Best Off Ground Kennels [5 Picks and What to Avoid]

There are a variety of benefits to introducing your dog to a new off ground kennel, with the primary reason being to keep your dog safe, and comfortable for the duration you are separated from them.

best off ground dog kennel
How to choose the best off ground kennels for your dog.

This means for things like short vacations, business trips, or even simply being gone for the day.

Off-ground kennels are not designed to be a permanent solution, but they are a far more reliable, durable, and safe option when compared to standard kennels. 

The idea is that the kennel is built to withstand the outdoor elements, and it is lifted off the ground to help prevent your dog from any harm, or danger. 

The next step is understanding what your options are, and to help you get started we have come up with the following list of best off ground kennels in 2021. 

The 5 Best Off Ground Kennels [Value/Durability]

Petsfit 40.8 X 26 X 27.6 Inches Wooden Dog Houses, Dog House Outdoor
DEStar Durable Waterproof Plastic Pet Dog House Indoor Outdoor Puppy Shelter Kennel with Air Vents and Elevated Floor (Medium - 28" Height)
33.4" Wood Dog Houses Outdoor Insulated, Weatherproof Dog Houses Outside with Door Cute Wooden
Confidence Pet XL Waterproof Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House Extra Large Brown
Ferplast Dog Villa Dog House, Small
Petsfit 40.8 X 26 X 27.6 Inches Wooden Dog Houses, Dog House Outdoor
DEStar Durable Waterproof Plastic Pet Dog House Indoor Outdoor Puppy Shelter Kennel with Air Vents and Elevated Floor (Medium - 28" Height)
33.4" Wood Dog Houses Outdoor Insulated, Weatherproof Dog Houses Outside with Door Cute Wooden
Confidence Pet XL Waterproof Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House Extra Large Brown
Ferplast Dog Villa Dog House, Small
Petsfit 40.8 X 26 X 27.6 Inches Wooden Dog Houses, Dog House Outdoor
Petsfit 40.8 X 26 X 27.6 Inches Wooden Dog Houses, Dog House Outdoor
DEStar Durable Waterproof Plastic Pet Dog House Indoor Outdoor Puppy Shelter Kennel with Air Vents and Elevated Floor (Medium - 28" Height)
DEStar Durable Waterproof Plastic Pet Dog House Indoor Outdoor Puppy Shelter Kennel with Air Vents and Elevated Floor (Medium - 28" Height)
33.4" Wood Dog Houses Outdoor Insulated, Weatherproof Dog Houses Outside with Door Cute Wooden
33.4" Wood Dog Houses Outdoor Insulated, Weatherproof Dog Houses Outside with Door Cute Wooden
Confidence Pet XL Waterproof Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House Extra Large Brown
Confidence Pet XL Waterproof Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House Extra Large Brown
Ferplast Dog Villa Dog House, Small
Ferplast Dog Villa Dog House, Small

Petsfit Weatherproof Wooden Outdoor Dog House –

Petsfit 40.8 X 26 X 27.6 Inches Wooden Dog Houses, Dog House Outdoor
$178.99
  • 【Medium Dog House Outdoor Suitable for Medium Dog Breeds】Our medium dog house measures 40.8” L x26” W x 27.6” H/28.2” H and the interior is 35”L x 19.7” W x 23”H/20.2”H. It is...
  • 【Durable Construction and Easy Assembly】100% made of Finnish spruce panels, thicker than others. Manufactured with stainless steel hardware & strong asphalt shingles, the outdoor dog shelter is...
  • 【Protective Design and Open-up Roof with High-quality Pneumatic Braces】Log cabin design with a slanted asphalt roof & door flap provide protection from the elements and keep the cabin dog house...
  • 【Removable Floor with Additional Support Rails, More Sturdy and Easy Cleaning】The outdoor dog kennel is equipped with removable floor, which is convenient for cleaning. And ADDITIONAL SUPPORT...
  • 【Raised Floor with Adjustable Feet Increases Ventilation & Keeps Your Pet Dry】For additional pet protection from harsh weather, the elevated from the ground provides great air circulation and a...
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04/21/2023 01:15 am GMT

The Petsfit Outdoor Dog House is by far the best off ground kennel on the market, with a world-class durability rating, and nothing but outstanding customer reviews. It also presents us with one of the more versatile designs with 6 different sizes, and 4 different colours to suit your every need as a consumer.  

It is built with a reinforced, and removable floor and hinged roof to allow for easy cleaning, and a slanted roof design to ensure good drainage.

This amazing kennel is made from kiln dried cedar before being treated with natural colour stain, and comes with the patented raised floor design to help keep out moisture. A door flap does come included as well.

