Buying A Dog Kennel And Run
Insulating your Dog Kennel
Dog Run Flooring

If you merely want to buy a fairly simple dog run that is not a permanent structure then this selection of dog runs may be more what you are looking for. There is a large variation in pricing when it comes to outdoor dog kennels and runs, with some being more suited to larger breeds than others. Following is a review of some of the more popular dog runs for sale including those sold by Petsafe, Precision Pet, Kennel Logic and Lucky Dog.

#1 Pick: Lucky Dog 4-by-4-by-6 Foot CL60544 Uptown Welded Wire Kennel

If you are going to invest in an outdoor dog run you couldn’t find anything better than the Lucky Dog Uptown Welded Wire Kennel. In my opinion it far outclasses the other options available, and though it is more expensive than other types it is not the most expensive.

Cost: Ranges from $270 to $210

Sizes: There are several different sizes available, including 4 x 4 x 6 feet and 6 x 4 x 8.  It is perfect for dog owners with smaller yards and it can be placed directly on an even spot on the lawn or even on a patio. The great thing about this run is that it is easily tall enough to stand up inside of, making it a breeze to clean or to attend to your dog while inside.

Material Used: It is made from strong welded wire which holds up much better for larger breeds of dog than the regular mesh dog run fence frequently used. It is also safe in that there aren’t any nasty metal edges sticking out that could harm your pet. The wire panels are rust-proofed, which is a must if you plan on leaving the run outdoors for much of the time. This particular fence also comes with its own waterproof cover which while not protecting your dog during heavy rain, is perfect for providing shelter during showery days and also shelter from bright sunlight.

Security: The gate is sturdy, as is the rest of the run, and the latch mechanism is also very well made and secure. Little chance for your dog to easily escape from this pen.

Assembly: Fortunately, it is also very easy to assemble unlike some others such as some of the Petsafe pens, that come in rolled up mesh. On average, you should be able to easily assemble it in under an hour using only a pair of pliers and the bolts and nuts that are shipped with the unit.

Usage: Perfect for medium sized dogs, for part-time use or even for indoor kennel training. While the mesh may not hold up to a concerted effort by a larger breed dog to escape, it suits German Shepherds, Labradors, Retrievers, Huskys and smaller dogs.

#2 Pick: Precision Pet Courtyard Kennel, Silver Crackle

Cost: Ranging between $200 to $150

Sizes: This is available in a couple of different sizes; you can choose the longer version for outdoor use or a shorter one for indoor or garage use. There are 6 panels, with each measuring 38 x 36 inches.  A gate is built into one of the panels.

Material Used: It is made from galvanized steel panels that are rust proofed. Each of the panels is framed with a square tubing, which adds a lot of stability to this outdoor dog pen. This product does not include a roof or covering, so you may need to place it outdoors in a position where your dog can still find adequate shelter.

Security: It is quite secure, no mesh to chew through. Some dogs may be able to jump the 38″ high panels, so if your dog is a real jumper this may not be the best choice. It is strong enough to contain German Shepherds and most of the medium to large breeds. One real plus with this is that the gate only opens the upper two thirds of the panel, meaning it is still enclosed at the bottom of the pen. This is fantastic if you have a dog that loves to escape between your feet as soon as you open the gate–it will be much more difficult for this to happen with this pen.

Assembly:  A cinch to assemble, it will probably take you less than 15 minutes to put it up. Corner pins that slip into the panels mean that the assembly is very fast and you do not need tools to put it together aside from what is included in the package. Because it is put together using pins you can also shape the pen so that it fits the space available. You can even leave it opened out and use it as a fence if you like.  Be sure to set it on a flat surface when putting it up though or you may have some trouble getting the top of the pen to align properly.

Usage: Great for at home use either indoors or outdoors. It is also compact enough, when packed, to take with you when you go on your vacation or camping making it a great choice if you are looking for something portable yet still sturdy and escape proof. As mentioned above, it can also be used as a fence or barrier between two rooms, separate sections of your yard, or to section off part of a garage, etc.

#3 Pick: Kennel Logic MDK 4000 Series Modular Dog Kennel

Price: Ranges from $450 for the larger version to $299 depending on which size you purchase.

Sizes: It is available in three different sizes; 48 x 48 x  45 inches is the smaller,  48 x 96 x 45 is the medium size pen and 96 x 96 x 45 inches is the largest available.

Material Used: The pen is built from 2 inch wide mesh that is 3mm sized, wire grade steel framing. It is quite sturdy and should hold up to most medium sized dogs, with no parts that are easy to chew off. All three sizes also come with a UV treated waterproof cover for additional protection for your pet.

