The American Beagler Forum

on the ground or off the ground

I have done both, but love my above ground kennels. Keeps them off the cold snow covered ground in the winter, and up out of the muddy, wet ground after it rains

concrete pad with roof over it.cant go wrong, (JMO) cleans easy.keeps them out of the mud,

I use above ground kennels and like them. Keeps the dogs cleaner to me and no problem to clean up under them but if you don't keep the dogs run-up you will notice that their toenails will grow pretty fast or at least mine does.

I use above ground pens and like them really well. As far as the toenails I get around that by putting a cheap concrete paver right in front of the opening to the dog house. They step on it going in and out and it helps quite a bit. They also like to lay on it in the summer after I wash out the pens because it holds moisture and stays cool.

and if you want to go all out.

With running a starting pen, I have come across some beagles that simply hate above ground kennels. I have yet to find a dog that could not get along on the ground. I use pea gravel about 2 to 3 inches deep, keeps them off the ground, pads stay tough, and easy clean up. I can buy pea gravel at the gravel pit cheaper than it costs to load it. Years ago I had an older dog on concrete that couldn't run any more, suppose arthritis, when I moved, put her on the ground, got many more years out of her. I'll never go back to concrete. Some guys love it. Easy to clean and sanitize, is up side.
Thanks,
Bob

rcoff, im using the same type setup with the pea gravel. i just built a four run kennel setup with 2-3 inches of crush n run for a base to absorb the urine smell and to pack down hard and laying 2-3 inches of pea gravel ontop for cleanup and for dogs to run on. after seeing a friends setup like this i had to try it. hope it works good.