Considering that this product carries nothing but tremendous reviews, next-level versatility, and surprisingly spectacular durability (for an even more surprisingly spectacular price). There really is no better option on the market. 

DEStar Durable Waterproof Dog House – 

DEStar Durable Waterproof Plastic Pet Dog House Indoor Outdoor Puppy Shelter Kennel with Air Vents and Elevated Floor (Medium - 28" Height)
$109.99
  • LARGE & STURDY HOUSE - The dog house is large enough for dogs of different sizes; Please check the dimensions before buying; Overall Dimension: 28.7"(L)*25.1"(W)*27.9"(H); Door Dimension:...
  • VENTILATION DESIGN & CONSTANT TEMPERATURE - Designed with 2 vents at the front and back, the DEStar dog house ensures good circulation of air; The lovely dog can always breathe fresh air whatever the...
  • ELEVATED BASE & WARM HARBOR - The 2.7” higher base prevents the dirty water from flowing into the house, protecting the lovely dog from dirt, rain, snow, frostbite, and scald; The lovely pattern of...
  • DETACHABLE & WATERPROOF ROOF - The detachable design and smooth surface of our pet house make the cleaning easier; The slanted roof diverts water away very quickly, protecting the dog house from heavy...
  • EASY INSTALLATION & EASY CLEANING - All the accessories are included for handy installation; Following up the instructions step by step, an adult can assemble the dog house within 30 minutes; If you...
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01/21/2024 12:57 pm GMT

Another amazing option is the DEStar Dog House as it illustrates one of the more stylish designs, for a very affordable price.

This design is made with a sturdy, durable, and thick PP plastic that is anticorrosive, and antirust, making it very suitable for any outdoor space. It also comes equipped with premium ventilation, as it is designed with 2 vents at the front, and back, making it the perfect option to handle all weather conditions.

The base of the kennell is elevated at 3.3” above the ground, ensuring that dirt, and water from getting into the kennel. It is super-easy to install as it comes with a detachable design, and smooth surface for easy-cleaning.

The entire process should take no longer than 30 minutes to install. This is a superb option for anyone who prefers the durable plastic material, over the classic wood design. Both offer certain pros and cons, but bear in mind that the DEStar Dog House is still the more expensive of the two. 

ROCKEVER Insulated Outdoor Dog House –

ROCKEVER Dog Houses for Small Dogs and Puppies Outdoor Wood Weatherproof Outside Wooden Puppy Houses Insulated Autumn Blonde
$139.99 $129.99
  • 【Recommend for small pets】 Small dogs under 30lbs, cats and other smaller animals. Please check the photo for more size details.
  • 【 Easy to clean】 It's easy to gain access to the inside by opening the roof and the bottom floor can be removed for daily cleaning.
  • 【Easy to assemble】 With all necessary parts included, the pet house can be easily assembled with pre-drilled holes. Once correctly assembled, the stable structure will never split or fall apart.
  • 【Protect your pets against bad weather】 The wooden dog house is leak proof, it will servaive in heavy rain, the raised bottom floor and the vingl door flap will keep your dog warm and dry inside....
  • 【Shipping &After-sales service Guarantee】 Amazon will take resposibilty for the shipping. If there is any damaged parts, please contact us freely and provide pictures of damaged parts for us to...
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04/25/2023 06:06 am GMT

Sliding in as our 3rd best off ground kennel in 2021 is the ROCKEVER Insulated Dog House, with a special design that comes available in 3 different sizes (small, medium, large), and 2 different colours (autumn blonde & light grey).

This wooden design is 100% leak proof, and is specifically built to handle heavy rain, and severe weather conditions.

It comes with a raised floor, and a vinyl door flap that is designed to keep your dog warm, and dry. The roof is also slanted for this design, so it can allow for easy drainage. Each size will come with a weight limit, however they have the perfect sized kennel, for every size of dog.

Just simply follow the guidelines, and match the size accordingly. The amazing thing is that none of the sizes are expensive, and this kennel in fact ranks as one of the least expensive products on the market. Exemplifying it’s tremendous value. 

Confidence Waterproof Dog Kennel

Confidence Pet XL Waterproof Plastic Dog Kennel Outdoor House Extra Large Brown
  • WATERPROOF - Re-engineered design helps to keep your dog dry during rain (though we'd advise bringing them in during torrential weather)
  • Made of tough and durable plastic for a comfortable, personal space for your Pet
  • Large room and internal volume for your dog
  • Please confirm the product dimensions are adequate for you size pet before purchase
  • 2 x air vents. Easy assembly Entrance Size (XL): 14 x 24.5 inches
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The Confidence Waterproof Dog Kennel is a more premium option, offering up a more spacious environment, with tremendous safety, and durability. This unique design is made with a tough and sturdy PP plastic that is not only extremely durable, but shockingly comfortable as well.

