Anyone who owns a dog may have already experienced the ordeal of bringing their dog along on a camping, fishing, kayaking, backpacking, or hiking trip. While dogs are our best friends, they can be a bit of a hassle to take on a trip.
Some dogs don’t get along with others. Some dogs are susceptible to anxious or violent behavior around dogs or people they don’t know. Other dogs may annoy other campers by barking or coming running whenever someone else is trying to enjoy the outdoors.
For that reason, pet owners and campsites usually don’t welcome pets. If you need a way to keep your pet safe while on the road, you need the best outdoor dog kennels.
Aside from trips to the outdoors, you may also want to kennel your dog when you want it to stay in a certain area of your home while you’re gone or to keep it away from children or other pets.
In either case, it’s important to have one of the best outdoor dog kennels to get the job done.
Curious to see what the best outdoor kennels of 2022 have to offer? Check them out below!
1. Advantek Pet Gazebo Outdoor Metal Dog Kennel
Pros:
- Weatherproof design
- Wind and rust resistant
- Double-reinforced folding doors
- Quality powder-coated construction
- Comes with two sliding doors
- Waterproof flooring
- Easy to clean
- Easy to setup
- Really easy to move
- Modern style
2. Cove Products K9 Kennel Store 8’ X 16’ Welded Wire Ultimate Dog Kennel System
The Cove Products K9 Kennel Store Kennel is super sturdy and sustainable. It is built from heavy duty wire with a 10 gauge kennel flooring. The unique catch-free floor is designed equally to provide comfort for dogs and ensure air circulation.
Customizable dog kennel has a 4 inch welded wire design and the dog kennel system comes with an installation hardware kit. And two door installation that’s adjustable and removable.
The dog kennel has a galvanized roof with a drip edge, catch tray, plastic tray, with a built-in potable water bowl, safety clips and the structure is corrosion and rust resistant. The dog kennel is available in the sizes 8 by 16 inches; 15 By 24 inches and the 18 by 36 inches.
3. BestPet Dog Crate Pet Kennel Cage Puppy Playpen Wire Animal Metal Camping Indoor Outdoor Cage
Pros:
- Specifically, comes with a steel roof and pegs for added security and durability
- Has 18-gauge heavy duty steel
- Collapsible that makes it portable
- Comes pre-assembled
- Available in 4, 5, 6, or 7.5 feet
- Easy to clean; just wipe it with a wet cloth
- Crate pad and chew-resistant water bowl included
- Has a door that swings open
- Durable plastic pan on the bottom for extra protection, easy to remove and clean
- Comes with a 1-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Expensive
- Warranty refuses to cover the damage caused by the pet
This dog kennel is designed with a special door that swings open and has a nice-looking lime green color with no sharp corners. All of the materials used are created in a strong and durable manner. It comes with a PVC pad, a chew-resistant water bowl, food bowl holder, a removable plastic tray for easy cleaning, and a dog leash. With this accessory, your pup can easily enjoy outdoor fun activities with you.
4. Neocraft My Pet Companion Outdoor Dog Kennel
Pros:
- A portable dog kennel that’s easy to assemble, lightweight, and collapsible
- A fantastic value – highly practical and does everything you’d expect of it
- It’s also customizable and can be split into two separate dog kennels
- It’s constructed from tough, weatherproof materials
- Easy to clean, and dirt management is pretty good
The Neocraft is an excellent value for both small and medium-sized breed dogs. You can purchase additional panels to make it bigger, but they will cost you an extra. Some reviewers say that the pet store has sold the unit with missing panels despite the fact that they paid for them.
The construction is definitely among the best I’ve seen in a portable dog kennel. It’s weatherproof and will withstand considerable amount of abuse.
The panels are connected with flaps allowing you to open and close them for up to 50% ventilation. The inner tub of the pet house has non-slip pads that prevent the dog from sliding around.
