Whispawillow Kennels
Housing and Accommodation
FACILITY
The facility needs to be suitable to the needs
of the kennel operation, and the kennel
operation suited to the needs of the breed or
of the dogs to be kenneled.
The facility should provide ease of kennel maintenance whether the kennel is one room or floor of the family home, or a completely separate building. In either case, maintenance, repair, and individual care and attention for all kennel dogs are essential.
A separate kennel facility will require sufficient land to accommodate the building and outside exercise runs. For this, proximity to neighbours must be considered, as dogs can be vocal and cause unwelcome disturbances, especially at feeding times.
An investigation of zoning restrictions, by-laws, building codes and standards will provide valuable insight into the requirements for a kennel operation. Early understanding of this information and advance planning will save time and money. Researching and visiting existing, reputable kennel operations can provide insight into site selection. This would include drainage considerations, waste removal, access to heat and electricity, and so on.
CONSTRUCTION
Interior walls/interior weight-bearing walls
and partitions may be constructed of
masonry, metal, masonite, cement, plaster or
other washable and sanitizable building
material. Inside surfaces should be smooth,
durable and impervious to water, to facilitate
cleaning.
Exterior walls should be fire-resistant and impervious to moisture. Doors, window frames and window sashes may be constructed of wood, provided they are rendered impervious to moisture, and are rodent and vermin resistant (caution: wood treated with some preservatives may be toxic to animals and can cause birth defects).
Combustible materials such as paper, wood chips, etc., should be stored in a fire-resistant area of the building to reduce the risk of accidents leading to fire in the kennel.
Fire extinguishers should be available and accessible within the building. Extinguishers should be checked monthly to ensure they remain functional.
INSULATION
Dogs should be kept in temperatures as
close as possible to the comfort zone for the
breed, age, and health status. For instance, a
Newfoundland or Saint Bernard will have a
different comfort zone than an Italian
Greyhound or a Toy Poodle. Short-coated
breeds require supplemental heat during
adverse weather.
Older and infirm dogs will require a warmer and more comfortable environment. Many breeds of dogs tolerate lower temperatures as long as they are dry, away from drafts and have had adequate time to adjust to the temperature. Consideration must be given to the individual dog, taking into account factors such as age and overall health.
Insulating materials can be toxic to dogs, and should therefore be inaccessible. Interior conditions should be consistently maintained. Avoid fluctuations that may cause discomfort during extremes inweather. Insulation in walls and ceilings will assist as a noise barrier.
ROOFS
Roof coverings fastened to sheathing or
directly to the roof joists should be laid so as
to prevent the entrance of rodents and
vermin into the facility, and covered with
suitable materials in order to eliminate
leakage and exposure of the dogs to adverse
weather conditions.
CEILINGS
Ceilings should be constructed of materials
similar or equal to those for the walls and
partitions, and subject to identical finishing.
Ceilings, walls and partitions should abut
tightly, to prevent crevices which can lead to
rodent infestation.
Corners of ceilings, walls and partitions
should be caulked and painted so as to be
completely washable.
FLOORS
Floors should be constructed of densely
mixed concrete or other materials which will
provide a smooth surface that is impervious
to moisture, making it easy to clean and
sanitize. As recommended in Volume 1,
Edition 2 of the Guide for the Care and Use
of Experimental Animals, floors should be
sloped towards any drain(s) at a minimum
recommended pitch of 2.1 cm/m. A raised
platform is recommended for the comfort of
the dogs.
If an impervious covering is placed on the
floor, it should extend at least six to eight
inches up the walls. Ensure that suchmaterial is molded so that there are no
crevices or cracks.
WIRE FLOORING
Housing with wire floors is an unacceptable
method of containing dogs. Their feet are
subjected to constant trauma from wire cuts,
and calluses and bone deformities may
develop from inadequate footing. As well,
wire flooring results in a lack of definition
between eating, drinking, sleeping, and
elimination areas, and can result in the
breakdown of the dogs natural instinct not
to soil its den. This can result in future
house training problems.
VENTILATION AND LIGHT
Proper air circulation is essential to the
prevention of respiratory disease. The
number of air changes per hour is extremely
important and is dependent on the number of
dogs being housed and the size of the
facility. (See Volume 1, Edition 2 of the
Guide for the Care and Use of Experimental
Animals).
A source of fresh air is critical. Recirculation of inside air circulates contaminants, viruses, bacteria and moulds. When ambient temperature reaches over 27oC (80oF) additional ventilation, such as exhaust fans and/or air conditioning, should be available. Drafts, chilling, and excessively high humidity are detrimental to dogs of all ages and promote respiratory disease.
Lighting must be adequate so that all areas of the interior of the kennel can be clearly seen. Emergency lighting should be available. The minimum lighting requirement is 8 hours per day.
