Couple's kennel touts custom canine care
Austin resident Holly Eppes was at Lake Austin with her dog when she first saw the man she would marry—or rather, when she saw his dog, she said.
"That's actually how we met, when his dog came over," she said. "He had a hilarious dog [named] Dude. His dog was always finding its way down to where I was throwing the ball for my dog."
After they married in 2004, Chad encouraged Holly, who worked with animal rescue and care organizations throughout town, to turn her passion for animal care into a career.
The couple found a location close to home and opened Crackerdog, a boarding kennel designed to meet individual dogs' needs, in 2004 on Bee Caves Road.
In 2011 Crackerdog added a second building with additional boarding space to meet demand.
Crackerdog aims to provide a low-stress, safe, enriching environment, Holly said.
The kennel can accommodate about 38 dogs and accepts all breeds, Manager Joanne James said.
"We are a little different from a lot of the other boarding kennels just because we don't do large play groups," James said.
Crackerdog establishes play groups of three to five dogs grouped by "personality size," James said.
All dogs are different, she said.
Crackerdog also takes in some aggressive dogs, which are kept away from other dogs being boarded, she said.
"A lot of the problem dogs are so nervous when they come here, and I'll sit and spend the time with them and it's amazing how much they'll come around. If you give them the time and trust, then they open up to you," James said.
James said she has gotten to know many of the dogs Crackerdog cares for and treats them like they are her own.
"If they're happy, we're happy," she said.
Why 'Crackerdog?'
Holly and Chad Eppes opened Crackerdog 10 years ago.
The name of the business stems from one of the couple's dogs: Posey, a rescued schipperke mix. Holly said Posey often gets a burst of energy and runs around very quickly. Holly read the book "Dog Stories" by James Harriot, in which the author described this phenomenon using the term "crackerdog." The name stuck, and the company's logo is a silhouette depicting Posey "going crackerdog," she said.
Dog's-eye view
Crackerdog's facilities include play yards, an outdoor deck and indoor play suites for quiet dogs.
One service that sets Crackerdog apart from other area kennels is trail walks, Manager Joanne James said.
Staff members take each dog on a daily 10- or 20-minute walk on a trail. James said this lets the dogs get exercise, participate in an activity they are familiar with and explore new surroundings.
"It just kind of calms them," she said.
Boarding options
Crackerdog provides bedding, toys and other supplies. Most dog owners bring their dog's own food—from kibble and canned food to raw meat and vegetables, James said.
Overnight boarding
- $40 per night for dogs that weigh more than 25 lbs.
- $35 per night for dogs that weigh less than 25 lbs.
Day care
- $30 per day for dogs that weigh more than 25 lbs.
- $25 per day for dogs that weigh less than 25 lbs.
Customers can also purchase a 10-day prepaid packet and get 10 percent off pricing. Prices vary depending on the time of year.
Crackerdog, 8907 Bee Caves Road, 512-263-1114, www.crackerdogcare.com
- Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–noon, 5–8 p.m.
- Sun. 5–8 p.m.
