Outside Dog Run/kennel?

[HayleyMarie]

Whats your dream outside dog run/kennel?

I eventually will be getting Tyler to build me one. The deal is if he gets a garage he has to build me a dog kennel/run. I have not really decided what I want in a kennel.

So of course it would have to be for at least two dogs, hopefully three. Seperated because of course Im not leaving Teagan and a molloser together unsupervised. And there would have to be a roof or no way for a dog to get over the top of it. I guess it does not have to be huge. Its mostly going to be a way for me to keep the dogs contained while we are both at work or when we need a break from pesky dogs lol. And since were moving to high populated cougar and bear country I just don't trust leaving a dog unsupervised roaming the yard.

Now I of course would be putting a lock on the kennel dog. Although I would not expect people to steal a molloser thats just plain stupid. But they are a very rare breed where Im going. But its also a small town.

So what would you do for a lock system? Would you personally be ok leaving a dog alone outside in a kennel when you are not home??

Oh anything to add that I would need to think about

So. GO! Tell me your dreams

 

[joce]

I picked up one off craigslist for 75$ that was a couple hundred from TSC originally.

I don't feel safe leaving them out. My dogs are to old to dig anymore but I had bought one years ago and my husky could get out. I had to sell it. Now she is the one I got it for and she will just sit in it and chew on a bone.

But my great aunt had one built by a fence company off her garage that had her cockers on one side and her cats on the other. It went the length of the back of her property and had a top. It also had concrete so many feet down and was anchored to it. That was the nicest run ever. She had picnic tables in there and small trees she kept pruned. I loved going over there when I was little. They could also come into the garage which was also screened in.

We use a pin that goes on the horse trailer on ours when we put blitz in it when we don't want him screwing with the horses while we ride or work with them. He knows he can jump up and down and hit it and get out eventually. A lock sounds good but the fencing material is so easy to cut I don't know how much it would help?

A friend from work that used to breed shepherds has several barns with wood fence with wire over it and its actually really nice. It looks better than just chain link. But I don't know how much her dogs tested it. People wouldn't mess with the barns that way either.

 

[Lizmo]

This is what I would build. Basically a barn transformed into a kennel/area where all dog things are stored. Honestly, though, Blaze's breeder has my ideal (perfect in every way, LOVED it) kennel set up. But I don't have permission to post it, so I feel it's best not to do so publicly.

But this is very close:

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

An honest word of advice, if the wildlife is really *that* dangerous and they get hungry enough they will tear open chain link to eat your dogs and even a mastiff can be animal food in the wrong situation. I would look for something entirely closed, like a garage, if I were in an area of concern, and only have outside time supervised.

Otherwise, this type of structure is very cute and functional, chainlink could be something stronger and you could split it if need be.

I like this site: http://www.ok-corrals.com/how-to-build-dog-kennel.html

 

[Kat09Tails]

This to me is ideal for 3 large dogs who know each other well. No chainlink (it really is wussy material), not too much space wasted with interior, and protection from the rain/wind.

The only major critique I have of it is that the gap at the bottom is a little too high for my tastes. I only like 1/2 - 3/4"

ETA: wood construction is also helpful for keeping the noise down. You wouldn't believe how far a bark carries in a metal shed.

 

[Teal]

My ideal kennel runs would extend off the house. My perfect home would be like an open warehouse space on the ground level, with the kennels coming off it. lol

My dogs are outside in their kennels (though right now, mostly chainspots) unsupervised. We have cougars/bears, but I've never seen one come in close. The yard is encompassed in 8 foot fencing - which certainly won't stop a hungry predator, but there is much easier prey to be had around here (like my livestock). I've never worried about it. If I lived anywhere more populated or had neighbours, I would definitely padlock my kennels, as well as have some heavy duty property protection dogs.

 

[MericoX]

We're thinking about moving the dog yard next year (they mostly use it to potty in anyways) and possibly outdoor kennels for during the day instead of being crated. Though we'd have to do concrete floor and it would have to have a secure top.

And possibly just suspend Lincoln from the top so he doesn't get into anything. lol

 

[stardogs]

The building Kat posted is pretty much my ideal kennel set up too! I really like the solid topper as we have two escape artists here.