5. BestPet Puppy Pet Playpen 8 Panel Indoor Outdoor Metal Protable Folding Animal Exercise Dog Fence,24",30",36",42",48"
This playpen is suitable for pets and children. Your pet can play inside or rest in the grass, and the kids can play with their pets or friends inside the fence
This pet kennel playpen is strong and sturdy.Easy to fold for storage. It is great for backyard & traveling. Give your pets a safe place to play
This pet play pen is suitable for all small/medium/large size dogs and cats. You can put a soft blanket in it and leave it in the backyard for your pets to take a nap, or leave it at home for your pets to sleep over
6. AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Pet Exercise and Playpen
The AmazonBasics Foldable Metal dog kennel is made from 500D aluminum and is powder coated to prevent corrosion. The all-metal walls have touches of plastic that give it a durable, flexible and weather resistant construction.
These are great if you live in a small apartment or house. They can be folded flat so you can store them under a bed completely out of the way. They are also easy to move around the house. The good thing is no sagging floor!
The weight is only 28.2 lbs with the base and 34.8 lbs including the base. The height is 31.5 inches excluding the height of the base, which is about 10 inches.
7. IRIS 34'' Exercise 8-Panel Pet Playpen
This IRIS exercise pen is perfect for medium sized dogs. It measures 34 x 46 x 48 inches and can be setup in less than 3 minutes. It’s one of the best dog kennels for medium dogs as it can offer them a lot of room to run around and play.
The playpen consists of a durable, heavy duty steel frame which is powder coated and made from 3-4mm thick tubing. The steel tubing is wrapped in high-quality woven fabric panels, giving this playpen its strength and stylish looks.
The roof panels are transparent, which allows enough sunlight to flow into the playpen. You can even replace them with mesh panels so that air can get in. This is a great feature that will help keep your dog cool during hot and humid weather.
8. S AFSTAR Heavy Duty Dog Playpen w/Door
Promising Review: "This thing is wonderful. I wanted to put my dogs out in our backyard, but I didn’t want them ruining the yard while I wasn’t out there with them. Now I can put them in this enclosure, and they have absolutely no desire to leave! The entire fence section is made out of strong plastic, and it’s all assembled with four bolts on each leg. This means I can easily disassemble the back and store it in a closet. It’s perfect for various indoor and outdoor uses, and even features rust-resistant coating.
9. Exercise Barrier Fence Metal 24" Tall
Pros:
- Keeps your pet safe
- Easy to assemble
- Keeps your pup contained
- Great for large and small dogs
- Durable, made from high-quality materials
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Some of the screws can be hard to tighten
- Sometimes the panels get misaligned
In our opinion, the best outdoor dog kennel has to be the Exercise Barrier Fence Metal 24" Tall for Pet Dog Puppy Cat 16 Panels (FABUDERFUL) ….
This kennel is great at keeping your pets safe and secure, and is easy to install and maintain.
The kennel has metal bars at the top, the back, and the bottom for added durability.
10. ALEKO DK5X5X4SQ Pet System DIY Box Kennel Dog Kennel Playpen Chicken Coop Hen House 5 x 5 x 4 Feet
If you’re looking for an outdoor dog kennel for your furry friend, then you may want to take a look at the ALEKO DK5X5X4SQ Pet System DIY Box Kennel. This kennel is 5 feet by 5 feet, making it a spacious option for big dogs.
It is made from a strong, durable material – with a steel frame that’s powder coated to prevent rust.
This kennel comes in three pieces: the base, the panels, and the top. The base is easy to assemble, and then you just insert the pieces of the top and side panels until they click. There’s also a movable panel, which allows for ventilation.
11. PawHut 97" x 46" x 72" Large Outdoor Dog Kennel Galvanized Steel Fence
Pros:
- Very strong. Large and dogs can run in and out no problem.
- Beautiful design. The roof is made from a very strong fabric that looks like it belongs on a nicer structure than a dog house. Very good for darker color dogs.
- Large enough for a dog or 2. My girls fit comfortably
- Large enough for more than 2 dogs, which is not always the case with a 2 dog kennel.
- Lots of doors
- Very good entry area. It rolls up and can be locked, or completely removed for extra large dogs.
