Walk into the kennel on a tour and the first thing you notice in a run is the bed. It is there for a reason.
What a Kuranda bed is
Kuranda sells elevated dog beds with a frame, usually PVC or aluminum, and a fabric sleeping surface. The company describes the cot-style design as spreading a dog's weight evenly, avoiding the pressure points of hard ground, and says the elevation is a relief for joints. It also states that its chew-resistant models secure the fabric in a channel in the frame and are guaranteed for a year when paired with scratch-resistant fabric. Those are the maker's claims.
Why a kennel run is a good place for one
- Air moves under the bed, so the surface stays drier than a floor-level pad.
- The frame and fabric wipe or wash easily between guests.
- A dog that chews has less to destroy than with stuffed bedding.
- The dog is off a concrete floor that is cleaned daily.
- A raised edge gives a nervous dog a place to settle.
How the runs are set up
Each of the 100 indoor/outdoor runs has a Kuranda-brand bed and blankets. The inside space is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer, and each dog chooses between the inside space and the outdoor area through a doggie door. Because the bed and blankets are supplied, the kennel does not recommend bringing your own bed. It is one less item to carry, lose or have chewed.
Is a raised bed right for my dog?
Most dogs take to them within a night. Dogs that nest by digging may arrange the blanket on the bed. Senior and arthritic dogs sometimes prefer a lower or softer surface, so tell staff about mobility problems; the boarding agreement includes space to note arthritis and age-related issues. Read more on senior dog boarding.
See one on a tour
Tours run every day from 9 to 11 AM and 2 to 4 PM with no appointment, and a staff member walks with you. Photos of runs are in the facility gallery. If you want your dog to try a raised bed at home before the stay, any cot-style bed does the job.