Cheap dog kennels can be a trap for your pet

Levné kotce pro psy mohou být pastí pro vaše zvíře

They look cheap, but they can hide serious security risks, a short lifespan, and zero support from the vendor.

Dog kennels are increasingly appearing on the pet supply market at suspiciously low prices . They are available online, delivery is fast, the photos look tempting – and the price is often the deciding factor. But this is where the biggest danger lies: a low price almost always means a compromise in quality, safety and expertise . In many cases, purchasing such a kennel can have tragic consequences for the health or life of your dog.

Why are most cheap pens risky?

1. Unprofessional approach of manufacturers and resellers

Many companies on the market today offer kennels as "quick-moving goods" , not as the result of quality production. For them, the kennel is not a tool for protecting the animal, but only a product that fills a gap in the market . These sellers often have no experience with dog breeding, let alone training, safety requirements or legislation for trapping devices.

Soft grilles are prone to denting and deformation

Cheap kennels are often fitted with bars made of thin and soft steel profiles , which are not designed for mechanical stress, let alone the onslaught of a strong dog. The bars can spring, deform or even dent into the inside of the kennel when subjected to repeated pressure. This not only reduces their lifespan, but above all increases the risk of injury to the dog - for example, when trying to break through or squeeze through bent parts. Deformation often occurs even in common breeds, especially if the dog actively uses the kennel as a run or leans against the walls. In working or energetic dogs (e.g. Belgian Shepherd, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, German Shepherd), damage is a matter of a few weeks or days . In addition, loss of shape makes maintenance, assembly and safe closing of the door difficult.

Kennels from Poland with wide spacing are not suitable for puppies

A big problem with cheap kennels – especially those that come from imports – is the excessive spacing between the bars . In the case of Polish products, this deficiency is almost standard across the entire range. Most of these kennels have bars with 10 cm spacing, which completely disqualifies their use for raising puppies or small breeds . In professional practice, a maximum of 5 × 5 cm mesh is recommended as a safe standard to prevent the head, paw or entire body from being squeezed between the bars. Kennels with larger spacing thus pose a real risk of injury, wedging and stress for young dogs , whose movement and contact with the world is very dynamic and unpredictable. If you plan to use the kennel for breeding, socialization or temporary housing of puppies, it is necessary to choose structures with appropriate filling – ideally welded mesh or densely packed pipes designed specifically for this purpose.

Puppy Playpen - Parts - Texas Connection

Cheap pen? Turns out to be more expensive than it seems

If someone is considering purchasing a cheap kennel, they must take into account that for its real use in breeding dogs – especially puppies or active breeds – a number of additional modifications will be required. The most common ones include thickening the fillings , installing welded mesh , reinforcing the frame structure , anchoring , modifying the floor or additional surface protection against corrosion . In practice, this means not only additional investment in material , but also loss of time , complex assembly and often the need to solve problems only after the animal is damaged or injured. The resulting price of such a “modified” kennel can ultimately approach or even exceed the price of a professionally designed and customized solution from a specialist manufacturer. Therefore, in breeding practice, it pays to invest in a quality kennel that is designed from the beginning with safety, longevity and the needs of specific breeds and environments in mind.

Feeders and bowls: Details that determine comfort and hygiene

A quality pen should also include a practical feeding and watering station . Cheap makeshift solutions (loosely placed plastic bowls or hanging containers without covers) can easily be knocked over, contaminated or mechanically damaged. In contrast, professional pens are equipped with rotating feeding holders that allow safe and hygienic replenishment of water and food from the outside - without the need to enter the dog's area.

Bowls should be made of stainless steel , which is resistant to corrosion and mechanical damage. The holder structure is usually hot-dip galvanized to withstand long-term contact with water and aggressive environments (urine, food residues, weather conditions). Another advantage of rotating feeders is the minimization of stress for the dog - the animal is not disturbed by strangers entering the pen, while the operator can replenish the feed easily and safely.

