10 Things to Consider When Buying chain link dog kennel
Aug. 19, 2024
5 Things to Consider When Buying a Dog Kennel
When you are on the search for a new dog kennel, there are a host of things you must consider before making your buying decision.
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Below I am going to cover a few different things you should be thinking about before you buy your new dog kennel. This is to make you aware of a few things perhaps you didnt think of before. Anyway, lets get into it!
1.
SizeObviously, size of the kennel is important. You want a kennel where your dog can move around as freely as possible. The kennel should be big enough and wide enough to allow your dog to be able to turn around without touching the sides of the kennel.
Of course, you would presume a bigger kennel is always better but that isnt always the case. Dogs tend to feel more safe and secure in smaller spaces so choosing a smaller, more appropriately sized kennel is usually a better choice.
2.
Backyard SpaceFollowing on from size your backyard space or space wherever you want to put your kennel is important. Needless to say, wherever you plan to put your kennel I advise to measure your space where the kennel will go in your backyard, for example.
I would recommend if you have a smaller space for the kennel to make sure you leave at least some space left over. Dont make it a tight fit because this can make installation more difficult, and generally limiting your space overly isnt a great idea.
This becomes doubly important when you consider that the kennel is going to be where your beloved dog spends a lot of his time. It should not be allowed to develop a damp or musty atmosphere, which can happen if theres not enough space around it for air and light to enter and circulate.
Air circulation around and through the kennel makes sure that it never becomes musty inside and is well ventilated. Enough direct light will ensure that it stays clean and dry, because sunlight has a natural sterilizing effect against microbes.
Which also brings up the next important point access. There should be enough space around the kennel for you to be able to access every part of it. Dogs are rather skilled in bringing in all sorts of mud and muck into the house. So, every part of the kennel will definitely need thorough cleaning or maybe even repair at some point.
3.
PriceI dont want to talk directly about price but a more general consensus because prices are always changing and can vary depending on your chosen provider. What I will say is its best to opt for an option that you can both afford and an option that is going to last for the time to come.
I would generally say that its better to go for the slightly higher quality option in the long run. This is because a dog kennel that is better quality and built to last will last you longer than a cheaper option which likely wont last as long and may indeed end up costing you more in the long run.
As you might have guessed a lot of dog kennels can be relatively expensive but it can be seen as a long term investment that should be incorporated into the cost of owning a dog for years to come.
4.
Build MaterialOf course, there are many different options when it comes to the build material for your dog kennel. Sometimes there are a selection of materials that have been used in combination. There are 3 main options as you might have guessed.
Wood is the first and arguably the best option, thats because its hefty and substantial and is a great insulator, which helps keep the temperature very well regulated not too hot or too cold.
Wood harvested from old planks or logs will theoretically serve just as well as wood you buy, but the most sensible option is always to go for wood siding. Wood siding panels like LP may not be as cheap as leftover siding from an old art project, but end up paying for themselves over time.
The manufacturing process impregnates the wood with fungal resistance and anti-termite properties. The interior sides are painted to be a radiant barrier, and the outsides with latex paint that adds water resistance and gives a nice popping color too, if you prefer one.
Or, if you like a more rustic look, you can always go with board and batten instead. These are made usually from pine and oak, so they are natural wood. The quality varies only slightly from sideboard, but they look much more rustic and folksy, and wood be much more at home in a farm (pun intended!).
Plastic is another option, which when compared with wood, doesnt absorb odors well. Plastic is also lighter than wood and is easier to clean but simply doesnt insulate as well as wood and is more prone to wear especially in more intense weather conditions over time.
The final option is metal. Generally, you dont find kennels made completely from metal because it isnt an effective option because it would get too hot in summer and too cold in winter, it is also needlessly expensive and simply doesnt do as effective a job as wood does.
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If you couldnt tell already wood is the option I would recommend. It will be the best overall option that offers great insulation and will likely be the most durable and last for years to come.
5.
Roof TypeSometimes an overlooked element when buying a dog kennel is the roof type. The roof type should be considered when buying a dog kennel depending on the weather for example.
