Doghouse vs. Kennel — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 13, 2024
Doghouses are small, single-room structures for one dog, focusing on shelter; kennels are larger facilities that can house multiple dogs, often with spaces for exercise and care.
Difference Between Doghouse and Kennel
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Key Differences
A doghouse is typically a small, enclosed shelter designed specifically for one dog, providing a safe and private space outdoors. In contrast, a kennel can refer to any housing arrangement for dogs, including professional facilities that accommodate multiple animals.
Doghouses are usually placed in the owner's yard and serve as a protective retreat from weather elements, while kennels often include multiple enclosures and can offer additional services like grooming, training, and boarding.
The construction of a doghouse is generally simplistic, made from materials like wood or plastic to withstand outdoor conditions. Kennels, on the other hand, may be more complex and constructed from a variety of materials, including metal and concrete, especially in professional settings.
Ownership of a doghouse implies personal, at-home care for a single dog, whereas kennels can be owned by businesses that provide care and management for several dogs simultaneously.
While doghouses provide a personal touch to a dog’s living environment, emphasizing comfort and familiarity, kennels focus on functionality and can cater to the diverse needs of multiple dogs from different owners.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Small, for one dog
Large, for multiple dogs
Use
Private, personal use
Commercial or private multi-dog housing
Material
Wood, plastic
Metal, concrete, wood
Services
Shelter only
Boarding, grooming, training
Location
Typically outdoors in a yard
Can be indoors or outdoors, varied locations
Compare with Definitions
Doghouse
Primarily used by pet owners at home.
He built a doghouse so his pet could enjoy being outside safely.
Kennel
A structure or facility for housing multiple dogs.
The new kennel can accommodate up to thirty dogs.
Doghouse
Simple in design and construction.
Their new doghouse is a basic wooden structure with a slanted roof.
Kennel
May refer to a business that offers dog boarding and care.
They left their dog at the kennel while on vacation.
Doghouse
A small, enclosed shelter for a single dog.
The doghouse in the backyard provides shelter from rain and snow.
Kennel
Built from various materials to house dogs safely.
The modern kennel features climate-controlled rooms and outdoor runs.
Doghouse
Often symbolic of a state of disfavor or punishment.
Jim was in the doghouse for forgetting his anniversary.
Kennel
Can be located in diverse settings, from residential to commercial.
Their kennel is part of a large pet care complex in the city.
Doghouse
Typically located in the owner's yard.
She placed the doghouse under a tree for shade during summer.
Kennel
A kennel is a structure or shelter for dogs or cats. Used in the plural, the kennels, the term means any building, collection of buildings or a property in which dogs or cats are housed, maintained, and (though not in all cases) bred.
Doghouse
A doghouse, dog house, dogshed or kennel is a small shed commonly built in the shape of a house, intended to provide dogs with a sense of security and protection from various weather conditions. Numerous materials can be used, such as wood, plastic, resin, and hardboard.
Kennel
A shelter for a dog.
Doghouse
A small shelter for a dog.
Kennel
A pack of dogs, especially hounds.
Doghouse
Any small house or structure or enclosure used to house a dog.
Kennel
An establishment where dogs are bred, trained, or boarded.
Doghouse
A structure of small size, similar to a doghouse, but offering useful shelter for a human.
Kennel
The lair of a wild animal, such as a fox.
Doghouse
Mechanically, an equipment cover with an opening, with a shape resembling a doghouse.
Kennel
A gutter along a street.
Doghouse
(nautical) A difficult or demoralizing situation.
Kennel
To place or keep in or as if in a kennel.
Doghouse
A traffic signal with five sections: two on the bottom, two in the middle, and one on top.
Kennel
To take cover or lie in or as if in a kennel.
Doghouse
(informal) Any shabby or disreputable establishment.
Kennel
A house or shelter for a dog.
– We want to look at the dog kennels.
– That's the pet department, second floor.
– That's the pet department, second floor.
Doghouse
Outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog
Kennel
A facility at which dogs are reared or boarded.
The town dog-catcher operates the kennel for strays.
She raises registered Dalmatians at her kennel.
Doghouse
An idiomatic term for being in disfavor;
In the doghouse
Kennel
The dogs kept at such a facility; a pack of hounds.
Kennel
The hole of a fox or other animal.
Kennel
(obsolete) The gutter at the edge of a street; a surface drain.
Kennel
(obsolete) A puddle.
Kennel
(transitive) To house or board a dog (or less commonly another animal).
While we're away our friends will kennel our pet poodle.
Kennel
(intransitive) To lie or lodge; to dwell, as a dog or a fox.
Kennel
(transitive) To drive (a fox) to covert in its hole.
Kennel
The water course of a street; a little canal or channel; a gutter; also, a puddle.
Kennel
A house for a dog or for dogs, or for a pack of hounds.
A dog sure, if he could speak, had wit enough to describe his kennel.
Kennel
A pack of hounds, or a collection of dogs.
Kennel
The hole of a fox or other beast; a haunt.
Kennel
To lie or lodge; to dwell, as a dog or a fox.
The dog kenneled in a hollow tree.
Kennel
To put or keep in a kennel.
Kennel
Outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog
Kennel
Put up in a kennel;
Kennel a dog
Kennel
Often equipped with professional care services.
The kennel also provides grooming and obedience training.
Common Curiosities
What is a doghouse?
A small, personal shelter for a single dog, typically located in the owner’s yard.
What is a kennel?
A facility that can house multiple dogs, often providing additional services like boarding and grooming.
How do doghouses and kennels differ in size?
Doghouses are small and for one dog; kennels are larger and designed for multiple dogs.
Are kennels always part of a business?
Often, but private multi-dog owners may also use kennels for their pets.
What are the typical features of a kennel?
Kennels may feature multiple enclosures, professional care, and diverse construction materials.
Can doghouses provide adequate protection from weather?
Yes, they are designed to offer shelter from various weather conditions.
Can a kennel be used for services other than housing?
Yes, kennels often offer services such as grooming, training, and long-term boarding.
Why might someone choose a doghouse over a kennel?
For personal, at-home use with a single dog, providing a familiar and private space.
What materials are used in building doghouses?
Common materials include wood and plastic, chosen for durability and weather resistance.
Is a doghouse suitable for all dog sizes?
Doghouses vary in size but each is generally suited to accommodate the size of the dog it is built for.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
