Dog pens can be handy for many purposes, such as when training puppies or as an exercise space for young dogs. Choosing between them all isn't easy though – do you pick durable steel or cosy fabric? Indoor or outdoor? Maybe you need a portable dog pen for caravan or camping holidays, or maybe you'd like a tall, wide, L-shaped fence so your dog can burn some energy in the garden.
Whatever you're looking for, this article will teach you all about the type of dog pen you need, along with the different materials and panel sizes, and whether or not you need a cover. In addition, you'll also see some top-quality recommendations for both small dogs and large dogs, sold on popular sites such as Amazon.
Quick List - Top Dog Pens
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Metal dog pens are very adaptable and durable. They can be kept indoors or outdoors as they're usually weather-proof, although you'd need to secure them to the floor to stop them from blowing away. Usually, a metal dog pen will consist of 6-16 panels of fencing that you can manipulate to your desired shape. When you don't need the pen, you can just fold each panel inwards and store it away safely.
If you buy a metal dog pen, you'll need to buy a few extra bits to keep your dog comfortable. If you keep the pen inside, you could buy a tray or sheet to protect your floors from damage and to keep your dog warm. If you want your pen to stay in the garden, you might like to add a cover to shade them from the sun.
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Fabric dog pens are best suited to smaller dogs. They too can be kept inside or outside, but it isn't recommended to expose them to wet weather for long periods of time; otherwise, they can start to weaken in quality.
A fabric dog pen is super simple to set up with a pop-up design that can often be flattened into a compact bag. In comparison to metal pens, fabric varieties have much more to offer in terms of comfort. They can come with mesh panels, floor sheets, top covers, and even little pouches and pockets for your dog's belongings.
It is imperative, however, that you check that the fabric pen is of adequate size. The most common mistake is choosing a pen that your dog is too big for after you've already bought it. Your dog should be able to stand, sit, and lay in the pen with enough room to walk in at least a small circle.
Depending on the type of product that you choose, some pens allow you to manipulate them into various different shapes. For instance, if you have a puppy who is young and settling in, you could create a compact pen with a few corners for them to cosy up in and feel safe.
On the other hand, an octagonal pen will give your pup the most freedom with wide, obtuse corners that don't limit running space. You'd need eight panels to do this. We've listed the number of panels in our specification tables, but remember that this will always include the gate panel.
It's also worth remembering that you don't necessarily have to use all of the panels. You'll figure out what works best for your dog when you start to use it, but you can always lower or expand the square footage if you need to.
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Once you know how many panels there are, you need to know their width and height to be able to properly measure how much space they'll take up. It is also important to ensure that the pen you buy is tall enough for your dog. If you have a big, jumpy dog, you'll definitely need to go for a height of around 80-100 cm or more to make sure that they don't succeed in hopping over it.
On the other hand, you don't want a fence that towers above a little puppy as this could make them feel trapped and vulnerable. For puppies, heights of around 40-60 cm would be suitable, depending on the breed of dog you have.
As a dog owner, you need to know exactly what your dog is doing at all times, especially if they're a mischievous puppy. There are a few ways that you can ensure the safety of your dog for each different dog pen.
Metal dog pens usually have one latch for every door, whether it has single or double entry points. If your dog is known to bust out of enclosures, a double latch would do the trick of keeping them in. Triple latches are also available, although unless you have a very strong, tall dog, this isn't usually necessary.
Fabric dog pens will have a zipper, meaning that your dog has no way of escaping when you're not looking. While zippers are convenient, they can defect more easily than latches as they can get caught in the fabric.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yaheetech 16 Panel Pet Dog Playpen | ![]() | The Most Spacious Option Available | |
2 | UNDERDOG Extra Heavy Duty Puppy Play Pen | ![]() | A Shapeshifting Pen for Medium-Sized Dogs | |
3 | MC Star Portable Playpen For Dogs | ![]() | A Convenient Pop-Up Pen With Pockets and a Carry Bag | |
4 | AVC Designs Pet Dog Pen | ![]() | A Spacious Option for Bigger Dogs | |
5 | Yaheetech Large Foldable Dog Pen | ![]() | A Double-Door Versatile Dog Pen | |
6 | BIGWING Style Pet Play Pen | ![]() | A Cosy, Portable Option for Medium-Sized Dogs | |
7 | AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Pet Dog Exercise Fence Pen | ![]() | Triple-Latched and Stable to Secure Strong Dogs | |
8 | PawHut Heavy Duty 8 Panel Dog Play Pen | ![]() | A Customisable Training Pen for Young Pups | |
9 | PawHut Fabric Pet Pen | ![]() | A Compact and Water-Resistant Travel Pen | |
10 | BWORPPY Folding Pet Playpen | ![]() | A Cute Dog Pen for Miniatures |
This is the largest dog pen on the list, making it an ideal set up for dogs big or small who love to run around and burn off energy throughout the day. It's made from sturdy iron which means that you can depend on it to be durable, ensuring safe and long-term usage.
Setting it all up is really simple too, and it even has a collapsable design so you can take it camping or caravaning. With 16 panels in the package, you can build this pen in many different shapes. Not to mention, the rounded edges will keep your pets safe, and your floors too!
