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Evaluating Outdoor Dog Kennel Ideas and Designs

by Dakota Storage Buildings, on October 10, 2022

Blog_Header_OutdoorDogKennelsSo you know the benefits of an outdoor dog kennel and want to put one in your backyard, but just like any piece of equipment for an important job, there are too many options to choose from.

We get it. This isn’t just figuring out where to put a tool shed. It’s more like trying to decide on a crib. Things you didn’t consider start mattering. Is it better to buy a pre-built outdoor dog kennel, or to build it yourself? Does location matter? What materials should you use?

These aren’t always obvious choices, and it can be expensive to try out different options. So if you’re researching what would work best for your situation before getting your wallet out and your hands dirty, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s how to evaluate outdoor dog kennel ideas and designs.

Location, Location, Location

Where you put the kennel directly matters for the design, materials, and method of construction you should use. A location far away and closer to the street will have different issues with barking and keeping clean than one built right against your house.Think about your dog’s personality. Does he bark at every passerby, or is he calmer? Does he not do well on his own or does he thrive in a larger space?

Another consideration is the weather. Is it freezing where you live? Or hot? In either case, you might consider installing heating or conditioning, which requires electricity and can affect where you place the outdoor dog kennel. Ventilation is also important. Make sure that whatever design you choose, your location allows for proper airflow.

Location also affects security. If you’re worried about your dog hopping a fence (or something hopping the fence in), you might want to install lights and/or keep the outdoor dog kennel closer. You’ll also want to be sure you can install a tall fence.

Design Differences

While different dogs require different conditions to be happy, there are some general rules.

The first is size. Here is how to figure out what will work best for your pup.

  1. Measure each dog’s height, length, and body width. (If your dog is still a puppy, you’ll want to look up the average full-grown size of a similar breed.)
  2. Add 9 inches to the height of your tallest dog, and add 18 inches to the length of your longest dog. Take the total width of each dog you measured and add 12 inches per dog.

Content_WhyOurOutdoorDogKennelIsPerfectForYourDog_ConsiderKennelSizeThis will give you an idea of how big your kennel should be.

Next, whatever size it is you want to design outdoor kennel run floors so that they have enough slope. This way, water will run off to avoid standing puddles. You also want to tilt it towards a hand-dug 'dry well' so that when you wash it, the water drains correctly and you avoid odor.

It’s a good idea to place the outdoor kennel entrance so you encourage your dog to naturally urinate and defecate at the far end of the run farthest from the entry. This is so that your dog doesn’t defecate immediately on entering and spreads its feces around the entrance, keeping its kennel cleaner. Once you have this figured out, it’s time to decide whether you want to buy a pre-made outdoor dog kennel or DIY it.

The choice depends on how much you like rolling up your sleeves and being handy. It can be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, to set up your outdoor dog kennel. Still, there are many great pre-made options.  Whatever your choice and aesthetic taste, some things to keep in mind are materials. While there are several options for flooring and fencing, chain link fences and concrete are the most popular.  This is because chain link fences are simple to install, durable, and cheap. Concrete, while more difficult to install than options like wood, is tougher and longer lasting,

The Solution

We want to help you keep your dog happy and healthy. That’s why we’ve covered some of the top design and layout for outdoor dog kennel ideas.  Some may be DIY ideas, while others may be portable dog kennels you can have delivered to your backyard. Learn more about how we can help you discover what works best for your dog’s outdoor kennel by clicking here.

Download Evaluating Best-fit Kennels Guide

Topics:Dog KennelsDogs & Canines

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