10x10 Vs. 10x20 Dog Kennel: Which Size Do You Need?
Plan A Backyard Kennel Around Your Dog And Your Space
You mark out a corner of the yard for a kennel, then remember the bed, the water bowls, and the gate. Suddenly, the space looks smaller. Choosing between a 10x10 dog kennel and a 10x20 model starts with what needs to fit inside and how you'll reach it every day.
A 10x10 layout can suit a compact, supervised outdoor setup when your dog and the essentials fit comfortably. A 10x20 gives you more length to separate resting space from open ground, provided your yard has room for it. A 10x15 is worth considering when ten extra feet would be too much. Here's how to compare them before you order.
Table of Contents
- Compare The Footprints
- When A 10x10 Dog Kennel Works Well
- When The Extra Length Of A 10x20 Helps
- Consider A 10x15 Before Going Bigger
- Mark The Space In Your Yard
- Plan For The Dog Who Will Use It
- Common Questions
Compare The Footprints
Footprint is the ground space the kennel takes up. Based on the listed dimensions, a 10x10 layout is about 100 square feet, while a 10x20 is about 200. Both have the same listed width; the 10x20 adds length.
The GARVEE options below give you three sizes to compare:
| Listed Footprint | Nominal Ground Area | What Changes In Your Layout |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft | 100 sq ft | A square layout keeps the bed, bowls, and entrance relatively close together. |
| 10 x 15 ft | 150 sq ft | Five more feet of length gives you more separation between resting and open space. |
| 10 x 20 ft | 200 sq ft | Ten more feet of length leaves more options for arranging the interior. |
The table's area figures come from the listed length and width. They aren't measurements of the space inside the frame or a minimum space requirement per dog. Before choosing a size, mark out the bed and bowls so you can see how much open room remains. If you're building a base, use the assembled dimensions and the installation clearances for that model.
The shape matters too. If your yard only has a long strip available, sketch both orientations. One may leave a better route to the gate, while the other could block the path you use to reach the shed.
When A 10x10 Dog Kennel Works Well
Start with a 10x10 if you have a roughly square space near the house and want a contained spot for supervised outdoor breaks. It may be enough for your intended setup without taking over the part of the lawn you use for other things.
Try a simple layout: a resting mat toward one side, water where you can refill it, and an open route from the gate into the enclosure. Your dog should be able to stand naturally, turn, and lie fully stretched out without crowding the bowls or pressing into the bed.
A 3x4-foot bed covers 12 square feet on paper, but that figure alone can't show whether the layout will work. Mark the bed, bowls, and gate route in your 10x10 outline, then check that the resting area and path stay clear.
The GARVEE 10x10 outdoor dog kennel has a roof cover, a lockable main gate, and separate feeding access. Keep the bed out of the path between the gate and the feeding area so you can reach the bowls and clean without shifting it.
A 10x10 becomes less practical if the things you plan to add leave only a narrow passage. At that point, test a longer footprint instead of squeezing each item against a different wall.
When The Extra Length Of A 10x20 Helps
A 10x20 dog kennel is worth a closer look when the bed or shelter you plan to use takes up a large part of a smaller layout. The extra length lets you put resting space toward one end while keeping more of the middle open.
It can also make daily access easier. You may be able to enter, close the gate, and reach the water without stepping around the bed each time. That benefit depends on the actual gate location and where you place the accessories.
Try the same 3x4-foot bed in your marked 10x20 layout, then walk from the proposed gate to the bed and water. Check whether the extra length gives you an open area you'll use while keeping those daily trips easy.
The GARVEE 10x20 outdoor dog kennel includes a roof cover, a lockable main gate, and feeding access with bowls. Use the feeding opening as a fixed point in your layout, then keep the bed clear of your route in and out.
There is more ground to maintain, though. Think about reaching the far end with a hose and cleaning around the full perimeter. A larger kennel should make everyday use easier for you as well as give your dog more room.
Extra length gives a dog more room to move within the enclosure. Walks, play, and time together still belong in the daily routine; a bigger footprint doesn't replace them.