An 8-panel dog pen with 78 x 100 cm panels like this is perfect for keeping your crazy dogs contained in the garden or the house. The material is strong and durable, and it's a perfect size for any medium-sized dog or smaller. Its biggest draw, however, is that you can change from an L-shape to an octagon or even a square – the choice is yours.
The gate is tall, narrow, and raised from the ground so your dog shouldn't be able to push it open. For added security, this gate has two latches – one at the top and one at the bottom – to ensure there's no possibility of any naughty puppies escaping!
A spacious option for small dogs and puppies, this playpen is compact, lightweight, and water-resistant so you can take it anywhere with you and your pup. It has two wide zipper entrances, one closeable mesh canopy, and two storage bags. With a diameter of 125 cm, this playpen is ideal for small pups to both sleep and run around in.
This pen can be used for several types of dog, whether that's a safe space for a new puppy or a cosy retreat for an old dog. When you're not using it, you can fold it into the size of one panel and it will pop into shape when you open it!
This enormous dog pen is a garden essential for any large dog owner – or any owner really, as there are sizes ranging from small to extra-extra-large! The XXL is a perfectly safe place for a little of puppies or big dogs as the fence is 1.22 m tall. Plus, the pen comes with 5 ground pegs to anchor it in a secure position.
It arrives connected but flat-packed, so all you have to do is connect one panel to the other to close off the gap. After that, you can unleash your dog (or dogs) to go wild in their new roomy playpen.
This is a product that would fit a new bundle of puppies and all of their toys, beds, and potty pads. If you're training your young dogs, this pen can be used inside the house as either a rectangle, an octagon, or a flat fence to pen your pups in one safe area.
It's made from heavy-duty metal with a black sprayed finish and it folds flat for easy storage and portability. If you need to, you could separate this pen into two smaller 6-panel pens to keep one indoors and one outdoors. The gate is a stepover gate too, so there's no way that your dog could squeeze through any gaps.
Available in red, blue, and beige, this fun and durable pen is a comfortable, civilised space for your dog to relax. Inside the package, you receive a removable safety net for shading your dog and preventing them from jumping out.
In addition, you'll also find a removable groundsheet to keep the floor clean and their pads warm, along with several pockets for treats and toys. This small-to-medium-sized dog pen is great for taking along with you on any trip as it all folds down into one carry-bag. That way, your furry friend can tag along on family camping trips without causing havoc on the site grounds!
This very tall dog pen is just what you need for a big Great Dane or a Newfoundland. They can roam around in a 19 sqft octagon, or a 16 sqft square if you want to fit it into a corner of the house. This pen is pre-assembled with foldable hinges so you can just collapse it and hide it away when your dog doesn't need it.
Offering the highest security out of all of the products on our list, this step-over gate has three latches to keep your dog safe. It's not as wide as some of the other pens on our list, so while it caters for big dogs in height, they might struggle to get their daily exercise in. It's probably better that they use this pen as an indoor chill-out space.
This one is definitely one of the best products available for letting your new puppies run around in the garden without getting hurt or lost. At 100 cm high, you could also use this pen for smaller dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers for their regular outdoors time.
For assembly, simply line up the panels with each other and feed through one of the eight rods to act as a hinge. This flexibility means that you can change the shape to whatever you think your dog will find comfortable. The rods do have a flaw though: some owners have advised making sure your dog's collar is removed before entry as it could snag on them.
This product is a popular choice for owners of small dogs who often travel and want to give their dog a cosy place to sleep. Made from sheets of water-resistant Oxford cloth fabric, this playpen features see-through mesh window panels so that your dog can see everyone.
In addition, there's a semi-circle of mesh on the roof to offer both sun and shade for your pup when you're outside. It's unlikely that your dog would get much exercise in this pen due to its size, so it's best used as a convenient solution when travelling with your loyal pal.
Folding into a small flat-packed panel, this portable, lightweight dog pen is exactly what you'd need for a miniature dog like a mini poodle or a Chihuahua. It features one roll-up fabric door with a zipper shutter, and a ring of mesh on the roof so your dog can get all of the natural light that it needs.
Though very affordable, this design is the smallest on our list with a diameter of just 72 cm so unless you have a miniature or other dainty breed, we would recommend that you explore larger options.
More often than not, crates just aren't enough for dogs. Your furry friend needs space to run around to maintain their weight while keeping them safe and enclosed. In fact, the UK Kennel Club recommends that no more than twice a day, your puppy gets five minutes of exercise for each month of their age. For example, if they're three months old, you should provide 15 minutes of exercise one or two times a day.
Not only do dog pens offer controlled outdoor time, but they also help to give your dog more independence. Pens can also provide a cosy indoor space to relax or could even be used when house training your dog. There are so many ways to make good use out of a dog pen, so get creative and take a look at our buying guide to help.
No. 1: Yaheetech|16 Panel Pet Dog Playpen
No. 2: UNDERDOG|Extra Heavy Duty Puppy Play Pen
No. 3: MC Star |Portable Playpen For Dogs
No. 4: AVC Designs |Pet Dog Pen
No. 5: Yaheetech|Large Foldable Dog Pen
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