Hi everone,
I'm really new to this, but glad to have found friends.
Does anyone think these new freedom playpens would work as a whelping box for a goldie?? It looks pretty good to me, although I agree could be draughty.
Our pups are kept inside for the first 4 weeks anyway.
Would welcome the opinion of everyone, i haven't actually seen it you see.

I suppose it could be used for a whelping box, although like you say there is no protection around the sides, you could always hang blankets or towels around it.

I have a Croft Freedom Pen,  but I use my Snowsilk whelping box for litters until they are up on their feet, then transfer them over to the Freedom Pen.

Check out the item on Croft online here: http://www.croftonline.co.uk/cart/

I don't think it would work, it wouldn't keep wam, you wouldn't have an actual bottom to it so the floor would get very messy, and importantly you wouldn't have any pig rails.

The Crufts Freedom Playpen does actually come with a fitted tray floor, and I don't think it would be too difficult to insert and secure some dowels as Pig rails. :)

All in all, I think it would do the job very well.

Dawn R.

My mistake, sorry! :)

i used one as an outside box ( but the whelping box inside of it ) coverd the sides with large fleece throws it served very well ....and of course the plastic base was easy to clean

My dogs whelp in a cage and have the Croft pen around it from 3 weeks of age.  It's great because you can easily get in and out and keep the pups in and it's really easy to clean.   Wonderful for when the new owners come to visit too.

I've used a croft play pen to whelp in recently. my hubby made a low sided box with some cheep wood put in the pig rails. on the outside we attached some large pieces of cardboard with bulldog clips. they keep out drafts &  can then be discarded. it worked very well. I agree, it's so easy to get in and out to clean & feed etc. :-D

I used a freedom playpen for my last litter.  I used a cardboard box and placed it inside for the whelping and then just removed the box at 3 weeks old.  The puppies adjusted very well, one precaution, at 6 weeks old they were ready to climb out so I suggest you get the highest pen.  I will be using mine again, but will  have to find something to place over the top to stop them getting out.

That's interesting. What breed do you have? And what age could they get out?

Oh sorry, I see now that you said six weeks :rolleyes:

Whippets!  Although people think they are timid, they are very strong willed and determined puppies and are not for the feint hearted.  They grow into lovely calm pets when they are about 18 months old.  Did you say you had ladbradors, the freedom pen does come in 2 heights, a took the smaller size, I would go for the large if I was you as I think labs will be slightly bigger than whippets.  Having had a couple of litters I would say that it was much easier with the freedom pen.  Good luck!