Kennel Dogs

[SonnyRott]

I've been wondering about something for quite some time now. I don't want to start World War III and I don't want to sound ignorant, but I can't seem to get a reasonable consensus regarding the term "Kennel Dogs".

Let me explain. A while back my breeder started trashing other breeders (I know...not a good sign) by stating that all they had were "kennel dogs" and said it with GREAT disgust. In trying to understand what she meant, I unintentionally insulted her by stating, "What do you mean by "kennel dogs"? Don't your dogs stay out in kennels all day while you are at work?" She immediately responded by saying, "What are you trying to say? That my dogs are kennel dogs? They sleep in the house and I can't believe you said that!" I was puzzled and assured her that I thought she took good care of her dogs.

Now here's my question. Her dogs are well cared for and stay out in "kennel runs" during the day. These kennels are equipped with a dog house on one end and heated during the cold winter months. In the evening, she lets the ones that get along, run in the yard together before bringing them in the house and putting them in various crates separated throughtout the house. At certain times, one or two (if they get along) are allowed some free time in the house with her. But by no means are they dogs that have free run of the house; companions that lay by her chair by the fireplace....you get the picture. They go from kennel to crate. Isn't that a "kennel dog"? I might add that I am not thinking of this necessarily as a negative term, simply that they live the majority of their lives in a kennel.

Now when purchasing a pup from her, I assured her that my pup would not be a "kennel dog", (as this was important to her) and would not stay outside. He would be my companion and an integral part of my family. I do not own a doghouse, do not have a "kennel", do not leave my dog in the backyard (even though it's fenced), do not tie my dog out on a tree, as he is my CONSTANT COMPANION AND AN INSIDE DOG. And I wouldn't have it any other way! From breakfast to bedtime, we are together. He is NOT a kennel dog.

Now when researching websites and talking to breeders at shows, they all consistently state (almost as if by not stating it, it would be improper) that their pups are hand raised and their dogs are not "kennel dogs" (there's that term again), but when you go visit at their homes, due to the number of dogs they own, they are all in some type of kennel. So why the prejudice with regards to this word?

I've gone to German style shows and I've gone to AKC style shows. I enjoy both venues. Both groups are equally eager to talk about their dogs. The main difference I've found is that many times with the German style shows, the dogs are praised for high drive (and I completely understand that as Rotts are classified as working dogs although many are not herding, carting, etc., while at home), but it also appears (by what the owner says) that these dogs are "kennel dogs" do not live a consistent life indoors (with human companionship) and spend much of their time traveling from one conformation/working show to another. Once the dog is done in the ring, he is "put up". He is looked at as a speciman, with no real socializing once his time in the ring is over. I've even been told not to look at a particular dog as it could bring out the worst in him. And just think, all I wanted to do was give the dog a "pat" hello. Now I'm not implying this is true of ALL DOGS in the German ring, just an observation that seems like the norm.

When you speak to these same breeders though, they leave the unmistakable impression that their dogs are social, well behaved, indoor dogs....when in fact they live outside in a kennel and not brought out to local parks or family gatherings on a regular basis, if at all.

I'm a little confused. What is wrong with saying you have "kennel dogs" if they indeed live the majority of their lives outside, in kennels?

As for me, I'll take my little old "indoor" non-kennel dog any day, put him in the truck and take him out for ice cream. Heck, while I'm at it, we may socialize with a child or two and maybe get a chance to play with another dog who is equally part of a family and out for ice cream too!!

[Judi W]

It is quite easy to find out how their dogs live without visiting. Ask them how many dogs they own. Next question, how do they all get along together?

If someone owns more dogs than they can possibly give individual time and companionship to, then you are right to question their attitude. If someone has litter after litter, then they probably own a fairly good number of dogs. Sometimes they are co-owned and every dog has its own good home and attention. Some of the best dogs come from the breeder who only breeds very occasionally and very selectively.

There is also a difference between a kenneled dog and a kennel dog.

[frontierrots]

To me a kenneldog stays out day and night in a kennel run.

