A kennel is a structure or shelter for dogs. A kennel
is a doghouse, run, or other small structure in which a dog is kept. American
English often uses the word "doghouse" in this context; in British
English the term "kennel" is preferred. Used in the plural, the
kennels, the term means any building, collection of buildings or a property
in which dogs are housed, maintained, and bred.
Breeding kennels
This is a formal establishment for the propagation of purebred dogs, whether
or not the animals are actually housed in a separate shed, the garage, a
state-of-the-art facility, or the family dwelling. Breeding kennels are heavily
regulated and must follow rules laid down by the breed club, the kennel council,
and relevant legislation.
Boarding kennels
This is a place where dogs are housed temporarily for a fee, an alternative
to using a pet sitter. Although many people worry about the stress placed on
the animal by being put in an unfamiliar and most likely crowded environment,
the majority of boarding kennels work to reduce stress Many kennels offer
one-on-one "play times" in order to get the animal out of the kennel
environment. Familiar objects, such as blankets and toys from home, are also
permitted at many kennels. Similarly, many kennels nowadays also offer grooming
and training services in addition to boarding, with the idea being that the
kennel can be the owner's "one-stop shop" for all three services In
the United States the term boarding kennel is also used to refer to boarding
catteries and licensing agencies do not always differentiate between commercial
boarding kennels for dogs and other animal or cat boarding kennels. It is
estimated that in 2008 people in the US
will spend $3.29 billion on boarding and grooming services. In 2007 actual
market surveys showed that $3.0 billion was spent on these services. Annual
kennel boarding expenses for dog owners was $225, and for cat owners was $149
according to a 2007-2008 survey.