Boarding Kennels

Hi,

This is probably in the wrong section so feel free to move it! I've got a cavalier king charles spaniel and hope to get another one soon. Once we have two dogs we'll find it hard for friends/family to agree to looking after them when we go away on holiday etc. Just wondered if anyone could provide some information on kennels - what's the general price, will my breed of dog be ok staying in a kennel and anything else you think i ought to know!

Thanks guys,

Jules

I don't think there is a general price as Kennels vary in size, region, what's provided etc, they can be anything from £5 per day to £25 per day +

Any breed is ok to be kennelled in my opinion.

The best you can do is call around a few locally and go and have a look at them and see what you think of them.

Have a list of questions to take.

Do they get a walk, left in the kennel or use of a Run ?
Are they experienced dog handlers ? (you'd be amazed at how many aren't !!)
Can you provide your own food etc and are they ok with feeding at the times you want, or do they have set feeding times.
What vet do they use ?

There's loads more, but you get the idea. You won't know until you meet the people and often you'll get a feeling or not as to whether you trust them with your dog.

Good luck

To add:

How many dogs do they walk at once?
How many dogs are in the run at once (or field etc)?
Are they happy to put two dogs in the same kennel if that's what you want?
Will they be happy to groom your dogs if they require it?

I'm sure, as Malady said, there are still more to ask!

My advice would be to visit a few local ones, ask other dog owners in the area.

If you visit one and you don't like what you see, don't book it! Even if it's the cheapest and they promise to walk your dogs 3 times a day (or promise other incentives etc)!

Agreed

For instance ;

I recently used a kennel just for 1 day and overnight, but many kennels wont do this !

I had a reduction as my dogs are happy to share a kennel, whereas some kennels insist on them being kenneled separately.

My dogs were taken out of the kennel, walked in a field (on lead, as per instructions) and then transferred to a large Run to themselves for the day.

They were fed my food at the times I set.

Many kennels are very strict, and for this reason I like to use smaller kennels, as often large kennel establishments have to adhere to strict regulations and therefore you have limited choices

Visit quite a few as facilities seem vary enormously and price is no indication of quality, I visited about 10 before I found what I was looking for. I also found recommendations were not that great as everyone seems to have different expectations. There really is no substitute for using your own judgement.

This may be of interest to you.
http://www.dogsey.com/dog-articles.php?t=13521

Thanks for the helpful advice - much appreciated