Hi,

It is looking like i have no alternative other than to put Freddie into Kennels when i go away for a 4/5 days in August. I'm not against the idea but want to find the absolute perfect place otherwise i'll never enjoy my time away worrying about him! I've heard some horror stories in the past which has put me off a bit. A house/pet sitter isnt an option.

Does anybody know of any good boarding kennels in Devon (I live near Exeter if that helps although i am of course willing to travel for the right place!). Or, PM if you know of places to avoid.
I'm afraid i know very little as its not something i've had to do before. my plan is to get a list together of possible places then see if i can go for a look around before commiting. Dont want to hear about a great place over the telephone then get there to find its awful. Want people to be able to walk the walk as well as talk the talk :-)

Any other helpful advice would be great - prices, what to look for, what to avoid etc etc.

Thanks in advance

I have no idea which kennels to recommend, but you'll need to be quick. The best places get booked up very quickly, especially during the summer holidays.

Westrook Kennels near Ivybridge ( about 40 mins away from Exeter) are excellent.

There is a fantastic one just outside Exeter (I used to live in Sidmouth and used it quite often), bear with me whislt I try and remember details!  Will get back to you shortly

Ha, I remembered, thanks goodness cos that was driving me mad!

It's Little Coombe Kennels on Woodbury (nr Cat and Fiddle so assuming that's pretty close for you), 01395 232545.  I've not been for a few years so would definitely suggest you make a visit and see what you think, but I was always very pleased with them. 

Hope this helps

I would look for a kennel that was clean with an attached covered outside run and double gated for security.  I would want the owner/manager to have lots of dog knowledge so that they would know when to call a vet.  I wouldn't be concerned about exercise.  If you think about a kennel with 30 kennels/dogs.  If each one was given individual exercise as some kennels suggest that they do, in a 6 hour working day (add lunch and tea breaks!) ane one person was only responsible for dog walking (which doesn't happen!) then the 30 dogs would get 10 minutes each day!  By the time each dog has been walked to the field it's time to put them back in their kennel! :(

http://www.caninecountryclub.co.uk/

If i had the money and they were available i would be looking at somewhere like this.

Or how about

http://www.dog-hotel.co.uk/ which is in Worcestershire..

> wouldn't be concerned about exercise

Would that be a typo??? I would be concerned if they weren't exercised out of their kennel..

No, not a typo.  Having run a kennel with 100 quarantine dogs, 100 boarders, 60 cats + owner's 32 dogs with 11 staff, unless you are paying for individual care in an expensive elite establishment, if you look at the logistics as I've explained, even in a 30 dog kennel, the most that each dog could get each day is 10 minutes, and mostly they don't get that because the staff are cleaning, feeding etc.  Usually they'll get walked around the kennel block if they're lucky, especially in peak season when they're full and IMO, it's not worth the dog getting excited about that. :(
Kennels are run on a shoestring.  There are never enough quality staff.  I knew one kennel who employed 14 year old school children 50p an hour after school to walk their boarders on the common.  Some escaped but the owner was a good talker and they were covered by insurance!  Another kennel, bought by friends who didn't have a clue, didn't have attached runs and so the dogs were taken on a lead from their kennel to concrete chain link runs in the ground with no shelter from sun or rain, by staff who were 'I'm no good at school but I like dogs' - again dogs escaped because their collars were too loose.
You need no experience or qualifications to run a boarding kennel.  Anyone can buy one and take your dog in tomorrow.  Some don't even bother about a license, not that that is worth the paper it's written on!
No, for me security, knowing that your dog will be there when you collect it, and the owner/manager having sufficient experience to know when to call a Vet is definitely my priority. :)

Thanks for your views Westcoast but places that run things on a large scale is not what i am looking for. I want a small (well run) kennels by people who care about animals not making huge amounts of money & employing minors or inexperianced people. I would not be happy to leave my dog somewhere where it is not going to get some interaction with humans and a reasonable amount of exercise.
Thank you for bringing up about insurance though, it is something i will be questioning and checking on my quest for the best kennel for Freddie.

Thanks to others who have provided names and contact details for kennels. I will definately be exploring those avenues.

