yeah i was thinking about using patio bricks because i already have about 100 of them.....i think there like 12" x 24"..., hopefully i can get something built this weekend

Tigger, where did you find the 6 x 20 pannels, I have been looking everywere for them?

10x10 is plenty. TSC and lowes has some real nice kennels for $500 bucks they are 10x10. You can also build you one believe McCoys sells some panels for $50 they are 5ftx10ft TSC has some for about $70 they are 5ftx16ft. If you have a climber you can invest in some tin roofing to put up top. It cost a little more but hey keep them out the rain and shade in the summer.

I got the panels from a feed store in Lampasses, I believe it was Browns.

not to take away from the original poster's question, but can yall elaborate on using barrels for houses? would it be suitable for labs? do you just cut out one end and let them climb in?

Yep, cut a opening in one end and drill holes in the bottom so you can hose them out. Takes care of the chewing problem with young dogs, and when filled with costal bermuda they are warm and cozy in the coldest weather. Some folks hang them from the top rails of the pen most put them on a stand. Cheaper and better than good wood houses.

plain old blue plastic barrels? do you not add a "floor" to it to make it flat on the inside?

Heck no, they curl up nice and cozy in those little boogers. I do recommend building a small platform so they can be off the ground 6" or so.

thanks yall....

I have 7 britts and got my kennels from TSC. They are paneled and easy to set up. I too recommend putting the kennel on concrete and I do suggest kenneling your dog unless your around to let them out. Hunting dogs like to roam and the last thing anyone wants is for their dog to get out and take off. The good thing about the TSC kennels is they sit off the ground enough to hose out the kennels. I recommend hanging the water buckets for your dog as well with metal "S" hangers. That too makes it easy to clean out the kennel.

I had three kennels for 15 years that were built above ground using angle Iron. I used treated 2x12's for the floor with 3/4" space between them.Covered the top with Tin Panels. I used 4' cyclone fence for the sides. At the back end, had a 4x4 plywood with a plastic barrel attached outside. The other end I built a 2' gate and put a gate at the side by the barrel with a feeder.Two were the same and one had a whelping box on the end and I rasied my pups there. Never had any flea problems and washed out morning and nite.Turned the dogs to run every evening. Worked for me.

thanks for the info......i decided to try out the patio bricks first and if they don't work I'll pure a slab.......i had enough patio bricks to lay an 8' x 16' pad. I'm not sure if I'm going to try and find a pre-made kennel or just make my own....i put the pad in the corner of my yard and have a 6' privacy fence on 2 sides so i really only need to make another 16' and 8' side.....

thanks
Anthony

If you use the privacy fence be sure the bricks are taller then the bottom of the fence or could dig out.

yeah i actually stood the bricks up on the sides to prevent diging and washing all the crap into my neighbors yard....

Anthony

You da man................

They won't. Have seen it tried a million times. Well, maybe not quite that many.

we shall see.....

You can lay Hardy Plank 4X8 sheets over it if it does not work out for you. I saw one guy who made a 3X16 ft dog run out of it over sharp sand. It's still fine.