes made from UPVC.

I like the cardboard ones personally :)

I do cardboard as well, don't breed often enough to bother with a UPVC job. My pups will be four weeks on Thursday, cut the front down last week so pups could start to use litter tray at front of box. This week will swap original box for a new large machine box ( but smaller than whelping box)that OH gets from work. By six weeks will be in a standard dog bed :)

Can I ask what you have in your litter tray klb ? I am expecting a litter myself shortly and looking at alternatives to newspaper.

I have used trays out of cages, lined with a couple of sheets of newspaper and spread some pelleted paper cat litter and chipped cardboard on top. Working really well so far :) http://www.finacard-uk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=109

Hi, I am about to have my first litter of puppies...well, my bitch is LOL...and I am using a Crufts freedom pen for her and the babies.  I have two extra panels to extend it as and when.  I bought two new large cardboard boxes which I originally meant for her to whelp in, but I have now put these around the sides of the pen to keep out draughts.  I have a fleece crate mat in the bottom and I bought a roll of corrugated cardboard to go on top of that until all whelps have arrived, then I have vet bed, duvets (brand new) and loads of new towels which I have washed and boiled twice!
I hope i am sufficiently prepared! :)