
How Big Should a Dog Kennel Be?
- Outside Kennel Basics. An outdoor kennel, also called a dog run, should have sides that are tall enough to keep your dog...
- Outdoor Kennel Dimensions. Large, active dogs need more space than smaller dogs. The American Society for the Prevention...
- Indoor Kennel Basics. Your dog should be able to stand up, lie down and turn around in her...
How to choose the right dog kennel size?
- The first is from the highest point of their shoulders to the floor.
- Once you have those numbers, you want to add four inches to the second and third numbers. ...
- You may also want to get the weight of your dog. ...
What type of dog kennel is best?
The Best Rated Dog Kennels – Top 5!
- Petmate Two Door Top Load Pet Kennel. This kennel by Petmate is available in both medium and large sizes and comes in rose, blue, white, and tan finishes.
- Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier. This dog kennel from Sherpa is a great choice for your adventures! ...
- Suncast Deluxe Tan Pet Carrier. ...
What is the average size of dog kennels?
With standard size kennel/runs measuring 5’ x 10’, here are some typical building dimensions for varying sizes of facility. Once your kennel building kit is assembled, there’s still a fair amount of work to be done. The kennel is merely the shell of the dog-friendly facility you’re putting together!
Is a kennel a good place to get a dog?
A dog kennel is a sanctuary for dogs where pet owners who are leaving for work, are going out of town, are sick or are not able to take care of their dogs for any other reasons, can keep them till they can come and retrieve them. Therefore, kennels offer dogs a place where they can get fed, rest and also get some exercise.

How much space does a dog need in a kennel?
The calculation is: (length of dog in inches + 6) × (length of dog in inches + 6) = required floor space in square inches.
How much bigger should a kennel be than a dog?
Your dog should have a crate 6″ longer than the length of his body and 6″ higher than his shoulder height for maximum comfort. The best way to measure this dog is with a simple tape measure. The two measurements that are important are height and length of your dog.
How big should my outdoor dog kennel be?
The kennel you choose should be big enough for your pet to stand up, lie down and turn around. The general rule is the kennel should be 1 – 1.5 times the length of your dog (not including the tail). If you live in a warm environment a kennel a little larger for ventilation would be comfortable.
How wide should a dog kennel be?
Outdoor Kennel Dimensions Large, active dogs need more space than smaller dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals suggests dog owners use one of two sizes, either 10 feet by 10 feet or 5 feet by 15 feet.
Can a dog kennel be too big?
The bottom line. Dog crates should always be the right size for your dog. While they can be too small, they can also definitely be too big. When a crate is too big, your dog may start to use part of it as a potty area, which will hinder housebreaking and not teach your dog to hold it.
Should you completely cover a dog crate?
When you observe a few important guidelines, covering your dog's crate is very safe. You should never completely cover your dog's crate as it can block airflow. Keep blankets away from heat sources, ensure the fabric is breathable, and avoid using knit blankets that may snag or unravel.
What is the best base for a dog kennel?
Dirt and wood chips have disadvantages, so gravel, sand or artificial turf are preferable. The best gravel cover for dog runs is pea gravel or river rocks.
How much space does a dog need outdoors?
Therefore, a dog that is 30 inches long needs a minimum of 9 square feet of space. Also, if you're planning on placing your dog in an enclosed place, like a crate, there should be a minimum of 6 inches of space over their head.
What is the best base for a dog run?
Some people make the mistake of using grass, and while it's cheap, it's also messy, and you'll find yourself replacing it at least once a year. Instead, you should consider a stone like pea gravel, limestone or gravel chips, as well as screenings as the base of the dog run.
What is the average size of a boarding kennel?
When determining how much space you will need for your new boarding operation, a good rule of thumb is an average dog run will require approximately 40 to 50 square feet of total space, including aisle ways, food prep, etc. An 80 run kennel then would be approximately 4,000 square feet.
Do dogs prefer smaller crates?
Size the crate to your dog's size. Most owners buy crates that are far too large. The dog should be able to stand up in the crate and turn around, but they should not have much more room than this. Remember we are trying to give the dog a small, safe place to relax that resembles a den, not a play pen.
How do you know if a dog is too big for his crate?
Here are a few ways to know:Your dog should be able to stand up comfortably and turn around.There shouldn't be too much additional space in the crate. ... If your dog's head is touching the top of the crate and you expect them to grow taller, the crate size is likely too short.
How should a dog fit in a crate?
When your dog is standing on all fours, measure them from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Do not include their full tail length in this measurement — this will result in a crate that is too large. Add 2 to 4 inches to this measurement for the best length of a crate for your dog.
Does dog crate size matter?
In crates, at least, size does matter. Your crate must have enough room for your dog to stand, sit, turn around, and sleep comfortably. However, if you have a puppy, there is one more size factor to consider. Some puppies are fine in a large crate.