HUMIDITY
Humidity should be kept below 70%,
preferably maintained at 4555%.
Improved ventilation and mixing of outside
air by use of fans will help to reduce
excessive humidity.
TEMPERATURE
The minimum allowable temperature for an
indoor facility is 10oC (50oF), except for
Nordic breeds.
The suggested maximum temperature for an
indoor facility is 27oC (80oF).
Temperatures should be suitable to the
breed, coat length, age and condition of the
dogs housed in the kennel.
CAGES, PENS, AND ENCLOSURES
Housing should facilitate social group
formation, human interaction, comfort and
sanitation. Exercise for dogs is of prime
consideration. If no exercise areas are
provided, pen sizes should be adjusted to
provide exercise space, and a daily exercise
program should be instituted, outdoors
wherever weather permits.
INDOOR HOUSING
Cages or pens must be sufficient in size and
height and of a design that permits each
animal confined therein to:
i) stand normally to its full height;
ii) turn around easily;
iii) move about easily for the purpose of
posture adjustments; and
iv) lie down in a fully extended position.
There must also be sufficient space to:
i)
enable species-appropriate contact;
ii)
provide bitches with nursing puppies
an additional 10% space per nursing
puppy; and
iii)provide for the social and
behavioural needs of the dog.
OUTDOOR HOUSING
Outdoor housing can be provided for
selected breeds that are suitable to the out-of-doors, and that are properly acclimatized
to seasonal and regional temperatures.
Aged, young or infirm animals should not be
housed outdoors.
Shelter and protection from cold and heat must be provided, including protection fromdirect sunlight, rain, sleet, and snow. A rain break must be provided at the end of each area where clean, dry bedding is located. Enclosures should consist of four sides, a roof and flooring, with easy access from the inside and out. A separate exercise area should extend from the housing area and must also provide protection from direct sunlight and inclement weather.
Tethering of dogs (i.e., chains or ropes used to tie the animal to an immoveable object such as a stake or building) as a primary method of confinement is not acceptable.
OUTDOOR EXERCISE AREAS
Outdoor exercise runs should be large
enough for dogs to break into a trot and
should provide protection from adverse
weather. The exercise running surface must
be safe and not slippery, and free from
debris that could cause injury or damage to
the dog.
Exercise areas must be fenced with sturdy construction and be in good repair. Concrete runs should be sealed and sloped to allow for drainage within 5 minutes. Excrement must be removed from runs daily.
WHELPING FACILITIES
The whelping area should be separate fromthe individual and/or group kennel
enclosures housing other kennel dogs,
thereby providing the whelping bitch with
privacy.
Human supervision and immediate access to human assistance is important during the whelping period and the days following the birth of the puppies. Therefore, the whelping area should be located in an area that will facilitate ongoing supervision by the breeder.
The whelping area should consist of a whelping box which is 2 l/2 times the size of the bitch. The box is constructed with four sides and a floor. Within the box, dowelling rails are placed along all 4 sides, 10 cm (4 inches) from the floor, and 10 cm (4 inches) out from the walls - forming a ledge. This will help prevent the bitch from pushing a puppy accidentally into the wall and suffocating it by lying on it. For toy breeds, the dowelling should be lowered by 5 cm (2 inches). Soft bedding should be provided in one half of the puppy area for comfort, and newspaper in the other half to encourage the pups to eliminate on the paper and keep the bedding clean.
Supplemental heat, generally in the form of a heat lamp, should be available. Avoid overheating the whelping area, so that the bitch does not remove herself.
GROUP HOUSING
Group housing can be suitable, provided
there is plenty of room for all dogs to move
freely and easily. Indoor and outdoor
housing guidelines apply to group housing,
as well as the following precautions, for
group housing to be acceptable:
Females in heat should not be housed in
primary enclosures with males.
Any animal exhibiting vicious behaviour
or dominance aggression should be
housed individually.
Puppies less than 4 months old should
not be housed in the same primary
enclosure with adults other than their
dam. Adolescents may need to be
housed separately. Sire managementmay require independent housing.
Dogs receiving treatment for a
communicable disease or suspected of
harbouring a communicable disease
must be housed separately in a
quarantine area for a time deemed
suitable by the attending veterinarian.
Newly acquired dogs should always be
isolated before integration into the
kennel.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT
Such enrichments should include
toys, exposure to canine and human
companions, and daily exercise in an
outdoor area. As stated in Appendix A,
dogs confined in cages should be exercised
twice daily for at least 20 minutes, either in
runs or by walking on a leash.
All housing should allow for enrichment strategies. Dogs are pack animals and require social interaction with their own species and with people. They do not do well in isolation. There are many publications concerning suitable enrichment for dogs.
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
A Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations
Second edition