In an earlier post, I saw the idea of using a 55 gal drum to make a dog house. I was wondering if that would be big enough for my St. Bernards? Also where would I find the drums? Thanks,

-- Susan n' Emily, in Tn (animalcrackers55@hotmail.com), July 26, 2001

Answers

Response to where to find 55 gal drum?

Before you use any 55gal drum for anything , Make sure you know what was in the drum before you use it. 55gallon metal drums usually house chemicals, oil or greese. Not the best thing to put your dog in. You can often burn any excess "stuff" out of the barrel. You might be able to find some metal containers that had food grade liquids in them, but they are rare. Most food grade products are in plastic drums. These drums are nice if you can steam clean thema and get out the previous content. Might make a nice dog house as long as the dog doesnt like to set on top of the house.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), July 26, 2001.

Response to where to find 55 gal drum?

Hi Susan and Emily. I don't know about where to find them, but the other poster was right about being careful about what was in them. I really don't think a St. Bernard would fit in one, though. The one we had once was 125# and that's small for a St. Bernard, and he'd have been squeezed in it pretty good. Don't think he could have turned around in there. Still, I know for a dog house to be effective they are supposed to be a tight fit for the animal so they can heat it with body heat. How about building yourself a nice back porch instead, so you and the dog can share? :)

-- Jennifer J. Lance (jlance@nospammail.com), July 26, 2001.

A drum an proabily be located at a truck stop or repair shop for large equipment. After cutting the top out you can have a sticks fire in it to remove the residues after you scrub and rinse out as much as possible.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), July 26, 2001.

Hi Susan n' Emily: I agree that it might be a tight fit. You can build a quick and easy doghouse out of small square bales of straw or hay that work really well and of course could be used for bedding, mulch, etc. later. Good luck on your project. Cynthia

-- Cynthia (farmsteader@gvtel.com), July 26, 2001.

Well, aside from a 55 gal drums you could also use pallets / skids. use a nice long crow bar to take them apart. Pallets are often free for the asking. 3 or 4 pallets would be enough wood to build a nice size doggie den. Just wear gloves as most pallets are made from cheap wood that would need some sanding for spliter removal.

A good source for plastic 55 gallon drums would be a greek food supplier [or try an asian food supplier], green chilli peppers and black olives in them. for $5 each - big screw on lid type.

I've not tried to get the smell out as I made mine into a composter. Maybe a big box of baking soda would do.

-- (perry@ofuzzy1.com), July 27, 2001.

Too bad you're way down there! I've got 3 or 4 I need to get rid of. Might be a tight squeeze for a St. Bernard though!

-- Bob Johnson (Backwoods_Bob@excite.com), July 27, 2001.

I bought a 55 gal drum several years ago to use as a doghouse - I got it from a trucking company - it had previously been used for canned milk - cost about $13.00 - only problem was not one of my dogs could be convinced to set foot in it. I finally used it for storage and then gave it away. They especially did not like to be around it when it was raining. I finally make the straw bale house - cost about the same. A St. Bernard definitely would not fit. Our largest dog was about 50lbs and she was a good fit.

-- Linda Al-Sangar (alsangal@brentwood-tn.org), July 29, 2001.

I fail to see why any dog with a brain would sleep in a metal drum unless of course they were tied up and forced to. would you like to sleep on and surrounded by, metal? Absolutly NO insulating properties, heavy condensation. I would think you could do better for your dog.

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), July 29, 2001.

Lots of smaller working dogs live in old oil drums but they are not suitable for bigger dogs as the dog must be able to turn it self around inside.

It will be more comfortable with a few sacks or sheep skins on the floor and reasonably insulated if a few inches of soil are piled up and over the drum. A simple wooden front with a dog sized hole is a good idea.

If the dog is a good worker when the time comes for retirement he/she can be relocated to sleep in front of the kitchen fire!

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), July 30, 2001.

I use plastic drums from a local farmer for dog houses .I cut out half of the lid for a opening and put hay in it .This way the have shelter from unexpected rain when I am away .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), July 30, 2001.

My husband gets plastic drums from a friend, who gets them from a beverage co (pepsi cola) WE have found them handy for many things. One thing I really like them for is swimming pools, or water containers for animals. (Cut bottoms off to desired depth). We have one for ducks and one for our pet pig. Anyway, if you have any beverage companies nearby maybe you can find them there.

-- cindy palmer (jandcpalmer@sierratel.com), August 01, 2001.