Dog Kennel Guide

For most people buying a new dog the decision to buy a dog kennel is relatively easy.  They only need decide on whether it will be made from plastic, metal or wood depending on their circumstances and then they have hundreds of choices both online or at their local pet store.  However, if you have a large dog then you will need a large dog kennel.   It is not nearly as easy to buy a dog house for a Great Dane, an Irish Wolfhound or a Newfoundland as it is for a Bassett or a Collie.

Of course these large dogs will require an outdoor dog kennel as no-one is going to design a lightweight plastic kennel for a very large dog.  It would probably get chewed to pieces in a matter of minutes!  Though there is not as much choice there are still plenty of large dog kennels out there for sale, though you should expect to pay a premium price as the quantity of timber required is reflected in the price.  Some people are willing to spend a small fortune on their large dogs and will buy them luxurious accommodation which can look more like a gazebo or summer house.

If you decide that rather than buy one you are more than capable of building a large dog kennel yourself then ensure that you make detailed plans first.  Think about where the kennel will be situated as though it’s possible to place small dog kennels almost anywhere, a large one could obstruct your view in certain places.  The minimum size for a kennel is a length that would allow your dog to lie stretched out, taller than head height and broad enough that he can turn a full circle.   Remember that once you have added insulation felt with wooden panels on top that the dog kennel will be made smaller inside.

Make sure that you use good quality timber as the structure will be exposed to the elements and will soon start to deteriorate if you use cheap wood.  Good quality wood also tends to be stronger and so will withstand the weight of a large dog barging around in it much better than its cheaper counterpart.

If you have more than one dog then you will of course need an extra large dog kennel, possibly with a dividing wall so that they can sleep separately.  Many people also build runs attached to the kennel to give their dog somewhere to exercise when they are not out on a walk.

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When you get your first dog you may be overwhelmed by the range of kennels available to house them.  You can get everything from portable kennels used to transport your dog or to use when travelling to whelping kennels for people who breed dogs.  However, by far the most popular style is the traditional outdoor dog kennel.

An outdoor kennel is nearly always constructed of wood and generally has either one or two rooms.  The number of rooms is usually dependent on how much of the day the dog spends in it.  For a dog who sleeps outside at night then an outdoor dog kennel with 2 rooms is preferable as then he can have a room which is not exposed to the elements to sleep in and another to rest and chew a toy or bone in during the day where he can see what is going on around him.  Sometimes galvanised metal cages are advertised as kennels though in reality they are somewhere between a kennel and a run.  They tend to be big enough to move around quite freely but don’t have the comfort factor of a nice confined kennel.

If your garden is not particularly secure or there are lots of lovely flower beds which could be destroyed then you might want to have a dog kennel and run formation so that he can exercise in safety.  The dog house should be put into one corner so that it doesn’t impede your dog from running the length of the run and should be under cover of shade so that he doesn’t overheat in warmer weather.

If you are going to leave your dog in an outdoor dog kennel for any length of time during the day or night then there are certain dog kennel accessories which you should buy.  The first is a good heavy water bowl which cannot be easily tipped up.  Regular drinks of fresh water are essential for the wellbeing of any animal and you wouldn’t want your dog to get thirsty.  Another thing that will be appreciated by your dog is a nice, comfortable bed to rest and sleep on.  If he spends the night in the kennel and you live in an area where the temperatures can drop quite low then you might consider a heated dog bed.

The last vital ingredient to make your pet love his dog kennel is a range of different toys.  Balls to chase, rubber toys to chew and a bit of old rope to carry around or play tug ‘o’ war with when you are home.

There are a variety of situations when you might need a dog kennel and they come in several types to suit their purpose.  The most common type is the traditional outdoor dog house, then there are indoor and portable dog kennels and, finally kennels for several dogs.

Outdoor dog kennel

These dog houses need to be weather resistant and able to withstand extremes of high and low temperatures.  They also need to be strong, both to endure daily rough use by your pet and to protect him from any animals that live in your vicinity which could cause him harm.  Most of these dog kennels are made from wood as it retains warmth in the winter and remains cool in the summer months.  Sometimes they have 2 rooms so that the dog has a completely isolated place to go and sometimes they are combined with a pen to make a dog kennel and run.

