My two dogs have outside covered runs and kennel for when we are out, this will be the first winter that they are outside, do any of you that use kennels heat them, if so what with? hubby says that they'll be fine for the short length of time they are left but i want to make sure they're warm and cosy

What breed, if they are whippets or that type of dog then they will need heat but otherwise they should be ok.

you could always use them blow heaters that you plug in, quite cheap in argos, you will just have to make sure the wires are out the dogs reach, i wouldn't put my dog outside with no heating in winter so don't blame you for not wanting to :)

Wow!i tried heating my 3 cat runs with the blow heaters from Argos...Nearly died when we got the electricity bill!!I would say either use the tubular heaters(price of a light bulb to run)or one of those panel heaters that provide background heat(cost 1p an hour to run from Argos)these are around £40.00 each but you will save in the long run...This is what i will use this winter..and please cover the wire with trunking so the dogs dont' chew it..I had a dog once that bit through the cable of an hedge trimmer as i was using it..Got one heck of a shock but thankfully she was ok..Phew!!

Use ruby bulb or dull emitter bulb heat lamps and suspend them from the ceiling.
Dawn.

Don't use a Blow heater!! The bills will be astronomical and it also will dry the air out too much. As one of the earlier posts said use a heating lamp.

My two do not have heaters just duvets and an area that is completely sheltered. You shouldn't need a heater to be honest unless they are a "frail" breed (if that is the right term) My two are lab and akita and just cuddle up together - have been outside to -10 and none the worse for it.

Agree with Dawn - go for heat lamps. Dogs can get comfy directlly under the heat. I used to use the tube type heaters in my outdoor kennels, but they were not a lot of use, however dogs find the warm space under the heat lamp and appreciate it.
bye
Gwen

Just make sure they are in a dry, draught free kennel and perhaps have a bed they can get in to rather than lie on top of. I use the large cheap plastic ones with vet bed in. The dogs coat will adapt and mine always amaze me as they love being out and will even sit out in rain and cold when I would prefer them to be snuggled in the warm. When I go to let them out on a really cold morning I am impressed at how warm they are. It's us that worry about kennels, not the dogs.

We all worry about our dogs being warm enough, especially when you see them snuggled up next to the fire but when you see a male dobe (short single coat) curled up outside on his bedding (he took it out) in the sun at -2 degrees it makes me wonder (both about whether they need heating and the sanity of the dog concerned).

Christine

Right at this moment my 5 springers are in one big heap under the radiator, its hard to work out which bit belongs to which dog, it always amazes me how they can curl up in such a small space.

My kennels are heated at night with heat lamps, purchased from www.caninechemist.com They are all on timer switches, come on about 6 pm, go off at 9am the following morning.