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6 Types Of Outdoor Heavy-Duty Dog Kennels: Your Complete Guide

Hanna Ingold - January 15, 2025

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Are you searching for the safest and most secure outdoor kennel to keep your dogs comfortable and protected? Naturally, you want the best for your furry friends, but knowing what to look for in a kennel can be challenging. How can you be sure it will truly keep them safe and secure?

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the six types of heavy duty outdoor dog kennels, highlighting the key materials, features, and designs to look for. With these insights, you’ll be able to choose a kennel that offers the durability, weather resistance, and escape-proof construction you need for peace of mind.

The 6 Types of Heavy-Duty Outdoor Dog Kennels

Without further ado, here are the six types of outdoor dog kennels designed to provide the ultimate protection for your dogs. We’ll break down everything—from side panels to roofing materials and escape-proof features—so you can confidently choose the perfect kennel to meet your needs.

1. Welded Wire Kennels

welded wire kennel kits

Welded wire kennels are an excellent choice for heavy-duty outdoor dog kennels due to their strength, durability, and resistance to wear. The welding process fuses the steel wires at each intersection, creating secure and rigid panels that are difficult for dogs to chew, bend, or breakthrough.

The steel is often coated with a galvanized layer, protecting it from rust and corrosion, even in harsh outdoor environments. This makes welded wire kennels a long-lasting solution for outdoor use. Additionally, the grid patterns, typically 2″x2″ or 2″x4″, are designed to prevent dogs from squeezing through or escaping, providing both security and peace of mind. These features combine to make welded wire kennels a reliable and practical option for keeping your dogs safe and comfortable outdoors.

2. Chain Link Kennels

chain link kennel kit

Chain link kennels are an excellent choice for those seeking a heavy-duty outdoor dog kennel that’s both durable and budget-friendly. Built with strong wire, typically 11.5-gauge or thicker, these kennels are designed to resist bending, chewing, and breaking, even from large or strong dogs. The panels provide a secure and reliable enclosure that keeps your pet safely contained.

To ensure long-lasting performance in outdoor environments, chain link kennels feature a galvanized top coat that protects the wire from rust and corrosion. This makes them highly resistant to damage caused by rain, humidity, and snow. You can even add strong roofing that adds protection from sun, rain, and more. Get the protection you need for your outdoor kennel at an affordable price. 

3. Modular Panel Kennels

modular kennel panels and dividers inside commercial dog kennel boarding business

Modular panel kennels are a fantastic option for those looking for a customizable and heavy-duty outdoor dog kennel. These kennels allow you to create various shapes and sizes to fit your needs while maintaining the strength and durability you can count on. Built with galvanized steel or welded wire and reinforced frames, modular panels are designed to keep your dog securely contained while preventing predators or the elements from getting in.

To ensure they stand up to outdoor conditions, most modular panel kennels are galvanized or powder-coated, making them resistant to rust and capable of withstanding rain, snow, and humidity. With their flexibility and robust construction, modular panel kennels are an excellent choice for secure and long-lasting outdoor containment.

4. Metal Kennels 

tan and red trimmed metal siding on heavy duty outdoor dog kennel with attached welded wire run

Metal kennels are built with thick, galvanized or powder-coated steel tubing, making them highly durable and resistant to bending or breaking. These kennels can feature metal siding panels for added security and coverage. Metal is a sought-after material for kennels because it eliminates gaps, making it extremely difficult for dogs to break through, while also providing excellent protection from the elements, including wind, rain, snow, and sun.

Many metal kennels include a metal roof, and those with a sloped design allow water and snow to run off easily, preventing potential damage. The Dog Kennel Collection offers kennels equipped with metal siding or roofing panels, galvanized steel frames, and reinforced corners. If you’re searching for the ultimate safe haven for your dogs, check out their commercial and residential outdoor dog kennels

5. Wooden Kennels

wooden heavy duty outdoor dog kennel with green shingle roof and chainlink attached run fencing

When you think of wooden kennels, you might wonder how well they hold up in various weather conditions. Rest assured, wood can be a highly durable and weather-resistant material when properly treated. It also adds timeless charm to your backyard or commercial dog business, combining functionality with classic style.

