Keeping a dog in an outdoor kennel is a controversial topic. There are pros and cons to consider when deciding if an outdoor kennel is right for your canine companion.
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Quick Overview
An outdoor kennel, sometimes called a dog run, is an enclosed outdoor space for dogs. Kennels range from small chainlink pens to large, fully-enclosed outdoor structures. They allow dogs access to fresh air and space to move around while keeping them securely confined when unsupervised.
Some of the potential benefits of an outdoor kennel include:
- Gives the dog room to move around and exercise
- Provides fresh air and stimulation from the outdoors
- Keeps the dog securely contained
- Gives the dog a space of their own outside the home
Some of the potential drawbacks include:
- Dogs can become lonely, bored or stressed if left alone for too long
- Lack of climate control – may get too hot/cold depending on weather
- Potential for pests, parasites, diseases from other animals
- Kennel must be kept very clean to control odors, waste, and pests
- Kennel must be sturdy and escape-proof
Overall, brief periods in an outdoor kennel are usually fine for most dogs, but they should not be kenneled for the majority of the time. Careful consideration should be given to size, site, layout, materials and upkeep to create a safe and comfortable area.
Is it Cruel?
Whether an outdoor kennel is cruel largely depends on how the kennel is designed, constructed, and used. Simply keeping a dog in an outdoor kennel does not automatically equate to cruelty.
An outdoor kennel may be considered cruel if:
- The kennel is too small for the dog
- The dog is confined for overly long periods of time
- The kennel lacks adequate shelter from sun, rain, wind
- The kennel flooring is unsafe or uncomfortable
- It has sharp protrusions or openings allowing injury
- The kennel is not kept clean
- The dog’s physical and mental exercise needs are not met
A properly constructed kennel with room for movement, shelter, soft bedding and regular access to human interaction, play and walks should not be inherently cruel. No dog should spend the majority of their life in solitary confinement in a kennel.
Legal Requirements
Laws regarding outdoor kennels for dogs vary significantly depending on local ordinances. Some areas prohibit unattended tethering or continual confinement in a kennel. Others have detailed specifications for minimum kennel sizes, materials, shading and more. Be sure to check the laws in your local area.
Typical legal requirements for outdoor dog kennels include:
- Minimum dimensions, often based on dog size
- Proper shelter from weather
- Adequate shade and ventilation
- Restrictions on continual unattended confinement
- Standards for kennel construction and fencing
- Requirements for cleanliness, sanitation and pest control
- Access to clean water
- Provisions for exercise and mental stimulation
Even if minimum legal standards are met, a kennel may still be inhumane. Providing additional space, enrichment and supervision helps ensure a higher quality of life.
Pros of Outdoor Kennels
When properly designed and used responsibly, outdoor kennels offer several benefits:
- Exercise: More room to move than indoor crating or pens. Allows running, playing fetch, etc.
- Fresh air: Gets the dog outside into the open air. Can help reduce boredom.
- Safety: Contains the dog securely when unattended at home or outdoors.
- Housebreaking: Provides a space for young dogs to relieve themselves away from the home.
- Den space: Gives the dog an outdoor spot to call their own for napping, chewing, etc.
- Training: Area for outdoor training sessions, especially for high-energy dogs.
- Cooling off: Shade, breezes and access to water can help dogs cool down on hot days.
For active, energetic dogs like working breeds or hunting dogs, a roomy outdoor kennel can provide needed space to move and exercise when the owner is away or resting. Herding and sled dogs often thrive with outdoor housing in appropriate climates.
Cons of Outdoor Kennels
There are also several drawbacks that need careful consideration:
- Loneliness: Isolated for long periods without human interaction.
- Boredom: Lack of mental stimulation and enrichment.
- Safety: Possible injury from climbing, biting or escaping if kennel is not secure.
- Extreme temperatures: Hard to control heat and cold. Need shading and wind barriers.
- Weather: Vulnerable to rain, snow, wind, debris getting into kennel area.
- Pests: Parasites like fleas, ticks, flies. Also mice/rats. Need vigilant pest control.
- Sanitation: Urine, feces, food waste. Needs frequent waste removal and disinfection.
- Noises: May be stressed or frightened by loud noises like traffic, thunder, fireworks, machinery.
- Allergens: Outdoor allergens like pollen could aggravate dog allergies.
Leaving any dog alone for long periods in a kennel is problematic. Boredom, isolation, extreme temperatures, sanitation issues and safety risks need careful management in an outdoor kennel setting.
Ideal Use Cases
An outdoor kennel is best suited for specific situations and dog types/lifestyles:
- High energy, working dogs (herding, hunting) that need lots of exercise
- Dogs that are difficult to housetrain
- Dogs that are destructive when left loose indoors
- A base camp/shelter for outdoor dogs like farm collies
- Holding area when owners are away from home for periods
- Housetraining puppies
- Dogs that thrive being outdoors
Owners need to provide enrichment, exercise, training, attention, veterinary care just like they would for indoor dogs. Outdoor kennels should not be an “out of sight, out of mind” housing solution.
Tips for Proper Use
To use an outdoor kennel humanely:
- Never leave a dog in a kennel for excessive periods of time
- Provide a kennel large enough for the dog to move around and exercise
- Ensure the kennel has shade, sun barriers, wind/rain protection
- Use raised, comfortable bedding material
- Regularly clean waste and refresh water
- Check for damage, wear, sharp edges, loose fasteners
- Provide interactive toys; rotate to relieve boredom
- Install lighting if kennel is used after dark
- Provide daily exercise, play, training, affection
- Adjust confinement times according to weather extremes
- Never use a kennel as punishment
Ideally, a dog should spend the majority of time engaged with their family indoors and only have brief daytime stays in an outdoor kennel on nice weather days. They should be gradually conditioned to enjoy the kennel, not forcibly confined for overly long periods.
Alternatives to Outdoor Kennels
Some alternatives to consider:
- Indoor kennel/crate: More climate control and supervision.
- Dog run cable: Allows tethered movement outdoors.
- Fenced yard: Offers outdoor freedom in a secure area.
- Doggie door: Dog comes/goes to a safely fenced area.
- Dog walker: Provides potty breaks, exercise, companionship.
- Doggy daycare: Supervised play indoors with other dogs.
- In-home sitter: Provides human interaction and companionship.
Free access to the home or yard under supervision is ideal. But when that’s not possible, the above options allow for more movement, enrichment and companionship than solitary time in an outdoor run.
Conclusion
Outdoor kennels should not be a dog’s primary living space. With proper site selection, construction, size, layout, materials and usage, they can be a safe temporary retreat. But excessive confinement, isolation, extreme weather, pests, waste and other hazards need careful management.
Providing for a dog’s physical and mental needs requires much more than just housing. Owners have an obligation to provide companionship, exercise, training, veterinary care, enrichment and supervision. An outdoor kennel must meet minimum legal standards for humane confinement and be used judiciously as only part of a dog’s daily life.