Glen Tana Dog Kennels Glen Tana

Where space and means permit, it is of course possible to erect more complete and specially adapted accommodation. By the permission of the owner, and the kind assistance of Mr George Truefitt, of Bloomsbury Square, the architect under whose superintendence were erected not only the kennels but all the other buildings at the shooting lodge, we are enabled to give a view and ground plan of the kennels erected for Mr W. Cunliffe Brooks, M P, in the forest of Glen Tana, Aberdeenshire. It is built for stag hounds, setters, and pointers, and is one of the most complete and compact examples we have met with of a gentleman's kennel for a good team of sporting dogs.

The references underneath the plan will explain the principal details of the Glen Tana kennels, which are very fortunate in regard to position. This is not a small matter when it is a question of selecting a site, and of keeping working dogs in the highest health and condition. To attain this result, " kennels require," to quote from a note received with the view from Mr. Cunliffe Brooks, "plenty of air, yet shelter; plenty of sun, yet shade." These kennels are built on the crest of a small hill, and have some old trees in the outer yards, as well as surrounding them, the position of these being shown by the dotted circles. They are also supplied with clear running water ; not only are the streams  thus supplied, but the troughs in the inner yards are also filled with water constantly flowing, to which fact the owner very much attributes the good health and condition of his dogs.

It will be seen that in these kennels are comprised four separate sets of apartments, each containing an inner kennel , furnished with beds, an inner open yard with a water-trough, two of which have open benches under verandahs, and larger or outer yards for exercise. The boiler or cooking house, which is furnished with two coppers or boilers, is so situated as to communicate directly with all four kennels; and here the dogs when brought home at night can be washed and attended to, and then put in their respective kennels without being taken into the open air. A sleeping room for the attendant is also in the centre of all. The yard walls are built with masonry to a certain height, above that are iron railings, not spiked at the top, but with curled ends, as shown in the perspective view. This view necessarily shows the kennel buildings with the intervening portions of the yard walls removed, the front of the picture representing the dotted line shown in the plan in front of the verandahs.

It has just been remarked that the railings of the Glen Tana kennels are curved at the top, and this may suggest remark on a rather important matter. Many a good dog has been spiked in trying to leap pointed railings, which are very dangerous unless carried to a greater height than is usual or necessary. The railings should, therefore, be either carried up (if spiked) to a good height, or curved at the top in some way. In Figs. 7 and 8 is illustrated an admirable pattern of railing which is in use at the Paris Jardin d'Acclimatation, and in some other places on the Continent, and the only objection to which is its expense. The figures given will explain the construction, and show how the whole railing is curved in at the top towards the yards, while stronger railings at proper intervals support short lengths of a revolving cylinder.  If a dog reaches the cylinder it yields to his weight at once, and he falls back into the yard. We have never seen this kind of railing used in England, but the idea seems to us worth importation. If properly made, as the bulk of the railing might be made light, the expense need not be greater than that of the ordinary spike railing, if so much. [Vero Kemball Shaw. The Illustrated Book of the Dog 1881 pp11-13 with plan and illustrations]

Reference  :  Vero Kemball Shaw. The Illustrated Book of the Dog 1881 pp11-13 with plan and illustrations