I will be moving to a new house in the next couple of weeks( another marriage bites the dust), the 2 dogs ( G.S.P and Springer ) are coming with me ...................so are there any tall ,attractive, single Brunettes out there..............................once bitten twice shy, I think I'm gonna stick with the dogs.The advice I need is on Kennels,at my new house there is a old brick shed which I would like to covert to a dog kennel with a run.
It needs to be an all weather shelter, do I need to incorporate any kind of heating system (it will not be a problem running a electrical supply into the building...if required ).
I need it to be as cosy as possible but at the same time easy to maintain/clean.
Any ideas on what I need to include .

Hey Craig, know the feeling :)

A good idea to use the building as a kennel, keeps them out of harms way, can't get into trouble, and, I believe, is better for them. As long as it's clean and dry, you shouldn't need any additional heating. But a light will be useful for the winter. A radio might be handy as well. You may also need to consider the flooring. Ideally, it should be concrete with a slope and drain to enable hosing down and cleaning. Their sleeping beds should also be raised off the floor. If it's a big building, you may want to have a smaller wooden kennel within it to make it nice and cosy for them. As for a run, this definately needs a concrete floor etc, as they may well mess in it, and hosing down everyday is a necessity. If you go to www.canninekennels.com, they do a range of enclosures that you simply bolt together, together with roofing if required. A hose with hot & cold water nearby is also useful, and maybe even a small storage area where you can keep their food, broom, poo bags etc. It's handy to have all this in one place, especially in the winter, save traipsing back and forth to the house. HTH.

Dave,
Would I need to insulate the shed (last winter the dogs slept in the Kitchen).
Why the radio?

Hi Craig
You could put a heat lamp in if you are worried about them being cold in the winter (dont think you will need one)
They will keep each other warm.
If you put a wooden crate, with a lid and a hole for them to get in, fill it with shredded paper, for them to sleep in, their own body heat will keep them warm and its only a small space for the heat to stay in.

Just make sure that the building is dry and draft free, and they have a comfy warm bed to sleep in freshh water and some biscuits down and I am sure they will be fine.

Our dogs live out and to be honest with you they would sooner live out than in, it is their own space. They are in the house when we are but quite often they will just go and get on their bed when they feel like some space.

The radio is for company for them if they are used to humans being around them all the time.

Longdog,
I'm going to put in a heat lamp ( proberly for my own peace of mind).
Thank you and DaveN for the advice......better get building

Hi Craig

For the winter a dog flap so they can get outside without leaving the door open is also a good idea - someone suggested on this list quite a while ago that a lorry mudflap would make a good "flap" to keep the drafts out.

It also needs to be as secure as you can make it due to the thefts of dogs that take place these days.

Christine

Two of mine live outside during the day. They have shavings rather than a raised off the floor bed. I take out any wet shavings or other articles ;) everynight and refluff it once a week. They have a dog flap and a covered run. They go out there even when it's thick snow, with no additional heating (I live in the Highlands).

They too had a radio. Til Carrie Hoover ate it :D

:D :D
Gina

Gina,
Has your dog got a radio in his kennel as well or a complete stereo system with surround sound.

I' m not going to bother with a radio, Knowing my 2 it would cause an argument, I think the G.S.P would be into drum and bass/techno/heavy metal and my darling little Spaniel would defenitely be more at home with Vivaldi.

They used to listen to radio 2, but Tinker preferred Radio 4, coz she likes the Archers. (I won't tell you what she's currently saying about Brian Alldridge )

I can see Little Lucy tuning into 'The Archers '

Absolutely! He has to be found out soon.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth