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A gun dog’s kennel is one of the most important pieces of hunting gear you can own, and the best hunting dog kennels serve several key functions. Primarily, they’re the place for your dog to hang out when they’re at home or on the road. And hunters—and their dogs—are often on the road. So for this gear test, we focused primarily on travel crates, because kenneling your dogs when you’re in a car is the safest way to transport them. Many of today’s kennels have added design features that provided extra protection for man’s best friends even in the case of a severe accident.
Hunting dogs are also notoriously naughty when they don’t have a structured “place” to be. A good kennel is sturdy and tough enough to keep a hyperactive gun dog secure. Some modern options have incorporated nifty add-ons like attachable fans and water bowls that keep your dog extra comfortable while they're at it. When it comes down to it, a kennel is your dog’s home. And it’s important to get them a good one. These are the best hunting dog kennels we tested over the last few months.
Best Overall: Gunner G1 Kennel
Best Budget: EveryYay Going Places Folding Dog Crate
Best for Trucks: Lucky Duck Kennel
Best for Duck Hunting: Ruff Land Kennel
Best Aluminum: Impact Collapsible Dog Crate
Best Overall: Gunner G1 Kennel
Pros
Heavy-duty
Solid impact protection
Reversible, aluminum frame door
Built-in tie-down system
Sleek, customizable design
Large variety of well-built add-ons
Made in the USA
Cons
Heavier than others we tested
Expensive
Gunner kennels have taken the hunting dog world by storm for good reason. The company’s flagship G1 kennel is incredibly well made. For one, it’s the only double-wall rotomolded crate on the market. This makes the kennel extra safe in the case of an accident. Awarded the title of 5 Star Crash Test Certified crate by the Center For Pet Safety, it can withstand up to at least 4,000 pounds of force. While I, thankfully, have not gotten into an accident while using the kennel, this thing just feels sturdy as hell.
The double-wall rotomolded construction has another key benefit: temperature regulation. Similar to a rotomolded cooler, it maintains its interior temperature extremely well. That means your dog will spend less energy staying cool in hot weather and staying warm in cold weather. Beyond that, the door is made with a strong welded aluminum frame you can set up to open in whichever direction suits you. The crate was designed with hunters in mind and has a fully integrated tie-down system that allows you to easily secure it to your truck bed or cargo space.
Plus, these things are easy on the eye: burly and rugged, but not bulky. Gunner kennels just look good. Each one also comes with the option of a customized, engraved nameplate for your dog. Additionally, these kennels are very customizable. Gunner makes a suite of well-made add-on products and upgrade custom-made for the G1 kennel. My favorite is a removable fan you can attach to either the side or door of the kennel to keep your dog from overheating on hot days. The kennel we used for our test has a snazzy special edition Mossy Oak Gamekeepers camo door.
As for downsides, the Gunner G1 is one of the most expensive kennels around. The heavy-duty construction also makes it heavy and a bit difficult to load and unload from your truck, especially if you don’t have someone to help you.
Best Budget: EveryYay Going Places Folding Dog Crate
Pros
Affordable
Simple, functional design
Sturdy enough for most dogs
Removable pan
Collapsible for easy storage
Cons
Not suitable for travel
Too flimsy for dogs with high anxiety
This is the kennel that Gina Deem, owner of Paws to Peak Rescue (a Montana organization that re-homes bird dogs), recommends to all her clients. It’s a bare-bones crate for sure, but it gets the job done for most hunting dogs.
The frame is made of wire metal, which makes it strong enough to hold most dogs, if they're well-trained. For high-anxiety dogs or those that struggle with crate training, this probably isn’t your best option. My pup had zero issues in here—he loved laying down inside once I added a bed. It’s a very affordable choice that is plenty useful for most hunters and their dogs. Additionally, it’s one of the only crates in this test that has a removable bed pan, which makes it easier to clean.
The biggest drawback of this crate is that it’s not safe for travel. There is nowhere to tie it down and the frame is not stiff enough for air travel. I wouldn’t be comfortable using this to transport my dog. Rather, I think it’s a great budget option as a stationary crate for a hunting dog.
Best for Trucks: Lucky Duck Kennel
Pros
Sturdy rotomolded construction
Locking door
Powder-coated tie downs
Multiple drain holes for easy cleaning
Made in the USA
Cons
Bulky and heavy
Plastic door feels flimsy
This rotomolded unit is a solid choice as a hunting dog kennel, particularly if you plan on using it in the back of your truck bed. The crate is designed by Lucky Duck—a brand that specializes in duck decoys—so it's geared toward gun dogs, specifically those trained for waterfowl. This is certainly a sturdy crate and is 5 Star Crash Test Certified, though it doesn’t feel quite as indestructible as the Gunner G1 during my testing. That said, for most dog owners, it’s more than strong enough to keep your dog safe and prevent them from breaking out. The burly construction is complemented by a lockable door and powder-coated tie downs that make it easy to secure your dog in an exposed truck bed—a major bonus.
In terms of drawbacks, the crate is heavy and a bit bulkier in design than others I used. Additionally, the all-plastic door frame did not appear to match the same sturdiness as the rest of the crate. That said, for a truck-owning hunter, it’s hard to go wrong with the Lucky Duck kennel.