 

[AliciaD]

You guys make me wanna go out and marry a carpenter/handyman.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Ohhh la la. All those kennels look AWESOME!!! And gives me so many ideas. My dads a sheet metalist so I could totally get him to build me a metal frame/cage thingy.

Im actually not too conerned about the wildlife, there are too many easier prey for them to go after.

 

[Fran101]

I don't really like the whole idea of leaving a dog outside alone. it's just a personal thing but if I did something like this I think would be ideal

Nice secure "indoor area" that I think you could easily install a fan/climate control of some sort

and if I was ever going to start a rescue or something lol

but yea, for me, the climate control/large totally weather proof indoor area sells it.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Ohhh la la. All those kennels look AWESOME!!! And gives me so many ideas. My dads a sheet metalist so I could totally get him to build me a metal frame/cage thingy.

Im actually not too conerned about the wildlife, there are too many easier prey for them to go after.

That metal work will save you a ton of money in the long haul so YAY for Dads with L337 skillz. It's better to overbuild that metal than underbuild it so keep that in mind. Also rust-o-leum like scotch guard is your friend. Especially for the lower part with peeing boys.

 

[Saeleofu]

Ideally, I'd have room for 4-6 dogs in a kennel strictly for my own pets. I honestly don't see myself having more than that at any one time. I think my limit will be 4ish, plus room for taking a friend's dog or two when they travel or whatever.

There would be inside runs built into the house with a dog door in each indoor run to go into outside runs. The inside ones would look similar to this except maybe slightly larger:

Also would have rubber flooring (not just concrete or tile) so if I have a dog that eats bedding it's not stuck laying on the concrete. Walls would be tiled all the way up so the whole thing is easy to hose out (I also wouldn't have huge ceilings like in the pic - 5 1/2 feet would be sufficient (I'm short lol), but whatever would work. Dog doors would be metal, heavy duty doors, not the flimsy plastic flaps. They would also lock in case I had to restrict outside access for whatever reason.

Outside I'd have privacy-type fence (something solid, not chain link or anything), with some sort of top - chain link or whatever. An area just outside the dog door would be covered for shade and rain protection. Ideally there would be gates of some sort between each outdoor run instead of solid fence for ease of cleaning. Either that or a door from each run to outside so I don't have to crawl thorugh doggy doors to go out and scoop poop lol. Outdoor surface would be first choice buffalo grass if it would grow, second choice would be sand of some sort, and third choice is artificial turf. I wouldn't want concrete and I wouldn't want dirt.

The entire complex would lock, and I don't think I'd *really* feel safe leaving the dogs out unless there was another fence around it all, also preferable a privavy fence, that also locks.



Aside from "ideal" lol something like Lizmo posted would be awesome, and if not that, then something smaller scale like Adrianne posted. My absolute must is no bare concrete floors.

 

[misfitz]

Wow, those are some nice doghouses. Almost nicer than my apartment. When can I move in? LOL.

My dad is building a run for his cats, similar to what AdrianneIsabel posted. He bought a wooden shed from Home Depot, poured a concrete slab, put some linoleum down, and is making a chainlink yard area with a cat door to the shed. I'll try to take pictures next time I visit them.

 

[Max The Beagle]

Those buildings posted above are great!

When I was living up the the arctic north (Michigan) I had to stay outside when no one was home. I had a chain link run with a dog house at one end. It was insulated and had a 150 watt light bulb inside to keep it all warm and toasty for me in the winter.

Now I have learned to stay out of trouble (mostly) and get to lounge around in the yard next to the pool in the Arizona sun! Now I just have to convince my trainer to bring me a margarita from time to time!

 

[WookieePups]

Wow some of those are absolutely amazing. While I prefer for dogs to be indoors with me, I can understand the need for an outdoor kennel. I especially understand the need for an enclosed outdoor kennel or dog run that will keep them safe from either running off or for keeping other wild critters from getting in. For those of you aren't able to get a fancy outdoor kennel like the ones pictured above, here is an outdoor dog kennel that seems relatively cost effective and boasts strong construction. There is also a matching roof for it to shelter your dog(s) with safety and comfort.