- 05
- Mar
Kennel floors are always a difficult issue. Some of the common options are native dirt floor, concrete, gravel, and wire mesh. In my opinion, a native dirt floor, while probably the most common, is not an acceptable option. Dogs can dig out, it gets muddy when wet, is uncomfortable for the dogs, is difficult to clean, and most importantly, it is a health hazard. Concrete works well, but is expensive to pour and is permanent (once you have poured it, you can’t change your mind). Gravel drains well, and certainly toughens a hunting dogs feet, but is not very comfortable for the dog and is difficult to clean (particularly in the winter). As for wire mesh (i.e. Scott’s Dog Supply – above ground kennel), I don’t have any experience and can’t comment.
My solution for the past fifteen plus years is wood. I built panels with 2”x6” joists and decked with 1’x6” pine. I purchased one side rough and put that side down, since it is about half the cost of finished lumber. I cut all the pieces to size, and then stain all sides with a quality stain. I spaced the planks 3/4″ apart using an extra plank as a guide and screw everything down with deck screws.
I made each panel 5’ wide and spaced the joists 20” on center. When I put four of these together it fit my four Priefert kennels with just enough to room to spare all the way around. I have also built panels 3’ wide with 18” centers, which worked well. I’m sure 24” centers would work, but they have a bit more flex than I like. The wood needs to be stained once a year and will last for many years.
Once built, I put the panels together and place up on cinder blocks. The dogs really like the clean dry surface. The advantages are the cost (I built a 10’x20’ deck in 4 panels for $320), they are easy to clean (a 4” flexible drywall knife and plastic bag works perfectly), they are moveable (I move them to an easterly aspect under large shade trees in the summer, and to a southerly exposure in direct sunlight during the winter. They are lightweight enough that my wife helps me move them easily and doesn’t want to kill me. It gives me satisfaction to look outside and see the dogs lounging on a warm, dry, clean surface.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Optimum Technology, Inc….
Thank you for your post!…
September 26th, 2007 at 1:05 am
I enjoyed your web site an at this time I am buidind a kennel run like yours,but it will be 10 x 10.I needed to know what type of stain you recommend so it will not be unhealthy for the dogs.I am using pressure treated wood.Also do you have any plans on dog houses that I can build or recommend.We live in south texas.Thanks Dennis
October 1st, 2007 at 7:49 am
Thanks for the comment on the website. I hope you find it useful. My thinking with the site is to give potential training clients an idea about my training philosophy and methods, and to give fellow gundog lovers and upland game fanatics some new ideas.
A couple of tips to think about on the flooring:
1.) Make sure your deck is large enough.
Measure the outer dimensions of the kennel and size the floor ~6″ larger all the way around. This will leave you 3″ on each side of overlap. The width on mine worked out just right, leaving about 3″ on each side, but I would have liked the length to be a little longer. Now, both the kennel and the floor are the same length and there is no room for overlap. If I was doing it over, I might go with 12′ lengths and use the extra room for holding dog food, water buckets, etc.
2.) Make the gaps 5/8″ to 3/4″ wide. Base the width on the approximate size of your dogs pad; medium dogs (Brittany size) go with the smaller dimension and larger dogs, go with the larger size.
3.) For stain, I used Messmer’s U.V. Plus (for decks, fences & siding). It seems to be a quality product that holds up well. With the dogs on it daily, I have to re-treat once a year.
4.) If you choose to use treated lumber, make sure it was treated after Jan 2004. Before that time they used arsenic in the treating process, and I have heard of some animals dying after eating (chewing on) treated wood. After 2004, companies have been required to use another process, which is safer.
Cheers,
Chris
May 14th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Chris i am getting ready to build me a woood floor like yours. Getting the floor built will not be a problem for me bit i like the panels that your pens are made of.
i live would like to know where i can get it, and how much that it cost…
May 28th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Tim,
The kennel pannel I use are the Priefert brand Premier Kennel pannels (http://www.priefert.com/). I love these kennel pannels. They are bomb-proof and well worth the money. I bought mine at IFA here in Utah.
Chris