Hi,
I have ordered two custom built kennels for my Border Collies. Very expensive but completely to my specifications.
Just wondered how other people heat their kennels (or don't see the need to heat them). I heard on the radio today that we should expect a cold winter. Do people use low wattage heaters, heat lamps, nothing. Just needing some idea's. I don't have power cables for the runs but I don't expect that would cause too many difficulties. I did see these microwave snugglers that you heat and they hold warmth for 12 hours. Is that appropriate for popping under the bedding in outdoor runs?
Also, I was hoping to line the indoor kennels with some sort of UPVC cladding for easy cleaning. Anyone any ideas on where I could get this?
Thanks a lot

You can use the i-red lamps but this site is pretty useful ;)

http://www.petplaypads.co.uk/Dog_Accessories.htm (can't do links sorry)

Hi, I keep my Newfies in an outside workshop and run electric out there for a Oil filled radiator, probably the cheapest solution I could find??? I think that if the air is very cold a hot pad might not be very efficient as, believe it or not, inhaling very, very cold air can cause core temperature(in the body) to drop rapidly!! At least that's what I believe about hypothermia, the lungs have quite a high capacity, but I welcome contrary evidence to prove me wrong!!! :D All the best, Dawn

Hi ,

I don't think its the very cold that bothers them,its more when its *damp and cold* and draughs.
Double coated breeds should not have a problem.Last year my Goldens were out in a kennel with no heating but have to admit they had doubleglazing and my kennel is built out of double brick with 2 pop holes concrete which we will put quarry tiles down floor,raised beds with drainage channel all way round edge they were lovely and warm and we have a dog room which will be heated with woodburner which we are now going to make a door from this kennel into the big dog room .

So I think if your dogs are not under 12 months and not elederly and depending on breed ,gundogs like Goldens and I would have thought Newfoundlands could manage and be comtable and very warm so long as they are not lying on cold damp concrete or its very damp and cold and no draughs they would be fine without heating,just put the lamp on low if its very cold and damp

Briony :-)

As long as the kennels are well insulated and not too open/large inside, they shouldn't need heating. If you line them with UPVC like you said, you can get insulation to put in the gap created between the outer skin and the upvc you mentioned and also don't forget to line the roof in the same manner. It looks like expanded polystirene but quite thick and is often pink or blue - they use it in building modern houses so you may find what you are looking for at a large builder's merchants. Also the thick cow/horse mats cut to size on the floor are fantastic. Then a bed raised off the floor and warm dry bedding and I should think the dogs will be nice and cosy without heating.

Hi,

My internal kennel is 12ft 6 x 6ft height is 7ft and my dog room is 19ft x 12ft 6upvc double glazed windows and is insulated with rockwall and celotex,but there are others types of insulation as well.The dogs were lovely and snug.The back room will be great when wood burner goes in and I put a door through to it.It will have tv,sink and units and my tumle dryer and micowave in it also has an ensuite bathroom just bath  in to wash the dogs and the older dogs and puppies if I had a litter would use this room,im very lucky.

Briony

Hi there we use tube heaters like what would be used in green houses they keep the chill off and they stop the water from freezing we did get them from index but the have closed now they are very cheap to run we turn our on as soon as the outside temp gets to around 0 and dont turn them off till the out side temp goes back up to 10 (around 4/5 months )