Concrete slab or above ground kennel? Poll??

[S.R.Patch]

I voted for the slab, solid footing, cleaning, checking the stool for worms or cocidia, being able to see the spotting when a bitch is coming in season, wearing down the nails. But you must stay after the cleaning. We have wooden benches for them to lay an stand on in each kennel.

I like the offground in winter when your hunting the hounds, it's the lazy mans way.
If the weather is sloppy wet you don't have to wade any muck, no hounds are jumping on you,... why if you under the weather, you don't even have to shovel for a day or two, just fill the feeder and water and run back into the house.

But, 70% of the time, I'd prefer a big grass lot. nothing is more natural and agreeable to hounds than the good earth.

[Bunnyblaster]

I have a concrete slab sloped into a drain that runs to a septic. I have never had issues so far with sore feet or joint issues but I've never had older hounds on it either. Mine is inside of a 3 sided pole barn style building to keep the weather out and also so I have inside storage for dog food, collars, etc. It is easy enough to spray off in the warmer months and in the winter months I shovel it out when it's cold but on a warmer day I will spray it out. It is also very easy to disinfect.

Chappy why is it you think cement would hold eggs better than loose soil or pea stone? Just curious because I've never heard someone say that before.......in fact I have heard the exact opposite.

I have never had an above ground kennel but my buddy did and it seemed easy enough to keep clean but I just didn't care for it. There are certain times of the year when I don't get my hounds out much and I like the fact that they have a little more room to run around in my cement slab kennel runs.........jmo.

[TOBY]

IF above ground is So good then WHY dont all the major breeders use em????

Ive also noticed this.
Ive been waiting for people to come in to defend and give input on concrete.

[bucks better beagles]

I have my 6 on concrete with short chains and an igloos. It is sloped so I can spray it down or when it rains, it cleans itself. Best set up I ever used but you must have time to clean the excrement at least twice a day. I used above ground for years but eventually it got stinky on the deck.

I don't understand how you boys use pea stone. If you scoop up the crap, you will also scoop up the gravel until you will have no more stone there.

[chapkosbeagles]

I make my floors out of conduit. this way they are not porous and don't hold any worms. when you worm your dogs you are getting rid of what is in there runs. it never gets stinky because it is plastic. concreat hold alot of oders. It is not hard on their joints because it gives. it takes all 4 seasons very well not weathering. another thing I do is I put it on wheels so I can move it out to get at the cleaning traces. this makes for a very clean kennel.

[chris1971]

I put in my kennel last year with the concrete floor and even epoxy painted the floor. The slab 16x21 and the runs are 12x5 each. i have had two in each for a total of eight dogs. I have a 4 inch slope on 16 feet with a trench drain in the back that runs into a septic system. WASTE OF MONEY! If i had it to do over I would have all above ground. If you want to wash crap everyday and spend a couple of thousand dollars go concrete. I have a photo on the kennel section so you can see how i did it but i would not recomend it.

[Hard Driving Kennel]

I have had both and I prefer the concrete. Never had a problem with worms or any Joint problems. I bleach them out every once in awhile. The concrete slopes to the back for easy spray out. The roof keeps a lot of the snow out in the winter. I will raise the back panels in the winter so what snow does get in there I can shovel it right under the back panels. I just prefer more room for them to move around. The beagle kennels are 5x10 with 1 dog a piece. Plenty big enough for a couple if that what you prefer. I built another kennel in the back for the coyote dogs that have 6x12 runs and have had no problems. That kennel only has a roof over half and requires quit a bit more shovelling in the winter, but if you lived down south that wouldn't be a issue.

[smokedawg]

I live in Louisiana so my opinion is based on my weather conditions down here. I almost never have ice or snow, so freeze ups aint a problem. Our biggest problems down here are parasites if you keep em on dirt or gravel and constant odor of the above ground kennels as it hot a lot of the year and the pee soaks into the soil even when you clean up the solid waste daily, the whole kennel area will smell of rotten dog pee. So I keep em on a slab with a metal roof over the entire kennels to provide shade. Also use a 300 gallon concrete septic tank that I wash out every kennel every day into keeps everything clean with minimal odors. One problem I do have is that the concrete will tend to grow algae on it from getting wet and will get very slippery wet weather so I do have to pressure wash it with bleach and water solution at least once a month in spring and summer. I keep between 9 to 12 hounds year round so anything other than the setup I have is one big mess in this hot and humid climate. If I lived in a different area though, my setup would be different.

[chapkosbeagles]

The best set up I have seen is off the ground with slab and septic under it. He also has a water spicket right there also

[walkerdogman85]

Here is my kennel holds 5 dogs. Floor is 2x6 spaced 1.25" apart all made ou of treated lumber. The kennel is 6'x20'.

[pcable]

I have a concrete slab with above ground kennels.
The concrete just makes it easier to clean and check stools for problems.
Above ground kennels have many advantages in my opinion.
First and foremost the dogs are healthier! Cleaner! It puts them on your level, which makes it easier on me with my back problems!
I don't have near the worm problems with them since building my kennels.
The only fault to above ground is that I have to trim my dogs' toenails on a regular basis in the summer.
Other than that they are a great investment for anyone who has dogs!

[Bunnyblaster]

pcable, mine have been on cement for over 2 years and I still have to trim their nails too. Maybe not quite as often but the cement doesn't keep em filed right down like I had heard it supposedly did.......at least not with mine.