Pleas keep them coming if you have any more suggestions or advice on what i should be looking for and questions i should be asking.

A 30 dog kennel IS small Freds Mum, that why I worked my example out on that number.  I know many kennel owners apart from the place that I worked.  Ask how many staff their ages do they have working each day, and if they're honest ..... you can work out how much time for exercise each dog will have after feeding and cleaning. :)

At least by me telling what actually happens, you can ask the right questions - I hope that you get honest answers!

I only lasted at the kennels for 9 months - the owner was a good talker and very well respected in the dog world!  For example, she told the owners that the dogs in for Christmas would get turkey on Christmas Day, just like they would at home.  Sounds nice, doesnt it?  She wasn't dishonest - they had turkey Pedigree Chum and the staff worked for 1 hour with all those dogs! :(  It's the only job that I've ever walked out on in my life.  I could tell you stories to make your hair curl! :(

If I ever need to leave my dogs, I drive 3 hours to the place where I trained/worked as a groomer because I spent so long there that I know what REALLY goes on and I'm happy to leave my dogs there. :)

The best kennels are fully booked by Easter for the 6 week school holiday period. :(

> Having run a kennel with 100 quarantine dogs, 100 boarders, 60 cats + owner's 32 dogs

From what you said i imagined a much larger scale operation.

With the best will in the world i am not going to be able to see what these places are like behind the scenes as i am not working there and dont know anybody that does. Thats why i thought posting here would get an idea of where other dog owners board their animals (in Devon) while away. By doing my research, going on others recommendations and visiting these places i hope to find a decent establishment. I'm sure there are some unscrupulous places around which is why i want to do all i can to avoid them, a) to avoid putting my dog through that - it would break my heart and b)not putting money into the hands of those who dont care. Its as bad as puppy farmers and BYB and i'm not willing to put cash in their hands to encourage them to carry on ripping people off & not giving animals fair or adequate care

>the 30 dogs would get 10 minutes each day! 

Even 10 minutes is mentally more satisfying for dogs that are used to being walked every day than not leaving their kennel at all.

It just unsettles them JG.  They get hyped up and are then shut back in their kennel again. :(

Within 48 hours most dogs settle into the new routine and there is so much activity that they are alert all day, watching what's going on. :)

The kennels I use do walk each dog for at least half an hour a day. One of the women who goes to my agility club used to work there as a dogwalker. Other staff did day to day care of the kennels, feeding etc but there were 3 people who just spent their day exercising the dogs. As well as a walk in the huge high fenced grounds they also get a turn in one of the large exercise runs which are 40' X 40'. The kennel owner also runs her own agility club and is well known in our area. All dogs are exercised separately unles they are a family group and owners wish their dogs to be exercised together.

The kennels are open to visitors between 9:00am and 5:00pm and you are welcome to call in to check the kennels out without prior notice. They live on the premises and are very vigilant. A friend uses the same kennels and unfortunately her dog suffered bloat whilst in their care but it was noticed straight away and the dog rushed to the vets. They contacted the owners as soon as the dog was in the care of the vet and my friend was very impressed with the way, and the speed, the situation was dealt with.

I would look for a kennels that come personally recommended to you and that you are able to call in and visit without having to make an appointment to do so.

>It just unsettles them JG.  They get hyped up and are then shut back in their kennel again.

I've found that when I've been ill, for example, the dogs won't settle until they've had their leads put on and taken even a few yards up the road and back. As little as a couple of minutes is enough for honour to be satisfied, and they'll settle down quietly again. But to not go out at all, even with the back door open and free access to the garden, leaves them very agitated and frustrated, almost to the point of aggression.

Different environment and dogs act differently. :) 
At home if you're ill, the house is quiet, and the dogs expect their usual daily routine.  In a kennel, the staff are walking up and down, dogs are coming and going, barking, being fed, kennels being cleaned - dogs are alert all the time.  Apart from old dogs, the others tend to only settle when things quieten down and activity wanes. :)

I would look for a kennels that come personally recommended to you and that you are able to call in and visit without having to make an appointment to do so.
I agree Harley, recommendation is the way to go, especially if you know someone who works there.  But I had grooming clients who would tell me how good their boarding kennel was and it was the one with school children walking the dogs.  I knew the man, a restauranteur, and the dogs were actually stacked in crates in a neighbour's conservatory at busy times!  The owner told everyone of his clients that their dog was so lovely that he kept it in his house instead of putting it in the kennels and of course they all thought he was wonderful!  His house was full of antiques and there was no way that any dog ever went in there.  He'd lost his license years before but he was a charmer. :)

>Different environment and dogs act differently.