- Top entrance is large and has a bar to shut.
- The bottom door can be locked, while the top and front entrances have strong velcro to keep them closed.
- Roof zips on. So if it gets damaged, you can easily remove it, and replace it.
- The side of the kennel has an area for a water and food dish that zips into the wall. So it stays inside the kennel, but is easily accessible for the dog.
12. Midwest Homes
The Midwest Homes for Pets K9 is one of the best kennels around. The kennel comes in two sizes: 80 and 120 inches for the large and extra-large size, respectively.
It features a metal frame that’s sturdily built and can withstand the most intense weather conditions. The kennel’s weather-resistant finish prevents rusting and chipping, and avails superior durability even with repeat use.
What’s great about this kennel is that it features a six-sided door with double doors that reach to the floor. Access is provided from all sides for easy movement in and out of the kennel. It also comes with tie-down place and garage stake hole locations for secure restraint.
13. Petmate Courtyard Exercise Pen Drop Pin Design Walk-In Door Silver Crackle Finish
Pros:
- Great for both dogs and cats
- Easy to set up – no tools required
- Cover can be easily removed for cleaning
- Very easy to close – door strap slides across easily
- Included with the pet pen, is a Heavy Duty Dual Lined Slip Mat
- Comes with two zip-lock bags and four hooks; two on the top,
- You can use the mat inside the fence or outside for easy clean up
- Included are four 90-sheets and one 60-sheet training pads in the pen
- Comes in three sizes
- The double-door is perfect for pet safety and convenience
14. walnest Dog cage Heavy Duty Crates Pet Kennel
Pros:
- Large sizes and multiple colors to choose from
- Heat-stabilized powder coating
- Secure locking system
- Very durable and easy to clean
- Well-made and slide-able for shrinking down and storage
- Frame strength and materials are up to heavy-duty standards
- Easy to assemble and it comes with an instruction booklet
Cons:
- Expensive.
This is one of the heaviest duty dog crates we’ve come across. The metal frame and mesh is sturdy and durable. You’ll appreciate that this dog crate is solid and strong, when it’s filled with a rambunctious dog.
One reviewer mentioned: “My two heavy lab mixes would shake the chain link panel kennel and one of them would even flip himself over just to get out. They have a new home now in the Walnest 3650. I could hardly put it together by myself. The wood and heavy wire is a great combination.”
The two-door design provides better ventilation and easier access. Some reviews mentioned that you’d be able to walk through this when it’s not in use.
15. Wire Pen Dog Fence Playpen
Our best pick is the Wire Pen Dog Fence Playpen, because it comes with a lot of useful features in its design such as its cover and the all-metal door. Its height is also very impressive.
The playpen itself is very easy to assemble, and it includes a carrying bag so you can bring the pen wherever you go.
One of the most noteworthy features of this pen is that it’s very portable. If you’re traveling or moving to a different home, just fold it down and put it into your bag then you’re good to go. Additionally, it’s a pretty good size, and it comes with water-proof flooring, because you wouldn’t want your pet to be standing on a grassy lawn that’s wet with dew and gets them all dirty and muddy.
16. Lucky Dog
Pros:
- Solid steel construction
- Easy assembly and set up
- Versatile as a dog house, dog crate, cat carrier, and kennel
- Covers have ventilation holes and can be rolled back in warm weather
- Has slide-bolt latches for added security
- Includes a rolling caster bar for ease of movement
- Has steel tray included
- The Tough Kennel is able to withstand the elements of nature
- The Proper Kennel is lightweight and sturdy
- Sturdy levels are included
17. Lucky Dog
The lucky dog comes in three different sizes: small (3 x 3 feet), medium (4 x 4 feet) and large (4 x 6 feet) and they vary in price. We recommend the medium size for most medium-sized dogs, but if you have a smaller dog or will be using it in a smaller area, we recommend the smaller sizes.
All of the lucky dog models have a durable, waterproof, rust proof, integrated cover with heavy duty zippers.