I consider my dogs (except for Bea and Angelica) to be part time kennel dogs.They are out during much of the day and some of the evening, but not all day nor all evening. They have large crates or 4 X 4' pens (depending on the dog) in a huge room of my home. They each get some living room time once a week. They all get bathed and groomed monthly and like going to work from time to time. They get walks and training time too as their physical condition allows (we have a lot of elderly dogs)

They all (with 2 exceptions) are just fine to take out to Petco, dog shows, the flea market etc and they often do those activities. Bill likes the flea market best and Molly likes the ice cream farm for example :)

But Bea and Gel (the oldest and youngest Rotts) are the only two who are 24/7 house dogs out of 11 total- who do NOT all like each other at all

Then again I am completely honest about that when people ask me. I also don't think being out in a kennel run 24/7 except to train or show does the Rottweiler mind much good at all

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by frontierrots

To me a kenneldog stays out day and night in a kennel run.

I consider my dogs (except for Bea and Angelica) to be part time kennel dogs.They are out during much of the day and some of the evening, but not all day nor all evening. They have large crates or 4 X 4' pens (depending on the dog) in a huge room of my home. They each get some living room time once a week. They all get bathed and groomed monthly and like going to work from time to time. They get walks and training time too as their physical condition allows (we have a lot of elderly dogs)

They all (with 2 exceptions) are just fine to take out to Petco, dog shows, the flea market etc and they often do those activities. Bill likes the flea market best and Molly likes the ice cream farm for example :)

But Bea and Gel (the oldest and youngest Rotts) are the only two who are 24/7 house dogs out of 11 total- who do NOT all like each other at all

Then again I am completely honest about that when people ask me. I also don't think being out in a kennel run 24/7 except to train or show does the Rottweiler mind much good at all

Thank you for your honesty. I can completely respect that! That would be the type of answer I would want to hear from someone who had many dogs. Unfortunately, I don't find that is always the case. I felt quite taken aback from her reaction to my question.

[BostonRott]

To me, a kennel dog lives the majority of its life out in the kennel. You often hear people talk about "rotating dogs through the house."

I have dogs for my own personal enjoyment. To enjoy a dog, I need to have it in the house with me (usually underfoot and always in hubby's way ).

I bought $2000 worth of kennels (4 of them, powder-coated steel, with a VERY heavy wire mesh ..... maybe 5g wire? also powder coated). They decorate the back yard. I would guess that since their purchase last year, the dogs have spent less than 24h total in there. One needs a few showpieces right?! The reason I bought them was so that on the nicer days of the year, the dogs could spend the day outside, vs. inside. However, I don't like cemented bottoms and we found out that Vikka is an accomplished digger, so I need to get rabbit fencing and lay it over the ground and let the grass over-grow it............no going to China for Miss Vik. Thus, the only thing the kennels are used for is when I'm training one dog, and others keep butting in.........they get kenneled.

No one is currently crated at night anymore. Bort sleeps on the floors, the Grrrlz are on the bed with us. Mr. Xcel will be a night-crate dog b/c he's a puppy, and since he'll be intact, and the Grrrlz are intact, he'll maintain his night-time crate status most of his life.

Crating........Bort has the run of the house. The Grrrlz are able to be out alone too, but since they enjoy playing so much, we always crate them when gone, just in case. When we're home, everyone is free to terrorize feet and furniture.

Dogs are meant to be a pack animal, and when you leave them in the kennel all the time, they learn to be independant. Who wants that?? Some high competitors feel that by leaving the dogs in the kennel except when they work, that it builds the dogs' desire to be with them (via deprevation). I think that's BS. I think it teaches the dog to develop undesirable behaviours and be independant.

[frontierrots]

Agreed. Just cannot practice the belief at this time

I also add that my dogs go out in groups with only a couple exceptions. Not that that justifies the amount of "away from human time" they have

I have too manydogs currently because I will always take back a dog I produce anytime. I did just that. Took back dogs that needed to come home, lus the Dalmation from my sister. Plus I have the oldies that can't compete or show anymore

My goal is a LOT less dogs someday. With 5 who could die any day (ages 17-9) that is a distinct sad and soon possiility

On the subject of "my dogs are never kennel" breeders My favorite was a well known, very successful breeder here in New England (who is no longer in dogs that I know f) whose big thing was that all her dogs were house dogs. She had ne large fenced yard and no kennels. Right..... They spent 20+ hours a day crated all over the house, but they weren't in kennel runs so.....

[BostonRott]

Understood completely Diane. I've seen your dogs, they're all in good shape. Your situation is vastly different than those who collect dogs for personal glory and over-breeding.