Material
We often get asked about whether plastic kennels or wooden kennels are best. The truth is that it is mainly down to personal preference. In our opinion, plastic is best for dogs with a tendency to chew, but unfortunately will not completely rectify the problem, it may just make it slightly harder for them to ruin their kennel. Plastic kennels are also typically warmer and much easier to clean. Wooden kennels tend to be more aesthetically pleasing and many people personally just would prefer a wooden kennel.
Either will make a happy home for your dog, it is mainly down to personal preference as to which you choose.
Size
The size of the dog box you choose is crucial to get right. Here at Pets.ie under each of our kennels we have a size guide with a list of breeds that we recommend for each. A kennel too big will leave the dog cold, and one two small will leave the dog rather uncomfortable. In general, a small/medium kennel will suit a Jack Russell sized dog, a large will suit a Collie sized dog and an XL will suit a German Shepard sized dog.
Delivery Access To Your Garden
The majority of people will need to get the kennel into their back garden through a small side gate or not be home at the time of delivery. For ease of delivery to you here at Pets.ie all of our kennels arrive flat-packed. This means that if you aren’t home they can be arranged to be left with your neighbour or around the house, and you can easily fit them in through tight spaces. All our kennels arrive in large panels and are really easy to assemble.
Maintenance
Like all garden furniture, dog kennels require a degree of maintenance. You should treat wooden ones shortly after arrival alongside once a year with an animal friendly wood stain. This will help longevity and also help to ensure that your dog’s home remains in good quality.
The Purpose of The Kennel
The reasons people get kennels often differ. Some need them to lock their dogs in at night while others just need them to act as a shelter for their dog and a sleeping area. If the kennel is needed to lock the dog in you will obviously need to get a kennel with a closable door. If it is to act as a shelter a kennel with a flap that will keep the rain out might be more suited. We have a range of both types on our website. We also offer most of our plastic kennels with the options of adding a plastic flap or wire door.