Charlton Kennels & Farm

We have been using Charlton for 10 years. We put our puppies in the one month training class run by Columbia and board them whenever we travel. Because of our children, this is always at the very busiest times for the kennel, holiday season and spring break. Our dogs are known by name when they walk in to the kennel. We have a lab and large airedale. As soon as we cross the bridge they know where they are and can't wait to get out of the car. One time our lab started making the funniest noises when he walked into the entrance....it happened that he saw his trainer and before the trainer even turned around he was calling our dog by name...they love dogs and honor their individual personalities. No place is perfect, we are all human but our experience at Charlton has always been excellent and we regularly recommend it, especially to owners of larger breeds. Pros: Love dogs, wonderful space for exercise, clean facilities more

I am so glad I found Charlton Kennels! It's still in Portland, but far enough out of the way to feel good about leaving my dogs there for a long weekend, or more. The kennels sit on a lovely piece of land that really feels like it's in the middle of the country instead of 20 minutes from downtown. And they LOVE dogs there! When I picked up my dogs they knew who I was, who my ""babies"" are, and were laughing about some of my dogs' antics and things they do and love, things they would only know if they had spent time with my boys. My dogs were thrilled to see me, of course, but they were as happy to go outside for a quick walk with an employee while I finished checking out. My dogs clearly love the people there! They came home with all their things (I've had places lose things before) and sleepy and happy. They will be staying at Charlton whenever I go out of town for sure! Pros: great, private location, price Cons: sure it's a ""bit of a drive"", but it's so nice having the dogs out of the city! more

I have seen many kennels in Oregon and Washington area and the best I have experienced is Charlton Kennels. My dog howls in pure excitment when we approach this kennel. I have asked questions that would indicate if my dog was exercised or not and the questions got answer correctly according to my dog's quirkiness. The staff is marvelous, the setting is tranquil and bucolic, my dog is happy to see my return and sad to leave the place. The dog has a room to sleep and a room to see outside the kennel which works fine for him to go to the bathroom , thus not relying on staff to take him out. I do not like to leave my dog with friends but I trust Charlton Kennels to take care of him. more

We've boarded our dog here several times and he is always greeted warmly. They seem to really enjoy the dogs. He has always been clean and bright-eyed whenever we've picked him up. It is a bit of a haul out to Sauvie Island but that is the only negative we've experienced. Pros: Seem like real ""dog people"" Cons: A bit of a drive more

I have boarded my dogs numerous times. This was my first time at Charlton Kennels. My dogs are my family that I adore and would never leave them anywhere I did not feel they would get the very best care. I think now I will never board them any where except Charlton Kennels! The staff members were friendly and obviously caring. My two dogs took to them immediately and did not hesitate to go with them into the kennel. The kennels were clean, well kept, and orderly and this was the first time I went into a kennel area that not only did not smell badly, but actually had a pleasant odor. When I picked my dogs up after three days they also smelled good--a first coming home from any kennel stay--And they were happy. Pros: Caring staff, excellent facilities, lovely setting more

The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. The kennel is clean and the run was large with a little inside area that my dog snuggled up in. I had a bed get a little torn up but the staff explained to me how this is normal and that luckily they got it out before my baby ingested any of the fabric! Everyone was so great and explaining details and they knew my dog by name and all these little details. The location is spectacular. I'll never take my dog any place else!!! THANKS CHARLTON! Pros: price, staff, clean, safe, beautiful, trustworthy, loyal Cons: a little bit of a drive more

