The Difference Between Home Boarding And Boarding Kennels

We know if you had your way you would take your dog on every holiday, but sometimes you just can’t help it, someone else has to look after your furry friend.

While you would be happy to let someone care for your “buddy” when you are out of town, you are torn between two choices –kennel or home boarding. Which is safer? How much will it cost you? Will your pet fit in? These are legitimate concerns. After all, you want the best for your pooch.

That’s why we put this article together, so you can make a confident choice. And, by the end of this guide, you will know what to look out for.

Home Boarding

Home boarding is when someone opens up their home to allow other people’s dogs to come and stay. Your dog will live in that person’s house for the duration of their stay as if he or she belongs there. The dog should be walked daily for a good amount of time (we recommend 1 hr).  They should also have use of the garden or outside space. Home boarding offers a home-from-home environment.

The home must be licensed through the local council which will limit how many dogs are allowed. This is to ensure the facilities can comfortably and safely accommodate the appropriate amount of dogs.  The host should also have home boarding pet insurance which covers them against third-party liability, but it will not cover the host against any damage that a boarding dog might make to their home. Home boarding is usually more expensive than Boarding Kennels.

Boarding Kennels

Boarding Kennels are where dogs are kept in a kennel, in a building separate from the business owner’s home.   The kennel building will be made up of separate kennels (like stables) and runs they may have a communal or divided outside space that can be concrete or some other hard surface for ease of cleaning.  Dogs are kept separately inside their own kennel and run unless they come from the same home.

Boarding Kennels can hold a larger number of dogs than a home boarding establishment.  Boarding Kennels do give dogs a chance to stretch their legs and get out of their kennel during the day, but you can find this varies greatly, it could be anything from 15 minutes around a field twice a day to the main walk. Boarding Kennels are usually cheaper than Home Boarding, however, you may find they charge for extras like longer walks, administering medicine etc.