Consider A 10x15 Before Going Bigger
You may find that 10x10 feels crowded once you mark out the bed, but a 10x20 would reach into a walkway. A 10x15 gives you a middle option: a nominal 150 square feet, or 50 more than the square layout.
Those five extra feet may let you move a resting area farther from the entrance while preserving the route you use outside the kennel. Test that arrangement with the actual bed dimensions rather than treating the middle size as an automatic compromise.
The GARVEE 10x15 outdoor dog kennel has the same listed 10-foot width as the other two options, along with a covered frame and feeding access. It is worth comparing when length is the deciding factor in your yard.
If the available width is the problem, moving from 10x20 to 10x15 won't solve it. You would need a different footprint or another location.
Mark The Space In Your Yard
Start With The Smallest Layout
Lay a tape measure along each side and mark a 10x10 square with cones or other visible markers. Extend one side to 15 feet, then 20 feet. Compare each outline from the house, the patio, and the path you'll use to enter.
Put the bed, mat, and water bowl in the proposed spots. If you plan to add a doghouse, mark its full outside dimensions, including the space needed to enter it. Leave a route to every item you'll need to pick up, refill, or wash.
Leave Working Room Around The Gate
Mark the proposed gate position and check the model's opening direction. Allow it to open fully without hitting a fence, planter, or stored garden tools. Stand where you would enter with your dog and check that you can close it comfortably.
The space outside matters as much as the space inside. Keep a clear path for carrying water and removing bedding. If you use a cart for cleanup, include that cart in your trial layout instead of guessing how much clearance it needs.
Check Rain, Sun, And Cold
Look at the marked area after rainfall. Standing water, a muddy low spot, or runoff from a downspout can make an otherwise convenient location hard to use. Choose stable, level ground and plan drainage before assembling the frame. Follow the supplied instructions for the base and anchoring.
Check the sun at the times your dog will be outside, too. Shade shifts during the day. The AVMA recommends fresh water and access to shade outdoors. Position the kennel so both remain available, and check the ground surface before use on hot days.
A roof cover also doesn't make an open-sided kennel an insulated winter shelter. Keep outdoor sessions suited to your dog's tolerance and bring them into a warm, dry place in severe cold. Cornell's winter safety tips cover signs that your dog is getting too cold.
Plan For The Dog Who Will Use It
The label "large dog kennel" can't tell you everything about fit. Watch your own dog's standing height, turning space, and resting position. Door width and interior height matter alongside the ground area.
Think about behavior during supervised outdoor time as well. A dog who repeatedly pushes at the gate or climbs the panels needs a different containment plan, even if the enclosure has plenty of floor space. Increasing the length alone won't address that behavior.
If two dogs will use the space, consider their relationship and whether each can rest and reach water comfortably. Plan separate resting spots, supervise their time together, and separate them for meals when needed. Floor area alone cannot establish whether sharing an enclosure is suitable.
For the final choice, return to the layout you marked. Pick the 10x10 when your dog and everyday essentials fit comfortably within it. Consider the 10x15 when five extra feet improves that arrangement. Choose the 10x20 when you will use the added length and can maintain clear access around it.
You can compare these formats in GARVEE's outdoor dog kennel collection. Keep your yard sketch beside you as you compare the assembled dimensions and gate layout.
Common Questions
Is A 10x10 Dog Kennel Big Enough For A Large Dog?
It depends on the individual dog, what you put inside, and the planned use. Judge the available interior after placing the bed and water. Your dog needs comfortable movement and resting space, and the kennel should be part of a routine that includes exercise and interaction.
Is A 10x20 Dog Kennel Twice As Wide?
No. Both nominal layouts are 10 feet wide. The 10x20 is twice as long, giving it twice the nominal ground area: 200 square feet compared with 100.
Can Two Large Dogs Share A 10x20 Kennel?
Size alone doesn't answer that. Compatibility, separate resting space, access to water, and supervision all matter. Some dogs need separate enclosures regardless of the area available.
Should The Kennel Fill The Entire Available Space?
Leave room for installation requirements, gate movement, and daily access. A kennel that fits tightly between two obstacles may be difficult to assemble, enter, or clean. Include those clearances when marking the yard.