£2k kennel with all mod cons (it’s not in Barking)
WELLINGTON the St Bernard looks so proud sitting outside his luxury kennel – he must think it’s Barkingham Palace.
With its double-fronted facade, rippled Cotswold windows and electric lighting, it’s clearly more than just a woof over his head.
The 6.5ft tall doghouse is an exact replica of owner Julian Kite’s house, built to 1:3 scale.
Julian said: “He’s a real gentle giant. Wellington deserves the best residence a dog can get.”
He’s a real gentle giant. Wellington deserves the best residence a dog can get.
The house has stylish panelled windows and a slate roof, fully-functioning guttering and even hanging baskets and potted shrubs outside.
Inside there are fully insulated walls and floors to keep out the chill, glossed skirting boards and a fitted carpet to protect 18-month-old Wellington’s pampered paws.
Set in glorious gravelled grounds and with a paved path to its arched doorway, it has its own house number 8 – presumably next to ca-nine.
And there’s more mod cons to come. Julian said: “It’s just the beginning – by the time I’ve finished with his kennel I’ll probably want to live in there myself.”
The former bricklayer, 39, spent £1,850 and took four and a half days to build the swanky abode in his back garden in Woodville, Derbyshire.
His dedication helped him win the Pet Pad of the Year 2012 award, which brought him a £1,000 cash prize from MORE TH>N Pet Insurance. TV presenter Dawn O’Porter, who was on the judging panel, said: “I love the idea of Wellington having his own property and land to roam. It’s so grand and ridiculous that it’s pure genius.”
Julian said: “Designing and building Wellington’s house has been a hobby, so being rewarded is truly brilliant.”
He has now set up a luxury kennels business after losing his job in construction. He said: “I’ve done about 30 or 40 so far and it just keeps picking up. There’s a huge market for this kind of thing. People love to spoil their pets.”