Different environments are stressful, so IMO it's important to keep as much familiarity as possible to minimise it - and that means sticking as far as possible to their usual routine.

> [url=http://www.caninecountryclub.co.uk/" rel=nofollow]http://www.caninecountryclub.co.uk/[/url]
>
> If i had the money and they were available i would be looking at somewhere like this.

This is where I left my Tinkerbell & snoop when I went away to Canada last year for 13 days and even though the lady says looks after her dogs .. My snoop came back with an eye infection that needed antibiotics and I told her it was vitally important to keep his eyes clean and put in his visco tears which she obviously didn't has his eyes where full of green gunk when I picked him up, I cried when I drove him home and took him straight to the vet one of his eye had nearly ulcerated!

Never again would I leave my lad with strangers. Maybe she was frightened to put it in his eyes? but I went through the procedure with her to make sure he was looked after properly. If your in the business of caring for dogs you should not be nervous of doing any medical thing in my book.

that means sticking as far as possible to their usual routine

A good idea but boarding kennels can't begin to be anything like a dogs' home life.  Isolation from humans except when they are let out and fed, fed at different times to at home by strange people, different austere environment - no carpet, noisy dogs barking all day, back door open all day in all weathers (if they're lucky), let out between 8.30 in the morning and shut in again at 4.30pm.  Most dogs are let out for a last pee at 10pm ish and I only know of one kennel that does that and puts them to bed with a biscuit, as most dogs are used to at home.  That's the place that I leave my dogs if I need to. :)  Not a lot of familiarity there I'm afraid.  Having said that, most dogs adjust to the new routine within 48 hours with little or no long term effect.  Some actually like the noisy surroundings, I suppose like some people enjoy a holiday camp for 2 weeks! :) 

I was just pointing out that if you pay top rates, then kennels may (or may not) have sufficient staff to give individual care.  Most don't.  My intention was to help the OP ask questions that would be relevant to what she was hoping to find for her dog. :)

If your in the business of caring for dogs you should not be nervous of doing any medical thing in my book.

As I said Magica, you need no knowledge to own a boarding kennel. :(  Often just pet owners who fancied running a boarding kennel! :(  Words are easy to some people and mean nothing.

PS  Soft furnishings, artifical flowers and furniture are totally impractical for controlling disease and disinfecting between dogs! :(

Imagine towel drying even 20 dogs after 4 walks a day in wet weather!!!  Really?
I can see 7 dogs in the field and one human.  What chance has one person got to control them all if one takes offense at another? 
Excellent business marketing aimed at pet owners. :(

After reading this thread I'm really not sure boarding kennels is the best way to go after all. Aarrr, im so stuck, i have no other option :-( (other than to cancel the holiday)

No don't do that.  Just make sure that you find a good one.  You're now armed with more information to know what to look for - that was my aim. :)

Don't look for frilly pet things.  Look for function, security and knowledgable staff - that's what dogs need.  And get looking NOW because August is peak time.  :)

But the info i have has just scared me. I have no way of getting 'inside info' as i dont work in a kennel or know anyone that does. A few people have mentioned kennels to me but they are not, how do i put this politely, the most caring dog owners in the world and probably put their dog into the nearest cheapest place - i am a LOT fussier than that.

Freds mum,, don't put your holiday in jeapordy just yet.. go to a few kennels, ask to see around them, and watch the owner/staff.. see how they interact with the dogs..

I had to put my lot into kennels for the 1st time a couple of years ago, My daughter was getting married, and I was going to be away from home for 3/4 days.. obviously my other daughter who normally looks after the gang for me.. was coming with me..

I completely forgot about organising kenneling, since its something I have never done, and it was literally last minute.. I went to a few local kennels around me.. some were OTT on how they were perfect at walking/socialising etc... but it was too false..

