• The individual runs enable the easy identification of gastric or urinary infections often missed by owners who exercise their dogs on open ground; they also eliminate infection spread by contact with faeces.

• Long term boarders and very large dogs are given special access to larger runs. Large dogs can also be accommodated in the 'court' of the house in sections bigger than those in the kennel.

• Dogs can be walked in the grounds by special request. This is not encouraged since the walkers can fall or drop leads by accident; leads can also break and collars can be slipped. After such an accident, the normal reaction of a dog is to run away, and recapture is not always possible.

• and most important  the food is excellent!  

• The Kennels may be seen without appointment during business hours.
  (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays)

Inoculation

Dogs coming to the kennel are expected to be upto date with inoculation against the usual 'killer' diseases (distemper, hard pad, leptospirosis and parvovirus diseases). 

Inoculation against 'kennel cough' is also strongly recommended. 'Kennel cough' covers a large spectrum of coughing diseases, and so far, no single vaccine is effective against all these. However, inoculation gives protection against the majority. While 'kennel cough', properly treated, does not generally result in permanent damage, its avoidance is important for a number of reasons. It can be distressing to dogs, and it is extremely infectious so that if a dog incubating it is admitted, it is almost certain to infect all uninoculated dogs. 

Medication in the form of antibiotics (to prevent secondary infection) should then be given, and the extra care in nursing sick dogs imposes a burden on the staff, especially at busy times. Also, should a dog pick up 'kennel cough' prior to admission, few kennels of repute will accept it unless they have exceptional isolation facilities, and holiday plans can then be irretrievably upset. 

The size of the grounds and kennel area at Lochdene is such that we are able to offer these isolation facilities for a limited number of dogs should your pet be unfortunate enough to contract the illness.

(Please note that evidence of vaccinations will be required to be produced at time of registration - we apologise for any inconvenience but we are sure you will agree that the health of our guests is of the paramount importance.)