Dogs
Outdoor dog kennels
Little things. Happy tails.
12 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.
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All outdoor dog kennels
Little essentials. Lots of love.
A little guidance
Help choosing outdoor dog kennels
Buying guides and care advice written for this range: what to measure, what matters and what to skip.
From our guides
This page holds outdoor dog kennels and dog runs for yards and patios: welded wire and galvanized steel kennels with waterproof, UV-resistant canopies, lockable playpens, kennels with rotating bowl holders and large runs up to 10 by 20 ft. There is also a wooden kennel house with a porch. It is for owners who need a secure, shaded outdoor space for a dog while they garden, work outside or need the dog contained for short periods.
What is in the range
Most kennels here are steel frames with welded wire or chain link panels and a fabric canopy that is waterproof and UV resistant. Sizes run from compact pens around 4 by 4 ft up to large runs of 10 by 15 and 10 by 20 ft, with heights of 5 to 6 ft. Several have secure latches or two locks, and some add 360 degree rotating bowl holders so you can fill water from outside.
A wooden kennel with a weatherproof roof and porch gives a house-like option for smaller spaces. Many owners pair a run with a dog house inside it, so the dog has both room to move and a dry place to rest.
Choosing the right size
A kennel for daytime use should let your dog walk, turn and stretch out fully, with room for a bed or house, water and a separate area away from where they rest. For one large dog, a run of at least 6 by 10 ft is a sensible starting point; a dog that spends hours outside needs more.
Height matters for jumpers and climbers. A 6 ft kennel with a roof stops most dogs from getting out over the top. Measure the space in your yard, including the swing of the door, before you choose.
Roof, shade and weather
A canopy is not optional in most of the US. It shades the dog from direct sun and keeps rain off the floor. The AKC advises providing shelter from cold, heat, wind and rain, and notes that dogs with very short or white coats can get sunburned without shade.
Position the kennel where it gets afternoon shade, with the open side away from prevailing wind. Fresh water must always be available, and a raised bed keeps a dog off hot concrete or cold ground. In extreme heat or cold, bring your dog indoors.
Flooring and drainage
What goes under the kennel matters as much as the panels. Grass turns to mud and lets diggers escape; concrete is easy to hose but holds heat. Many owners use pea gravel over a weed barrier, or pavers with a raised bed and rubber mats for comfort.
Make sure the ground slopes slightly so water drains away from the resting area, and clean up waste daily. A dog that digs needs the panels anchored or a wire apron along the base.
Security and assembly
Check that the door latches cannot be pushed open by a determined dog and that panels bolt together tightly with no gaps at the corners. Lockable doors stop children or visitors letting a dog out by accident.
Most kennels arrive flat and assemble with basic tools, but large runs are a two-person job. Anchor the frame to the ground in windy areas so the canopy does not act like a sail.
A kennel is a space, not a home
An outdoor kennel is for supervised or limited time outside, not a place to leave a dog all day and night. Dogs are social and need time with their people, exercise and mental stimulation, and a dog left alone in a run for long periods often starts barking, digging or chewing the panels.
Small dogs, puppies, seniors and short-coated breeds handle heat and cold poorly, so limit their time outside in hard weather. Check your local ordinances too, as some cities set rules for outdoor shelter and tethering.
What size outdoor kennel does a large dog need?
Start at about 6 by 10 ft for one large dog, with a 6 ft height and a roof. Your dog should be able to walk, turn, lie stretched out and have water and a bed.
Do outdoor dog kennels need a roof?
Yes, a waterproof, UV-resistant cover provides shade and keeps rain out, and a roof also stops dogs from jumping or climbing out.
What is the best flooring for an outdoor dog kennel?
Pea gravel over a weed barrier, pavers or concrete with rubber mats all work. Avoid bare grass, which turns to mud and lets dogs dig out.
Can I leave my dog in an outdoor kennel all day?
It is best used for limited periods. Dogs need company, exercise and shelter from extreme weather, so bring them indoors in heat or cold.
How do I stop my dog digging out of a kennel?
Anchor the panels, lay a wire apron along the base, or set the kennel on gravel, pavers or concrete so there is no soft ground to dig.