Dog Kennel

A dog kennel is an enclosure, usually made of wire fencing and located outside, which restricts your dog to one area of a yard or property. It can come in many different sizes, and many newer styles are collapsible, making them completely portable. Dog kennels are constructed of wire, nylon or other sturdy material. They can be covered to serve your pet well even in rainy conditions.

You can make a homemade kennel, but there are many things to consider before beginning such a project. The building or zoning codes of many areas prohibit such construction. Other areas would require certain specifications be followed. The dog kennel first needs to have a floor; dirt, gravel and smooth concrete are all options, but may pose a problem for your pet. Dirt easily becomes mud, gravel can cut the sensitive feet of dogs, and smooth concrete is slick. Most humane societies recommend concrete slabs as flooring. In areas that have frequent hot and cold spells, wire mesh may need to be incorporated into the concrete to keep the concrete from disintegrating.

The average size of a dog kennel is eight feet by sixteen feet, although larger dogs may need a bigger enclosure. You should try to think of the size and leaping or jumping abilities of your dog before constructing the kennel, as larger dogs will need more head room, as will dogs who spend a considerable amount of time jumping around. Most importantly, in personalizing your dog kennel make certain that the mesh size of your fence is small enough that your dog won’t get a paw stuck in the links.

Some owners find that putting a doghouse somewhere inside the kennel can serve as a second home to their pet. It allows the dog a place to go in case or rain or cold wind, especially if the kennel itself isn’t covered. Ducts can even be run from the doghouse into the home to provide the dog with a miniature heating or cooling system.