Building the Dog Kennel and Run

A quick guide on how big your dog kennel and run should be.

You will need to take a couple of things into consideration when deciding on the size of your dog kennel and run.

• The height and length of your dog.
• The size of your yard and the space available for a dog kennel and run.

Ideally, a kennel should be approximately high enough for your dog to stand up in without him having to lower his head below his shoulders, and long enough for your dog to lie down and stretch out, or to lie comfortably on his side.  It should be wide enough for your dog to turn around easily in.

A kennel that is too small, especially if your dog is going to spend a fair amount of time in it, makes for an unhappy, anxious dog.  They tend to look at being locked up in a too small kennel as being punished.

If your dog will be spending a considerable amount of time in their outdoor dog kennel, it is highly recommended that you make your kennel larger than the minimum size, and provide a decent sized run as well.  Dogs penned up in a small space become bored. Bored dogs bark a lot, and exhibit other unwanted behaviour.  Dogs also need a kennel large and deep enough that they are sheltered from rain and sun alike. Make sure too that the kennel flooring is comfortable, as uncomfortable or missing dog kennel flooring also makes for an unhappy dog.

Smaller kennels are fine for your smaller to medium sized dogs like the Shiba Inu or the Corgi for example, especially if they are only used upon occasion, while you’re at work, or away from the house for a time.  Even so, the kennel still needs to be large enough for your small dog to lie down comfortably and to stand up in.

A fairly typical height for a dog kennel for a smaller dog is four feet high.  Bigger breeds will need a kennel six feet high. It’s unlikely that even the bigger breeds could jump out of a six foot kennel and likewise predators wouldn’t be able to get into the kennel.

Think ahead when purchasing or making a dog kennel and run.
That cute little puppy is going to grow into a much bigger dog.  If you’re going to the trouble of investing in an outdoor kennel and run you should plan ahead and either purchase or build it large enough to house your full grown dog.   One idea, if you’re using it with a younger pup, is to divide the kennel in half. That way the puppy won’t soil the inside of the kennel, but will remember to go outside the kennel to do it’s business.