Security: It is fairly secure, it would be difficult to chew through the steel wiring and with the cover on there’s no real chance of your dog escaping that way either. The door panels are welded and secure.

Assembly: This may be more difficult to assemble than others referenced above, mainly because the instructions that come along with the pen are not very precise or clear. If you have already set up a pen like this before you probably would not have much trouble figuring it out from the illustrations but if it is your first time it could take you an hour or more to get the pen up.

Usage: As it has a cover it is perfect for either indoor or outdoor use. It is not extremely portable due to the time needed to put it together or take it down being quite a bit longer than with some of the other types of pens available.

#4 Pick: PetSafe 7-By-12-By-6-Foot DIY Box Kennel

Price: From around $260, depending on the size.

Sizes: Petsafe outdoor pens come in a number of different sizes. You may find, once you assemble the pen, that it is not quite as large as originally advertised.

Material Used: It is made from galvanized steel that is rust-proofed. The dog run fencing is fairly loosely woven, meaning that the pen is not near as secure as other similar styled pens however.

Security: All in all it would be fairly easy for a medium sized, determined dog to break out of this pen. While it may be more suitable for a small breed toy dog, it is not really sturdy enough or well made to withstand a determined attempt to escape.

Assembly: Unlike other pens, this does not come in easy to assemble panels but rather the chain link is rolled up. This adds quite a bit to the time needed to assemble and it is not an easy task unless you have some idea how to hang chain link fence. This being said, it could take anywhere from a couple of hours to six or more hours to first of all assemble the framework and then stretch and attach the dog run fence.

In Summary
When it comes to the best dog run design, I would have to award five stars to the Lucky Dog Welded Wire Kennel. Prices are comparable to other high quality outdoor dog runs, and cheaper than someyet it is by far the most sturdy and practical for long term use. It is strong, easy to assemble and provides the best safety and security for your dog, plus it comes with an easy to attach waterproof cover.

If you are looking for a good, solid dog run that is not quite as costly you may want to opt for the Precision Pet Courtyard Kennel especially if you want the additional option of being able to use it as a barrier to separate two sections of your home, garage or yard. It does not have a covering, but it is well put together, sturdy and easy to assemble.

Out of all of the different dog run designs I have reviewed, the selection of PetSafe Outdoor pens are at the bottom of the list. The main thing they have going for them is that they are cheaper than some of the other pens, however taking into consideration the repairs you will most likely have to make on the dog run and the fact that it is unlikely to last as long as the other types of pens, I think your money would be better spent on another type of dog pen.

Rubber-Cal Recycled Rubber Flooring – 3/8″ x 4ft x 10ft rolls – Black Rubber Floor Mat

$101.36

Dog Kennel Deck 2 x 4 Gray

$34.99

Rubber-Cal Wide Rib Corrugated Rubber Floor Mat – 3mm Thick x 3ft x 15ft Roll

$97.50

Rubber-Cal Elephant Bark Rubber Flooring – 3/8 inch x 4ft. x 7.5ft. Wide Rubber Mat – Blue Dot

$120.00

Kennel & Cage Platform Glacier Grey

$11.99

VetChoice Kennel and Cage Platform

$9.99

Kennel & Cage Platform Desert Sand

$11.99

The Kennel Deck

$39.97

What is the best dog run flooring you can use?  I get asked this question constantly, and it seems there are as many theories on what is the best flooring to use as there are types available.  Having been a dog owner for about thirty years, I have had a bit of experience with this and I’m more than happy to add my two cents to the info-mix that’s available online when it comes to the dog kennel and run.


First of all, unless you live in the Sahara or someplace like it, letting your dog run for extended periods on grass or dirt is a big mistake. If you let your dog run on grass the grass will wear down and you’ll soon be left with what I like to call big bald spots of dirt.  Add some rain to that, and you’ll soon be trekking mud into the kennel, or if your dog comes inside sometimes, into your house.  Dog pee also kills grass, resulting in bald spots in the grass or dirt-plus-rain equals mud! So, no, I don’t recommend a grass run when it comes to dog runs and kennels.

I’ve seen pea gravel used for a run quite successfully.  It’s nice for the dogs to run on, and it’s fairly easy to keep clean. You have to scoop up the poops of course, but the dog’s urine goes straight through and doesn’t stain.  You can clean the gravel fairly easily by spraying once a week with a fairly strong Clorox solution. That seems to keep it clean and eliminates any odor in your dog run and kennel.

One caution with using gravel, pups will eat it so it’s not recommended for a run where you have pups.  If they ingest it, it can kill them.

Also, know your dog. Some dogs, even full grown dogs, will eat the pea gravel. Maybe they think it looks like dry dog food? I don’t know. But before you invest time and money into laying out a pea gravel run you’d better make sure that your dog doesn’t eat it.

