What their site doesn't mention is that this place is going in literally NEXT DOOR to The Coventry School - a highly regarded dog training school and daycare that has been in business for years. The owner, Ruth Chase, has been training dogs for more than 30 years and is very well thought of in the area.

Camp Bow Wow is not a reason to celebrate as it is a big threat to a locally grown business - you can expect some backlash from the community.

This is great news!

All kennels are bad- especially the corporate ones. It is incredibly difficult to trust that the staff is trained, and that there are enough of them, to keep your pooch happy and safe.

For the same price, you can have an in-home care provider from a pet-sitting service. You can be assured that your pet will receive plenty of attention, and won't risk illnesses that run amok at kennels.

I recommend Fetch Pet- they are the best!

Having raised a dog that had to live in many different places (6 houses in 3 years with different people), there is something to be said for socialization outside of the home. He is well behaved and can travel anywhere. He never gets nervous and adapts to any home/car/hotel room/tent/etc no matter where we take him.

I think kenneling is a wonderful idea as long as there is play time, human affection, and lots of exercise. I would never use a kennel that keeps a dog in a crate 24/7. However, I think it is important that they be away from their owners, in a different setting, abiding by other people's rules. It just makes for a well rounded, less nervous dog.

As far as the illnesses go, all of my friends who are vets take their dogs to work (way more chance for illness) and none seem to worry about kennels as long as vaccinations are up to date.

I have to say we're really partial to the Doghouse Girls in Canton. They have our housekey--and I suspect also the key to Spencer's heart. They provide in-home care, and their rates are exceptionally reasonable. They were flexible enough to really help us out during a recent emergency. They're noted for giving their client-dogs nice, long walks around the neighborhood and romps in the Dog Park.

Dear Emily -

Fetch! Pet is also a franchise business.

Knowing this, will you judge them differently now? Or since given the opportunity for them to prove their services worthy and reliable, it is no longer an issue? ...Probably not.

Camp Bow Wow deserves that same opportunity to earn favor in the community.

Fetch Pet is a corporate franchise, but it is a home sitting service. That was my point.

Additionally, I will never support any business that blankedly bans pit bulls. Like most corporate kennels, pit bulls aren't allowed at camp bow-wow, and are the ONLY excluded breed listed on their camp rules.

John, if you were not aware of this, I would suggest rethinking supporting businesses with these types of discriminatory policy, given your general pit bull advocacy.

I will stick with my bully-loving in-home care providers.

Emily, As a journalist working for a newspaper, I don't consider writing about something the equivalent of supporting it. If a new dog-related business is opening, I try to pass that on here, but doing so is by no means an endorsement. If Camp Bow Wow doesn't accept pit bulls -- and I do think that's something worth finding out first hand -- I'd have a problem with it, and I'd write about it. As usual, we are more than happy to hear from readers about alleged doggie discrimination, whether it be based on size or breed. Anyone else know of any kennels, day cares, groomers, etc. with restrictions like these?

great news

your picture are beautiful

I checked Camp Bow Wows site and they do not accept pitbulls.

Petsmart daycare also does not allow bully breeds of any kind.

I don't know of too many other kennels as I don't use them.

A really big doggie discrimination issue is in homeowner's insurance. Most national companies will not insure homeowner's with certain dog breeds (pit bulls, rotties, etc). State Farm is the only national insurer I know of that will insure all homeowners regardless of the dogs they have. Their only issue is if the dog has a bite history. Geico has state-by-state policies on the dogs- in Maryland they will insure pitties.