A sufficient volume of bowls is also an essential part of the feeding system - variants with a minimum volume of 2.5 - 4 liters are recommended to cover the daily ration of water and food for medium and large breeds. All elements should be firmly anchored to the structure , with an emphasis on easy cleaning and long service life.

Beware of all-metal pens – there is a risk of overheating

All-metal kennels with metal walls may look robust, but they are problematic in terms of thermal comfort for the animal . In the summer months, the metal surfaces quickly heat up to extreme temperatures , which are transmitted to the interior. The temperature inside the kennel can easily exceed 40 °C , creating a greenhouse-like environment - overheating, dehydration or even a direct threat to the dog's life are not uncommon.

The recommended solution is therefore pens with wooden walls , which provide thermal insulation, airiness and a more pleasant microclimate . Wood accumulates less heat and naturally regulates humidity. In combination with a galvanized sheet metal roof , which can withstand rain and snow (be careful not to use dark painted sheet metal - dark color attracts heat), a functional and comfortable structure is created. Such a design ensures protection of the dog not only from weather conditions, but also from heat stress during hot days.

Additionally:

  • The pens are only folded in the garden without assembly

  • There is no anchoring, training, or education about safety risks

  • There is no technical advice before or after delivery

The customer is buying a piece of iron , not a functional and safe shelter for a living creature.

The most common design problems of cheap pens

Cheap pens often suffer from fundamental shortcomings that are not visible at first glance, but in practice significantly affect their safety and durability. A very common problem is thin frames - usually made of 20x20 mm or smaller steel bars, which easily bend, deform and lose stability under pressure, often already during the first seasons. Another risk is the too wide spacing between the bars , usually 6 to 10 cm or more, through which the dog can stick its head or paw - and as a result, it can get pinched, broken or suffocated . In addition, the structures are usually not galvanized , but only painted, which means that they start to rust at the joints and in the lower parts within a few months. If the pen cannot be firmly anchored , it is at risk of shifting, digging or overturning in the wind . Finally, if solid panels are used without drainage systems or grates , urine and rainwater accumulate, leading to rot, odor, and an unhygienic environment for the dog.

A pen is not a cage. It is a long-term living space

A kennel is not a temporary enclosure. It is a place where a dog spends tens of minutes to hours a day. It serves not only to protect the surroundings, but also to protect the dog from the surroundings – from people, children, animals or unexpected situations. The kennel must therefore be:

  • strong enough to withstand internal and external forces,

  • ergonomic to prevent injuries,

  • resistant to moisture and urine ,

  • and, above all, safe in terms of the width of the bars, height and access.

What does a professionally designed pen look like?

✔ Proven design from practice

The pen is based on the requirements of shelters, city trapping services, the Czech Police, the Prison Service, military canine specialists and working breed breeders . These users have many years of experience with what works, what wears out and what is life-threatening .

✔ Well-thought-out design

  • Frames made of high-quality steel profiles, hot-dip galvanized

  • Welded joints

  • Welded nets with mesh size max 5x5 cm or logs

  • Washable, impervious floors

  • Roof with a slope, galvanized

✔ Surface treatment and service

  • Hot-dip galvanizing – 20+ years of maintenance-free service life

  • Complete assembly and consulting

  • Legal warranty, possibility of expansion and modification

Practical examples of using quality pens

  • City and municipal authorities – dog capture, impounding, temporary placement

  • Prison and military police – training and transport boxes for service dogs

  • Kennels – safe housing for active and strong breeds

  • City police services – mobile and fixed temporary storage facilities

Summary: Price ≠ value

Experience shows that buying a cheap kennel without a technical assessment is as dangerous as building a shed and hoping it survives a storm . Unreliable and poorly designed structures lead to injuries to dogs, breakdowns and subsequent repair costs.

On the contrary, proven pens in the Czech Republic have:

  • extremely long service life (15–25 years)

  • minimal maintenance requirements

  • Possibility of customization to suit the dog, space and purpose

  • the support of a professional team that understands dogs and technology

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