My favorite, and what I consider the best dog run flooring, is to lay a concrete dog run. Concrete is porous and it soaks up the dog urine which isn’t good as that leaves a bad smell.  But it is easy to clean–just spray it off, disinfect it or spray it with bleach.

If you are prepared to invest a little more there are very good sealants available that make it easy to seal and clean your dog kennel and run floor.

Some people are concerned that a concrete run is uncomfortable for the dog to run on, or lay on, especially if it’s spending a good deal of time in their dog run kennels. One very simple solution to that is to buy Equine mats to lay down for some of the run. These are comfortable for the dog and provide some relief from the concrete.

Another alternative which some people have found useful is to use high density plastic flooring.  It’s definitely durable and lightweight, and the installation is a breeze but it may not be sturdy enough for your run. Again, you’d have to know your dog.  Plastic is enticing to many dog breeds. They delight in chewing it, grabbing it and running the length of the yard (or run) with it in their teeth. For example, I wouldn’t recommend it for a Retriever — after having seen mine chew the end off her plastic kennel. In fact, the best dog kennels for dogs that love to chew are not the hard plastic type, especially if there are edges they can easily get their mouth around.

Overall my recommendation would  be to cement and seal first of all, or to use gravel for the dog run.  If your dog is going to spend a fair portion of each day in the dog kennel and run you owe it to him to make it as comfortable as you can. By the same token, if you’re the one doing the cleaning you owe it to yourself to make it as easy to do as you can.

That’s why I suggest cement, plus treatment for your dog kennel and run flooring. You can’t really go wrong with that.

Update:  Recently, I have been reassessing my dog runs kennels, especially since moving to an area that is much colder and more damp than my previous location.  Currently, I think the best flooring for dogs is an elevated decking that can fit inside the entire dog run kennel. It is made from hard plastic, very similar to regular patio decking. It can be placed directly on the ground or on cement and it will elevate the dog up off the cold ground. You can set enough down so that it can form the base of kennel floors, and still provide an area outside of the kennel where the dog can be elevated up off the ground. It does not  have to cover the entire run, but it is good to provide additional elevated space outside the kennel as well as using it as dog kennel floors. Remember, the best kennels are those that are the most comfortable for your dog no  matter what season!

Please remember, though, this will be a fairly general description. There are many, many actual brands of dog kennels on the market right now, and what is available varies enormously depending on where you live.  Once have have a general idea of what type of dog kennel and run you’re after, then you can look at actual online sites, or visit your local pet shop or B&Q or whatever store would be likely to sell them, and see for yourself what is available and within your price range. Remember too, if you are going to be leaving your pup in a dog pen or kennel for any length of time to give him plenty to do while he is in there. There are plenty of gift ideas for dog lovers online, or again your local pet shop should have plenty of toys you can buy for your dog, to keep him occupied while in his pen.

Basic Puppy Exercise Pen

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This is not to be used as a long-term containment for your puppy, but it is a more temporary setup. Usually it’s made out of wire panels hinged together. It is easy to collapse (and store and transport.)  Perfect for putting your pup outdoors for a while for some fresh air, it is large enough for the dog to walk around in. Some of these even come with additional panels that can be added on to enlarge the contained space which is perfect if you have a few pups you want to put in it.

These are collapsible, easy to store and transport.

They are usually opened at the top, so don’t give your pup much shelter from the sun, or rain.  They are great though for those times when you want to pop your puppy outdoors and can’t keep an eye on him fulltime.

Fully Enclosed Puppy Pen

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Similar to the exercise pen, the fully enclosed pen is made of metal, hinged together. It is suitable for outdoor use, though again there’s no protection from sun or rain.  It is fully enclosed, and offers your pup more safety. There’s no way the puppies can escape, nor can any other animals get inside the pen.  Not for permanent use, but a good alternative for those times when you need to keep puppy enclosed and safe and you don’t have a dog kennel and run.

The All Weather Dog Run

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Again, made from galvenised metal, this often comes with a roof made from polyester coated metal sheeting. This is suitable for more long term habitation.  The sides are still open though, and rain could easily get inside the pen.  It also offers no insulation from cold or the sun, so it’s not really a permanent dwelling but you can safely leave your dog in there for longer periods of time.  You don’t have to attach the roofing to it, and if you don’t it can be moved around. If you choose to have the roof included though it is recommended that you fix it to the ground.

Mesh Dog Runs

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Made from galvanized chain the mesh dog runs can be free standing, thus they are also fairly  mobile and can be easily moved around. Mesh runs are more secure and safe for your dog than the other metal runs with the bars running down vertically.  These mesh runs come in different sizes for different breeds of dogs, and can also be fitted out with a kennel cover although these are usually sold separately, so be sure to get the price for both items if you look into this type of dog kennel and run.  Mesh runs in general are more expensive than the other simpler type of dog runs.

