When choosing materials for the construction or re-installation of a kennel, breeders need to consider many sanitary, technical and economical factors.
Boxes should be part of the central corridor, so that they can benefit from central heating.
Cellular or cavernous concrete (rated at K = 0.8) slightly improves insulation of the floor compared to the basements.
This type of flooring can be reinforced by pouring the concrete over a layer of compacted sand.
It is then reasonnable to think about installing floor heating, which will reduce the thermal losses occuring through the basements. This represents a low cost, as it only requires the installation of a metal resistance in the concrete layer.
Since the boxes are part of the heated central corridor, roofs are optional.However, if a roof is installed, sandwich panels with an insulating layer in the middle effectively limit thermal losses.Polystyrene is likely to be destroyed by rodents; it is therefore preferable to use, in areas where rodents proliferate, polyurethane foam or a combination of reflective films and insulating pads (Trisoreflex®).
The wall separating the box from the run must provide heat insulation. It must also provide noise insulation, limiting thus the propagation of sound nuisances in both directions, and the outside stimuli affecting the dogs' rest. Sandwich panels with cork in the center are an excellent choice.
Breeders often use materials that are too thick or too insulating for the walls of the central building and shut all the openings because of the cold. This leads to economical and health absurdities. This can be justified for the whelping room only.
The opening from the box into the run must be as small as possible to limit heat loss.
The guillotine door should be waterproof. A galvanized steel doorframe will reduce damage caused by chewing. Plexiglas doors offer a good thermal insulation, but they are easily scratched.
Since the walls must be washed and disinfected regularly, they must be waterproof. The sandwich panel should include a moisture barrier of kraft paper to limit condensation and keep out rodents.
The doghouse must be easy to disassemble for cleaning. For this reason, untreated wood is not recommended, despite its excellent insulation qualities. Moreover, an untreated wood construction typically lasts only three years or so.
Disposable bedding must be soft, absorbent, provide insulation, and not cause intestinal blockages if ingested.
Straw bedding can cause allergies when inhaled and can lead to mite (chigger) or insect infestation (darkling beetles, fleas, etc.) Moreover, storing this type of bedding is a fire hazard.
Newsprint is a better option. Waste can be picked up more easily if this type of bedding is used, reducing the amount of water required for cleaning. Though the newsprint may slightly discolor light-coated dogs, newsprint is still an excellent choice of bedding.
Sawdust provides excellent insulating qualities, shines the coats of long-haired dogs, and can be easily burned.
Easy to disinfect, rubber mats are the most hygienic and economical choice.
It is preferable for the breeder to feed his dogs himself, as it favors contact with his dogs, and helps with their socialization.
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