A sloping roof is better because inside you will have an inner ceiling which will make it snugger inside. Also, some kennels come with a detachable roof which is ideal for summertime and warmer temperatures and it gives you that versatility.
A single roof panel can offer better insulation making it a good choice for colder temperatures. It also makes it more compact which could be better or worse depending on your preferences and needs.
Which prompts the next question what should be the roof made of? You can always go ahead and have a roof made of wood, but some people find that it does not serve well against rain or in areas with sleet.
Sturdier and longer lasting options for roofing for kennels include shingles and metal sheets, such as corrugated sheets. However, to decide which one suits you better, you have to take your kennel and some factors into account.
Metal roofs are in principle more expensive than shingle roofs. However, in areas that receive large amounts of rain, metal roofs work much better, as they allow immediate run off, especially if gutters have been added to the design.
For areas that receive moderate rainfall, shingle roofs may work just as well because shingles nowadays are designed to handle some rain too.
In areas where snow is common and heavy, shingles end up needing frequent replacing because snow packs onto shingles and does not melt off. Instead, it melts in two layers and ends up refreezing as an ice pack onto the shingles, damaging them. The weight can also cause the roof to collapse.
Shingles dont conduct heat as well as metal roofs, though. And are also easier on the ears. Metal roofs tend to be very loud for the occupant, when theres rain.
So, if your kennel is going to be on the smaller side, and/or your budget allows it, a well-chosen roof can be a one-time buy with no fuss in the future.
Of course, there are so many customizations you can make to your dogs kennel. Colors, textures, lighting, accessories Such as the fencing, for example. Your dogs kennel can be extended to include a little fenced in area, which can keep him confined, should the need arise, without making him feel miserable and locked in.
Fences made with 6-gauge welded wire, for example, are practically bite proof. The same goes for galvanized wire or chain link fences. Smaller dogs or those who dont have the tendency to chew on everything, can even be okay with a vinyl fence.
Fences add a little garden to your dogs kennel home. Should you need to keep him inside for any reason, your dog will still have space to move around in an enclosure. Which definitely makes for a healthier and happier dog!
Buying a dog kennel is really the equivalent of building your dog a little house of his own. So, it may take some thinking and planning before its done, but in the end, your dog will definitely have a home-sweet-home!
David Gray
Dog Blogger and Founder
W: dogdesires.co.uk
E:
The good & bad about chainlink
My kennels have been made of 9 ga. chainlink. In the last thirty years I have not had a dog escape or get a foot caught or any such. I am not saying it cannot happen but it has not happened to me so far. When i assemble the panels I have the cut ends next to the ground. The dogs do not challenge them more than once... or twice if they are really dumb. For puppies,I put boards(1 X6) down around the bottom just in case, but remove them once the pups are older.
I have had a few dogs that tried to gnaw their way out when they were left behind, and aside from some silver back teeth there were no ill effects...certainly the wire showed no signs of the attempts.
I have no doubt that 11 1/2 or lighter chainlink might not fare so well, but the 9 ga. wire really does hold up. The other thing is that if you use 9 ga wire, the fabricator must use the thicker wall tubing as well, so the whole assembly is heavier duty.
Currently, some of my kennel panels are around 20 years old and doing just fine. The oldest of the panels(nearly 30 years old) were getting rusted and nasty and have been converted into roof sections for the intact females.
I do agree if price is no object, that the Priefert product is very much top of the line. However, with any metal fencing, you are well advised to place an inert barrier(plastic) between the ground or the cement and the metal legs to delay and to minimize the inevitable rustout. It will add literally years to the life of the kennel panel.
For my round tube legs I use a female/female schedule 40 fitting to pick the end up off the ground about an inch or so. That allows any rain to drain out and any urine or wet from washing down the concrete, to drain and dry out. Obviously, if metal is dry it won't rust. I also touch up any spots I see, about once a year, with rust converter and then a coating of spray on cold zinc or aluminum paint.
RayG
RayG
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