Please critique my Kennel Design - Page 4

kfer · 12-07-2012, 12:08 AM

I'm the OP. I appreciate the useful comments related to the kennel. That's why the original design is flexible; for example I know now I need to make it bigger or build 2 separate kennels if I actually buy 2 GSD's. I'll make sure the chain link fence (or welded fence) covers from top to bottom.

I know that a fully trained military GSDs in a combat zone is different that an untrained civilian GSD. Like comparing a Navy Seal in with a regular citizen. But a GSD with the right pedigree has a very good guard foundation, better than most dogs. I plan to spend money on basic obedience training and protection up to the dogs' ability.

I think some clarification is due to avoid misunderstandings. The location of this property is in Colombia. The construction is still happening so I want to leverage the workers and materials already in place. If I choose to do it later it will be more expensive and complicated.

Colombia is a poor country and the kennel I've designed is kind of an eccentricity. Only the very high-end breeders have something like this. Dogs are perceived as workers and need to earn their upkeep down there, especially in rural areas.

This country is not for the faint of heart, and both human and canines have a 6th sense and very developed situational awareness. When I moved to the U.S. I was surprised to see how friendly most dogs were.
Even Light-weigth mutts in Colombia are fearsome guard dogs and won't hesitate to attack an intruder. I'm not too excited about my parents moving back to Colombia...but it's what they want at this time.

The property will have full time live-in help; the husband will take care of the landscape, repairs, etc. The wife will clean and cook. They will live in a small house that is being constructed by the front gate.

My idea of the kennel is for the dogs to have a clean, comfortable place to eat and relax, or to be secured while workers or guests are on the property. Normally they'll spend a lot of time with my parents, remember...they'll be retired before hitting 60 (I'm envious...I'm a Gen X'er).

Thank you for all your help. I will definetely post the pictures of the finished kennel. Choosing the dogs will be a another chapter in this story and will definetely ask for your opinions.

**Castlemaid** · 12-07-2012, 12:15 AM

Thank you for the extra information - it is very helpful. As GSD lovers, we just bristle at the thought of these smart, sensitive dogs living their lives in a kennel - I didn't get the impression from your initial post that the dogs would be only kennel dogs, but you never know without the extra info!

It sounds that from your military involvement with the breed that you have a good understanding of working dogs bred for work, and the importance of training and human bonding with the the dogs.

codmaster · 12-07-2012, 12:54 AM

Will the dogs be friendly to the hired help or only released after they are not around?

msvette2u · 12-07-2012, 01:02 AM

Quote:

This country is not for the faint of heart, and both human and canines have a 6th sense and very developed situational awareness. When I moved to the U.S. I was surprised to see how friendly most dogs were.
Even Light-weigth mutts in Colombia are fearsome guard dogs and won't hesitate to attack an intruder. I'm not too excited about my parents moving back to Colombia...but it's what they want at this time.

If there's going to be intruders, won't they have guns to shoot the dogs with?

Blitzkrieg1 · 12-07-2012, 01:40 AM

Perhaps they may even have an thermobaric weapons delivery system to destroy the fortified bunker he is setting up next to the kennel...
These dogs were originally bred to work, thats what he wants them for. Im sure they will offer a good first line of defense if he picks pups from solid bloodlines. The right dogs have the inate genetic ability to protect their persons and property.
9 tenths of prevention is proactive intimidation.

msvette2u · 12-07-2012, 01:45 AM

Blitz. I understand that.
I also understand quite well that guns are superior to dogs any day, and dogs are little deterrent to determined intruders.

Friends of ours home was broken into routinely, and they got a dog for protection. The thieves broke in and killed the dog and stole stuff anyway. The friends moved.

carmspack · 12-07-2012, 01:50 AM

"don't think it is large enough for dog two dogs and have heard from several places that a square floor plan helps reduce the dog pacing back and forth all day."

I agree with this --- a square plan 10 x 10 (mine are 12 X 12 for each dog) does reduce fence running , more restfull. Puting them into a rectangle is like a chute and they will run and make sharp turns - too much repetitive on the turn turning elbow.

**jocoyn** · 12-07-2012, 06:42 AM

The extra info is very helpful to folks, thank you for not taking offense.

My husband grew up for several years in Venezuala because his dad had an oversees job. A lot of crime, mainly theft, and very strict gun laws and this was years ago when Americans were considered "friends". They were able to live like kings on a middle management income with servants, great food, etc.

He said his dad smuggled in a rifle, but probably bribed the right people. Who knows what would have happened if he discharged it. Of course, that is a very risky thing to do. His older (but underage) brother got caught with a small amount of marijuana and the father was able, with a lot of bribing and negotiating, to get him deported instead of thrown in prison. They don't mess around down there.

hunterisgreat · 12-07-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Blitz. I understand that.
I also understand quite well that guns are superior to dogs any day, and dogs are little deterrent to determined intruders.

Friends of ours home was broken into routinely, and they got a dog for protection. The thieves broke in and killed the dog and stole stuff anyway. The friends moved.

Unfortunately, nothing is effective against a determined threat.

Rerun · 12-07-2012, 01:05 PM

Nothing is effective against a determined threat, except an armed home owner; BUT that does NOT mean dogs can not still deter people.

