Whether it is due to limited space or personal preference, some dog owners prefer to keep their dogs outdoors in a dog kennel with a dog run. However, if you prefer to have your dog living outside you need to provide special care to keep him cool and comfortable during hot weather.

On hot days, your dog needs adequate shelter to protect him from the sun and the heat. A large dog kennel in the garden will work well but ensure that the dog kennel entrance is not facing directly into the sun.  If you choose to purchase a very large dog kennel with a dog run and you have electricity to the building, you could equip the kennel area with a fan to circulate the air  (It is better to have this be done professionally because curious dogs can chew electric cables and cause a serious accident and injury)

Having a roof or cover on the dog run will protect your dog from the sun by providing shade and is also useful for keeping your dog protected from the many summer showers we have in the UK !!

If possible, make sure that the floor of the dog kennel is raised above the ground as this prevents water from running inside the kennel and also protects from rising damp and cold.  This is good advice whether you go for the smaller dog kennel or the larger dog kennel with dog run.

Remember that if you purchase the large outdoor dog kennel with dog run that it needs to go onto a hard surface like concrete or paving stones to prevent it sinking into the ground and also allowing you to clean the run area easily by swilling it out.  It’s amazing how many people ask if they can put one straight on to the garden but don’t think about how they will mow the inside of the run !!  

Just like humans, our pets can have too much sun resulting in sunburn and pain. It has even been known in extreme cases to lead to skin cancer. That is why it is important in hot weather to make sure that your dog is not exposed to the sun for too long.

Did you know that heat exhaustion can kill your dog? Never leave your dog alone in the car on a sunny day even with the windows down because even if the sun is not too strong, it can turn a car into a greenhouse in a very short amount of time. Imagine the suffering of a dog who cannot escape the heat because he is locked in the car.

Always make sure that wherever you dog is - in the garden, in his dog kennel, out walking with the family - that he has access to some clean, fresh water.