I found a really tatty kennels.. they were literally a building site lol.. but owners dogs were wandering around inside and out of the house.. she chatted to them, she took me around the kennels.. nothing startling.. but every pen she walked past, she spoke to the dog/s in them, by name.. or a simple 'hey sweetie, how are you'.. the kennels were clean, very basic..

we worked out a cost for my 'then 10' dogs, and said I would have to make a couple of runs.. her hubby said, he would bring land rover over, and collect the rest.. so only took me one run...

When I came to collect them.. they were clean, happy.. and when both myself and her hubby opened our tailgates .. ALL my dogs jumped into the back of his Landrover.. lol.. and stood wagging their tails for him... :-)

Just because kennels brag about being the best.. doesnt always mean they are.. I would rather have basic and clean.. with an owner who cares.. than a hyped up glossy leaflet promising wondrous things...

Perfect Kay, exactly my point!  Good dog people and safe, that's my priority.  Not, what's that Yorkshire phrase 'Fur coat and no knickers' sort of place.  :)

FM,

There is a kennel a short drive from my place and i offered to do some work experience with them last summer on my days off of work. I had seen some shocking dirty kennels on my journey of finding something i would be happy to leave my dog in.

These kennels are very clean and they thoroughly clean them out in the morning after breakfast. the dogs are then taken for a 20-30min walk, they may be taken together if owners have stated ok, there is a lot of land, some are off lead, some are on, others are in sand school others are walked on lead soley.
They accommodate for owners requests there and saw that for my own eyes.
Inside and outside runs on kennels, none over looking each other so less chance of them barking at each other, never hear a sound from the dogs when people don't walk past them.

Afternoon they are taken out for another 20-30min walk. Also kennel maids play with them as well.
I know that the owners take time out in the evenings for more exercise on certain dogs they feel need it, also doing training as well if owners have asked.
Vet on call 24hrs a day, staff can administer medication, grooming salon onsite as well.

One cost for a large dog which is £20p/n, which is very cheap compared to what i've seen of other kennels charging almost the same but lacking in so many areas.

There are alot of kennels in our local yellow pages in exeter area.
May be go and visit a few of them,you maybe surprized when you see them.
Imsure a lot of dogs go to kennels and servive their ordeal,with good care.
And i think people would have a problem finding their nearest cheapest place now,as their are not any cheap places now.

i used to use a kennel like that many  years ago
dogs always came home happy and well
,but after moving to diff part of country, and having worked in 2 kennels
i would not use one again
one even used to take double the dogs  it was allowed,
putting strange dogs in together, and they were never walked.
and it was a small kennel, but money was the only thing owner cared about.
the other exersised dogs on leads in a unfenced field by side of busy road,
usually you walked 4 dogs  all together each.and dogs were shut in at 5pm
till 8am next day.
i never stayed in either job long
we go camping with dogs instead.

There are good and bad.  It's important to find the right right and 'think dog' not believing sweet talking owners or fluffy websites! :)

answering the original question.....I have heard many good things over the years about HAPPY STAY CATTERY AND KENNEL near Dartington....bit of a way from you I know but like I said Ive heard good things and my friend is putting his st bernards in there after going to see the place and being very pleased with what he saw

Let us know who you choose! :)

As you seem to be  booking late you need to look at the places that have the availability in August , then you can look for ' the best ' kennel for the future .
When i was looking at catteries ( and i looked at a lot ! )  one owner wouldn't let me look at her pens as she said that it wasn't 'a zoo' !!!  so i can only assume she had something to hide .

Would it be worth trying him for one night before you actually go away ?
I hope you find somewhere you feel comfortable with .

another thought...I know someone who does home dog sitting and is very very good.

Thank you to everyone who has offered advice. After some comments i was rapidly going offthe idea of kennels and by conincidence & luck my parents have offered to share responsibility of  Fred with my Nan while i am away. He loves it with them so i'm happy and can relax and enjoy my week in cornwall :-) :-) :-)

An ideal outcome. :-) I love Cornwall - you'll have a lovely holiday!

Glad you have got sorted,we love cornwall,and we are going to mevagissey in sept.
Cant remember when your going,but have a lovely time anyway.