Building a dog run-What kind of surface?

[jicksies]

Hi Everyone!

My husband and I have decided to build a large doggie run in our backyard but are not sure what would be the best surface to use for my three boxers. Pea gravel? regular gravel? Sand? I say pea gravel but my husband says no because it will scatter too easily. We are also considering putting down chicken wire and laying gravel on top of it to keep my pups from digging so much. Is that a good idea or not? We are about to landscape our yard but we want a large area fenced off just for my dogs....Can anyone help? Any brilliant ideas or suggestions would be awesome! Thanks so much! Enjoy the Spring with your boxers!!! Jicksies:D

 

[daysha]

Your husband is right about the pea gravel it scatters like crazy cause thats what are driveway is and Zoe scatters it all over the place! In our horse barns and in Zoe's run we use the rubber bricks? I guess thats what they are but you buy them and you just piece them all together and they are great. Sand probably wouldnt work because it would irritate the skin or eyes. Oh yeah and those ruber brick things are dog proof! Zoe has yet to do anything to hers and she can do some serious damage if she wanted too! I didnt think it would work when we put them in the only reason i used them was because i had a bunch left over. But they are a life saver for us. And they clean very easy! Just take the hose to them. Anyway thats my 2 cents.:D

 

[Matt S]

We have a doggie run in our backyard & it has worked out great for us & the dogs. We have normal brick paving on the floor of ours.
As well as the scattering I think another problem with pea gravel or any kind of loose surface is it would make it harder to clean the run out.
Laying the chicken wire down first sounds like a good idea but it may be dangerous to the dogs if they do dig as there is generally some sharp bits sticking out.
My first choice would be any sort of paver, this way there is no chance of the dogs digging & it is alot easier to clean. You could use concrete but the advantage with the pavers is that any fluid will drain away through the cracks & not puddle up.

Here is a pic of Ali & Eric's run.

http://www.boxerworld.com/photo/data/8890Dsc00226.jpg

 

[Tam319]

Purina has some good info on kennel and run construction. Here is the site:

http://www.purina.com/breeders/default.asp?article=73

You can run a search on that site to find more info.

Good luck with your run - ours is a lifesaver!
Tamara

P.S. I am not endorsing Purina by any means (ew gross!)

 

[Al's Pal]

A solid surface sounds like a good idea, maybe you could add a digging pit so they can give in to those natural instincts and help to pass the time when you're not at home? If you leave the run open when you are home it might help protect your landscaped area if they have somewhere that digging's allowed!