BEAGLES--While some are house dogs, many are housed in our Beagle kennels. Our kennels consist of chain-linked 10'x10' , covered structures with cemented floors, which are easily disinfected. At present, we have 2 enclosures, one with 5 kennels, and a separate enclosure with 4 kennels. They run at a 3 degree slope into a flow-through gutter system.     Each enclosure opens into either our rabbit training pen (2 acres) or into the "play yard" (3 acres.) Whether training for show, hunt or simply for "free play," each Beagle spend a minimum of atleast 6 hours a day in one of the turnout areas. Between romps in the yards, they rest under shade trees, or in their kennel while having full access to the yard. The play yard is quite at night. However, many a good rabbit race has been ran at night into the early morning hours in the rabbit pen. BEAGLE WHELPERS--Our Beagle pups are raised in our isolation area which is only accessible to kennel staff and family, for disease control purposes. Our whelpers are above-ground, drop-floor, heat-controlled structures, with 6'-8' runs off of the front. Our pups are not allowed to be viewed by the public until 6 weeks of age, at which time they receive their first set of puppy vaccinations. The moms are allowed to exercise in the chain-linked, isolation yard numerous times throughout the day. At 9 weeks of age, they are moved to our 10"x10" cemented puppy kennel, (when they are not playing with my daughter in her bedroom.) At this time, they receive their 2nd set of vaccinations. Our pups do not touch the ground until 12 weeks of age, at which time they get to "romp" in the puppy pen with our "pet" rabbits. During rabbit season, they get to chase my daughter around with a rabbit hide tied to the end of a stick which she possesses full control, for the most part. THE RABBIT PEN--We have a fair amount of ground to start our pups running rabbits on. Owning 23 acres ourselves, we have permission to run our dogs on neighboring farms, timberland, and swamps, adjacent to our own farm. We have improved the habitat for the rabbits, outside of our pen, as well by adding brush piles and downed trees. Our acreage has been completely crossed-fenced, with hog wire, to allow our Beagles to roam and play safely, while keeping the coyotes out, as they are a problem in our area. Aside from the 2 acre rabbit pen, the rabbits come and go, at will, living in their natural habitat. OUR GOLDEN BOYS--Both of our boys are our full time house companions. They spend their nights with us, in our home, and their days outside with us. However, when we are off the farm, they each have their own, 10"x10" cemented kennel to hang out in. OUR GOLDEN GIRLS--While it was our full intention for them to spend much of their time indoors, as well, we soon found out that our girls hold true to the fact that Goldens are water-loving dogs! After letting them out for a bathroom break, or for play, as pups, they would charge right to the nearest source of water (sometimes a clean water trough, but mostly the first mud puddle they ran across.) After completely wetting themselves from head to toe, they would commence to roll in the dirt! After extensive clean-up, each and every time they were allowed outdoors, we soon found that they were equally as content to bed down in their 10'x10 cemented kennel, as well. (This was our satisfactory alternative to having our house ruined!) Their kennels open into a small 30'x30' yard, which leads into a large 2 acre turn out, for their free play when we are not with them. However, at Shamrock Kennels we are one, big happy family. So, for the most part, during the day, the Golden have access to the large "play yard" with the Beagles and my daughter, Codi Belle, and myself, during the daytime hours. HOME PAGE | ABOUT US | OUR KENNELS | CONTACT US | OTHER LINKS WHAT'S NEW | OUR GOLDENS | OUR BEAGLES | GOLDEN LITTERS | BEAGLE LITTERS