The American Beagler Forum

Hey I need to build a kennel and was tring to decide between above or on ground. Here's the thing I live in Nova Scotia Canada and we have frigid winters with lots of snow. Will having the kennel above ground allow too much cold air to circulate through the kennel? When it snows how am i suppoed to shovel out the above ground kennel? Any help appreciated

face the pen away from prevailing winds and put a roof over it. you could also put the spring loaded doors on the houses. anothing thing you could do would be to run deck boards parallel to the floor on the sides about halfway down so that it makes a wall. just make sure u leave a spot where the dogs can see. then you could seal the cracks on the wall with some silicone or something similar to that. that is jsut stuff you could do but i think they would be fine without it. the only thing i would say that you NEED would be a roof over the kennel and house. jmo.....keith

I have 4 above ground pens and all of mine have roofs over them..

gregg

If you like the idea of above ground kennels, why couldn't you make "attachable" sides for the really cold weather and insulate the box (house section) for extra protection from cold and heat? If it were me, I would leave the front side un-covered though.

Renee'

I live in Ironwood Michigan, We are located right of Lake Superior and get lake effect snow. temps drop pretty low as well. I have 6 off the ground runs coming off a 10x10 building 2 runs on the Northside 2 on the Southside and 2 on the Westside. I also have a roof over all the runs and spring loaded doors. I have noticed during high winds the snow will build up along the bottom of the doors on the northside of the building but for the most part the dogs going in and out will normally make the snow fall below the wire. I have always had above ground kennels and I have tried concrete runs but above I feel is the best.

I have a roof on mine,and also have tarps attached around the tops , and will roll them down before a snow or real bad weather. and just roll them up and tie them in good weather.