Indoor dog kennel

This type of dog house is often used when people want to isolate their dog in their home.  Sometimes this is because a dog is nervous or aggressive around strangers or because you want to keep them from under your feet.  Some dogs also just like a safe bolthole!  What you should always remember is that dog should never be shut in for more than 2 hours and, if you are shutting your dog in because of behavioural problems then you should seek proper help instead of locking him away.  These kennels are often made from plastic, as this makes them light, portable and easy to clean.

Portable dog kennel

For most dog owners, their pet is one of the family.  This means that when they go visiting or on holiday that they want to take him too.  However, some dogs have a tendency to roam in the car, giving the seats a nice, hairy cover!  Also, the person that you are visiting may not actually want a dog wandering round their home.  For these situations, a portable dog kennel solves the problem.  They are often in a cage like form, to give the dog good visibility or are constructed from fabric, so that they are easy to fold away.

Multiple dog kennels

This type of dog kennel is used by people who own several dogs.  They are always made for keeping outdoors and have panels to separate the dogs.  If the dogs get on then a wire panel is sufficient, but if they have a tendency to ‘argue’ then a solid wooden panel is the best option.

Dog owners love their pets and, most of the time, are happy to have them in the house with them.  However, there are times when a sheltered outdoor space for your pet can come in very useful.  You may have guests who are nervous of dogs, your dog might not like young children who are visiting or you may just have things to do and not want your beloved pet beneath your feet.  In these situations you need a dog kennel.

If your dog has to stay outside for a period of time then you will want to ensure that he is safe and comfortable, protected from the elements.  This way he is much less likely to get stressed and start howling and making a fuss about being left outside.

Luckily for us, building dog kennels is not too difficult a procedure if you have the time and inclination.  First you need to decide on the style of dog kennel that you would like.  Will it have one room or two?  Will the roof be pitched or sloping?  Will it just be a kennel or a dog kennel and run? Then you need to ensure that your dog house is an adequate size by carefully measuring your pet.  In height it will need to be high enough for Rover to sit up straight and it will need to be long enough for him to lie down with his paws stretched out in front and behind.  The width should be gauged by seeing how much space is taken up when your dog is lying on his side.  Dog houses need to be large enough to be comfortable and by considering all these measurements you will make sure that it is.  Make sure that the entrance to the kennel is not too large as you don’t want to lose heat from it, shoulder height is about right.

The next part of the procedure is to gather together supplies that you will need: a tape measure, saw, nails, roofing felt and, of course, wood!  Remember that an outdoor dog kennel is constantly in the weather and so needs to be able to withstand heat, cold and rain.  It is therefore important that you use a good quality, treated wood. Shiplap is a popular option.

The final stage of your dog kennel build is the construction.  First build a frame and fix it to your base, then add the side and back panels and the front entrance.  It is a good idea to have a hinged roof so that it can be opened for easy cleaning.  Cover it with bituminous felt or some other covering that will be rain proof.

Dogs love to spend time outdoors and, in fact, many like to be outside more than inside.   For a lot of dogs the temperature outside isn’t an issue and they will happily spend long hours in the freezing cold.   For others, just like humans, they start to feel the cold after a while, especially during the winter months.  Also remember that a fur coat isn’t always a good defence against biting winds.  Luckily outdoor dog kennels can be insulated.

Start by buying some insulation felt from any DIY store.  You will need to cut pieces to fit exactly the floor, walls and roof.  Then cut out some plywood to exactly the same measurements – you need to be very accurate as otherwise there will be space for the heat to escape.  First tack the insulation to the inside of your dog kennel and then carefully place the plywood over the top.  Nail the plywood securely in place so that there is no chance for your dog to scratch or dig it off.  The final step is to caulk all the joins to make sure that there is not a single crack for the cold to seep in.

If you live in a particularly cold region, or your dog is very short haired and so feels the cold then it may be necessary to have a heated dog house.  There are several methods to achieve this but you need to think carefully about the amount of electricity that will be consumed.  A convection heater would probably cost more to heat a dog kennel than it costs to heat your own house!

The answer is a heated pet bed.  These are specially designed to use very little power and to heat your dog to just the right temperature.  You don’t want him to cook after all!  Another problem with overheating is that when your pet gets off his heated dog bed and goes outside the difference in temperature would be too great and he might catch a chill.

Heated dog beds can help to ease certain doggy conditions, such as arthritis and sore muscles and joints.  The warmth will also help to relax your pet and stop him from feeling anxious about not being with you.

A dog kennel needs to be a welcoming place, winter and summer, and the best way to ensure that your pet feels comfortable is to make sure that the temperature in it is always at an optimum for the time of year.