Wooden kennels are typically built using pressure-treated or kiln-dried lumber, which resists rot, warping, and decay. Reinforced corners add stability, ensuring they stand strong over time. Siding options like board and batten or LP SmartSide panels provide a weather-tight barrier, making these kennels an excellent choice for outdoor use. Topped with metal or shingle roofing, they are designed to withstand harsh elements while keeping your dogs safe and comfortable.

Curious about our wood siding options or have concerns about durability? At The Dog Kennel Collection, we’re happy to answer your questions and explain how our wood is treated to ensure it remains weather-resistant and long-lasting. And if wood isn’t your style, we also offer vinyl and metal siding and roofing for a customized, durable kennel solution that fits your needs.

6. Commercial-Grade Kennels

Are you searching for a durable kennel solution tailored to the unique needs of your business? Commercial-grade kennels are designed with both durability and functionality in mind, making them the ideal choice. These kennels incorporate many of the heavy-duty materials mentioned earlier, such as weather-resistant galvanized coatings, reinforced frames, welded wire, treated wood, chain link, or metal siding. However, they go a step further by addressing the specific challenges that businesses like yours may face.

In addition to their robust construction, commercial-grade kennels offer customizable features to enhance security and functionality. You can opt for tall walls or smooth-finish panels that deter climbing, as well as concrete flooring or ground-level barriers to prevent digging. These features ensure the kennel is escape-proof, even for the most determined dogs.

For interior comfort and efficiency, these kennels can be equipped with insulation, heating or cooling units, and dividers to maintain the perfect internal temperature while safely separating dogs from one another. With these options, commercial-grade kennels provide a safe, secure, and tailored environment for your business needs.

Have a unique concern that you don’t see addressed here? We’re happy to work with you directly to design a kennel that has everything you need for your business. Just give us a call!

What is the Sturdiest Dog Kennel?

red metal sided sturdy dog kennel with black metal roof solar panels and 8 attached runs with welded wire sitting on properly graded gravel foundation

Now you’re probably wondering, which of the six heavy-duty outdoor dog kennels is the sturdiest? The sturdiest option ultimately depends on your specific needs.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly or portable solution, or don’t plan to keep your dog in the kennel for extended periods, welded wire or chain-link kennels are excellent heavy-duty choices. They provide durability and security while remaining more affordable and easier to move.

For more permanent setups or commercial use, metal frame kennels with metal or shingle roofing or kennels with treated wood siding and reinforced framing offer a sturdier and more robust solution. These options are designed for maximum durability, weather resistance, and long-term reliability.

What Is The Best Material For An Outdoor Dog Kennel Floor?

raised kennel flooring inside kennel with welded wire panels

There are many flooring materials available for dog kennels, and the best choice depends on your specific needs. For example, Polyurea flooring is highly durable, making it ideal for frequent foot traffic. It’s also resistant to the chemicals often found in kennel cleaning products and can be installed quickly. However, it has limited UV resistance, so it’s best suited for kennels that are sheltered from the sun or for those who prefer professional installation.

On the other hand, gravel flooring is a budget-friendly option but requires more time and effort to maintain. If you’re willing to handle the upkeep, it can be a practical choice.

For a deeper look at which flooring material might be the best fit for your heavy-duty outdoor dog kennel, check out our blog on the 7 Best Dog Kennel Flooring Ideas.

Find The Ultimate Heavy Duty Outdoor Dog Kennels At The Dog Kennel Collection

tan commercial grade outdoor dog kennel with shingle roof and 8 outdoor welded wire attached runs

If you’re searching for the ideal heavy-duty outdoor dog kennel, we offer an array of kennel siding, roofing, and flooring materials that can help you craft a kennel that’s built to last. In collaboration with Backyard Pet Supplies, we also offer welded wire and chain link kennel kits that you can assemble yourself. 

If you’re looking for a professionally designed residential or commercial-grade kennel, we can work with you to create a kennel with metal, vinyl, or wood siding and a chain link or welded wire attached run that offers a safe and comfortable space for your dog. 

Check out our features and options to design a kennel that has everything you need to offer long-lasting protection in the outdoors. Have any questions about which material is right for you? Contact us today!