Even barking dogs, in a kennel, will deter MOST people. At the very least, it is an alert to the homeowners that something is up and to be alert.

I, personally, would make the kennel bigger, but if they are truely not spending much time in it, the size sounds adequate.

12-07-2012, 12:15 AM	#32 (permalink)
Castlemaid The Administrator from the Great White North, eh? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 11,173	Thank you for the extra information - it is very helpful. As GSD lovers, we just bristle at the thought of these smart, sensitive dogs living their lives in a kennel - I didn't get the impression from your initial post that the dogs would be only kennel dogs, but you never know without the extra info! It sounds that from your military involvement with the breed that you have a good understanding of working dogs bred for work, and the importance of training and human bonding with the the dogs. __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH

12-07-2012, 06:42 AM	#38 (permalink)
jocoyn Zombie Queen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 11,838	The extra info is very helpful to folks, thank you for not taking offense. My husband grew up for several years in Venezuala because his dad had an oversees job. A lot of crime, mainly theft, and very strict gun laws and this was years ago when Americans were considered "friends". They were able to live like kings on a middle management income with servants, great food, etc. He said his dad smuggled in a rifle, but probably bribed the right people. Who knows what would have happened if he discharged it. Of course, that is a very risky thing to do. His older (but underage) brother got caught with a small amount of marijuana and the father was able, with a lot of bribing and negotiating, to get him deported instead of thrown in prison. They don't mess around down there. __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Beau -NAPWDA Certified Cadaver Dog Waiting at the Bridge (italics=GSDs) (hemangiosarcoma=blue):Grim , Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles

12-07-2012, 12:08 AM	#31 (permalink)
kfer New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 14	I'm the OP. I appreciate the useful comments related to the kennel. That's why the original design is flexible; for example I know now I need to make it bigger or build 2 separate kennels if I actually buy 2 GSD's. I'll make sure the chain link fence (or welded fence) covers from top to bottom. I know that a fully trained military GSDs in a combat zone is different that an untrained civilian GSD. Like comparing a Navy Seal in with a regular citizen. But a GSD with the right pedigree has a very good guard foundation, better than most dogs. I plan to spend money on basic obedience training and protection up to the dogs' ability. I think some clarification is due to avoid misunderstandings. The location of this property is in Colombia. The construction is still happening so I want to leverage the workers and materials already in place. If I choose to do it later it will be more expensive and complicated. Colombia is a poor country and the kennel I've designed is kind of an eccentricity. Only the very high-end breeders have something like this. Dogs are perceived as workers and need to earn their upkeep down there, especially in rural areas. This country is not for the faint of heart, and both human and canines have a 6th sense and very developed situational awareness. When I moved to the U.S. I was surprised to see how friendly most dogs were. Even Light-weigth mutts in Colombia are fearsome guard dogs and won't hesitate to attack an intruder. I'm not too excited about my parents moving back to Colombia...but it's what they want at this time. The property will have full time live-in help; the husband will take care of the landscape, repairs, etc. The wife will clean and cook. They will live in a small house that is being constructed by the front gate. My idea of the kennel is for the dogs to have a clean, comfortable place to eat and relax, or to be secured while workers or guests are on the property. Normally they'll spend a lot of time with my parents, remember...they'll be retired before hitting 60 (I'm envious...I'm a Gen X'er). Thank you for all your help. I will definetely post the pictures of the finished kennel. Choosing the dogs will be a another chapter in this story and will definetely ask for your opinions.

12-07-2012, 12:54 AM	#33 (permalink)
codmaster Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California, US Posts: 5,928	Will the dogs be friendly to the hired help or only released after they are not around?

12-07-2012, 01:40 AM	#35 (permalink)
Blitzkrieg1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: KW Ontario Posts: 217	Perhaps they may even have an thermobaric weapons delivery system to destroy the fortified bunker he is setting up next to the kennel... These dogs were originally bred to work, thats what he wants them for. Im sure they will offer a good first line of defense if he picks pups from solid bloodlines. The right dogs have the inate genetic ability to protect their persons and property. 9 tenths of prevention is proactive intimidation.

12-07-2012, 01:45 AM	#36 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	Blitz. I understand that. I also understand quite well that guns are superior to dogs any day, and dogs are little deterrent to determined intruders. Friends of ours home was broken into routinely, and they got a dog for protection. The thieves broke in and killed the dog and stole stuff anyway. The friends moved.

12-07-2012, 01:50 AM	#37 (permalink)
carmspack Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 5,526	"don't think it is large enough for dog two dogs and have heard from several places that a square floor plan helps reduce the dog pacing back and forth all day." I agree with this --- a square plan 10 x 10 (mine are 12 X 12 for each dog) does reduce fence running , more restfull. Puting them into a rectangle is like a chute and they will run and make sharp turns - too much repetitive on the turn turning elbow.

12-07-2012, 01:05 PM	#40 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,988	Nothing is effective against a determined threat, except an armed home owner; BUT that does NOT mean dogs can not still deter people. Even barking dogs, in a kennel, will deter MOST people. At the very least, it is an alert to the homeowners that something is up and to be alert. I, personally, would make the kennel bigger, but if they are truely not spending much time in it, the size sounds adequate.

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