It is important to look for a sturdy, roomy and airy kennel that gives your pet plenty of everything they need.
That’s security, space and some much-needed sunshine.
It’s the first part of that equation that’s tricky here. When you go shopping for that large outdoor dog kennel, everything looks identical.
Thankfully, we are here. (What would you do without us?)
Best Outdoor Dog Kennels
1. Lucky Dog Modular Box Dog Kennel with Waterproof Cover
One of the first ones that caught our eye was the Lucky Dog Modular Box kennel. This is a wire frame or a chain link dog kennel with enough room for even the largest of dog breeds.
It is available in three sizes by the way.
The largest one is 10 feet long and stands 6 feet tall. It gives enough space for the dog to stand, stretch out and even walk around.
8 gauge welded wire mesh
The wire mesh is made from heavy duty 8-gauge steel. That’s about 4.36 mm thick and is as sturdy as they come.
Even if your pet’s watched one Prison Break episode too many, they won’t be able to chew their way out of this one. On a positive note, nothing gets in either. Coyotes, Raccoons or even Cougars for that matter.
As is the case with any wire mesh styled cage or crate, there’s ample sunshine and air for your pet. They can keep their watchful eye on the surroundings and spontaneously do their rapturous bits when they see you walk in from a distance.
Waterproof cover
The wire mesh features 1-inch extended legs that allow easy cleaning with a hose. You can also use a removable plastic cage floor if you wish to keep your pet off the ground. Just slide out when the pet is outside the cage and clean it.
By the way, there’s a large door that allows easy access to the indoors. At times when you want the pet to be confined inside, this can be secured with a padlock.
The Lucky Dog Modular Box Dog also features a waterproof rain cover that keeps Fido dry on a rainy day and protected from the sun otherwise. Personally, we’d always keep an outdoor dog kennel in a shaded area anyway.
Coming back to the roof, it’s not the heaviest grade roof that you can find. But it does the job.
Why we like this
- Spacious large outdoor dog kennel
- 8-gauge steel wire mesh frame
- Airy, with ample light
- 1-inch extended legs
- Large door to easily access the cage
- Waterproof rain cover
Cons
- The wire frame might need a rustoleum coat to seal it.
- No assembly instructions provided. Check YouTube tutorials.
2. MidWest Homes Outdoor Dog Kennel
This one from MidWest Homes for Pets is a beauty. It is a heavy duty chain link dog kennel that stands 6 feet tall, 10 feet long and 10 feet wide.
It is also available in smaller sizes for small breeds. But one thing’s for sure. Your pet will never feel cramped or claustrophobic in this one.
This also makes it a great choice for a rabbit house or a chicken run by the way.
Easy set up
Detailed setup instructions are included in the package and you should be able to set this up in minutes (with an extra pair of hands to help).
It’s almost a no-tool set up. Just a couple of wrenches should suffice.
The design is a patented one with rounded corners. There are no sharp edges on the inside that can harm your pet. And the chain link makes it very sturdy and wobble free even if your pet stands up and leans against the frames.
We aren’t sure about the gauge of the steel used for the wire mesh. But it’s extremely sturdy and chew proof.
There’s a large door that allows pets to get in and out easily. The latch is not the best. But you can easily secure it using para cord or something more secure. Not a deal breaker.
Sunscreen included
The MidWest Home for pets large dog kennel features a sunroof, made of woven polyethylene which the manufacturer claims, protects your dog from almost 80% of sun exposure.
We vouch for this. We have seen this kennel being used in a backyard with ample sunlight and the pet was cool and relaxed in his corner of the cage completely unaware of it.
But, the sunroof is secured to the frames using plastic zip ties, which may not hold up to the extreme cold in the winter. Like we said earlier, just use something that’s more durable to secure it.
Why we like this
- Beautifully designed outdoor dog kennel
- Three sizes
- Ample room
- Thick steel wire frame
- Chain Link design
- Secure latch on the door
- Sunroof that keeps 80% of the sun out
Cons
- The plastic zip ties. You will need to look for sturdier alternatives to secure the roof to the frames.
3. Lucky Dog Uptown Welded Wire Kennel
The Lucky Dog Uptown Wedled Wire Kennel is perfect for small backyards that cannot house a 10-foot-long large outdoor dog kennel.
This is a much smaller, albeit, roomy dog kennel that is easy to assemble and comes with a pitched roof for sun and rain protection.
A sturdy wireframe design and elevated feet complete what is a well-rounded package.
Compact footprint
The Lucky Dog outdoor dog kennel is available in three sizes. The largest one is 6-feet-tall, 4 feet wide and about 8 feet long. If you only use the kennel for a few hours every day, you can buy a slightly smaller model which is again 6 feet in height, 4 feet in width and just 4 feet in length.
This may not suffice for larger dogs to stretch out mind you. But it is roomy enough for a few hours of rest or outdoor time. The compact footprint is perfect for urban homes with limited backyard space.