Lucky dog also has a super convenient 4 year limited warranty.
18. Wire Pen Dog Fence Playpen
Our best pick is the Wire Pen Dog Fence Playpen, because it comes with a lot of useful features in its design such as its cover and the all-metal door. Its height is also very impressive.
The playpen itself is very easy to assemble, and it includes a carrying bag so you can bring the pen wherever you go.
One of the most noteworthy features of this pen is that it’s very portable. If you’re traveling or moving to a different home, just fold it down and put it into your bag then you’re good to go. Additionally, it’s a pretty good size, and it comes with water-proof flooring, because you wouldn’t want your pet to be standing on a grassy lawn that’s wet with dew and gets them all dirty and muddy.
19. PetSafe Cottageview Boxed Kennel
Pros:
- Excellent ventilation
- Looks attractive
- Many customization options
- Shatter-resistant durable polycarbonate panels
- Raised rim and foot pads for durability
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Strong and sturdy design, with metal hinges
- Super easy to clean – hold down the drain valve with a paper towel and rinse clean
- Side ventilation windows for air circulation
- Large door at top for easy access
Cons:
- Rusting is an issue especially on the floor
- Some pets may find it uncomfortable thanks to the rusting
- The model is available only in one color (White)
- The model may not be suitable for taller dogs
- It’s difficult to maintain the rusting product
Large.
20. 49" Stackable Open Top Heavy Duty Cage w/Casters
The iPrimio Pet Playpen with Caster is a top pick for dog kennels. In fact, it’s not just for dogs! It can be used by cats and small animals and is ideal for small yards.
It’s one of the best kennel cages for dogs because it offers two safety features for your pet. Firstly, every gate or door has spring loaded latches which are easy to unlatch, when your pet is inside the cage. Also, it comes with a safety lock for the latch, to ensure your dog can’t use its paws to unlatch the gate.
The second safety feature is the wraparound locking bar, which ensures the latch can’t be opened from any direction. So even if your dog or pet is smart enough to unlatch the latch, it can’t open the gate or door.
21. PetSafe Box Kennel
If you’re looking for a kennel for outdoor use for your dog, then the Pet Safe box kennel is a wonderful option to consider. It’s easy to set up and will provide ample space for your pet.
This kennel comes in five size options – 16”, 20”, 24”, 28”, and 32” – to accommodate your dog’s needs. It’s made from a high-quality steel wire to ensure its durability.
The 20” model can fit one dog, and the larger models will allow two dogs. So it’s ideal for those who have two pets.
22. Paw Essentials Heavy Duty Pet Play and Exercise Pen
Made from vinyl-coated, chew-proof powder-coated steel, the Paw Essentials play pen is the perfect outdoor pen for your dogs.
The swing-latch door maximizes security while the rounded edges provide a comfortable, easy-to-get-in-and-out-of feel.
You also have the option to fasten the run to the ground so that you can be sure it won’t move an inch, even in high winds.
23. Lucky Dog CL 54150 Modular Welded Wire Kennel
24. Lucky Dog European Style Modular Kennel
Pros:
- Energy efficient
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Modular design
- Easy to assemble
- Powder coating
- Sturdy and durable
- Easy to clean
- Glass windows for visibility
- Nice look
- Can easily be cleaned
Cons:
- Smaller than expected
- Walls can be a bit thin
- One piece leaks when upside down
- Supports could be a bit better
- Not suitable for dogs that are too rowdy
The Lucky Dog Outdoor Modular Kennel with Predator Top consists of an 8-panel cage, with separate doors for the dog and humans. The setup of the kennel is simple and fast.
The steel framing is powder-coated, which is easy to clean and resistant to rust. The locking bolts on the door are made of metal as well.
The panels of the cage are made of lightweight, but sturdy plastic. It’s easy to assemble too, matching together easily without having to use any tools. The wedges and connectors, however, are made of metal.
