In 2 months I will be getting a ACD puppy. She will be crated while in the house and in a kennel while outside, until she is older and I can trust her in my yard. I already have an adult ACD, so I know how active they are (my adult was never crated and had full run of my yard at 5 months old). My question is, how big should the kennel be? I know a lot of you keep your puppies (and even adult dogs) in crates all day, and don't seem to have a problem with it, but I can't do that. I am feeling bad about a kennel, but I know it is the right thing to do (at least for a while). Do you think a 6x8x4(tall) is big enough? The other option is 8x10x6(tall). I am not as much concerned with the height as much as the moving around room. She will get out to play for a few hours every day.

My yard is fenced, but not "secure". Half of the fencing is old wire fencing that is pushed down and can be stepped over, but because it is overgrown with berry bushes, is going to be very expensive to replace (I have almost 1 acre). I don't remember how or why, but my older dog always respected the fence, even though she could have practically stepped over it. Maybe because her doggy friends would step over the fence and come to her . I am more concerned with other dogs getting to her than her getting out (I will get an E-fence when she's older if need be). There are only 2 dogs in the neighborhood who come into the yard to visit and they are both very friendly. One of them grew up with my 11 1/2 yr old, but, the other one (who lives next door) has a an aggressive "sister" who has tried to attack me and my dog through the fence (the good part). Once, grabbing her by the muzzle (thank God I was their to stop that one) and a couple weeks ago ripped her ear (not sure if that was through the fence or if she was in my yard). Obviously, she is the one I am worried about. She is a lab/something, and I think she is fear aggressive. When I make eye contact, she barks aggressively, until I step confidently towards her and "SHHHHHSH" her (thanks Cesar ), and she diverts her eyes and walks away. I don't think the lab would try to go over a 4 foot fence to get to a puppy, but who knows. I can cover it if I need to. BTW, for those who aren't familar with cattle dogs, they get about 40 lbs, 20 inches.

Is anybody there? Did I post this to the wrong topic? Wrong title? Help!!

This may help. Ed discusses his own kennels (with dimensions) here:

http://leerburg.com/tour.htm#knlrun

Thank you Sarah, that was helpful. I did a search before I posted but didn't find anything. I am still interested in hearing from anyone who uses outside kennels/dog runs, and how big their's are.

I have a 6x6x6 chain link kennel for my Border Collie. He is about the height of an ACD, but not as stocky - weighs about 29#. The kennel is a good size for him. He spends his unsupervised time in there - way to many things for a young BC to get into on a farm . He get at least 1-2 hrs of supervised free/play/training time each day, and many days it's more like 3-4 hrs.

If you're not worried about your dog jumping out, I'd think the 6x8x4 would work. My dog has a house in his kennel, so he'd be able to get over a 4' fence from the top of his house.

 Quote: mishele barker

Thank you Sarah, that was helpful. I did a search before I posted but didn't find anything. I am still interested in hearing from anyone who uses outside kennels/dog runs, and how big their's are.

My kennels are 6' x 10' x 6' and they are indoor/outdoor with slide doors to separate if I need to in order to temporarily make more room, so in all actuality they are 5' or 6' x 18' x 6'. (indoors are 5' x 8' x 6') I am looking into ordering tops for the outdoor runs that reflect the sun.

I also have a large chainlink fenced area for outside time and two outdoor kennels that are 10' x' 10 x 8'. These are set up for females in heat so they have hog panel floors so dogs cannot dig out or in and they have wood slanted in around the top so dogs cannot climb out.

All have a doghouse and I am putting in 1/2 concrete and 1/2 wood decking in the outdoor part.

The wood decking will be removed in the winter so we can move snow with the bobcat and not ruin it. The indoor floors are concrete and I have warming pads for the winter.

I converted one of my barns into kennels since I only have a couple horses now.

I started with eight of the 6x6 chain link panels from Home Depot which gave me a 12x12 run. I built a cold weather dog house like Ed shows. I liked the idea of the 6x6 panels because of the portability. As it turns out, my dog liked the portability of it also. He would grab onto the fence and pull making all kinds of interesting shapes. So, I had to secure them to the ground. I have since added more sections and it's now 12x24. I also found that this chain link is not as heavy as a regular chain link fence and I had one escape from him chewing and bending the chain link at one of the corners enough he could squeeze out. So I added some extra wire to the corners.

What do you suggest for the floor? This is not going to be permanent so I don't want to use concrete. Right now, there is some very angular rock gravel out there mixed in with the dirt (and oak leaves and pine needles). I was thinking of some large, smooth gravel??

Now I am thinking about laying bricks. That would give a flat surface and drainage. And, the best part, I already have the bricks.

Bricks are good, and you are right, they do provide good drainage.
And it is a definite plus when you already have them.