Originally Posted by yorkiepuppie (Post 2943355)

i agree with you that they need to be able to socialize with people and be able to run around outside. :)

i was really hesitant to share what the kennel i saw in person look like, not because it was bad, but because i didn't want to let out any info about any breeder when people might view it negatively for one reason or another.

but for discussion sake and for the sake of learning. i would like to describe what the kennel i visited look like, just so maybe it can start a conversation.
(and i feel ok doing so because i am not revealing the breeders name.)

the living room of the house was converted into a kennel, and the breeder's bedroom/office kitchen is next to the kennel (since her kennel is in her living room) so the dogs are definitely not isolated without human interaction.

the dogs are kept in different ex-pens, in fact, all the adult dogs each had an ex-pen. (i was a little confused as to why the dogs aren't in one big ex-pen instead of individual expens? so that was my only confusion) the expens are not very big, but they are also not very small.

there were 2 large expens outside her house on her deck. and the deck also has a little gate to stop the dogs from running out side of the house (my assumption) and there is a fenced in grassy area for the dogs as well.

the dogs were inside the house when i visited, but she told me that when the weather is nice, the dogs gets to go outside twice a day. (when i asked if the dogs get to go outside)

there are a few cages against the wall in the living room. i didn't ask, but i assume it's for grooming/drying the dogs? there were 2 dogs in the cages, one of them was scared when i approached it. so maybe that is why it's in a cage not an exp-pen?

all the other dogs seem friendly when i walk up to them, no dogs seemed scared when i approach them (except for one that look a little mean, so i didn't approach him)

like i said, i was uncomfortable when i first saw the set up. but now having some time to think about it. i think this is probably a VERY nice kennel. :) and my initial feeling was just basically my ignorance. :rolleyes:

and i was surprised at how clean the breeder was able to keep all the dogs and the kennel. there was no smell at all when i walked in, which is pretty surprising given the number of dogs in there.

please give me some feedback breeders! was the kennel i visited a nice one? i think it is, but i have nothing to compare it to. :)

Originally Posted by danyellm (Post 2943424)

what you describe sounds more like a home enviroment than a true kennel.
I let my 5 have the run of the house but then again i only have 5.And when we have a girl in heat or pups around we have a set up for those occasions as well.
I have also been to a breeders house where she had maybe 10 large expens set up throughout her well kept home where a few yorkies were kept in each one she had 34 plus dogs.She would have them alternate being out of their enclosure and have free run of the house.All her dogs were impecabbly groomed ,social and healthy.
Having dogs kept in an area that is not part of the home where they are kept penned up for a majority of time no matter how healthy and well groomed bothers me a bit.I think a dogs mental well being is as important as physical.
If when you see the dogs and they are friendly and outgoing is a telling sign how much human contact they have had.

Originally Posted by danyellm (Post 2941601)

JMO but I think dogs should be home raised not in a kennel ..these are pets not live stock.

Originally Posted by yorkiepuppie (Post 2943253)

they have a cute little room :)

how many dogs do you own? what type of arrangement would you have if say you have 15-20 adult dogs? what are some of the realistic possibilities?

thanks! :)