Best for Duck Hunting: Ruff Land Kennel
Pros
Great value
Solid, no-frills construction
Relatively lightweight compared to others we tested
Removable door
Customizable
Cons
No built-in door lock
Thin walls
I’m a big fan of the Ruff Land kennels, largely because they offer a great bang for your buck. These rotomolded kennels are typically several hundred dollars cheaper than competitors’ crates. For a budget-minded hunter who still wants a premium crate, this is a great option.
The Ruff Land kennel is constructed with a single rotomolded wall with "Ruff Flex" technology that absorbs energy. This prevents your dog from feeling as much of an impact should there be any bumps or, worse, a crash. So while the crate may be more flexible with thinner walls than other rotomolded kennels I tested, it will still keep your four-legged hunting companion safe at home or on the road.
I appreciate how the door is easy to remove entirely, which can come in handy while kennel training your dog. Of course, this means that locking the door is more involved and requires purchasing additional accessories (not the case with other kennels). The floor is raised to channel water and debris away from the dog, making this a particularly ideal fit for a hard hunting duck dog. Additionally, Ruff Land has a large variety of helpful customizations available. I like the kennel design with a slight modification at the rear that allows it to fit snuggly in the back of most SUVs.
Best Aluminum: Impact Collapsible Dog Crate
Pros
Lightweight
Well-designed
Collapsible
Cons
Not particularly sturdy
More expensive
Impact makes the gold standard of aluminum dog kennels, and the brand’s collapsible option is a good fit for most hunting dog owners. As to be expected, the aluminum construction makes these things light and portable. I had no issue setting it up and carrying it by myself during testing. The design is also fairly strong and durable with more-than-sufficient impact resistance, thanks to the aircraft-quality materials used to make them. The kennel has plenty of ventilation on all four side, which is great for those who live in hot climates (though I doubt it would offer ample insulation for cold weather).
What I like best about the Impact crate compared to the bulkier rotomolded kennels I tested is that it's collapsible. You can easily stow it away in your garage or even your backseat when your dog isn't using it. But there is a trade-off here. While the crate is sturdy, it doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as non-collapsible crates. There are no built-in tie downs to easily stabilize it in your car, either. However, this thing is built to last. Aluminum is a rust-resistant metal, and so this kennel should hold up for you and your pup for a long time—and it better, considering that it is far and away the most expensive kennel on this list.
How We Tested Hunting Dog Kennels
I spent the last couple of months testing the dog kennels to determine the best (and safest) for hunters and their companions. The first thing I did was set up each kennel out of the box to see how difficult it was to assemble, while also assessing its internal and external components.
After each kennel was assembled, I analyzed what I consider the most important features. First, I looked at the doors. Were they secure but also easy to open? Then I looked at the build of each kennel. In my mind, the best kennels are solid enough to keep any dog from breaking out while also keeping them safe in the case of a travel-related mishap. I secured most of these kennels in the back of my Toyota 4Runner to see how they fit—and how difficult it was to secure them for road transport. I loaded my wirehair pointing griffon, Gunney, into the kennels and hit the road for several training sessions and early season hunts in Western Montana to see if I could pinpoint any positive or negative distinctions with each kennel during normal use.
One of the other factors I kept in mind when compiling this list was versatility. Would the kennel work well both for travel and at home? Can you customize it with added features, or use it for both cold- and warm-weather conditions? How difficult would it be to store each kennel when you’re not using it?
The last thing I considered was aesthetics. Whether it’s in the car or truck or sitting in your mudroom, the best hunting dog kennel should look good. Period.
FAQs
Q: What size crate do I need for my dog?
Finding the correct size kennel is very important for your dog's safety and comfort. A good rule of thumb is to measure your dog’s length and height and find a crate that’s 3 to 4 inches longer than those measurements. But it also depends on how you're going to use your kennel. If you’re keeping it mostly at home, it might make sense to give the dog a little more room to sprawl out. If you’re using your crate in a car or truck, going a little smaller will keep your dog safer in the case of an accident. And don’t forget to measure the space where you plan to use your case (SUV trunk, truck bed, etc.). It won’t do you any good if it doesn’t fit where it needs to.
Q: How long can a dog stay in a kennel?
The answer to this question depends on how old your dog is and how well they’ve been crate trained. After doing the proper training—which involves progressively lengthening the time the pup spends in the crate—puppies and younger dogs can typically be crated for up to four hours. It’s recommended that adult dogs stay in a kennel for four to six hours with a max of eight hours.
Q: How do you secure a dog kennel in a truck?
The best way to secure a dog kennel in a truck is to use tie downs or several ratchet straps. Find a comfortable part of the truck bed to place the kennel. Make sure it’s near several anchor points. Then use straps to winch the kennel into a secure position.
Final Thoughts
For many of us, our hunting dogs are not just invaluable when they’re out in the field, they’re also important members of our families. Buying a solid kennel is one of the best things you can do to keep your pup safe when you’re traveling and out of trouble when they’re at home. Thankfully, there are plenty of great kennel options out there for hunting dogs today.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
