The American Beagler Forum

Describe your kennel, the contruction, etc., and tell what you like about it, what worked well, and share what you would have done differently. We could all use some good tips based on experience and hindsight.

I would have added a drain line to my concrete kennels when the concrete was wet and just poured. I did not think about it until I had already poured the slab, and then I had to go back later, pour another footer, lay a row of blocks and add the drain line and fill with concrete...((argh!))......

I also did not put, in my opinion, enough slope on my slab.

I am however, very happy with my above-ground kennels. I thought them out a little better when I built them!

Build on high well drained soil. If you put up a building, make it tall enough that you can come off each side with a lean-to for expansion.
Pipe in H2O & elect. age will catch up with you and you'll be glad you did.
Don't build it across the road from your neighbor, unless he's your uncle who has tormented you all your life...lol
Keep it within shotgun range of your bedroom window, just incase any unwanted varmints come prowling around at night.
The best thing I've seen is a shelter house type pole barn for a kennel. One of our local churches put one up some years ago and while everyone was saying what a nice meeting and get-to-gather place it was, all I could see was, what a fabulous dog kennel it would make(see how these hounds twist your mind). Well, I con-vinced the wife, we needed a new garage and a pole barn would be just the thing. To make a long story short, we got it under roof and poored the floor but run out of money, so I've been using it to store my dog kennels in untill I can save up the money to finish it, but these hounds keep eatting up all the money I save...lol... My wife says, I never finish nothin', well, this is one of my unfinished jobs I'm most proud of, but you know, when I'm dead an gone, somebody will have the fixins' for a nice garage ...lol...Patch

When I poured my slab I made sure it had plenty of slope so water and beagle pee could run off well and when I hose it down it makes it easy when the water is all running the same direction. Poured it 4" thick on top of a bed of 2B washed stone about 3" deep or so.I didn't finish it off smooth as glass.Screeded it off with 2x4 3 times and left it at that. This gave it a kinda rough finish so it doesn't get so slippery when wet.Oh yeah... before I started with the 2x4 while the concrete was still real wet I pushed some of that reinforcement mesh down into it.You can get it in 4'x8' pieces.We get cold up here in winter.This way, If the slab ends up cracking the mesh will hold it firmly in place so no chunks will raise or sink making cleaning a hastle.One of the bonuses of the cement for me is it acts as a nail file and I don't have to trim nails on hounds near as much..lol.. The only thing I would change is I shoulda made it BIGGER (duh) It is 12' x 12' with a double kennel on it each 10' deep and 6' wide.This gives me a 2' apron I keep on the front to make it easier to keep the snow shoveled away from the doors. But, it shouldn't be too hard to add on to when the time comes. keep em runnin' .... CHH

I done my slad just like you did Pat. I put down about 4" of 3/4 washstone first, formed it,built a complete roof over it, then the cement truck came. I screeted the cement with a 2X4 as smooth as I could then let it dry. When it was right at done, I took a broom and swept it lightly to give it some more texture to keep it from being slick when wet. However, I didn't put enough slope on mine for my tastes. I think I put a 3 inch drop on mine from front to back. I wish I had went with at least 5 inches looking back on it now, as sometimes the water dont run off it real good when I hose it down. My slab is 12 ft wide by 24 ft long with a complete roof over it all. I only have one 10X12 kennel on it at the present but that left me plenty of room to expand my kennels if I need additional room. I also utilize above-ground runs that I like very much, as they are much easier to keep clean.

Here is what I did but, I still need to finish the external dog box. cya, Paul

http://bdfnr.home.insightbb.com/paul.html

Paul, that looks like you put a lot of work into it. How do you get up in there? Is there a step on the other side?

Darrin, I see what you mean. I gave mine a slope of 2½ to 3" but it is half the size of yours so that would mean a steeper slope I guess.Wish I had made mine the size of yours.That would probably be just about right for me.I like to keep about 5 or six hounds and some of the females I put two in the same house.