The house itself is 27” tall, and 26” wide so it presents us with one of the larger builds available. It illustrates an easy-to-assemble design that is not only elevated 3” off the ground, but is built to withstand all outdoor elements present in the dog’s environment.

This option in particular would be better suited for those with medium-large dogs, or for those looking to create a more spacious environment for a smaller dog. 

Ferplast Dog Kennel

Ferplast Dog Kennel, 28.74 x 23.23 x 20.87
$124.99
  • Durable Dog House ; Made with anti-shock robust plastic that is waterproof and UV rays resistant ; Dog house measures 28.74L x 23.23W x 20.87H - inches and is ideal for small dog breeds
  • Patented Fold-Out Porch ; Side panel opens into a porch providing additional living space and ventilation for your dog ; Dog house can be assembled w/ the fold-out door on right or left side
  • Suitable Ventilation ; Large entry-way, fold-out porch along with built-in ventilation and drainage system provides your dog with a healthy, ventilated and dry living space
  • Easy Assembly Dog House ; Outdoor dog house does not require any tools for assembly and can be constructed or dismantled very easily. Made of tough thermoplastic resin
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02/15/2024 04:31 am GMT

The final option worth considering if you’re in the market for an off ground dog kennel, is the Ferplast Dog Kennel. It is a very durable design as it is made with an anti-shock, robust plastic that is specifically designed to protect against water, as well as sun damage.

It comes in 3 different sizes (depending on the size of dog you’re looking to accommodate), and carries a patented fold-out porch.

This unique build comes with a side panel that can open up into a porch for your dog, allowing for more comfort space, and ventilation. It also comes equipped with a large entry-way, and a built-in ventilation, and drainage system to ensure your dog is always kept clean, dry, and comfortable.

The Ferplast Dog Kennel presents another wonderful solution as an elevated dog kennel that is very efficient, innovative, and surprisingly durable. Not to mention it carries one of the friendlier prices on the market. 

FAQs about Off Ground Kennels

a wooden dog kennel
A wooden slightly off ground dog kennel

Are there any safety concerns with off ground kennels?

No, not really as the idea of an off ground kennel is to keep your dog more safe, and secure than a standard kennel wood.

Off ground kennels are generally made with high-quality material that is weather-resistant, and come available in a variety of sizes to accommodate all pups. For those who are concerned about predators, many off ground kennels come with a tarp-style cover for the kennel which also helps to keep out heat in the summer, and snow/rain in the winter.

Many also come with food and water attachments, which allows you to add food and water without stepping into the kennel. So long as your dog is not left in their off ground kennel for an extended period of time, there are no real safety concerns present. 

How long should I leave my dog in a kennel for?

spacious dog kennel interior
Now THIS is a luxury and large dog kennel

Another common question people have is knowing how long to leave the dog in the kennel for. Tying into the previous point, you don’t want to leave your dog in their kennel for an extended duration, no matter how warm, and comfy of a space you create.

Dogs in general should never be left in any kennel for longer than 8 hours.

Many people are under the assumption that if they buy an off ground crate, that they can just leave their dog outside all weekend as they sip on White Claws at their friend’s cottage. For any kennel you buy, you are going to have to find (or pay) somebody to come and check up on the dog for the duration you are away.

But the good news is that investing in an off ground kennel will go a long way in keeping your dog safe, comfortable, and dry for the time they are alone. Dogs of all breeds (even guard dogs) can be comfortably left in a kennel between 6-8 hours (at the most). 

Off Ground Kennel Conclusions

a beagle in a kennel
A beagle in a dog kennel

All in all, off the ground kennels are tremendous if you find yourself dealing with dry weather, hot summers, or extreme weather conditions. 

Throughout the year you are bound to run into situations where the ground is very cold, yet dry. This can have a dramatic effect on your pup (VetMed) if you have a kennel that is right on the ground. 

The cold can seep in, and the moisture can allow for easy-access to bugs, and uncomfortable scenarios.

Also by raising the kennel off the floor, it helps to add in a cooling effect for the dog. 

The elevated kennel provides extra ventilation, and will help to reduce the buildup of dirt, and bacteria, which can make a dramatic difference in the warmer months. 

Off ground kennels are spectacular products because they are far more durable, secure, and come with better ventilation, and weather-proof features than standard kennels. 

Though they do also come at a higher price, so this is something to consider before purchase.