This is one of the only kennels that we have seen with a pitched steel roof frame and a heavy duty waterproof cover. This prevents waterlogging and dirt and debris from building up on the roof. Just hose it down for a quick cleanup. Likewise with the inside of the cage. The elevated feet make it easy to sweep or hose down.
UV resistant paint
The Lucky Dog outdoor kennel has a UV resistant powder coating that does not chip, crack or peel with sun exposure.
While the wireframe itself is coated, we’d still recommend a rust coating to prolong its lifespan. Also, ensure that you stake it to the ground, especially if high speed winds are common in the area that you reside in.
This may also be essential while housing large dogs that can stand up leaning aginst the frame.
Why we love it
- Available in compact sizes
- Sturdy wireframe
- Pitched roof with heavy duty rain cover
- Sturdy c
- Available in three sizes, one of which is compact enough for small backyard use
- Elevated feet for easy cleaning
- UV coated wireframe that does not deteriorate with sun exposure
Cons
- A large dog has chewed its way out of this one. That’s only one incident among hundreds of other positive reviews. A faulty batch maybe?
4. Precision Pet Courtyard Kennel Exercise Pen
This one’s not exactly a dog kennel for housing your pet. Instead, it is an exercise pen that can give your dog their daily dose of sun and wind without letting them out of your sight.
The neighborhood chipmunk can entice them all they want. They will stay secured without being limited by a leash.
6 sturdy, interlocking panels create a spacious play area that give the dog enough room to do their favorite doggy things.
Adjustable pen size
The Precision pet outdoor dog kennel features an easy drop-pin assembly that allows you to customize the size of the play area. If you have a large rambunctious puppy, just expand the play pen to make it roomier.
It has a drop-pin design that makes it effortless to set up and customize. Just lift the pin, readjust the panel and drop it in again to secure it.
The panels are pretty sturdy. But a large dog might be able to topple it. So, secure it using the ground stakes included in the pack.
Portable dog kennel
The easy assembly and folding also makes this a great portable dog kennel. It’s heavy mind you. Weighs almost 90 lbs. But you can easily load one panel at a time into your car or RV and have peace of mind with you.
Add some polyethylene fabric on top and you are protected from sun and rain as well.
Almost forgot to mention that each panel is 3 feet long, 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide. It has a removable door for easy access into the play area. Thankfully, the door is about 6 inches above the bottom. So the famed puppy crawl will not allow them to break out of this one.
Comes with two sets of drop in pins. Large ones for the outdoors that go into the ground to secure it and shorter ones for patios that won’t scratch or damage the floor.
Why we like it
- Outdoor dog kennel and playpen in one
- Budget priced
- Extremely easy setup
- Size adjustable
- 6 interlocking panels
- Portable
Cons
- The pen is only 3 feet tall. If a large dog really wanted to get out, they’d probably be able to jump over it. Get a roof folks.
5. Advantek Pet Gazebo Modular Outdoor Dog Kennel
What better than a portable pet gazebo that can be setup in minutes and folds down into a compact unit that can be accommodated in a tote?
That’s the Advantek Modular outdoor dog kennel for you.
A sturdy, dog kennel with a stainless steel wireframe design, that works perfectly for both large and small yards.
Three sizes, attractive colors
The Advantek gazebo range is available in three sizes.
The smallest one is called the advantek cabana and measures 48L x 48W x 48H in.
The medium sized one is the Original Pet Gazebo that measures 60L x 60W x 60H in. whereas the largest one is called the Pavillion which measures a whopping 90L X 90W X 90H.
All models are available in Aztec gold, a metallic color, other than black.
All models have a pitched roof with a protective vinyl covering.
Assembly is extremely easy and two people should be able to set this up in less than an hour. Thankfully, Advantek doesn’t cut corners when it comes to instructions. They are detailed and illustrated.
Bunch of very useful accessories
Depending on whether you are using it at home in the backyard or during a camping/hunting trip, you have the option of buying some very useful accessories from Advantek.
We really love the reversible rip stop nylon shade that can be attached to the side of the kennel and gives your pet a cool, shaded resting place.
Also, the pet gazebo tote bag is really useful for travel.
If you wish to extend your gazebo into two (You have the option to do that as well), for use as a rabbit playpen or a chicken hide, you can buy the gazebo corridor cover which keeps the connecting area shaded too.
Why we like it
- Easy to assemble
- 8-shaped octagon that looks stunning
- Pitched roof with rain cover
- Available in Aztec gold metallic color
- Portable for carrying during camping/hunting trips
- Reversible rip stop nylon shade for covering the sides
- Tucks into a tote after dismantling
Cons
- Poor quality lock on the door. Just replace it with something sturdier if you are using this to house an escape artist.
How we picked the best outdoor dog kennels
We considered the room inside the kennel, the sturdiness of the metal wire frame, the security (latch), assembly and dismantling (for portability), sun protection (roof) and lastly, the price.
Let’s go over that again.
- The size: All the kennels in this list are available in different sizes. Ensure that you measure your dog from the tip of their nose to the tip of the tail and leave at least a feet of empty space on either sides. That should be the bare minimum size of your outdoor dog kennel. The most spacious ones in this list are the MidWest Home Kennel and the Lucky Dog Kennel.