I help manage the kennel and am sorry to hear of the negative comments. I would like to address some of the inaccurate statements made by a previous reviewer but first would like to add that there are two other large kennels on the island. We have great respect for the other kennel owners and have no hesitation in recommending them. There are plenty of options for pet owners today--kennels, doggy-daycares, pet sitting, etc. Find what works for you! We have 12 regular staffers that work here. Kennel business is seasonal, just like hotels, and with the exception of very busy holidays (like Christmas or Spring break) we generally keep 30-60 dogs at a time. We really do get most dogs out every day in addition to extra, paid on-leash walks on farm. There are exceptions--aggressive dogs, very fearful dogs (view our website and see pictures and more info). We have two on-leash areas in the back of the kennel as well as one large off leash area. If a client came in the morning they might find the halls chilly. We turn the heat in the halls down every evening to conserve energy and back up in the morning. The heated halls are for the comfort of the people and most of us here don't even notice because we are so warm from walking dogs in and out. In cold weather, the kennels are heated 24/7 with a heavy duty, clear (not red) heat lamp. Bedding--we still allow clients to bring their own bedding. Amazing things can happen to dog bedding at the kennel. Dogs sometimes want to be in the outer area of the run (still covered) and may drag bedding out there. They can track in dirt from excercise area or outside walks. They sometimes chew or soil bedding. We are doing laundry all day long! If you have concerns about bedding, let us substitute our fleece blankets! We are not just a kennel--we are a family, and we are people who care about our clients and their special family members. We are not perfect, but we work our tails off trying to be! more

My usual kennel was full over the holidays and I had to board my dog here. The facility was dingy at best. I'm sure when it was new it had a nicer apeal, but it needs some help. It was cold in the hallways and thier ""radiant"" heat was simply a light bulb above the sleeping platform. I had brought a new bed for my dog and it was returned filthy and soaking wet. They told me excercise is included in their higher price, but there is only one excercise area and they have ONE HUNDRED KENNELS; it doesn't take rocket science to figure out the staff is full of B.S. Over the phone they told me about their 200 acre scenic farm, but the only thing my dog got to see was a parking lot and a kennel with a fence 10 feet away. Did I mention it was cold? My dog survived, but this place is better suited for backyard mutts, not house dogs. Pros: They didn't lose my dog Cons: Cold, dingy, DISHONEST more

I have to add my two cents worth about Charlton here. One of my dogs routinely peed on his bedding when I brought it, although he never did that at home. I let them provide the blankets, and just brought something from home for a comforting smell that I could wash easily. (An old sweatshirt I had worn recently). I was SO worried the first time I left them. But now I have to say, my two mom-loving dogs run to the door office door when we arrive, tails wagging. They know I'm coming back and they love the attention they get. They're SO glad when I return, but hey, next visit they're scratching at the door again, so this review is from them. They give it five stars! Pros: Excellent care from caring, well educated staff Cons: location, but worth the drive. more

For the past 20 years our dogs have been boarded at Charlton Kennel several times a year.We love the place! Our 2 oldest dogs lived to be almost 16 and had many trips to Charlton Kennel.Our youngest dog was carefully and successfully introduced to the 2 seniors with the assistance of the staff at Charlton when we first brought him from Idaho. The kennel is very clean,with high walls to prevent fence fighting. The staff is WARM , KIND.HIGHLY COMPETENT and many of them have BEEN THERE 20 years. The people at Charlton clearly CARE a great deal about man's best friend and we never worry about our dogs when they are there.Training at various levels is available during the boarding time.All 3 of our dogs benefitted from their training programs.We highly recommend this kennel. more

Set in bucolic Sauvie, Island just minutes from Portland, we discovered Charlton Kennel's & Farm years ago after seeing lovely articles about it in Field and Stream magazine and the Oregonian newspaper. Pros: beautiful location, great care, friendly service- these are real dog people! more

WE went to check out the place to bring our dogs in and were extremely unhappy. They couldn't even guarantee that the dogs would be let outside twice a day to go to the bathroom. They said many times they go in the kennel, and they thought that was satisfactory. Their is only one outside area, and they let dogs out individually so if they are able to hold up to 100 dogs, their isn't enough time in the day to make sure the dogs have their exercise. more

I love this kennel! My dog is so happy when she comes here. The people that work at the kennel are friendly and professional. I can even have my dog obedience trained when she comes here. The kennel is clean, quiet and the run s are spacious and have a cozy, heated place for her to sleep in. I would highly recommend the Charlton Kennels. Pros: great setting, clean, nice people more