How to Measure a Dog to Determine the Right Kennel Size
Yes, the height and length are two important factors to consider when purchasing a dog kennel.
How big of a kennel does a lab need?
If you have a lab at home, or even a dog at the office, how big of a kennel should it have? Will it be in the same room as the dog?
Are outdoor kennels good for dogs?
Should I keep my dog in an outdoor kennel, or should I buy him acrate? You will be surprised at some of the answers.
What is the best outdoor dog kennel?
The answer to this question will likely differ from one dog owner to another.
Outside Kennel Basics
An outdoor kennel, also called a dog run, should have sides that are tall enough to keep your dog from jumping out and high enough to keep other animals from jumping in. A 6-foot fence is usually high enough, but not always.
Outdoor Kennel Dimensions
Large, active dogs need more space than smaller dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals suggests dog owners use one of two sizes, either 10 feet by 10 feet or 5 feet by 15 feet.
Indoor Kennel Basics
Your dog should be able to stand up, lie down and turn around in her indoor kennel or crate. If you are buying a kennel for a puppy, get one that is large enough to suit her adult size.
Indoor Kennel Dimensions
The exact dimensions of dog kennels will vary by manufacturer. In general you want a small kennel, 18 inches long or so, for toy dogs such as a Maltese.
Outdoor Kennel Sizing
Outdoor kennels, sometimes called dog runs, should have enough space for the dog to run around and play as well as sides that are tall enough to keep the dog from jumping out and other animals from jumping in. The accepted estimates for sizing are 10 feet by 10 feet or 5 feet by 15 feet.
Indoor Kennel Sizing
Indoor dog kennels, sometimes called crates, don’t need to be as big as outdoor kennels since they are intended for use as a place of rest. The dog should be able to sit up fully without hitting the top, turn around fully and easily, as well as stretch out completely.
Find the Perfect Kennel at Direct Animal
Direct Animal offers a wide range of kennels with various sizes, shapes, and intended uses, making it easy for you to get a design in exactly the right size for your home or business. We also have a large collection of back and side panels so you can customize your size based on daily needs.
2. Go Up a Size in Kennels for Smaller Dogs
The smallest dog kennels measure about 24 inches long, with slightly larger kennels measuring up to 30 inches long. Keep in mind that each manufacturer is a bit different as far as kennel lengths and size categories go, so you can give or take a couple inches with the length measurement of each size.
3. Choose Appropriate Kennels for Medium and Large Dogs
Medium-size kennels are around 36 inches long and can accommodate dogs in the 40- to 70-pound range. Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, and American Eskimo dogs at a normal adult size all fit well in these size kennels.
4. Use Metal Kennels for the Big Breeds
While a plastic kennel or a soft-sided kennel is an option for smaller dogs, stick with a metal kennel for dogs that weigh 90 pounds or more. Non-metal kennels may suffer damage from a big dog getting excited or deciding to test its strength.
5. Use an Open Kennel as a Play Place
If you’re getting a kennel to give your dog an enclosed place to play, you can get whatever size you want to fit your space. Outdoor kennels are a fun choice for dogs if you have a yard but don’t want them to run off, while indoor kennels are great for limiting dogs to a certain area of the house.
How big should your dog crate be?
Yes, dog crates can be too big. It’s easy to think that as long as a crate is big enough for your dog, then it doesn’t matter if it is too large. However, too much room in a dog’s crate can lead to them not thinking of it as their own confined space.
How to measure your dog for crate size
A lot of the crate size guides that you will see show recommendations based on the weight of a dog. However, when selecting the proper crate for your dog, the size matters more that the weight. Your dog should have a crate 6″ longer than the length of his body and 6″ higher than his shoulder height for maximum comfort.
Dog crate sizing chart by breed
There are probably dog breeds that are not listed below. If yours is one of the breeds not listed, find a breed closest to yours and go by your pet’s adult size. Also, keep in mind that these are rough guidelines and may not apply exactly to your dog. For instance, if you have a dog that weighs 20 pounds more than average, consider sizing up.
What size crate should you buy for a puppy?
If you are starting out with a puppy, many wire dog crates come with a divider panel that allows your dog crate to grow with your dog. The divider panel keeps the sleeping area small to discourage your puppy from soiling/eliminating where he sleeps. As your puppy grows move the divider panel to accommodate his changing size.
Other Important Aspects to Consider
Your pet’s and crate’s measurements are the essential factors for getting the right crate. Yet, there are other important aspects you need to consider.
Final Thoughts
Getting the right size of your dog’s crate isn’t a hard task. All you need is to take the right measurements of your pet, make sure to have the right space and environment for the crate. Et voila!