Paul, I like your set up too.I have kicked around the idea of building some above ground kennels and I may yet. Everytime I look at them they appear to me to be a LOT of work.Especially if carpentry is not your strong suit ..lol.. A couple more years I think I'll be abe to take early retirement. May try to tackle it then. CHH

Gee Bev...Everyone oughta just do like me, and keep moving around and building new kennels! That way each one gets better and better! Built a freakin' beagle Taj Mahal this summer up here!
34' X 40' overall

8) 5' X 12' runs with 1/2 of the length under roof and other half open

Indoor dog boxes; set up to feed from inside

6' X 40' totally enclosed and insulated with power ventilator and 40Amp, 220Volt sub-panel(water will be next summer) for the dog boxes, feeding, treating, etc

Back half(16' X 40') has 2) 8'X8' on ground runs, 2) above ground whelping/puppy pens, and area to store equipment, etc

Also have 3)20' X 40' 1)20' X 60' and 1) 60' X 60' exercise/turn-out lots and 1) 20' X 20' fenced lot on the ground for pups

Enough outdoor lights so you can see to feed/clean before 8am or after 4pm up here in the winter

Built it with an eastern exposure so the dogs/water/runs would get morning sun, but used arbor vitae for a windbreak for the wind bouncing back off Lake Huron

On a slope of about 1" drop per 1' with run base of fill sand covered with limestone chips and dust. Drains well, smells good, easy to clean, easy on feet and legs, they can still dig a bit if they chose, and easy to replenish the sand/limestone

And it has taken a year and a half of bickering, fighting, and yelling for us to both agree on everything! Came out right though... Maybe if we had more husband/wife design teams we would have less stupid, inefficient building designs(especially government buildings!)! Of course it would take three times as long to get them built...
Doc S

I knew I shoulda went BIGGER !! lol.. Doc, sounds like a real nice set up ya got there.If you ever decide to relocate again you could advertise it as a horse training prospect CHH

Here's a link to our kennel web site http://www.riverbottombeagles.com/ourkennel.html
It's heated on the inside and has a septic tank and water. I've planted lots of trees in the running pen and it has a lot more cover now than when this picture was taken. The pen works great. We let a few dogs out to run every day, even during deer season. Biggest mistake we made was not putting enough slope on the concrete. My next one will have the gutters outside the runs and lots of slope down to them. Also, smooth concrete is easier to keep clean than rough concrete. Never had any trouble with it being slippery. Another mistake we made - it's not big enough! Always build your kennel bigger than you think you will need!

GOODNESS!!!

Some of the people in my neck of the woods don't have houses as nice as what ya'll are calling "kennels."
Real nice, real nice for sure!

The kennel being nicer than the house is a controvery here too!
Doc S

I'm glad to know that i'm not the only one who goes all out for the dogs.Took me all summer to finish my kennel but it's finally finished.I put up a 26'x18' metal carport building.I run the roofing all the way down the front and back side to the ground.Poured my concrete 3 1/2'' thick with wire mesh in the bottom.I had a concrete finisher slick my floor for me.Gave it 3'' slope for runoff.With the floor being slick it just runs right off.Installed 5 runs 5'x14' and left 4' walkway in front of the gates in case a dog might get by me they can't get away.Put up 2 ceiling fans for the humid summer months to keep cool and put in 3 heat lamps for cold winter nights.Built a concrete trough on the back side leading to a 300 gallon septic tank to keep the odor away.Also put up sides on the building to keep cold wind from blowing in and dogs from barking at the deer and armadillos.For my final installment i put in a bark activated sprinkler system to keep the noise down.Neighbors love that.You can purchase that item from Lion Country Supply.Good hunting to all!!!

Having used concrete in various veterinary clinics - though I don't like it for footing in my own personal kennel - I can say slick is the way to go. Rough finished concrete instinctively sounds good, but hair and debris really clings to it.
Doc S