I breed rarely, usually when I want something to continue my line and new to bring out into the ring. Originally I used homemade wooden whelping boxes but didn’t like the waste (storage was an issue and I never felt I could ever get them clean enough so destroyed them each time) and for the last two litters (over 3 years apart) I have borrowed a snowsilk whelping box from a friend. However I have decided that the time has come to buy my own. I loved the snowsilk whelping box and had planned to buy one of theirs, but someone recently pointed me in the direction of Tekplas and Warwick as less expensive alternatives. Has anyone used either of these or others and able to give me an honest opinion? I need a 48”x48” at least 24” high for my large pastoral breed and it needs to be able to be ‘flat packed’. I don’t mind paying for a snowsilk if the consensus is that they are by far the best, but if there isn’t much difference then it seems daft to pay around £200 more.

I've got a Tekplas playpen with loads of additional panels and it's been great. We were able to expand it to make it larger and smaller as the pups grew. At night we closed it right down so they had just a sleeping area and a toilet area and it really helped with toilet training.

Not got a whelping box from them though, I'm just a bit lazy and buy a cardboard one to throw away each time.

Several breeder friends of mine now use paddling pools instead of whelping boxes, the sides are left slightly underinflated meaning a pup can't really/easily get squashed against them, especially as they are round, they're wipe clean and cheap enough to be disposable after one litter.

I recently used a paddling pool, not an inflatable one but the sides are soft and there was no need for pig rails. I much preferred it to any whelping box I’ve ever used. It was about £40 from Amazon. ETA, just had a look. It was the Intex 122 x 122 and it’s currently under £25.

I have a black moulded 3 foit square pupoy pen base bought with plastic coated panels for my 1997 litter.

I still use it but it now has a small split covered with gaffa tape inside and outside.

The panels fit inside, and I use Croft ones bought since to make a cave with cardboard slotted round three sides to prevent draughts and so legs can't go through.

Does anyone know where I can get a moulded base like that.

How do those using inflatable pools stop them veing punctured/chewed?

> How do those using inflatable pools stop them being punctured/chewed?

My friends only use them for the first 2 1/2 to 3 weeks then they move to moulded plastic beds in a larger pen as the pups start exploring more.

Thanks Goldenmum, I hadn’t considered that so food for thought. I assume there was no issue with claws catching it and making a hole? I’m thinking of the bitch digging around enthusiastically.

No issue at all. Lined with puppy pads with vet bed too. Moved then into a pen when they were up on their feet.

Have a look at the Steel City whelping boxes. They do a variety of sizes and heights. I've had one for years, used it for 11 litters and it's still going strong.

After lots of research between Snowsilk and Tekplas, I bought a Tekplas whelping box last year and opted for the one that has a side gate opening. I thought it looked more sturdier and well made.

Whether you'll be happy with it will depend on your expectations. I was surprised it didn't come with any instructions and had to struggle to build it in the space I had, I know they have a build video on their website, but paper instructions would have made the process easier. The box just came taped up with small labels to say what the part was.

Once it was built, I was a little disappointed with all the rough edges and little plastic shavings from cutting the pieces to size. All in all, I'd say the Tekplas whelping box is okay but it's not stopped me looking for a better one.

I actually started out with a wooden one which just slotted together when I had a litter, but it could be flat packed when not in use. I actually prefer the design of my old one but only stopped using it because it's made of wood.

Thank you both for your responses. The Bearded One -  I think I would be concerned about rough edges etc on the tekplas, and let’s face it, they are cheap-er not cheap! I’ve also been pointed towards link-a-bord so will look at those as well as steel city too. I tend to leave my box up for the duration and just remove the door and add a large pen as they become mobile. Ultimately, I suppose there may be no definitive answer and so I may just need to plump for one.

Clumberjack:> I think I would be concerned about rough edges etc on the tekplas,

Personally I wouldn't spend hundreds of pounds on a whelping/exercise/bed/kennel.  Buying an XLarge dog cage/dog playpen, lining it with cardboard on the outside, cutting Vets Bedding to fit the space and hanging a 500W red bulb above will give puppies a perfect start (2 x raised beds also required when purchasing cage). Mum will need some 'me' time so the door of cage needs to be left open.  Add extension section (part of the playpen bought), At 4 weeks old.  Weather permitting, you could transfer the extension parts outside and house the raised beds at one side.  Puppies will be comfortable exercising & resting in this area as part of their learning process.

Sounds like my set-up but I had a waterproof base to stand the puppy pen panels in great for protecting the floor, and keeping panels in place and square..

I found just what I need to replace the one I have but it's sodding metric, https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004WY1QIU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_Q7AWNTZ9B0Q69X7XSZXV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 rather than 36 inches like my current ones, and all my puppy panels are 3 or 4 foot Croft panels.

With a snug fit the cardboard fitted snugly between the base and panel sides, will just need to use more cable ties.

> I think I would be concerned about rough edges etc on the Tekplas, and let’s face it, they are cheap-er not cheap!

I agree, I was able to wipe away the bits and it was fine to use, but I felt it was overpriced because of the condition.

My puppies are downstairs in the main part of the house at 4 weeks, so that's when I tend to dismantle the whelping box for storage. Dismantling the Tekplas also brings about it's issues too

I think you're right... I think you'll just have to take the plunge with one, but I hope I've given you enough information to help you make your decision