In my next post I’ll look at some different options for the dog kennel and run.

Dog Kennel Deck 2 x 4 Gray

The Kennel Deck is the perfect solution to providing a sanitary, yet comfortable surface for dogs in cages, runs, etc. Molded from high-density plastic…

Rating: 5.0 / 5.0

Price: $29.99

Above all, when deciding on your flooring, remember that the main thing–especially if your dog is going to be spending large amounts of time in the kennel, is to make sure it’s comfortable and hygienic.  It also should be easy to keep clean.

Having the kennel and run set directly on the grass, or other outdoor surface: This is sometimes your only option if you have a movable wire pen or kennel.  I wouldn’t recommend it as being the best though, for a number of options.  If the kennel is sitting on grass it’s fairly easy for your dog, especially if he’s a digger, to simply dig himself out underneath the pen.  There’s also problems with tearing up the grass or running it down if your dog spends a long time in the run.  Also, for sleeping, it’s best if there’s some type of raised platform for the dog to lay down on in his kennel.

Concrete flooring for both the dog kennel and run, or just for the kennel: This is also a very popular option, one which I think I have used the most often.  It’s very easy to hose off a cement run and to see if there’s any messes on it.  It can be cold to sleep on though, and is actually quite porous unless sealed properly.  Sealing an entire run sufficiently is a problem. Most of us have probably faced peeling paint, or have had the pen floor become smelly and stained.  There are some very good sealants available these days, though, and a little searching on line should show you some possibilities for sealing the cement run.

If you use a cement floor for your dog kennel, be sure to include something nice and soft for your dog to lay down on inside the kennel.

One con with using cement is that it’s rather permanent. So if you like to move your dog kennel and run around that may not be the best thing to use.

Wooden flooring: I haven’t had a lot of experience with wooden flooring. It’s fine for a kennel but I can’t imagine using it for an entire run. It would get very scratched and it also absorbs smells and stains.  Also, if your dog is a chewer (mine is) then I’d recommend that you stay away from using wood even for a kennel.  My retriever systematically chewed the edges of her kennel till it looked horrible and I had to replace it!

Instant kennel flooring:  Another option you may be interested in as flooring for your dog kennel and run is instant kennel flooring.  It’s fairly reasonably priced, easy to install and it’s portable which is nice if you move your pen around. I looked at one recently, a nice woven design that was water and sun resistant. It’s porous, so liquid goes straight through and easy to clean–just hose it off like you would a cement floor.

There are probably more options for your dog kennel and run flooring such as gravel, wood chips etc. and if you look around a bit you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Here is a list of what to consider when looking at kennels and dog runs for sale, beginning with the most important option first:

• Make sure the dog kennel and run is the right size, and is big enough for your dog.
• Ensure that it is weatherproof. If parts are made of metal, be sure that they’re rust proofed–including the wire fencing, and any metal used to attach the kennel together.  Rusted metal is dangerous for dogs and poorly secured kennels can lead to escaped dogs.
• If you are in an area where there is harsh or extreme temperatures, your kennel will need to be insulated.
• Look at the design in regards to ease of cleaning.  Smaller dog kennels often have detachable walls so that you can clean them more easily.
• Is the sleeping section raised up from the ground slightly?
• How secure is it, and will your dog be safe from predators or other animals?
• Is there enough room for your dog to get sufficient exercise. Runs should ideally be 20 to 30 feet long, and 10 to 20 feet wide. Less than this and your dog may not be getting enough exercise.  If you run or walk your dog every day this could be shortened.

What material should your kennel and run be made from?
A variety of material is used for building the your kennel and run.  Many kennels are made from wood. If you are able to afford it, its best if your kennel is made from the best wood, preferably timber that is pressure treated so that it doesn’t require any other additional treatment. Kennels can also be made from plastic or wire mesh.  Wood is the best, as it gives better protection from changing temperature and weather.
Some dogs have been known to chew on their kennels, so if your dog is a ‘chewer’ you may want to choose a harder material, or add anti chew strips to your kennel.

Runs are usually made from heavy duty mesh that is attached to the kennel.  Runs can be cemented, but they can be difficult to keep in good condition, as paint peels and they’re hard to clean up after. If you are going to cement the floor you may want to look into investing in a good sealant for your floor.

No matter what you decide, your goal should be to have a dog kennel and run that can withstand the elements, is safe enough and big enough for your dog to feel secure and safe, prevent strangers or other animals entering in, and keeps your dog from escaping. Whether you decide to try and build it yourself, or you are buying a pre-made one, this should be your ultimate goal.