- The Wireframe: The wireframe needs to be at least 8 gauge thick stainless steel. Anything thinner can and will be chewed through from the inside or even from the outside (urban predators). Despite what the manufacturer says, always coat it with Rustoleum or any other sealant to prevent rusting.
- Security: Most outdoor dog kennels have a single door with a latch for protection. The quality of the latch is important as it will prevent breakout attempts. But this is not really a deal breaker as you can always buy an aftermarket latch and lock it.
- Portability: Not all dog kennels are portable. If you intend to travel frequently with your pet, you might want to check out the Advantek pet gazebo or the Precision Pet Courtyard pen.
- Price: Last but not the least, we have outdoor dog kennels in a variety of price ranges. We hope that you can find one that fits your needs and your pocket.
After sifting through thousands of customer reviews, these are the pick of the lot.
Best Outdoor Dog Kennel Buying Guide
Outdoor dog kennels can be really useful when it comes to keeping your dog in a safe place. An outside dog run can allow them to exercise when you don’t have fencing around your yard.
There are a lot of things that go into choosing the right outdoor dog kennel. You have to be aware of the materials, sizing, breed suitability, price, and more.
What Size Do You Need?
The size that you need is definitely the most important consideration when it comes to choosing a sturdy outdoor dog kennel.
We recommend that your dog should have just enough room to sit and stand up and be able to turn around in a full circle.
They should also be able to lie down and stretch out.
We think that you need to give your dog about twice that much space so that they can run back and forth in the kennel and get plenty of exercise.
If you are getting a dog kennel for your puppy, then you probably want to go with the same size that you would get a full-time dog.
There really isn’t such thing as giving your dog too much space in a dog kennel, and since this is such an expensive investment, getting a kennel that will fit your dog after he or she is fully grown makes a lot of sense financially.
Types
There are three different types of kennels that will be discussing.
Welded Wire Kennels
Welded wire kennels are definitely one of the best outside dog kennels materials because they are strong and sturdy but not overly expensive.
The welded wire kennels are made from panels that you put together yourself. The panels are pre-assembled, but the kennel itself is something that you will be constructing.
This gives you a major advantage over some of the other types of kennels that are out there – the fact that you can add on more panels later and expand the size of your dog kennel.
Boxed Welded Wire Kennels
Boxed welded wire kennels are usually constructed in a box shape and many come with tarps so that you can protect your dog from both the rain and the sun.
The difference between this material and the regular welded wire kennels is that these panels are a little bit stronger and therefore more expensive.
They are also painted with a coat of protectant that keeps your panels safe from the elements for a long time.
You are still going to be assembling using the hardware that is provided.
Neither one of these kennels are difficult to set up, and they are both going to be a lot less expensive than if you were to have chain-link installed in your backyard.
Chain Link Kennels
Chain link kennels are pretty common, but they are more expensive than the other types of kennels that we discussed above.
That’s because chain-link may require a cement foundation with the anchor poles placed into the cement and then the chain-link run along those anchor poles.
That means that they are a permanent fixture in your backyard, so you definitely want to get it right the first time.
However, the cement floor does provide a place for your dog to run easily and make for easy cleanup if there is an accident.
The problem with chain-link kennels is that you are probably going to have to have someone come out and install them for you.
However, you can customize them pretty much any way you want within the cement foundation.
The door that is built onto these kennels is really heavy duty as well.
Factors to Consider
Each of the three factors that we will be taking a look at are important considerations when evaluating your choices.
Security: Security is extremely important when it comes to buying a dog kennel. Security means both keeping your dog in the kennel and keeping other people from getting inside that may want to kidnap your dog.
Placement: The placement of your outdoor dog kennel is pretty important. If you keep your dog tucked away in a corner than he or she is going to feel like it is a punishment to go into the kennel. You don’t want to give that impression. But you also want to have your kennel in an unobtrusive place so that you can have the majority of the backyard to yourself.
Cleaning: You want to make sure that you have access to cleaning your kennel. If you have a large kennel made out of chain-link on a cement foundation, then it is probably as easy as walking in through the front gate. On smaller kennels, this can be more challenging. You definitely want to keep the kennel clean, especially if you have to leave your dog in there for several hours and they use the bathroom while they are in there. You have to be able to get in their daily or even more often to clean the kennel before you can put your dog back into it.
The Bottom Line
Get our top choice – it’s perfect for nearly every dog breed.
Recommended Reading:
- Best Dog Bed
- Best Dog Crate
- Best Small Dog Crate
- Best Large Dog Crate
- Best Heavy Duty Dog Crate
- Best Dog Playpen
- Best Dog House
- Best Indestructible Dog Bed
- Best Dog Gate
- Best Electronic Dog Door
- Best Electronic Dog Fence
- Best Interactive Dog Toys
- Best Dog Houses for Hot Weather
- Best Outdoor Dog Houses
- Best Outdoor Dog Beds
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