I have quite a decent size garden, and some people I know, with less space, they have built excellent outdoor kennels, , that are excellent.

What are your views on an outdoor kennel for a dog?

Assuming that it is well built, and so on..

The people I mentioned, they love their dogs as much as they would if they were house dogs, and they remain pets to them.

So, is this a good option to having a dog indoors, 24/7?

What are the pluses and the minuses?

Would you invariably only be able to home a dog in a garden kennel, if it had been used to that since puppyhood?

Surely if you got an older dog, say one that was 3-6, then it would just bark if left in a kennel, or is that not true?

Lastly, how much (approx), do you think it would cost to build a good outdoor kennel for one dog?

So many questions, sorry, but best to stick em all in one post!

Thank you,

Steve

:)

My dogs are in outdoor kennels when I'm out but if I only had one dog it would be in most of the time (out only if I knew I had to go out for hours).
I wouldn't bother having a dog if it had to be outside - what's the point in having a dog if you don't want it with you? It just isn't fair to have a social animal like a dog isolated all day. If you are considering having a dog kennelled, you have to have at least 2!
You're right, an older dog not used to kennels probably would bark all the time. depending on the breed, the dog might well bark even if it was used to living in a kennel. Many dogs bark out of sheer boredom.
Putting a pup in a kennel would probably mean you'd have great problems housetraining as it would be reluctant to soil its kennel or run, but wouldn't consider the house as its property!
JMO
How much would it cost? How long is a piece of string? Wood isn't cheap & good quality wood is definately not cheap, you may find it's cheaper to buy if you can get a good 2nd hand kennel. Then there's the run, doing it properly with galavanised weldmesh costs an arm & a leg.

Hi Steve,
this is a great site for ideas on kennel building, the kennel construction one particularly, reminds you of things you'll need to consider (cleaning,insulation etc)
<a class='url' href='http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/kennels3.htm'>Kennel building</a>

I bought my Kennel and run from this company and cant fault them:
<a class='url' href='http://www.caninekennels.com'>http://www.caninekennels.com</a>

I like dogs to be home dogs but when Im out of the house (when I can escape!) Its much more fun for my Sibe to be out than in, also handy to have as we have a new kitchen being fitted next month..so will keep him out of harm..or troubles way!
HTH :D
P.s. Cain did you see the thread I put in Idle Chat especially for you?? Victoria Sitwell's bottom! :P ;)

Thanks for that link, I have bookmarked it :)

What do you think of this model for something like a staff or a bully, for example?

http://www.caninekennels.com/~sa_webapp/run.asp?page=7532

What do you think of the other points raised by the other poster?

They seemed a bit negative to the idea...

Hi Cain, I wouldn't opt for a wooden kennel for a bully as you probably well know they are nortorious munchers so if you do opt for an outside kennel make sure it is reinforced with anti-chew strips. Bull terrier have short coats so you may need a heat lamp or some sort of heated kennel for really cold nights. The bull terrier isn't the kind of dog to be left for long periods in a kennel on their own as they are a very social breed but if they are only in there for short periods make sure you keep them entertained with interactive toys such as stuffed kongs etc. Kennels are great if there used correctly and I know loads of bully people who use them with great success.
Kind regards, Clare

hi steve,

i dont like the idea of one dog being outside in a kennel all the time on its own.  if its just while you are out etc then the dog should be fine.

ours 5 all live outside during the day when we are at work/out.  two of ours were 4 and 3 when they were introduced to living in the dog run.  there were a couple of weeks of moaning about it and they had to be trained like a puppy gets trained to be left, but now they love going outside and they youngsters who were brought up that way prefer being outside. as for toilet training, they are all fine.  its much better them being outside and they can go when they want.  none of ours have a problem with going in the house! they are all housetrained the normal way and got praised when they went outside, dog run included.  we dont have a 'kennel' as such as ours aren't out at night.  we have a large dog run half covered and they have dog beds to keep them off the floor and a table to jump on.  they have an old kids shed at the moment which is going to the tip (mum bought them it but its no use for dogs!!) and this is being replaced with large plastic fish farm floats. these are great as the dogs can go in them or lie on top.  they are really easy to clean and dont hold pee smell like wood does.

ours do come in at night but i know loads of people who keep them outdoors all the time.  the dogs are happy and healthy.  these people spend a lot of time outdoors with their dogs.  i would worry a bit about i dog out on its own all the time, they are sociable animals and need compant wether its yours or another dogs.