Equipment and layout of the kennel and maternity unit

Good planning saves time, reduces losses, and protects the health of everyone. Conversely, a poorly designed kennel leads to illnesses, stress, and wasted hours. Here's how to design functional spaces, from the whelping area to the exercise yard, with the equipment that truly matters.

Thinking in zones: the forward flow principle

A well-designed breeding facility physically separates functions to prevent germs from circulating from adults to the most vulnerable. Generally, we distinguish:

• The whelping / nursery area: calm, warm, isolated, reserved for mothers and newborns;
• Adult housing (kennels);
• A quarantine zone for new arrivals or sick animals;
• An exercise and socialization area (secure outdoor pen);
• A storage and hygiene room (food, equipment, products).

The principle of forward flow — always taking care of the youngest and most sensitive before others, never going back without washing hands and changing clothes — directly stems from this organization.

The whelping and nursery area

This is the heart of the breeding operation, where the crucial first 48 hours unfold. Essential equipment:

• A whelping box sized for the breed, with a pig rail that prevents the mother from crushing a puppy against the wall;
• A washable, non-slip surface (vetbed, absorbent mats): puppies need traction to crawl towards the teats;
• A localized external heat source (infrared lamp adjusted in height, heating plate or mat) always leaving a cooler zone where puppies can move away;
• A thermometer and hygrometer in the nest;
• An accurate scale for daily weighing;
• A clean and accessible corner for the mother (water, ad libitum feeding).

Heating: target temperatures

From birth until about 3 weeks, puppies do not regulate their own temperature: they are entirely dependent on the ambient environment. A cold puppy loses its suckling reflex and may be rejected by its mother. Here are the commonly accepted ambient temperature guidelines:

Beware of extremes in both directions: below 27 °C ambient temperature, the risk of hypothermia increases; above 33 °C combined with high humidity, respiratory problems and dehydration are favored. Hence the importance of measuring, rather than estimating.

Housing: kennels

For adults and older puppies, housing should be designed for hygiene and comfort:

• Washable, non-porous surfaces (walls, floors) that can be truly disinfected;
• A non-slip floor, with a slight slope and drainage for thorough cleaning;
• Partitions that limit contact between groups and prevent the spread of germs;
• Suitable bedding, raised if possible to insulate from cold floors;
• Spaces that respect minimum surface areas and applicable standards for your number of animals.

Ventilation, ambiance, and hygiene

Air is a major vector for respiratory diseases. The goal: renew air without creating drafts on the animals.

• Regular ventilation and controlled humidity (neither saturated air nor overly dry atmosphere);
• Cleaning and then disinfection protocol with a suitable virucide product;
• Water point and handwashing necessities nearby;
• Waste and soiled linen management separated from clean areas.

Essential monitoring equipment

Beyond the walls, a few tools make all the difference daily:

• An accurate scale (daily weighing detects a puppy failing before it's too late);
• A small diameter electronic thermometer for the rectal temperature of a struggling puppy;
• A neonatal first aid kit (including means to keep warm during transport);
• The breeding register and a weighing follow-up chart displayed in the nursery.

Minimum surface areas, installation standards, and obligations (including ICPE for dogs) depend on your number of animals and your situation. Have your setup validated by your sanitary veterinarian and inquire with your DDPP. This article is for informational purposes.