Kennel floors are always a difficult issue. Some of the common options are native dirt floor, concrete, gravel, and wire mesh. In my opinion, a native dirt floor, while probably the most common, is not an acceptable option. Dogs can dig out, it gets muddy when wet, is uncomfortable for the dogs, is difficult to clean, and most importantly, it is a health hazard. Concrete works well, but is expensive to pour and is permanent (once you have poured it, you can’t change your mind). Gravel drains well, and certainly toughens a hunting dogs feet, but is not very comfortable for the dog and is difficult to clean (particularly in the winter). As for wire mesh (i.e. Scott’s Dog Supply “above ground kennel”), I don’t have any experience and can’t comment.
My solution for the past fifteen plus years is wood. I built panels with 2″x6″ joists and decked with 1″x6″ pine. I purchased one side rough and put that side down, since it is about half the cost of finished lumber. I cut all the pieces to size, and then stain all sides with a quality stain. I spaced the planks 3/4″ apart using an extra plank as a guide and screw everything down with deck screws.
I made each panel 5′ wide and spaced the joists 20″ on center. When I put four of these together it fit my four Priefert kennels with just enough to room to spare all the way around. I have also built panels 3′ wide with 18″ centers, which worked well. I’m sure 24″ centers would work, but they have a bit more flex than I like. The wood needs to be stained once a year and will last for many years.
Once built, I put the panels together and place up on cinder blocks. The dogs really like the clean dry surface. The advantages are the cost (I built a 10’x20′ deck in 4 panels for $320), they are easy to clean (a 4″ flexible drywall knife and plastic bag works perfectly), they are movable (I move them to an easterly aspect under large shade trees in the summer, and to a southerly exposure in direct sunlight during the winter. They are lightweight enough that my wife helps me move them easily and doesn’t want to kill me. It gives me satisfaction to look outside and see the dogs lounging on a warm, dry, clean surface.