25. SMONTER Heavy Duty Dog Cage
26. Giantex Large Pet Dog Run House Kennel Shade Cage
Pros:
- Easy to setup and fold away for transport
- Has a portable carrying strap
- Has 8 small ventilation holes on each curtain
- Well ventilated with zip and Velcro door system along with the included water bowl
- It’s weatherproof and sunproof
- 68”W and 78”L
- Comes with a water bowl, which is a generous size
- Has a roof for shade (raised) as well as a pool for water and a skid resistant bottom
- Sturdy material
- Good size for large dogs and smaller puppies
Cons:
- The zipper cover for the water bowl has holes which means that water may get through it
- The top of this kennel is built to hold up to 2 people, which is not suitable for small dogs, small children, and cats
- The material is thin and you can see the color of the bottom of the crate
- The tabs to open the doors are very small and hard to handle
- The instructions manual isn’t clear and might confuse some people
27. Cove Products K9 Condo 4' X 8' Dog Run
Pros:
- Well-made heavy-duty dog house
- Easy assembly
- Versatile dog cage, which can be used for housebreaking puppies
- Versatile: can be used indoors or outdoors
- Has a roof that can be closed
- Area is portable
- Water, storage, and bedding holders are placed in the right places
- Provides adequate ventilation
- Has easy access points
- Easy-to-clean floor
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with wiring to hang it from a beam
- Not suitable for large dogs
Pet Products For Warehouse Breeding Kennels, Puppies, and Dogs.
If you’re looking for an affordable indoor dog run, then the Cove Products K9 Condo might just be right for you. It’s well-made, versatile, and offers more than you’d expect from a dog crate of this price.
This dog crate is heavy duty and will last for years to come. The unit comes with a dog house, which has a waterproof floor and a soft pillow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best outdoor dog kennel?
The best outdoor dog kennels are spacious, easy to clean, and durable.
However, all that being said, there really is no single “best” dog kennel on the market.
Instead, there are a wide variety of dog kennels that are suitable for a wide variety of uses and applications.
If you don’t know whether you need a wire dog kennel, plastic dog kennel, metal dog kennel, indoor kennel, or even a dog playpen, then there are a few things you should be aware of.
Are outdoor kennels good for dogs?
Choosing the type of kennel for your pet is a personal decision that involves a few considerations. Outdoor kennels are basic, solid cages that are designed to keep your dog safe from predators and the elements.
Where should I put my dogs kennel outside?
In most cases a lawn is your best bet. Inside the kennel of course.
But if you don't have any grass you can do what I do and just put it inside. It makes it look like your dog is in a nice little house (which she is).
Here is a well insulated dog kennel that is 6X6, which is great for keeping your dog warm during the winter.
I also highly advise that you house it under some type of roof. If you don't have a shed or place to put it, at least shelter the back and top with a tarp, but also remember to allow a passageway for fresh air. There are actually dog houses that allow fresh air to come into the dog kennel from the bottom.
What can I put in an outdoor dog kennel?
Outdoor pet kennels vary in shape, size, and particularly material. However, they are all used for the same purpose by pet owners. An outdoor kennel is a good alternative to a crate because it allows the pet to be outside of the house being able to interact with family members without taking up too much space inside the home. Outdoor pet kennels typically have floors made of vinyl, plastic, or metal panels which are then covered by a bedding like grass or shavings. Depending on the type, an outdoor pet kennel could be described as either a dog house, cage, or pen. These indoor dog houses are great for pets that are stubborn house breakers or misbehavior dogs that are accidentally or purposefully house trained and are in need of some time apart. However, if your dog is able to adapt to being left solo for an extended period of time then you would be better off purchasing something like a dog cage instead.
Conclusion
A portable dog kennel is a fantastic investment for any dog owner. It helps you to travel safely with your dog in a car or in your home. It also allows you to set up his outdoor living space with ease. Since portable dog cages come in so many shapes, sizes, designs and security levels, it’s a good idea to make an informed choice when purchasing one.
We’ve researched all of the current top-rated models and found the best portable dog kennels of 2022 in terms of value for money, quality of construction, ease of set up, and safety features.