Best Outdoor Dog Kennel: How to Choose a Safe, Weatherproof One

What an outdoor kennel is for

An outdoor dog kennel or run gives a dog safe, contained time outside while you are busy nearby, or a secure area in a yard without a fence. It should never be the place a dog lives in harsh weather. The ASPCA warns that if it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet, and advises giving pets shade and plenty of fresh water in heat and never leaving them out in dangerous temperatures.

With that in mind, choose a kennel that protects from sun, wind and rain, and plan for time limits and supervision. Dogs are social; long periods alone in a run lead to boredom, barking and escape attempts.

What matters most

Size comes first: enough room to walk, turn, lie stretched out in the shade, and keep a toilet area away from the bed and water. Bigger, active dogs need longer runs. Fencing height should exceed what your dog can jump or climb; welded steel panels resist chewing and pushing better than chain-link for strong dogs.

A full roof matters for both sun and rain, which is why a cover such as the one on this outdoor dog kennel with a waterproof UV-resistant cover is worth checking for, and a shade cover alone is not enough in a storm. Inside the run, provide a raised, insulated dog house so the dog can get out of the wind and off the cold ground.

Flooring and drainage

The floor decides hygiene. Concrete is easy to hose down but hot in summer and hard on joints, so add a raised bed or mats. Gravel drains well but is harder to clean. Grass becomes mud. Many owners use a concrete pad with a slight slope for drainage plus raised rubber flooring or a cot bed.

Avoid placing the kennel in a low spot that floods, and orient it so the shelter faces away from prevailing wind. Make sure water bowls cannot tip and stay shaded.

Keep the toilet area at the far end of the run from the shelter and water, pick it up daily and rinse the floor regularly, which keeps flies and smells down and makes the kennel a more pleasant place to spend time.

The best setup for each situation

For hot climates, a solid roof, extra shade on the sunny side, a raised cot-style dog bed and a shaded water source; bring the dog inside in the heat of the day. For cold climates, an insulated dog house with a door flap and dry bedding such as straw; bring the dog inside on very cold days. For escape artists, a roofed chain-link dog run with two secure latches and a dig guard at the base.

For puppies, short sessions only. For seniors and flat-faced breeds, keep outdoor time brief, since they struggle with heat and cold.

Security, care and lifespan

Check the latches, panels and roof of any outdoor dog kennel regularly, especially after storms. Remove waste daily and hose down the floor. Keep the kennel clear of toxic plants, antifreeze and chemicals; the ASPCA notes antifreeze is lethal to pets. Use a padlock if the run is visible from the street.

Signs of heat or cold stress, such as heavy panting, weakness, shivering or lethargy, mean bring your dog indoors at once and call your vet if it does not recover quickly.