Dog run -- does welded wire mesh hold up? - Page 1

Finally replacing the temporary (if 13 years is temporary) dog run we hastily put up when we moved into our place.

Have been looking at the powder coated welded wire mesh kennel panels that places like Menards/Home Depot carry.  They look nice but am wondering if they hold up as well compared to chain link.  I like that they do not have any sharp edges.  We will be attaching the panels to wood posts as it will be roofed.

Anybody use these type of panels?  If so, brand name would be helpful.

Thanks.

I just bought few of them from Tractor Supply for my German Shepherds,and seems like they like it.The kennels are very well made and look very pretty too.Most importantly ''Made in USA''

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/doc-bobreg%3B-professional-kennel-10-ft-l-x-5-ft-w-x-6-ft-h

I would not buy those unless you absolutely cannot manage anything nicer. I have panels from Options Plus in both Ultra series and Platinum series and they're great. The wire is set deep inside the tubing, but not welded right on the tube, so it flexes and therefore doesn't break at the welds. Dogs push or pull it, and it gives. The tubing is stainless or galvanized (can't remember which is which as far as types of panels) and the welded wire is powder coated. I've had them about 6 years and while they're not used a ton, they are outside and show no wear except some dulling. 

Two dog .. The AKC aka Uncle Bob,  Happy Dog  and Jewett Cameron type Chines gates and kennels hold up with my large GSD but they need help.  Keep them out of the mud or soil and clean them.  They need reinforcing and they need bracing for some dogs.  The kennels can be pushed around and lifted by some dogs so they need to be secured.  The gates alone can also be used and they are not the best but I have some 5-6 years old doing fine.  Compared to chain link the welded wire Chinese kennels are better.  Are there better kennels .. sure .. but they cost a lot more.  I prefer to feed my dogs good food (raw) first and foremost so money for food before perfect kennels.  The kennels need a good floor .. wood or cow/horse mats and they need to be kept secured to the floor and kept from the sides being pushed out.  If your dogs are climbers or are athletic a 6 foot fence won't hold them unless of course they don't really want out that bad ( most dogs ).  The flip flop latches on the cheap kennels such as the $300-$400 Chines kennels can easily be opened by a smart dog so they must be locked with a carabiner or reinforced.  Once dogs learn to open them they can break a tooth on them if they are persistent even after they are pinned closed so don't let them start getting the idea to open them with their nose or teeth.

Was trying to find a website for Options Plus with no success -- business closed in August of 2014.  Unfortunately, according to the BBB, they left some of their customers high & dry waiting for orders that were paid for.  Haven't checked out TSC yet but we have one nearby.

We don't need Fort Knox as the dog run is really only for early morning/late night potty runs.  Don't want to spend a fortune, but want to spend wisely.

Bubbabooboo - any problems with the welds breaking?  That is my main concern.

Thanks for the input.

I have the ones from Tractor supply and got about 10 years out of them.  Would probably have managed more years out of them if I had not repurposed some of the panels for chicken pens, hog pens and/or divider in for a stall in my barn.

I still have one full set that needs only the bottom the gate redone and just bought and entire new set for my pup.

Once we have a proper kennel set up with new concrete and a roof, I'm sure I would get many more years out of them.

I have had no problems with the welds breaking on my AKC aka Uncle Bob,  Happy Dog  and Jewett Cameron type Chines gates and kennels.  The wires are I think inserted in drilled holes and welded so they are sturdier than they appear.  I have walked on them while moving them and maybe one or two welds broke where the wires criss-cross in the middle but thus far no welds breaking on the edges or pipe joints.  The main problem is rust if they stay wet.  Some of them come in galvanized and some in black powder coat.  Probably the galvanized will last longer.

Bummer about Options Plus. I got them through ebay years ago. They are in much better shape than my AKC kennels that I only bought last summer. I'm picky; I admit, if something gets rusty or crappy looking, I don't want it anymore. Will it contain a dog? Probably, but not my dogs. I also like the "give" for if a dog grabs it with it's teeth. I had to buy AKC doors because the morons who framed my building did it wrong and I couldn't use my Options Plus doors, which were the whole point of doing it in the first place. Anyway...I don't trust those panels enough to allow 2 dogs who hate each other to be near each other, whereas I trust the others. They are not going to break the welds like could happen w/the AKC panels. They are fine for puppies  and that's what I use them for. My Pit has the Options Plus platinum. Like I said, they're hardly used, but they're exposed to the elements.